A Florida car accident resulting from someone else’s actions or negligence can leave you with injuries requiring costly medical treatment. You might also struggle to do your job and even tend to your own needs if your injuries are particularly severe.
A personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you in these circumstances. If you have grounds to file an accident claim or personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party who caused your wreck, attorneys can fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
However, various factors can result in some types of car accident cases being more complicated than others. For instance, thanks to its sunny beaches and seemingly countless attractions, Florida attracts many tourists. You may have been injured in an accident caused by a driver from out of state.
How do you handle a Florida car accident lawyer involving a tourist? The answer can vary on a case-by-case basis. The following Florida tourist crash guide should answer many of your questions on this subject. For information specific to your case, consider meeting with a car accident lawyer for a free consultation.
Legal Advice Tourist Accident Information: The Significance of Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. To register a car or similar motor vehicle in Florida, a driver must first obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, per Florida Statutes § 627.7407. This policy is typically the first source of compensation after an accident.
It does not matter who caused the automobile accident in Florida. The first source of compensation will usually be a driver’s own insurance coverage.
However, your PIP insurance may not be sufficient to fully compensatme you for your injuries and losses after a motor vehicle accident. In Florida, you can also seek compensation from an at-fault party if your injuries and losses are particularly severe. Reviewing your case with a legal team member at a Florida car accident law firm could help you better understand whether this is an option in your circumstances.
Car Accident Tourist Florida Tips: Information to Get at the Scene of the Wreck
If you are reading this on your phone in the immediate aftermath of a collision involving a tourist in Florida, make sure you get their contact and insurance information. If you are no longer at the scene of the accident, and you did not get this information already, there may be other ways to secure it.
For instance, you or your attorney can request the police report of the accident, which may contain the necessary details to contact the driver responsible. Additionally, photos and videos of the crash and its aftermath may show details (like the driver’s license plate number) that you can use to track them down if there is no police report or the official accident report is incomplete.
Always keep in mind that you do not need to handle these tasks yourself. A lawyer can often handle them on your behalf.
If your injuries and losses are severe enough to meet the legal threshold under Florida law, you may be able to seek additional compensation beyond what your PIP provides by filing a claim with the insurance provider of the negligent driver who caused the accident. Just be aware that filing a claim with an out-of-state insurer may be more complex than filing an in-state claim. Coordinate with legal counsel for assistance.
Tourist Car Accident Florida: What You Should Know About Florida’s Long Arm Statute
Florida law has what is often informally referred to as the Long Arm Statute which is Florida Statutes § 48.193. This statute may apply when handling tourist accidents because it gives Florida courts the authority to summon out-of-state residents to appear in Florida courts when necessary.
In other words, due to the Long Arm Statute, you could sue a tourist who caused an accident. Per the law, when the tourist crossed state lines, they would have essentially already given their consent to appear in Florida courts if they caused an accident. Florida law supports your right to file a car accident lawsuit for damages following a crash involving a tourist.
However, you will need evidence to indicate the car accident resulted from said tourist’s negligence. They may not be required to appear in a Florida court if there is minimal indication they caused the accident. When seeking compensation, it is always wise to gather as much evidence as you can ahead of time.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida: Understanding the Statute of Limitations
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action after being injured in a motor vehicle accident due to a tourist’s negligence. The statute of limitations requires an injured party to file a motor vehicle accident lawsuit within two years of the accident occurring.
If you attempt to file a lawsuit after the deadline, the case will likely be dismissed. Get started on your case soon to avoid losing your right to compensation.
You can technically still file an insurance claim after the statute of limitations expires. However, an insurer will almost certainly be less likely to negotiate a fair settlement if they know you do not have the option of filing a lawsuit.
Keep in mind that the insurance company’s goal is not always to offer you the full compensation you are entitled to. The insurance company’s goal is to minimize the payout. This is easier for them to achieve if you can no longer file a lawsuit should they refuse to offer a fair settlement.
How to Seek Legal Help After a Tourist-Related Car Accident in Florida
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we understand that navigating the aftermath of an automobile accident is often confusing and overwhelming. This may be particularly true when the accident resulted from the negligence of a tourist who does not reside in our state.
The fact that the at-fault driver does not live in Florida does not mean you have no chance of securing compensation from them. Our team of Florida car accident attorneys is ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to get started with your free consultation.
