According to a Business Insider report, Florida is the second most-visited state in the U.S., following California. In 2019 alone, the number of tourists who visited Florida was approximately 131.423 million. You can attribute the high number of visitors to the state’s many tourist destinations and attractions; among them, Disney World and Universal Studios, Ft. Lauderdale.
During a trip to Florida, you may require a means of transport to take you from one place to another, opting for a taxi, renting a vehicle, or driving your own. Since you’ll be traveling on congested and unfamiliar roads, you should know your rights in the event of an auto accident. If you sustain serious injuries in a car accident in Florida, seek help from an experienced local attorney to recover damages.
Car accident laws in Florida
Florida laws require all licensed drivers to operate their vehicles in a way that does not place anyone at risk of harm. Additionally, licensed drivers in Orlando should have an insurance policy covering any physical injury case that the driver causes to others.
If you get injured by a licensed Florida driver, the driver’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance may cover 80 percent of your medical bills of up to $10,000. In case of death, PIP insurance provides up to $5000 in death benefits.
You can also receive the PIP insurance coverage if you are hurt while occupying a Florida rental car. The coverage stands even when visiting from another state or touring from another country. Since Florida is a no-fault state, it does not matter who causes the crash.
However, you can make your claim against the at-fault driver when there is enough proof that the accident resulted from their negligence.
Proof of negligence in a Florida car accident
You should meet certain pre-requisites for your injury claim to prove the other driver(s) is at-fault. First, you need to show that the other party breached their duty of driving safely and reasonably and ended up causing harm. There should also be clear evidence that the party at-fault was responsible for your injuries. Finally, there should be some form of damage, be it physical, financial, or emotional, resulting from the accident.
When an accident occurs, collect information from all parties involved, including name, address, and vehicle registration number. It’s also a good idea to get the name and contact information of witnesses. Remember to take pictures of the scene and the damage on the vehicles. You can also include a note on the weather and road conditions.
With this information, your Florida personal injury lawyer can speed up the claims process and help you get fair compensation for your damages. Sometimes, an accident may leave you traumatized, not able to collect any information. In this case, an experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help you collect the evidence you need to show the other party’s fault. They can also take care of every legal detail after you travel back home from your trip.
The claims process for tourist car accidents in Florida
Your attorney will help you file a claim with the defendant’s insurance company and ask for a settlement amount. To accelerate this claims process and improve the chances of a positive outcome, your attorney may present indisputable evidence that shows the defendant was indeed at-fault. Some of these pieces of evidence include:
- Police report: Florida requires you to contact the local authorities immediately after an accident occurs. The police will investigate the site to determine the cause and write a detailed official report that your attorney can acquire to present as evidence in your case.
- Visual evidence: Your attorney will collect photos of the accident scene and interview as many witnesses as possible to get a clear account of what led to the accident.
- Medical record: Your attorney will need your medical record to show the extent of your injuries and support the amount of compensation they ask from the defendant’s insurance company. The attorney can get the doctor to testify if the case does not end in a settlement and goes to trial. In the event of death, a coroner’s report is substantial enough to act as evidence.
Contact an experienced injury attorney in Orlando
Florida boasts approximately 1,197 miles of coastline, 30,000 lakes, and 11 national parks. Whether you’re visiting to hit one of the beaches, taking your family to Universal Studios, or watching the sunset in Key West, you’ll be behind the wheel and thus at risk of an accident.
Though it’s the last thing on your mind, when it happens, you have the right to retain an experienced personal injury lawyer in Orlando. Insurance companies will never explain the law to you. In fact, they will be more than happy to pay out the least amount of money on your claim. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Zimmet & Zimmet for a free consultation to protect your rights.
