What are my rights after being hurt in an accident while on vacation in Florida?

Understanding Your Rights After a Vacation Accident in Florida

Millions of tourists visit Florida every year to take in the scenery and beautiful climate as well as enjoy the water. However, some visitors are hurt in unexpected accidents while vacationing in Florida.

It is important for foreigners to understand that they do have rights if they are injured in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, or Disney. If you were hurt while visiting from Ireland or the United Kingdom, you should speak to a local tourist injury attorney who can help you understand the claims process for vacation accidents.

Injured Foreigners’ Right to Compensation

Someone who sustains injuries in an accident while vacationing in Orlando or at a Disney resort has the same rights as Florida citizens. A party who causes an accident could be held liable for any subsequent injuries, regardless of the injured party’s nationality. A successful claim for damages may offer compensation to cover a traveler’s medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident.

The Case Must Be Heard in Florida

Regardless of whether you live in the United Kingdom, Scotland, or Ireland, your case must be heard in Florida if that is where the accident took place. This means that if your case goes to trial, you will likely have to come to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Orlando to testify. However, local courts recognize that travel is an expense associated with the accident, so they may award damages to cover any travel costs you incur to complete your claim.

Subrogation Laws

Another factor which is different in personal injury claims involving foreigners are subrogation laws. If your health plan covers some or all the costs of injuries sustained in a foreign country, your insurance provider also has a right to recover those expenses from the liable party.

Available Compensation for Tourists

You have the right to claim compensation for any losses you suffered as a result of another party’s negligence. For example, recoverable damages can cover the following:

• Past and future lost wages
• Past and future medical expenses
• Property damage
• Travel expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium

Claims involving slips and falls as well as other premises liability cases which involve a resort such as Disney or Universal Studios are straightforward in terms of compensatory awards. However, if you were hurt in a car crash while visiting Orlando, you must meet a threshold injury to file a claim – just as Florida residents must do.

Hurt on Vacation? A Florida Tourist Injury Attorney Can Help Protect Your Rights

It may be unclear what your rights are after an accident in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or Orlando. If you have been hurt as a result of someone else’s careless behavior, it is important to speak to a tourist injury attorney in Florida as soon as possible. Qualified legal counsel can explain the rights you have after an accident and make sure they are protected throughout the claims process.