What Happens if I Get Hurt While on Vacation in Florida?

As the weather warms up, many of us are dreaming of beach vacations. You might be looking forward to lazy days spent relaxing in the sunshine. But what do you do if you or a loved one gets hurt while you’re vacationing in Florida?

A personal injury attorney can help you get the money you’re entitled to, even if you’re from out of town. Read on to learn what to do if you get hurt while on vacation in Florida.

Common Vacation Accidents in Florida

There are several common accidents travelers may face while on vacation in Florida. Of course, driving in a strange city can be confusing, and many tourists experience car accidents while on vacation. These situations can get extra complicated if you rented a car to use during your trip.

Some Florida tourists get injured while renting recreational equipment, such as jet skis, beach bicycles, or scooters. Others get injured at hotels, rental properties, or retail stores while on vacation. And unfortunately, some people traveling in Florida get sexually assaulted during their vacations.

Filing a Florida Personal Injury Claim

If you’ve been hurt in an accident while traveling in Florida, you could be entitled to compensation. If you were injured in a car accident or at a business, your claim will likely involve an insurance company. The first step to getting the money you deserve is to file an insurance claim against the at-fault party. The insurance company will be responsible for paying you a fair settlement.

If the insurance company refuses to make you a fair compensation offer (and they so often do) or if the responsible party is uninsured, you may wind up having to file a personal injury lawsuit. In either case, a personal injury lawyer can help you decide on the best course of action. They can negotiate with the insurance companies and represent you in court if that’s what it takes to get you the money you deserve.

How to Handle an Out-of-Town Injury Claim

Managing a personal injury claim is complicated under the best of circumstances. Is it even possible to file a personal injury claim in another city if you live in Oakland Park?

Let’s say you were vacationing in St. Petersburg when you had your accident. With a good local personal injury lawyer on your side, you can get the compensation you’re entitled to. An experienced attorney can examine how much you’re owed, help you figure out the best course of action for your particular situation, and negotiate on your behalf. Depending on how your case progresses, you may not need to go back to St. Petersburg at all!

What Compensation Can You Recover?

So what sort of compensation can you expect to get in your personal injury case? There are three basic types of damages you can recover: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

• Economic damages apply to any losses with a specific financial value. Examples can include medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and property damage.
• Non-economic damages help to compensate you for losses that don’t have an attached dollar value. You may get this type of damages for pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium, emotional trauma, mental anguish, and so on.
• Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant who acted in an especially terrible manner during an accident. These damages are rare in a personal injury case.

Statute of Limitations in Florida

You will not have forever to file a claim after an accident in Florida. Historically, Florida has given injury victims four years to file a personal injury claim. However, the law has recently changed. As of March 24, 2023, the statute of limitations for general negligence cases is now two years.

If you got into an accident before March 24, 2023, you will be subject to the four-year deadline. If you got into an accident on March 24, 2023, or after, you will be subject to the new two-year statute of limitations. In either case, the clock will start ticking on the date of your accident. If you fail to file your claim within the time limits, you will not be able to recover any compensation. 

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Florida can help you determine the deadlines that apply to your case. 

Contact an Experienced Florida Personal Injury Attorney

Vacations are supposed to be happy, carefree experiences, but when disaster strikes, know that you can still get the money you’re entitled to. An experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help you handle your case from Oakland Park with minimal travel or headache. They’ll negotiate on your behalf and even file a lawsuit if that’s what it takes to get justice in your case.