Visiting Family and Hurt in a Florida Crash: Jurisdiction, Insurance, and Medical Bills for Out-of-State Guests

 Being involved in a car crash while visiting family in Florida can bring unexpected complications, especially when it comes to navigating jurisdiction, insurance coverage, and medical bills. This post breaks down everything out-of-state visitors need to know about Florida’s legal and insurance systems and how to handle medical costs. It will guide you through your rights and responsibilities, offering clarity if the unthinkable happens during your visit.

Understanding Florida’s Jurisdiction for Visitors Involved in an Accident

If you’re visiting Florida and get injured in a car crash, one of the first things you might worry about is jurisdiction. In legal terms, jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear a case and make a legal decision. Since you’re an out-of-state visitor, you may wonder whether Florida courts have jurisdiction over your case.

Here’s the good news: Florida courts can have jurisdiction over accidents that occur within the state, even if the individuals involved are from out of state. This means that if you’re involved in a car accident while visiting, Florida law will likely govern how your case proceeds.

However, the no-fault insurance system that Florida uses can simplify matters. In Florida, residents must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who was at fault in the crash. Out-of-state visitors don’t need to worry about Florida’s PIP insurance unless they were driving a rental car or their insurance company has a policy extension that includes Florida.

Insurance Considerations for Out-of-State Visitors in Florida

One of the most common concerns for visitors injured in Florida car accidents is how insurance will work, especially if they’re from out of state. Understanding how your insurance applies in Florida can save you both time and frustration when navigating the aftermath of a crash. Here are the key points to consider:

Michael Serrano

Founding Attorney

Candace “Cea” Hartley

Attorney

Molli Gard, ESQ.

Attorney

Personal Insurance Coverage

If you have car insurance in your home state, check with your insurance company to see if it extends coverage when you drive in Florida. Many states’ auto insurance policies cover you if you’re involved in an accident while traveling out of state. However, there are exceptions, so it’s essential to verify that you’re covered.

In some cases, out-of-state visitors may be subject to different terms or limitations when it comes to medical care or vehicle repairs. If you are visiting family and driving your own car, your insurance company should provide coverage for the accident, just as it would if you were involved in an accident back home.

Rental Car Insurance

If you are renting a car in Florida, the situation changes slightly. Rental car insurance is an option provided by the rental company, and it can help cover costs if you’re involved in a crash. However, it’s important to review what the rental company offers and whether it includes adequate coverage for medical bills, vehicle damage, and injuries.

In addition, some credit cards offer rental car insurance as a benefit when you use the card to pay for the rental. You may want to check with your card issuer to see if this benefit applies to you and whether it covers medical bills or accident-related expenses while in Florida.

Florida’s Uninsured Motorist Protection

Florida’s no-fault insurance laws require that each driver carries a certain level of insurance. However, you may still encounter situations where the other driver lacks sufficient insurance or has no insurance at all. In this case, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can help protect you. Many auto insurance policies, including rental car coverage, offer this as an optional addition. Uninsured motorist coverage can help cover your medical bills and other accident-related costs if the at-fault driver is not adequately insured.

Mike Serrano’s law office was everything I needed after a very traumatic accident. He was always super up front and honest with me. I never got the feeling he was trying to sell me on something or to do something that I wasn’t comfortable with. He listened to my concerns and when it tough moments came that I needed to stand my ground. He backed me and made me feel 100% secure. He got me exactly what I needed in a settlement and I would never consider using anyone else. His office staff is also phenomenal.”

- Mary

Mike Serrano was a great attorney for my case!! He was very flexible with phone calls/ Zoom meetings. His staff are always friendly, whether it be on the phone or emails. They keep you updated during your entire case! They don’t leave you silent for months. if you call, they always call back with updates! Highly recommend!"

- Kylie Collier Border

I’ve never had to deal with a lawyer before but Mike has set the bar HIGH. He was always available to communicate my concerns and explain each step of the way. I know no other lawyer would have been able to achieve the same results because he jumped on an opportunity that was a little out of the ordinary and it paid off. He really fought for my case and over delivered. I really hope I never have another accident but if I do I’m running to Mike for help."

- Sandy Carter

How Medical Bills Are Handled for Out-of-State Guests in Florida

If you are injured in a car accident while visiting Florida, one of the biggest concerns you’ll face is how to manage the medical bills that come with treatment. Thankfully, Florida’s PIP insurance system can help, but it may require some additional steps for out-of-state visitors. Here’s what you need to know about handling medical bills:

PIP Insurance and How It Applies to You

While Florida residents must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, out-of-state visitors often do not. If you have been involved in a car crash and do not have PIP insurance, you will need to rely on your own health insurance or rental car insurance (if applicable) to cover medical costs. However, Florida’s PIP law could still apply if you were in a rental car. PIP insurance in Florida covers medical expenses, ambulance services, and even lost wages for up to 80% of the cost of medical treatment, but only if you are a Florida resident or covered by PIP insurance through a Florida-based rental car agreement.

For visitors, your personal health insurance may step in to cover medical expenses in Florida, especially if your provider has a national or regional network of doctors and hospitals. However, you could be subject to higher out-of-network costs if your health insurance does not have partnerships with Florida providers.

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Hospital and Medical Provider Networks

Before you are treated in Florida, it’s crucial to ask if the medical provider accepts your out-of-state health insurance. If they do, they will likely file the claim directly with your insurance company. However, be prepared to pay upfront for your medical care if they do not accept out-of-state insurance or if you are treated by a provider who is considered out-of-network.

In some cases, out-of-state visitors may need to pay out-of-pocket for treatment and seek reimbursement from their insurance companies later. If your injury is serious and you are unable to pay immediately, there may be options for negotiating medical debt or payment plans directly with the hospital or provider.

Negotiating Medical Bills

If you’re dealing with high medical bills, you can often work directly with healthcare providers or hospitals to reduce costs or establish payment plans. Consulting a local attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can help you navigate medical debt and potentially settle the bills for less than the original amount.

What to Do Immediately After the Accident

Knowing what steps to take after a car accident can make the process of managing the aftermath much easier. If you are injured while visiting family in Florida, here’s a comprehensive checklist to follow:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, it’s important to get checked out by a healthcare professional. Many injuries, especially internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent, so it’s critical to get medical help right away.

Case Results

Car Accident

This client was injured in an auto accident with a driver who improperly merged into her lane. Her vehicle was totaled. She sustained an aggravation of her pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and new disc herniations in her lower back. We obtained the full limits of both the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and our client’s underinsured motorist coverage, which were significant. The settlement was achieved without a law suit and within four months after the client finished treating.

Rear End Collision

This particular client was injured in an accident in late 2015 when she was rear-ended. She sustained an aggravation of pre-existing disc herniations in her neck and a new disc herniation which ultimately required a surgical fusion. By the time of trial, her medical bills exceeded $180,000.00. The Defendants’ offer pre-suit was $20,000.00. We were able to obtain a jury verdict of $441,000.00, plus attorneys’ fees.

Car Accident

A client was injured in a rear-end collision where he sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing disc bulge that developed into a herniation in his lower back. We obtained a jury verdict which was over 6 times what had been offered prior to trial.

Car Accident

In this case, our client injured her shoulder after being struck by a vehicle while she was performing volunteer services. The driver was traveling at such a high rate of speed entering a parking lot that he clipped another vehicle, hit a parking barrier and was launched into a tree. After the client attempted to negotiate with the insurance company prior to hiring us, we were able to obtain an amount that was over double the prior offer.

Intentional Torts

Our client was injured from an assault by a patron of a party while working security. His shoulder required multiple surgeries. He hired our office to pursue a claim to recoup his medical bills, which exceeded $130,000.00. After his assailant offered him $10,000.00 to resolve his case, we took the case to a jury to decide. The jury awarded our client all of his medical bills and tripled his award for pain and suffering.

Car Accident

This client came to us about a car wreck that occurred in 2014 where she sustained injuries. She approached our firm just one week before the statute of limitations was set to expire after being turned away by several other law firms. We filed a lawsuit and were able to obtain the limits of the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage and an additional settlement from the client’s insurance carrier.

Truck Crash

This couple was injured in an automobile accident after they were rear-ended in a seven-car pileup caused by a semi-trailer. Of the 15 people who made claims on the same insurance policy, our clients each received the second and third highest offers, which covered all of their past and future medical bills and their attorney’s fees.

Truck Crash

In this case, our client was injured from a rear-end collision with an eighteen-wheeler. Her original lawyer procured a settlement offer of $7,000.00 to settle her case. Because the offer did not approach the amount of bills she incurred from accident related treatment, she came to our firm for a consultation. She decided to hire us. We promptly filed suit and obtained a settlement for her.

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2. Report the Accident

Report the accident to the local law enforcement. An official police report will be necessary for insurance claims and for establishing fault. Make sure to get a copy of the report, as it will serve as an official document of the incident.

3. Exchange Information

Be sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver, including their name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance company details. Additionally, if there are any witnesses to the accident, take note of their contact information as well.

4. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Even if you are not at fault, they will help you navigate the claims process and provide you with the necessary documentation for medical treatment and vehicle repair.

5. Consult with an Attorney

If you’re dealing with significant injury or complex insurance issues, it might be worth consulting with an attorney who specializes in personal injury law in Florida. They can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected.

Being involved in a car accident while visiting family in Florida is a difficult and often overwhelming experience, but knowing what to do beforehand can make all the difference. By understanding Florida’s jurisdiction for out-of-state visitors, how insurance works, and how to handle medical bills, you can reduce stress and focus on your recovery.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Serrano Law for a free consultation. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is here to help you navigate the complexities of Florida law and get you the compensation you deserve.

To learn more about this subject click here: Differences Between Motorcycle And Car Accident Cases