More than 100 million people visit Florida each year from out-of-state or overseas. Florida is full of wonderful destinations, hotels, beaches, and resorts. Everyone comes to have a great time, but sometimes things go wrong. If you or a loved one has been injured while on vacation in Florida, you may wonder what you can do to be compensated for another party’s negligence. Just as in your home state, you have the right to sue for damages. You must do so within the statute of limitations and prove the accident, injury, or illness took place in Florida. The statute of limitations for a personal injury case against another party in Florida is four years; against a government body, three years; for a wrongful death case, two years.
Types of Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common sources of injury while on vacation. Many people drive to Florida in their own cars, while others rent cars or use a service, such as a taxi, shuttle bus, Uber, or Lyft. As with any accident, it is critical to get identification and insurance information from the other driver, take pictures, and get medical attention as soon as possible. If the police are called to the scene, you should also obtain an accident report.
While car accidents are the most common, there are many other possible sources of injury:
- Amusement parks: ride malfunctions or dangerous conditions
- Hotels: falls on poorly maintained property; insufficient security, leading to assault or robbery; faulty elevators or hotel room features
- Rental property: falls, faulty wiring, unsafe conditions
- Rented equipment, such as waterskis, jet skis, scooters, beach items: poorly maintained, defective, or malfunctioning equipment
- Outdoor activities, such as water sports, hang gliding, bungee jumping, cliff jumping, hiking, horseback riding, touring the Everglades: many possibilities for product malfunction and unsafe conditions – though great fun and adventurous, these challenging activities require wisdom and care when engaging in them
- Swimming pool accidents: poor maintenance, subpar safety standards, insufficient lifeguards
Finding a qualified Florida attorney
While we hope everyone has a wonderful visit to our beautiful state and we encourage you to take every precaution, accidents happen. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, loss of income, personal property damage, disability expenses, pain and suffering, and in some cases punitive damages.
If you are injured while on vacation in Florida, you need a Florida attorney who is an expert in the personal injury laws of Florida and who has the reputation for fighting and winning. Insurance companies and big businesses can afford to hire teams of lawyers; you need someone who will fight for you. I specialize in personal injury cases, because I believe in justice, “fighting for the little guy,” and balancing the playing field. I have a track record of winning significant awards for my clients.
If you were hurt while on vacation in Florida, call me today for a no-cost consultation to see how I can help you.