What Happens If You're Hit by a Tourist Driver in Florida?
Getting hit by a tourist driver in Florida usually means you first turn to your own car insurance under the state's no-fault rules, then potentially pursue the visitor for serious injuries that reach beyond those benefits. Our team often sees these mixed-coverage crashes in our work on Tampa car accident claims, where out-of-state drivers complicate an already stressful situation.
How Does Florida's No-Fault System Affect Your Claim?
Florida runs on a no-fault system, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage pays first after a crash, regardless of who caused it. Every driver carrying the state minimum holds $10,000 in PIP, and that money moves once you file a claim.
You must see a doctor within 14 days of the wreck, or you lose access to those benefits. Your PIP coverage generally steps in right away and pays for:
- Medical bills from the crash
- A share of your lost wages
- Replacement household services
- Death benefits for the surviving family
These benefits run out fast, especially after a hospital stay or surgery. Once your costs climb past the $10,000 limit, you can look beyond your own policy toward the driver who hit you, which is where a tourist's out-of-state coverage starts to matter.
Can You Hold the Tourist Driver Responsible?
Yes, you can pursue the tourist directly when your injuries are severe enough to step outside the no-fault system. A common concern is whether a Florida court can reach someone living in another state. A tourist who causes a crash on a Tampa road submits to Florida court jurisdiction the moment the wreck happens, even if they fly home the next day.
Florida's long-arm statute, Florida Statutes § 48.193, gives local courts jurisdiction over out-of-state drivers who commit a tortious act in Florida. Tourist crashes carry their own tangles, including the following:
- Out-of-state insurance policies
- Rental car company coverage
- Visitors who leave the state fast
- Thin or unclear liability limits
Rental car claims often involve overlapping responsibility between the rental agency, the driver's personal auto insurer, and any applicable travel insurance policy. Determining which coverage applies can take time, and early action helps preserve your position while the details are still being sorted out.
What If the Tourist Has No Coverage?
Some visitors carry only the bare minimum from their home state, which leaves you short after a serious wreck. Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy fills that gap and pays for injuries the at-fault driver cannot. Florida does not require this coverage, so check your declarations page before you ever need it. Many Tampa drivers carry it without realizing how much it protects them in exactly this kind of crash.
How Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
At Matthews Injury Law, our attorneys handle the insurance back-and-forth, locate out-of-state drivers, and build claims that account for every source of coverage available to you. Our team brings 70+ years of combined experience to Tampa crash victims. Call (813) 530-1000 for a free consultation, or contact our firm online to start your case today.