Every year, thousands of students flock to Florida's beaches for Spring Break. While it's a time for fun, it's also a peak season for accidents. Alcohol, crowded roads, and unfamiliar areas create...
Every year, thousands of students flock to Florida's beaches for Spring Break. While it's a time for fun, it's also a peak season for accidents. Alcohol, crowded roads, and unfamiliar areas create a perfect storm for car crashes, pedestrian incidents, and hotel injuries. If you are an out-of-state student (or the parent of one) injured in Florida, you face a complex legal situation involving jurisdiction and remote representation.
Jurisdiction: Where Do I Sue?
If the accident happened in Florida, the lawsuit generally must be filed in Florida, even if you live in Ohio or New York. This means you need a Florida licensed attorney. You cannot just hire your family lawyer back home. We handle cases for out-of-state clients regularly, managing everything via Zoom and email so you don't have to travel back and forth.
Rental Car Accidents
Many Spring Breakers drive rental cars. If you are hit by a rental car, or injured while driving one, insurance coverage gets complicated. Florida law (the Graves Amendment) generally protects rental companies from liability for their drivers' negligence, meaning you must look to the driver's personal insurance or the supplemental insurance purchased at the counter.
Hotel and Resort Liability
Slip and falls at pool parties, balcony accidents, and negligent security at hotels are common. Hotels have a duty to protect guests from foreseeable harm. If they allowed overcrowding or failed to clean up spills, they can be held liable for your injuries.
Alcohol-Related Injuries
DUI accidents spike during Spring Break. If you are hit by a drunk driver, you may have a claim for punitive damages. Additionally, under Florida's 'Dram Shop' law, you might be able to sue the bar that served the driver, but only if the driver was a minor or known to be habitually addicted to alcohol.
Contact Emas Law Group Today
A Spring Break injury can derail a young person's life. Don't let a legal jurisdictional mess add to the trauma. Emas Law Group acts as your local legal advocate, fighting for your rights in Florida courts while you recover at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to come back to Florida for court?
Ideally, yes, for the trial. But most pre-trial work (depositions, mediation) can now be done remotely. Most cases settle without you ever needing to return.
What if the at-fault driver was also a tourist?
We can still sue them in Florida because the accident happened here. We serve them with the lawsuit in their home state.
Does my parents' insurance cover me?
Often, yes. If you are a student dependent, your parents' UM coverage might apply to you even if you are in a different state.