Accidents Involving Out of State Drivers

Florida’s warm weather, beaches, and year-round tourism bring millions of visitors to Miami each year. Many of these travelers rent cars or drive in from other states, sharing already crowded highways and city streets with local drivers. Unfortunately, this combination often leads to collisions. If you were injured in an accident caused by an out-of-state driver, the aftermath can be more complicated than a typical car crash. Different insurance rules, jurisdiction questions, and communication hurdles may all come into play.

At Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, we have helped Floridians recover compensation after car accidents since 1976. Our experienced attorneys understand how to handle cases involving drivers from other states, ensuring your claim is filed correctly and your rights are protected.

Miami is one of the busiest tourist destinations in the country. Visitors arrive daily by plane, cruise ship, and interstate highways. These drivers may be:

• Renting cars from Miami International Airport or local agencies
• Driving their own vehicles from out of state
• Unfamiliar with Florida traffic laws, signage, or roadways
• Distracted by GPS, maps, or phones while trying to navigate

From I-95 to Brickell Avenue, the combination of heavy local traffic and drivers unfamiliar with the area creates a high risk of collisions.

Accidents involving visiting motorists are not the same as standard car crashes. You may encounter additional obstacles such as:

• Confusion about which state’s insurance law applies
• Difficulty contacting the driver once they return home
• Insurance companies delaying claims because of multiple jurisdictions
• Rental car companies complicating the claims process

These factors can create uncertainty about your next steps and cause long delays in claim handling by the insurance company.

Florida is a no-fault state, which means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays initial medical bills, no matter who caused the accident. But if your injuries are severe, you may need to pursue additional compensation for medical expenses from the at-fault driver.

When the other driver is from out of state, their insurance must still comply with Florida’s minimum requirements while they are driving here. However, coverage disputes are common. For example, their policy limits may be lower than what is typical in Florida, or their insurer may challenge liability from a distance.

Our committed attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada understand how to navigate these disputes and work to ensure that all available coverage is pursued.

One of the biggest worries after an accident with an out-of-state driver is that they will return home and make it difficult to pursue a claim. Fortunately, Florida law allows you to file your case here, even if the other driver lives elsewhere.

We take steps to:

• File claims within Florida’s court system
• Serve legal papers on drivers living in other states
• Work directly with out-of-state insurers and their adjusters
• Preserve evidence and witness statements while they are still available

You should not have to chase another driver across state lines just to protect and pursue your rights.

Collisions with visiting motorists can result in the same serious injuries seen in other crashes, including:

• Head and brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries, including whiplash and herniated discs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Internal injuries
• Severe bruising and scarring

Because many of these accidents happen on Miami’s highways or busy city streets, victims often face hospital stays, ongoing treatment, and time away from work.

If you are involved in a collision with a visiting driver, protect your health and your case by:

• Calling 911 and making sure a police report is filed
• Seeking immediate medical attention
• Collecting the driver’s license, insurance, and out-of-state address
• Taking photos of the scene, vehicles, and any visible injuries
• Asking witnesses for their contact information
• Avoiding recorded statements to insurers without speaking to an attorney

Quick action helps prevent disputes and gives your lawyer the evidence needed to strengthen your claim.

Out-of-state accident cases require special attention to insurance rules, jurisdiction, and communication with drivers who may never return to Florida. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling these unique claims. We investigate the crash, identify all available insurance coverage, and negotiate with insurers across state lines.

We also know how to present your case in Miami courts if settlement is not possible, ensuring you have a path forward even when the at-fault driver is long gone.

If you were injured in a crash caused by an out-of-state driver, you should not have to navigate complicated insurance and legal issues on your own. The knowledgeable attorneys at Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada are here to help.

We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless and until we recover money for you. Call 877-448-8585 today to speak with one of our Miami car accident lawyers about your case and learn how we can help you move forward after an accident with an out-of-state driver.