I hope this article finds you in good health, but if you're here, it's likely that you or a loved one are facing the challenging situation of dealing with an injury while in the United States. While the circumstances might be less than ideal, I want you to know that you're not alone. Navigating healthcare and insurance after an injury in the US can be complex, but with the right knowledge and steps, you can ensure you receive the care you need and the compensation you deserve. In this article, we'll walk through the essential steps you should take to effectively manage medical treatment, insurance claims, and the associated bills if you are a Canadian injured in the United States. Understanding Your Coverage First and foremost, it's crucial to understand your Canadian health insurance coverage while you're in the US. Many provinces provide limited coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred while abroad, but it's important to verify the specifics with your provincial health authority. Depending on your plan, you might need to pay upfront and then seek reimbursement later. Keep all medical receipts and documentation; they'll be invaluable when filing your insurance claim. If you have purchased travel health insurance, contact your insurance provider immediately. They can guide you through the process to make sure you are covered for healthcare expenses while in the United States. Finding Suitable Healthcare Providers After ensuring you're aware of your coverage, the next step is finding suitable healthcare providers. Seek out reputable medical facilities. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations from locals, hotel staff, or even your Canadian embassy or consulate. Research is key; you want to ensure you receive the best possible care. Managing Medical Bills
Consult with a Cross-Border Injury Lawyer One of the most valuable steps you can take to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve is to consult with a cross-border injury lawyer. Navigating the legal and insurance systems of another country can be overwhelming, but an experienced lawyer can provide you with essential guidance and support. Here's how a cross-border injury lawyer can assist you:
Dealing with an injury while in the United States can be challenging, but remember that you have options and resources at your disposal. Hiring a cross-border injury lawyer, like myself, can significantly ease the burden and enhance your chances of a successful recovery process. As you focus on your health and well-being, let a skilled legal professional handle the complexities of your case, ensuring that you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Wishing you strength and a successful journey to recovery, Andrew Iacobelli Contact us for a FREE Consultation with an experienced cross-border injury attorney. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way".
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As an Ontario resident that has just been involved in a motor vehicle crash in the United States, there are some important steps you should take immediately to preserve your rights. By following these initial steps, you will be in a much better position to successfully claim for your injuries and losses.
First, call the police and get an accident report prepared by a police officer. Sometimes when travelling abroad, there may be uncertainty as to whether or not you need a police report. In some cases, the other driver, who is likely from the city or state where the accident occurred, might suggest that the police do not need to be called, offering instead to exchange drivers license and insurance information. The other driver may even verbally admit fault for the accident, and apologize to you at the scene of the crash. Although it might seem reasonable to forego calling the police after a seemingly minor collision, the consequences can be significant. Insist on having the accident reported to the police. Failure to obtain a police report will often be used against you by the other driver’s insurance company and their lawyers to deny or minimize your claim. The insurance company will take advantage of the fact that there is no police report, and may dispute fault for the accident even if their insured driver was apologetic or admitted fault at the scene. Motor vehicle accidents in the United States should always be reported to the police. Second, get examined by a healthcare professional if you feel that you have sustained any injuries in the accident, no matter how minor they may appear. If an ambulance attends the accident scene and offers to transport you to hospital, accept the ambulance ride and go to the hospital. Injuries, including serious injuries, may not always be apparent in the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. The stress and adrenaline from the situation may mask the pain and conceal serious injuries. Additionally, your failure to seek medical attention following an accident, will most certainly be used against you by the other driver’s insurance company. They will argue that your injuries are not serious or were not caused by the accident, otherwise you would have immediately gone to the hospital. Third, when you are released from the hospital, contact a personal injury lawyer with experience helping Canadians injured in the United States. Claims on behalf of Ontario residents injured in the United States present unique and challenging circumstances. These claims involve issues and questions surrounding the insurance coverage, choice of law, and venue, among other things. It is important to get advice as soon as possible so that you can make informed decisions and protect your rights. Your lawyer will provide you with additional, confidential, advice on the steps you should take in order to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Contact us for a FREE Consultation with an experienced cross-border injury attorney. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". The rights of motor vehicle accident victims are usually governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. There is a well established legal principle known as Lex Loci Delicti, which is a Latin phrase that stands for the proposition that the law of the location of the accident governs. In the context of an auto accident, this means that a lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover money for injuries and losses, will be governed by the law of the land where the motor vehicle accident occurred.
In the United States, it is the particular state that establishes the laws governing a victim’s rights following a motor vehicle accident. As such, the rights and remedies available to motor vehicle accident victims can vary across state lines. With that said, many of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces share common elements in their respective laws governing the rights of accident victims. In my experience representing accident victims in Ontario and in the United States, it has been my observation that, on the whole, the U.S. states tend to provide greater rights and remedies for accident victims to claim against the at-fault party than in Ontario. This can be of significant benefit for an Ontario resident injured in a motor vehicle accident in the United States. It should be noted that, even where the state laws may be fair and equitable for accident victims, a major concern with accidents in the United States is the amount of available insurance coverage. Often, there is insufficient insurance coverage available on behalf of the at-fault American vehicle. Insurance policy limits in the United States are often much lower than those in Canada. In fact, sometimes the insurance policies will have no coverage at all for bodily injury. For Ontario residents this may result in a claim against an Ontario auto insurance carrier for the underinsured or uninsured portion of the claim. In those cases involving little or no insurance for bodily injury, the Ontario claim for underinsured or insured benefits may apply a mix of Ontario and U.S. law. While this may add complexity to the claim, you should know that, for many Ontario residents, the ability to apply the U.S. state law to the Ontario claim can be beneficial to the final outcome. This is because many U.S. states have laws that are more favorable than Ontario law with respect to the rights of the accident victim. If you are a Canadian injured in the United States, contact us to learn more. We offer Free Consultations. In our latest video, we discuss some of the common questions that Canadians have if they were injured in a Florida car accident. We hope you find this video informative. We are avaialble for you now - call us anytime to get started with your free consultation.
Why it is so important to have family protection endorsement coverage on your Ontario auto policy3/30/2023 As a resident of Ontario, you know how important it is to protect your family's financial future. One of the best ways to do this is by purchasing insurance. And when it comes to automobile insurance, there's one endorsement everyone should have: the Family Protection Endorsement.
The Family Protection Endorsement is a type of coverage that provides additional protection for you and your family in the event of an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. It's designed to help you recover any losses that you or your family members might experience due to an accident that wasn't your fault. Fortunately, most passenger vehicles have this coverage because the majority of brokers sell it to you as a matter of course. It is still important, however, to specifically ask your insurance agent or broker to make sure you have this coverage. If you do not have this extra insurance coverage on your policy, you take a huge risk when travelling outside of Ontario. If you are in a crash in the United States, and you do not have this extra coverage, your uninsured policy limits are only as much as the minimum limits in the State where the accident occurred. That means, if the state has very low minimum insurance limits, which is common in the United States, your limits for an uninsured claim will also drop down to those low limits. In a State like Florida, where there is no requirement to have any insurance coverage for third party injury, you could end up with no protection unless you have the endorsement. Here are a few other reasons why the Family Protection Endorsement is so important for Ontario residents travelling to Florida: There is a high rate of uninsured drivers or underinsured drivers in Florida. It has been estimated that over 20% of Florida vehicles do not have insurance coverage for bodily injury. Even if there is insurance coverage in place for bodily injury, there is a good chance that the limits will be low. That means if you're in an accident with one of these drivers, you could be left with a lot of financial losses. The Family Protection Endorsement provides an additional layer of protection to ensure that you and your family are covered, even if the other driver isn't. It covers you even when your not driving your Ontario vehicle The Family Protection Endorsement provides coverage even if your vehicle doesn't go with you on your vacation to Florida. Whether you fly to Florida or drive down it makes no difference. You Ontario auto insurance will protect you from an uninsured or underinsured driver in many situations, including when you get injured in an accident while you are walking, cycling, riding a bus, or driving a rental vehicle. It covers more than just medical expenses. While medical expenses are certainly a big concern in the event of an accident in the United States, they're not the only expenses you'll need to worry about. The Family Protection Endorsement also covers things like lost income, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation expenses. It's affordable. Despite the added benefits, the Family Protection Endorsement is actually quite affordable. In fact, many insurance providers offer it as an add-on to your existing policy for just a few extra dollars a month. It's peace of mind. Perhaps the most important reason to consider the Family Protection Endorsement is the peace of mind it provides. Knowing that you and your family are protected in the event of an accident can help ease your worries and allow you to focus on more important things. If you are a Canadian resident that has been injured in a Florida car accident, we can help. The Snowbird Attorney is here for Canadians injured in Florida. Call us day or night to get more information and request a Free Consultation at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". As a Canadian visiting Florida, it is important to understand the legal rights and protections available to you in the event of a car accident. In the state of Florida, individuals who are involved in car accidents have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and damages. However, navigating the legal system in a foreign country can be complex, which is why it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
Here are some important things that Canadians should know if they are injured in a car accident while visiting Florida:
Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Canadian drivers are accustomed to auto insurance, and generally enjoy peace of mind with the knowledge that most vehicles on Ontario roadways are adequately insured. When Canadian residents travel to the United States, however, the unfortunate reality is that most US vehicles will have less insurance coverage than is typical in Canada. Why does this matter to Canadian drivers? It matters because if a Canadian resident is involved in a crash caused by a US vehicle, there is a significant risk that the at-fault vehicle will not have adequate insurance. This is particularly true in snowbird states such as Florida, which is one of only two US states that does not mandate insurance coverage for bodily injury. That means, if an at-fault driver in Florida collides with a Canadian, the Florida vehicle may not have any insurance coverage to pay for the injuries caused because it they are not required to carry any auto insurance to pay for bodily injury. It has been estimated that over 20% of Florida vehicles do not have insurance coverage for bodily injury. Even if there is insurance coverage in place for bodily injury, there is a good chance that the limits will be low - often less than $50,000 in coverage. For a Canadian that is injured in a Florida car accident, the lack of coverage is a major concern. A car accident that results in injuries for a Canadian can lead to immediate and significant health care expenses. If a Canadian resident injured in a Florida car accident is taken to hospital and treated, the medical bills will add up quickly. In our practice, we regularly meet Canadians that have well in excess of $100,000USD in medical expenses from Florida hospitals and physicians. So what is a Canadian resident to do if they are injured in Florida and have thousands of dollars in US medical bills? Fortunately, for many Ontario residents, they will have access to Ontario underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. Simply put, Ontario auto insurance policies protect you when you are hurt in a car accident, even in the United States. The law surrounding these claims and the cross-border issues that arise are complex, but in many cases a Canadian resident will be able to advance claims in both Ontario and Florida. It is important to note that, with few exceptions, Florida law will apply in very significant ways so most Ontario lawyers are not well equipped to assist with these cases. If you are a Canadian resident that has been injured in a Florida car accident, we can help. The Snowbird Attorney is here for Canadians injured in Florida. Call us day or night to get more information and request a Free Consultation. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". This is a great question that is often asked by Canadians injured in Florida. They see the billboards and television advertisements for attorneys in Florida, so they make the call. Others wait to return to Ontario and call an Ontario lawyer that deals with car accidents. In both situations, the lawyers will often accept the case. Why? Because these lawyers may be able to assist with one area of the case - either Florida or Ontario - and will likely refer you to another lawyer to assist with the part of the case that they cannot handle. For instance, an Ontario lawyer may say that they can help you with the Ontario aspects of your case, and then refer you to a Florida attorney for the Florida aspects of the case. The same holds true for the Florida attorney that needs help with the Ontario aspects of the case. Although there is nothing wrong with this approach, and many of our Canadian clients injured in Florida reach us in precisely this way, it is not the most efficient way to proceed. When the lawyer only knows the rules on one side of the border, this often leads to delays in the case or worse, serious problems where deadlines or steps are missed. Unfortunately, quite often I receive a frantic call from a lawyer in either Ontario or Florida that is worried they committed an error because they missed some important aspect of the claim on the side of the border where they are not experienced or licensed to practice.
What is the answer then - hire a Florida attorney or Ontario lawyer? In most instances you will need help from lawyers on both sides of the border. The Snowbird Attorney is unique because we practice law both in Ontario, Canada and Florida, USA. With offices located in Palm Beach County and in the GTA, I regularly represent Canadians injured in Florida accidents. My practice started in Florida in 2004, first as an insurance defense attorney and then as a lawyer representing injured people. In 2012, I also started a law firm in Ontario to help injured Ontario residents. I am a member of the Florida Justice Association, American Association for Justice, and Ontario Trial Lawyers Association. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help countless Canadians injured in the USA as a result of motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, trip and fall accidents, and boating accidents. I have also formed great relationships with Ontario lawyers and Florida attorneys that regularly call on me to assist with their cross-border accident cases and I am so very grateful to these intelligent lawyers for their continued support and counsel. If you are a Canadian injured in Florida, call me anytime for a Free Consultation. If you are a Florida attorney or lawyer in Ontario and you are trying to help a Canadian injured in the United States, feel free to reach out anytime with any questions. The Snowbird Attorney, Andrew Iacobelli understands that being involved in a motor vehicle accident is frightening especially when you are a Canadian injured in Florida. Andrew is often referred to as the Lawyer for Canadians, the Snowbird Lawyer or Snowbird Attorney because he has helped countless Canadians that have been injured in the United States. The Snowbird Attorney regularly represents Canadian residents who have been seriously injured while visiting the United States and can coordinate access to benefits from your Ontario Insurance policies, as well as available policies from US insurers. Where necessary, we have a network of professionals within the United States as well. Following an accident or injury in the United States, you may be worried and confused about your legal rights and options. It’s difficult to deal with a serious accident when you are a Canadian injured while visiting Florida. In addition to worrying about your health and well-being, you may be faced with a complex insurance claims process, expensive medical bills and many more decisions. Insurance companies and healthcare representatives may be asking you to make decisions and sign documents. You will have many questions. Attorney, Andrew Iacobelli recognized an important need to reach Canadian residents that have been injured in Florida to not only share important information but to also allow Canadians to reach out to a Personal Injury Lawyer who can help with Snowbird Accidents. “Ask the Snowbird Attorney” is an online group where members can discuss their concerns, ask questions and will help you decide if you need to speak with The Snowbird Attorney. Have you been injured in Florida and have questions? We encourage you to join the group at: Ask The Snow Bird Attorney | Facebook. Before speaking with the insurance company, it is important to know your rights and you do not have to face the consequences of an accident in the United States alone. Personal injury attorney, Andrew Iacobelli, is experienced in cross-border personal injury cases and maintains offices in Ontario, Canada and Florida, USA. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION at 1-866-234-6093. We are available 24/7. Winter has arrived and many Ontario residents will be travelling to Florida for a vacation or many have already settled in to start enjoying their winter stay in Florida. Although we never expect accidents to happen, car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. For Ontario residents, it is particularly stressful if you were involved in a car accident while visiting the United States. Although some Canadians will be flying and renting a car, many Canadians also drive the long distance from Ontario to Florida. If you are a Canadian resident that has been injured while travelling to or while visiting Florida, it can be very confusing to determine where to obtain help for your accident claim. If the accident involved a motor vehicle, such as a car or motor vehicle striking a cyclist or pedestrian then at least part of your claim for insurance benefits must proceed in Ontario. It may surprise you to know that when a Canadian is injured in a car accident in Florida, very often the claims for losses are primarily paid by a Canadian auto insurance policy. Ontario has a no-fault benefits system known as statutory accident benefits that provide certain basic coverage for Ontario residents that are injured in accidents involving motor vehicles. These benefits are available for accidents occurring in Canada or the United States. Such benefits must be accessed in Ontario, and any litigation arising out of entitlement to these benefits needs to be commenced in Ontario. In our experience, we find that the Ontario Accident Benefits Insurance will reimburse for reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred while in the United States. The medical bills are usually recoverable from either your insurance company or the insurance provider for the at-fault vehicle. Often, the medical providers in the United States will cooperate with your lawyer in an effort to have your medical bills reimbursed by an insurance company. If you are a resident of Ontario Canada and have been involved in a car accident in Florida, seek medical attention as soon as possible and advise the hospital or treatment provider of all available insurance you have, including any travel insurance, extended health insurance and automobile insurance. Cross border personal injury cases can be complex and you should not delay in consulting a personal injury lawyer with experience in cross border accidents to make certain that your rights are fully protected. Contact our law firm for a complimentary consultation and advice if you are uncertain how to proceed or if you need assistance advancing a claim for your losses in Florida and Ontario. The Snowbird Attorney regularly represents Ontario Canadian residents who have been seriously injured while visiting the United States and can coordinate access to benefits from your Ontario Insurance policies, as well as available policies from US insurers. After being involved in a motor vehicle accident while visiting Florida you will have so many questions. The Snowbird Attorney is pleased to offer an online forum for people to get the answers from a Personal Injury Lawyer who specializes in snowbird accidents. We encourage you to join our group at: Ask The Snow Bird Attorney | Facebook or alternatively, feel free to call us for a FREE CONSULTATION at 1-866-234-6093. We are available 24/7. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. who is licensed to practice law in Florida, Michigan and Ontario. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way" |
AuthorAndrew Iacobelli is a lawyer, licensed to practice law in Florida, Michigan and Ontario. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of individuals that have been seriously injured. Archives
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