Do you know what to do when you are in an accident in Florida? Following an accident or injury in the United States, you may be worried and confused about your legal rights and options.  It is difficult to deal with a serious accident when you are a Canadian that has been injured while visiting the United States or a snowbird in Florida.

We are pleased to introduce you to Andrew Iacobelli who is a Personal Injury Lawyer, an author and the owner of Iacobelli Law Firm with offices in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Toronto.  Andrew is licensed to practice in Ontario as well as Michigan and Florida with an office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  Andrew is often referred to as the Lawyer for Canadians, The Snowbird Lawyer or The Snowbird Attorney because he has helped countless Canadians that have been injured in the United States.

We are so pleased to ask Andrew a few questions and include him in a Community Spotlight as we realize how valuable this information is to residents especially to snowbirds in our community.

What is personal injury law and when did you establish your own law firm?

Personal Injury Cases are legal disputes that arise when one person suffers harm from an accident or injury and someone else might be responsible for that harm. I opened up my own law practice in 2012.

If we are visiting Florida and the driver of the other vehicle does not have insurance, how do we bring a claim for medical expenses?

When Ontario residents are injured in an accident in the United States, there is often a scenario where the US driver was either inadequately insured or completely uninsured. In fact, a large percentage of Florida automobiles have no insurance coverage for bodily injury to others. In these circumstances, the Ontario resident will often have a claim against their own insurance company in Ontario.

Do Ontario Auto Insurance Policies provide insurance coverage in the event that you are injured while travelling in Florida or other US States?

Ontario auto policies include first-party accident benefits (often referred to as No Fault Benefits), as well as coverage for liability and underinsured and uninsured motorists in the event of an accident in Florida or other US state.

Do I need a lawyer in Ontario or Florida if I am injured in Florida?

If you are a Canadian resident that has been injured while travelling to Florida, it can be very confusing to determine where to obtain help for an accident claim. The short answer is that you may need a lawyer with experience in Ontario law and Florida law. If the accident involves a motor vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle crash or a motor vehicle striking a cyclist or pedestrian, part of your claim for insurance benefits will most likely proceed in Ontario. You may also have claims in Florida, but that will depend on the availability of insurance coverage. If there are claims proceeding in both Canada and the United States, then these claims need to be coordinated to preserve your rights and maximize your chance of recovering your losses.

What is your favourite thing about practicing law?

There are so many things I really love about the practice of law, but I especially enjoy meeting people and working with my clients. I enjoy the process of building the case from the ground up, learning about the unique circumstances of the client’s situation, gathering evidence to support the case, and collaborating with all contributing members of the team.  Ultimately, it inspires me when I see clients overcome the challenges from a significant accident or injury and find the strength to carry on with their lives.

What is the best advice you can give snowbirds who spend their winters in Florida?

First, enjoy the sunshine and the warm weather. Drive safely to the beaches, shopping malls, restaurants and all of the other great places Florida has to offer. Ensure your automobile insurance policy contains the coverage that suits your lifestyle. In the event of an injury, reach out to The Snowbird Attorney at Iacobelli Law Firm for guidance on the steps you should take.

If you had any words of encouragement or advice for someone thinking of opening up their own business to follow their dreams, what would they be?

Pursue your dreams and work towards it while maintaining integrity, humility and optimism.  Go for it!

For more information please visit: www.thesnowbirdattorney.com.  We also encourage you to to join his online group Ask The Snowbird Attorney which is a a forum for anyone who may have questions for a Personal Injury Lawyer who specializes in Snowbird Accidents and where he also shares important information.

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”.

Please call his office at 1-866-234-6093 to see how you can obtain your free copy.