Source: https://www.canadianinjuredflorida.com/blog
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 11:03:30+00:00

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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 these circumstances, the Ontario resident will have a claim against their own insurance company in Ontario.
With respect to triggering the OPCF 44R coverage, the case law establishes that Ontario residents have a direct claim against their own automobile insurer, and are entitled to pursue that claim independently of the claim against the underinsured motorists. See, Somersall v. Friedman, 2002 SCC 59 (CanLII),  3 S.C.R. 109; Johnson v. Wunderlich (1986), 57 O.R. (2d) 600, 1986 CanLII 2618 (ON CA), 1986 CanLII 2618 (C.A.); Forsythe v. Westfall, 2015 ONCA 810.
This is important for Ontario residents injured while visiting the United States, and helps ensure that they will be able to have a full remedy for their losses.
To learn more about your rights to make an insurance claim in Ontario if you were injured while visiting the United States, contact us for a FREE no obligation consultation. Call us 24/7 at 416-900-1070 or complete our online contact form here.
Seek Medical Attention if Needed or Recommended and you are unable to immediately return to Ontario.
Advise the Hospital or Treatment Provider of all available insurance you have, including any travel insurance, extended health insurance and automobile insurance.
Contact your insurance companies, including travel insurance, extended health, and auto insurance to advise of you accident and need for medical attention - they may offer further instructions to ensure your medical expenses are paid.
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.
When you return to Ontario, immediately follow-up with your physicians to continue treating for your injuries.
Ontario residents injured in Florida will usually be able to get their medical expenses paid by insurance. Even if you do not have travel or extended health insurance coverage, an experienced lawyer can assist with ensuring medical bills are covered by auto insurance. Ontario residents usually have claims against the at-fault driver's insurance in Florida as well as their own insurance policy in Ontario. The claims need to be coordinated in order to ensure that you are accessing all available benefits. We regularly represent Canadians injured in Florida, and Attorney Andrew Iacobelli has offices in Florida and Ontario to assist. To learn more or to request a Free Consultation call us toll free 24/7 at 1-866-234-6093.
Canadian Injured in Florida - Do I Bring My Claim in Florida or Ontario?
This time of year, many Canadians are travelling to Florida to enjoy the sunshine. When a Ontario resident is involved in a car accident in Florida, they will often have access to Canadian and US insurance benefits. 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 auto insurance policies provide insurance coverage in the event that you are injured while travelling in Florida or other US States. The Ontario auto policies include first-party accident benefits, as well as coverage for liability and underinsured and uninsured motorists in the event of an accident in Florida.
​In the case of a Florida car accident, an Ontario resident will have the option of electing benefits of either Ontario or the State of Florida. The election cannot be changed, so it is important to understand the difference between Ontario benefits and Florida benefits before making an election.
Additionally, Florida also has lower minimum insurance requirements for their drivers and vehicles. As such, many Canadians from Ontario will also need to consider advancing an Underinsured or, sometimes, Uninsured motorist claim in Ontario, even though the accident occurred in Florida. These claims must be commenced in the Province of Ontario, even though the accident occurred in Florida. Canadian courts have recognized that Ontario residents injured in an accident in the United States have a direct right to commence the Underinsured or Uninsured claim independently of any claim they might also have against the at-fault driver in the United States. See, Somersall v. Friedman, 2002 SCC 59 (CanLII),  3 S.C.R. 109; Johnson v. Wunderlich (1986), 57 O.R. (2d) 600, 1986 CanLII 2618 (ON CA), 1986 CanLII 2618 (C.A.);Forsythe v. Westfall, 2015 ONCA 810.
Iacobelli Law Firm regularly represents Canadians in their insurance claims following a car accident in Florida. Lawyer Andrew Iacobelli has experience in Ontario and the United States, and has offices in Ontario and Florida.
Canadian Injured in Florida - How Do I Pay Medical Bills?
If you are a Canadian that was injured in a car accident while visiting Florida, you may be concerned about the cost of medical care. Although some Canadians have travel health insurance plans, or other health plans through employment benefits, many visitors do not have such coverage. If you are an Ontario resident and are covered by an Ontario car insurance policy, your medical bills from a car accident may covered. 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. It is important to get medical attention following a serious car accident or if you suspect you may have been injured. 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 an Ontario resident that has been injured in a car accident in Florida, we may be able to help. For a Free Consultation contact us toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or in Florida at 561-625-6133.
As the cold winter weather sets in, many Ontario residents will be vacationing in Florida. Although some will be flying and renting a car, others will drive the long distance from Ontario to Florida. Either way, you should make sure you are prepared, just in case you're involved in a car accident while visiting 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 far away from home. Although Florida has excellent services, and healthcare, out-of-state residents may be faced with high bills. If the injury is serious, and will have longer term consequences to your health and income, it is extremely important to obtain legal counsel on your rights to compensation. Often times, the other vehicle involved in the accident may be under insured. In such cases, and Ontario resident may be able to access their own Ontario auto policy. In addition to accident benefits, Ontario residents may be able to access their under insured motorist coverage.
Our law firm regularly represents Ontario Canadian residents who have been seriously injured while visiting the United States. We 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. If you questions about your rights following an accident in Florida or elsewhere in the United States, call us for a free consultation.
When residents of Ontario Canada are injured in Florida motor vehicle accidents, there is a good chance that the at fault driver will not have sufficient insurance coverage available to fully compensate the accident victim. The minimum insurance limits in Florida are much lower than Ontario minimums. In Ontario, the minimum policy coverage amount is $200,000. Most insurance policies we see provide coverage of $1 million or more. As such, there is often $1 million available in UIM coverage for an Ontario resident that is injured in a Florida motor vehicle accident.
Ontario underinsured motorist actions must be commenced in an Ontario court. Statute of limitations for auto accidents in Ontario are only two years from the date of loss, and may be even shorter where a demand has been made for compensation to the UIM carrier. Before accepting the U.S. insurance policy limits, it is important to ensure that you are not waiving your rights to claim for excess insurance coverage under your own Underinsured Motorist policy in Ontario. In many Florida accident cases involving Ontario residents, the most substantial part of the claim will involve the Canadian insurance policy, and it is important that you fully understand your rights.
If you are an Ontario resident and have been offered policy limits to settle your case for an accident in Florida or elsewhere in the United States, call us for a free consultation. We can review the situation with you so that you can make an informed decision before you settle. Even if you already have a lawyer in the United States, we can help with your Canadian claims for no-fault and underinsured benefits. We often work with U.S. lawyers to coordinate claims that must be brought in Canada and the United States.
For a Free Consultation call us at 1-866-234-6093.

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