Late last year, the Census Bureau reported that Florida had surpassed New York to become the third most populous U.S. state. In addition to those 19.9 million people that call Florida home, we also welcome a staggering number of visitors every year. The state attracted 97.3 million visitors in 2014 and is expected to surpass the 100 million mark this year. Our world-famous beaches, unique attractions and beautiful weather draw people from across the country and around the globe.
South Florida alone boasts an assortment of exciting destinations, including Fort Lauderdale Beach with its International Swimming Hall of Fame, Hillsborough Lighthouse, Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, Flamingo Gardens and Wray Botanical Collection, the Art Deco District at South Beach, Everglades National Park, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The popularity of Greater Miami and the Beaches grew once again in 2014 for the fifth consecutive year, achieving a record number of nearly 14.6 million visitors that spent at least one night in Miami, a 2.4 percent increase over 2013.
When this many residents and tourists combine, accidents are unavoidable. There are more vehicles on the road, more pedestrians to watch out for, more drivers who are distracted behind the wheel, more rented bicycles and scooters in high traffic areas, more individuals who can be hurt in a fall, more boats out on the water, more swimmers who may be injured, etc. Yet, no one who has saved for a vacation and is looking forward to that time away considers that they might get injured. People go on a trip to enjoy themselves, but instead are in an unfamiliar place, where they may not be aware of the local laws or even know where to seek medical attention.
Business owners who court visitors have a responsibility to those people to provide reasonably safe premises, protection from dangers, and adequate warnings about hazards. Along the same lines, rental companies must ensure that rental equipment and machinery function properly. Nevertheless, vacation injuries commonly result from personal watercraft accidents, boating collisions, scuba diving accidents, parasailing accidents, swimming pool slip-and-fall accidents, drowning accidents, hotel escalator and elevator accidents, bike crashes, rented car accidents and exercise equipment accidents.
If you have been injured while on vacation in Florida, a local lawyer can help you take care of practical matters such as getting you the medical care you need while you are still in town or making travel arrangements to help you get home. A local Florida attorney knows the state laws, the local court system, and can work with local experts on your case to ensure a complete investigation.
DISCLAIMER: Any information about past verdicts and settlements is based on the unique facts of each case. Every case is different, and future cases may not achieve the same or similar results. These amounts reflect the gross recovery (before attorneys’ fees and expenses are deducted).
While the concepts of vacation fun and serious injury should not go together, the reality is that accidents can happen anywhere. And once they do, returning to normal life gains a new significance. Here at Stabinski and Funt, P.A, we understand that you are eager to return home, and we can represent you locally with very little effort on your part. We work with clients from all over the country who have been injured due to the negligence of businesses such as hotels, restaurants, golf courses, amusement parks and cruise ships. We are dedicated to easing any concerns that you may have about maintaining a long-distance lawsuit. We aim to build a personal relationship with you, and while we stand in your place locally, we will keep you informed of your case while you enjoy the comfort of your own home.
When you finally get to go on that trip of a lifetime, you don’t think about getting hurt or whether you would able to file a successful personal injury claim if something goes wrong. That’s why we’re here. At Stabinski and Funt, P.A., we handle a wide range of tourist injury cases.
If you wereinjured while visiting Florida, are the survivor of someone who was killed here, or if you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us by calling (305) 643-3100 or filling out a free case evaluation form.
We offer risk-free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means that we do not require you to pay any fees until we have secured a recovery on your behalf. We have been the trusted advocates for countless injured victims throughout South Florida since 1970 and we can fight for your rights to the fullest extent of the law.
DISCLAIMER: Any information about past verdicts and settlements is based on the unique facts of each case. Every case is different, and future cases may not achieve the same or similar results. These amounts reflect the gross recovery (before attorneys’ fees and expenses are deducted).