After an accident in Florida, you are likely facing significant medical costs. Beyond the immediate medical bills, you may overlook the expenses associated with traveling to and from medical appointments. In a personal injury claim, you may be reimbursed for these costs as long as you can prove they were necessary for your recovery. Please continue reading as we explore what kinds of travel expenses can be reimbursed and how our experienced Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for the justice you merit.
What Kinds of Travel Expenses Can I Be Reimbursed For in a Personal Injury Claim?
In a personal injury claim, you may be wondering exactly what types of travel expenses can be included. You can generally seek reimbursement for reasonable travel costs incurred due to the injury. This includes:
- Mileage: You may be reimbursed for using your personal car to travel to and from medical appointments, therapy sessions, and even court appearances.
- Public Transportation: If you don’t have a vehicle or your vehicle is being repaired, and you rely on public transportation such as buses, trains, taxis, or rideshare services, you can be reimbursed for these fares.
- Parking and Tolls: You may be reimbursed for parking garage fees and tolls incurred while traveling to necessary medical appointments.
- Rental Car Expenses: If you need to rent a vehicle to get to medical appointments, you can be reimbursed for the rental fees.
- Special Transportation Needs: If you have sustained catastrophic injuries, standard transportation may not be feasible. In these cases, ambulance rides, wheelchair-accessible vans, or other medical transport services can be reimbursed.
- Out-of-Town Travel: If you have been referred to a specialist who is located outside of Florida, these travel costs may be compensable. It should be noted that hotel costs and food expenses may also be covered if you have to travel a significant distance for specialized medical care that is not available locally.
How Do I Prove and Document My Travel Expenses?
Following an accident, it’s important to understand that New Jersey courts and insurance companies will only reimburse travel expenses that can be clearly documented, so collecting evidence and staying organized is essential.
To document your travel expenses to medical appointments after an accident, you should keep track of all receipts and logs related to travel, such as gas, public transit, highway tolls, parking garage fees, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Every small cost matters, as they can quickly add up if you are frequently visiting the doctor for your injuries.
If you operate your own motor vehicle, you can be reimbursed for mileage. You should jot down the date, location, and mileage of each trip. If you had to rent a vehicle because your vehicle was damaged, you should keep rental car receipts and write down the dates.
To strengthen your personal injury claim, you should ensure that every travel expense is directly tied to your injuries or accident-related needs. For medical travel, you should link your transportation logs to each medical appointment. This will prevent potential disputes with the insurance company about whether your travel was absolutely necessary for your recovery.
For guidance and skilled representation, please don’t hesitate to contact an attorney at Becker & Lindauer, LLC. Our legal team is prepared to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
