Florida’s Choice of Law Doctrine in Car Accident Lawsuits
It’s imperative when you take a personal injury case to court that you are not only doing so in the appropriate jurisdiction, but that you are applying the correct laws. Although it comes as a surprise to some, just because a case is litigated in Florida doesn’t necessarily mean Florida law should be applied.
Generally, Florida law is applied to cases litigated in Florida. However, if an argument can be raised under the Choice of Law doctrine, the court can decide to choose to conduct a choice of law analysis.
As our Fort Myers car accident lawyers can explain, this can have a major impact on the proof burden or the remedies to which one is entitled. Some state standards are more relaxed, others more stringent. Sometimes, it’s federal law that must be applied. It’s necessary early on in each case to ascertain the appropriate jurisdiction – and choice of law – applied to all or any aspect of the case. Continue reading