College students spend a lot of time on the road. They commute to class, drive between campus and work, travel home on weekends, and often share rides with friends. In St. Petersburg and throughout Florida, crowded roads, unfamiliar routes, late-night driving, and phone distractions can increase the risk of an accident.
When a college student is involved in a Florida car accident, families may have questions about insurance, medical care, vehicle ownership, and who could be held responsible.
Whose Insurance Covers a College Student?
Coverage depends on the vehicle, the student’s living arrangements, and the insurance policy.
A student driving a parent-owned vehicle may still be covered under the family’s policy, even while attending college away from home. However, insurers usually need accurate information about where the vehicle is kept and who regularly drives it. Failing to provide accurate information about where the vehicle is kept or who regularly drives it could create coverage issues after an accident.
If the student owns the vehicle, they will generally need their own Florida insurance policy. Florida requires registered vehicles to carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, commonly called PIP, and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability coverage. FLHSMV explains Florida’s basic insurance requirements.
How Does Florida PIP Apply After an Accident?
Florida PIP coverage generally pays a portion of necessary medical expenses and lost income after a crash, regardless of who caused it.
To qualify for PIP medical benefits, the injured person generally must receive initial medical care within 14 days of the accident. Waiting too long can affect access to those benefits, even when pain or other symptoms appear later.
A student should be evaluated promptly after a crash, particularly if they experience headaches, dizziness, neck or back pain, numbness, or difficulty concentrating.
Who Is Responsible If the Student Caused the Accident?
The student may be held responsible if careless driving caused the crash. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may also extend to the vehicle’s owner.
Florida generally recognizes liability for an owner who gives someone permission to use a vehicle. State law places certain limits on an individual owner’s liability, but the available insurance, extent of the injuries, and specific facts all matter.
Families should not assume that responsibility ends with the student simply because the student was the person behind the wheel. A St. Petersburg car accident attorney can help clarify which policy applies when a student splits time between campus and home.
What If the Other Driver Caused the Crash?
If another driver caused the accident, the student may be able to pursue a bodily injury claim for damages not fully covered by PIP, including medical expenses, lost income, and, when Florida’s legal requirements are satisfied, pain and suffering and other noneconomic damages.
Florida uses a modified comparative fault system. Compensation can be reduced when an injured person shares responsibility for the accident. A person found more than 50 percent responsible generally cannot recover damages in a negligence claim under Florida’s comparative-fault law.
That makes photographs, witness information, video footage, phone records, and the crash report especially important when drivers disagree about what happened.
What Should a College Student Do After a Car Accident?
After a Florida car accident, a student should:
- Call 911 and report any injuries
- Exchange contact and insurance information
- Photograph the vehicles, damage, road, and traffic signals
- Photograph the other driver’s license, insurance card, and vehicle registration when possible
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Seek medical attention promptly
- Notify the appropriate insurance company
- Avoid posting details about the crash on social media
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before understanding your rights
Parents may want to step in immediately, but insurance companies generally need to communicate directly with an adult student unless the student authorizes someone else to participate.
One issue families sometimes overlook is whether the student is still considered a resident of the parents’ household for insurance purposes. A student living away from home while attending college may still qualify for coverage under certain family policies, depending on the policy language and circumstances. Never assume there is no additional insurance coverage without reviewing the applicable policies.
Common College Student Accident Risks
College students face many of the same dangers as other drivers, along with risks connected to campus life:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while tired
- Unfamiliar roads and intersections
- Crowded campus parking areas
- Driving after drinking or using drugs
- Riding with an impaired driver
- Speeding because they are late for class or work
- Carrying distracting passengers
A college student does not need to be the driver to have a potential injury claim. Injured passengers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and rideshare passengers may also have options for recovering monetary compensation.
Was Your College Student Injured in a Car Accident?
A car accident can leave a student trying to manage injuries, missed classes, transportation problems, and insurance calls all at once. Families can help by making sure the accident is documented, medical care is not delayed, and important evidence is preserved.
Insurance coverage can become complicated when a college student lives away from home, drives a family vehicle, or is covered by multiple policies. Marsalisi Law can review the accident and available insurance coverage, answer your family’s questions, and explain the next steps during a free consultation. Visit marsalisilaw.com to learn more or schedule a consultation.
