Over the years, I have represented many out-of-state clients and foreign clients in Arizona car accident cases, many of those clients have been Canadians. Once, I even had a case in which my Canadian client was involved in a car accident with another Canadian in Mesa, Arizona! I tell clients that I am half-Canadian - my mother and her family moved to Arizona from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the 1960's.

In many ways the issues involved in this representation are the same as any other case. Our office can handle case intake virtually, by telephone, video-conference, email, fax, mail, delivery or in person. Often Canadians that are “snowbirds” or winter visitors and have a car registered and garaged here with an Arizona automobile insurance policy. Typically, the initial hospital and emergency treatment occurs in Arizona, so our work is typical of any case.

However, there are some special issues that we have had to address when a Canadian is injured in Arizona:

• Everyone knows that medical care in the United States is the most expensive in the world - what happens when you do not have U.S. health insurance?

• Did you have travel insurance? Are they obligated to pay the full amount of your bills? If the full amount of the bill is not paid, can the hospital pursue you for the balance or claim a lien on your injury case? Can your travel insurance claim a lien on your case and demand to be reimbursed from your bodily settlement?

• Did you have travel insurance? Are they obligated to pay the full amount of your bills? If the full amount of the bill is not paid, can the hospital pursue you for the balance or claim a lien on your injury case? Can your travel insurance claim a lien on your case and demand to be reimbursed from your bodily settlement?

• Does your Canadian automobile insurance policy cover your treatment in the U.S.?

• What happens when you return to Canada? Does your provincial health coverage “Medicare” pay for your accident-related treatment? Do they have a right to subrogation or reimbursement in Arizona?

• If your medical treatment was in Canada, how do we get that doctor's testimony into an Arizona court.

 We happily assist many Canadian clients every year. We are very cognizant of the special issues that arise on these cases and do everything possible to handle the logistical issues involved with clients that leave Arizona every year or may have left permanently.  If you would like to speak about an Arizona case, please call me for a free consultation.