Six Steps to Take if You Suffer an Injury While on Vacation

Vacation getaways should serve as times for relaxation, entertainment, and escape. Unfortunately, leisure travel sometimes results in serious injuries. Getting into a car accident in another state or in another country can cut your vacation short and leave you wondering about next steps.

Protect Your Rights After Vacation Injuries

If you or one of your traveling companions is injured, knowing what to do afterward can provide you with peace of mind. Whether you are on a cruise, at a hotel, or sightseeing in a foreign city, take these steps to protect your rights:

1. Notify someone about the incident. If you are injured in a store, hotel, restaurant, or museum, let the manager on duty know about the incident. If you get into a car accident, contact the local authorities and do not leave the scene of the accident. Reporting the problem is an important first step after any accident. Many companies have their own protocols for handling guest injuries.
2. Document the scene. Documenting an accident is easier than ever thanks to smartphones. If you are able, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and any contributing factors you notice. Cleanup often begins quickly after an accident and may erase crucial evidence.
3. Seek medical care. Always go to a physician after an injury and explain how you were hurt. A medical provider will record his or her findings and situational information, giving you a foundation for filing a claim later. Even if you feel okay after the incident, a medical provider may catch injuries that could worsen over the next days or weeks. Go back to your treatment provider if you start to notice new symptoms after your accident.
4. Collect information. Ask for the contact information of other drivers, establishment owners, and witnesses who saw what happened during your accident. If you see a physician who is not your primary care provider, keep contact information for both the facility and the physician.
5. Contact your insurance provider. If you have travel insurance, contact your insurance provider and report the incident and injuries. Avoid discussing fault with your insurer until after the completion of an investigation.
6. Talk to an attorney. Whether you are seriously injured and need to cut your trip short, or you start to notice symptoms arising after you return home, talking to an attorney may clarify some information for you. Your attorney can help you understand if you have a valid claim, who may be liable, and give you information about jurisdictions. If the attorney you speak to does not work in the proper jurisdiction, he or she may recommend someone who can take on your claim.

Reduce the risk of suffering an injury on vacation

• Check the credentials of all excursions providers, amusement parks, and touring companies.
• Read through cruise ship information carefully.
• Do not sign liability waivers without reading them first.
• Drive on vacation only if you understand the local rules of the road, particularly if you are in a foreign country.
• Avoid riding in vehicles, watercraft, or amusement park rides if you notice any potential hazards.

Injuries on vacations are common, and they can affect an injured person’s quality of life after returning home. When equipment malfunctions and people behave negligently, you don’t have to suffer with the consequences. You may have the right to pursue legal action against those responsible. Protect your right to file a claim with the tips listed above and contact the attorneys at Gordon, Elias, & Seely, LLP for more information. Whether you are vacationing in Houston or live here and were hurt elsewhere, we can help you explore your legal options after a vacation-related injury.