Injured on Vacation? What You Should Know
Accidents happen — even on vacations — and with every day of travel, a few unlucky people will come back with something far worse than stories of lost luggage and missed flights.
Most of us don’t give a second thought to what happens if we’re injured on vacation. But it’s important to know what to do in case of an accident. The fact is, vacation injuries are shockingly common, and you can never be too prepared.
Most Common Vacation Accidents
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), injuries are the leading cause of preventable death in travelers.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that injuries are so prevalent. Travel requires you to explore unfamiliar surroundings and try new things. In some cases, your itinerary might include environmental hazards or risky sightseeing.
Here are some of the most common injuries.
Road Traffic Injuries
Road traffic crashes are the leading cause of injury deaths to Americans traveling overseas.
Motorcycles are a particularly high risk factor: according to the CDC, they account for approximately 20% of road traffic deaths abroad.
Slip and fall accidents.
The nature of travel is somewhat conducive to slip and falls. You may be exploring ancient sites with narrow staircases or walking up and down steep cobblestone streets.
Slips, trips, or falls also occur in hotels and at resorts, especially around the pool.
Water injuries.
According to the CDC, drowning accounts for approximately 13% of all deaths of US citizens abroad. Many of these deaths were related to travelers’ unfamiliarity with water currents and conditions. Lack of swimming experience and the absence of lifeguards were other factors.
Diving and boating in particular came with serious risk.
If planning to dive, remember diving into shallow water can cause head and spinal cord injuries if you aren’t careful. And with scuba diving, it’s crucial to have experience and credentials yourself or only go with a licensed instructor.
Preventative Measures
- Consider purchasing traveler’s health insurance before your trip, especially if there isn’t access to quality medical care in your destination.
- Avoid local, unscheduled small aircrafts and refrain from flying in inclement weather.
- Bring or buy safety gear suitable for your destination. For example, a child seat approved for airplanes, if traveling with a small child; helmets if you’ll be using motorbikes; and life preserves for water recreation.
What To Do If You’re Injured
- First and foremost, seek medical care immediately.
- Be prepared with copies of important identification documents.
- Document all the details, and collect information for others involved in the accident.
- As with accidents at home, what you say can be used against you, even if it is clear that you weren’t at fault. Limit what you say, and under no circumstances take the blame.
- Do not sign any documents, especially if you aren’t sure what you’re signing.
Get help from a Memphis personal injury lawyer.
If you’re injured during your vacation, you could be entitled to recover compensation, and it’s important to work with an experienced legal team.
An accident abroad can do more than just ruin your vacation; the consequences and financial toll can last long after you return home. You deserve a legal team who will fight for you.
We’ve helped accident victims for more than 30 years and know how to navigate the complicated insurance process. Call (901) 327-2100 or contact us here to speak with a qualified Memphis personal injury lawyer.