VACATION-RELATED ACCIDENTS

While we like to think of vacations as stress-free time spent with family and friends, very often vacation travel and the time spent in new environments lead to accidents. Below are some of the most common vacation-related accidents, tips on how to avoid them, and what to do if you have one.

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Unfamiliar roads can cause distractions that lead to motor vehicle accidents. Sightseeing while driving, or simply trying to find your way around a new area causes distractions from the actual driving, and can lead to accidents. If sightseeing is the goal, try public transportation, walking, or a tour. If trying to find your way around your vacation area, map out the path before getting behind the wheel, and have someone with you who is in charge of directions—a “navigator”—so you can concentrate on the road.  

When planning your trip, be sure to limit the number of hours one person drives on a given day. Take frequent breaks while traveling, and pay attention to signs of fatigue. If traveling with small children, make sure that they have opportunities to get out of the vehicle and let some energy out; if driving at night while they sleep, make sure that the driver can stay awake, preferably by having someone awake with them.  

SLIP, TRIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

When on vacation, the lodging is unfamiliar and therefore more likely to cause minor slip and fall accidents. If the property is run-down or not well-maintained, there can be conditions on the premises that cause people to trip and fall (e.g. loose flooring). The accidents resulting from these conditions run the gamut from minor scrapes to broken bones to head injuries/TBI. Even when a property is well-maintained, the unfamiliar floor plan or slick surfaces (from pools/ocean/lake) cause people—especially kids—to slip. Familiarizing yourself with the vacation property is crucial, and making sure all kids and guests are familiar with it is also a good way to avoid accidents.  

SPORTING ACCIDENTS

Experiences like zip lining, jet skiing, water skiing, diving, and snorkeling are hard to pass up. However, while sports can offer a lot of fun on your vacation, they can have devastating results if something goes wrong. Be sure to opt for the most reputable and safety-conscious outfitters and to follow all rules. If something does go wrong, do not assume that any waiver of liability you signed in order to participate in the activity precludes recovery of damages. If you are injured while engaging in a sporting/recreational activity, seek medical help first and then contact your personal injury attorney.

AMUSEMENT PARK ACCIDENTS

In 2017, the CPSC estimated that 43,405 people were injured by amusement attractions. The age group with the highest rate of amusement park injuries is young children between 5 and 14 years old. Amusement park accidents can occur due to ride malfunction caused by either a defective part, inadequate maintenance, or poorly trained operators. Accidents also occur due to poor security, insufficient lighting, lack of warning signs where needed, and poorly maintained premises that cause slip and fall accidents. The park may also be liable if you are injured by someone else, even if it wasn’t due to a violent act. For example, if you’re trampled and injured by people rushing to get on a ride, the park will share some blame if they didn’t have an employee handling crowd control.

BICYCLING INJURIES

According to the National Safety Council, bicycling accounted for the highest number of injuries from an outdoor/sporting activity: 425,910 injuries in 2020. ATVs, mopeds, minibikes, etc. reported 229,974 injuries in 2020. While these numbers reflect total injuries and not only those resulting from accidents while on vacation, they nonetheless indicate the high number of injuries associated with these common activities.

Bicycling while on vacation can be particularly hazardous since the roads/paths are unfamiliar, and the equipment used is often rented and therefore also unfamiliar—and possibly ill-fitting or not well-maintained. In addition, bicycling on vacation is often a family activity, involving children who require supervision either because they are riding their own bicycles or because they are in seats/wagons attached to an adult’s bicycle. Always make sure that child seats/wagons are safe, maintained, and operational before taking a family ride, and crucially, make sure that the adult operating the child transport is not distracted by it or the child.

FOOD POISONING

Food product liability is a serious threat to the food delivery business. In just about every state in the United States, food manufacturers are held strictly liable for the personal injury caused by their products. Strict liability means liability that does not depend on actual negligence or intent to harm. A food poisoning accident happens when a victim ingests contaminated food and contracts a food-related illness due to viruses or bacteria in the contaminated food. Although people tend to think that food poisoning is associated more with international travel, the truth is that it also occurs domestically. In areas where tourism is a big part of the local economy, food venders and restaurants might not be compliant with regulations intended to ensure hygienic food delivery, and inspections might not occur regularly. Even those that comply can still inadvertently obtain and serve tainted food.  

RECOVERY FOR VACATION-RELATED ACCIDENTS

Vacations are intended to lower stress; however, sometimes this also means lowering our guard. If you are involved in an accident while on vacation, make sure that you document your injuries and the costs associated with those injuries. The economic damages such as medical care, rehabilitation (physical and/or occupational therapy), transportation-related costs (an ambulance, driver or ride share costs), and lost wages are recoverable. Non-economic damages for injuries such as pain and suffering, loss of consortium, anxiety/PTSD, and other harms are also recoverable.  

No matter where you are vacationing, if you are involved in an accident while away, contact your personal injury attorney back home: Dave Thomas, at the Thomas Law Firm. Dave Thomas will give you a free consultation regarding your legal rights, and will get you the compensation you deserve.

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