Most people think of sustaining an injury, they think of vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, or perhaps a slip and fall accident. In general, most personal injury cases arise when a person is in their own town or state. However, what happens if a person sustains an injury while they are on vacation?
Injuries that occur when a person is on vacation can immensely complicate the personal injury case process. If another person is responsible for causing your injuries, you should be fairly compensated for your losses. San Francisco and the surrounding areas are popular tourist destinations, and there are countless ways that visitors to this area can sustain an injury.
Common Injuries That Happen While Vacationing
Injuries that occur when a person is on vacation often have the same causes we regularly see in a typical personal injury case. However, those who go on vacation typically participate in more activities that can lead to injuries than they do when they are not on vacation. Some of the most common accidents that people will experience while vacationing in California include the following:
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Boating accidents
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Amusement park accidents
- Hotel-related injuries or illnesses
- Injuries related to crime (robbery, assault, etc.)
What to Do if You Sustain an Injury While Vacationing
One of the worst parts about getting injured while on vacation is determining how to handle the situation appropriately and quickly. There are various steps you should take to help ensure you receive compensation for your injuries.
- Seek medical assistance. Immediately after sustaining an injury, it is vital that you seek medical care. This ensures that you receive treatment while also establishing a link between the incident and your injuries. Even if your injuries do not seem severe, you still need to seek medical care.
- Notify the person in charge. Whether you are in a restaurant, at an amusement park, or on a guided tour, the manager or supervisor needs to be notified about the injury.
- Gather evidence. If it is safe to do so after an injury, obtain as much evidence as you can. This includes using a phone to take photographs of any causes of the injury and of the injuries themselves. Take note of any nearby surveillance cameras, as this footage may be valuable for your case.
- Obtain contact information. Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the incident as well as of the property owner or supervisor of any activity you are participating in.
- Do not admit fault. It is important to never admit fault after sustaining an injury while on vacation. This includes avoiding statements like “I was just glancing at my phone” or “I wasn’t paying attention.”
- Speak to an attorney. If your injury was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another party, you need to speak to a skilled San Francisco personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Injuries While Vacationing?
There may be various parties that can be held liable in the event you or somebody you care about sustained an injury while on vacation. This could include:
- Other drivers at fault in a vehicle accident
- Property owners who have failed to take steps to keep guests safe
- Perpetrators of crimes that cause injuries to victims
Determining liability in these cases is often difficult, which is why you should speak to a skilled San Francisco personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These cases often require extensive investigation, but an attorney will have the resources necessary to build your case.
