What Should You Do if You Get Injured on Vacation?

by Staff Blogger | July 10th, 2019

You look forward to your vacation all year, and the last thing you want to happen is an accident that disrupts your chance to relax and enjoy time away from work and other responsibilities. Unfortunately, injuries can happen anytime and anywhere—including when you’re far from home. It’s important to be prepared for the unexpected when you’re traveling, and that includes being ready for injuries. Typical vacation activities can put you at risk for a variety of dangers, including car accidents, slip and fall injuries, recreational accidents, and more. Any injury-causing accident can put a damper on your vacation, but you can minimize its impact on your life by taking the right steps immediately after it happens.

Follow These Steps to Protect Your Health and Your Rights

Getting hurt on vacation can be painful and distressing. However, taking these steps can put you on a path to recovery and compensation:
  • Report your injury—If you fell or were injured in a public or private space, notify the manager on duty or the property owner. If you were hurt in a car accident, call 911 or notify local authorities.
  • Document the accident scene—If you’re able to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any factors that may have contributed to your injuries.
  • Acquire contact information—Get the names, titles, and contact information of employees, managers, and the owner of the property where you were injured, as well as those of any witnesses.
  • Get medical attention—Go to the hospital or visit a healthcare clinic as soon as possible after your injury, even if you don’t think you need urgent care. Injuries aren’t always obvious after accidents, and getting prompt medical attention can prevent yours from worsening.
  • Report the accident to your insurance company—If you purchased travel insurance, report your injuries as soon as possible. If you were injured in an auto accident, you’re required to report the accident to them—usually within a matter of days.
  • Call a law firm—Many people assume they can’t recover compensation for injuries that occur away from home. However, you still have rights, especially when someone else’s negligence caused the accident, regardless of where your injuries occurred.
Got a trip planned soon? Protect yourself by downloading a free wallet card containing all the important steps you’ll need to take after a vacation injury.

Hurt on Vacation? We’re Here to Help.

At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know all about vacation accidents and injuries. With offices located throughout Northern California and the Bay Area—two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world—we’ve seen many types of tourism-related injuries, and we know how to help victims who often feel helpless when they’re away from home. Get in touch with our California personal injury lawyers to find out how we can put our experience to work for you. Call or contact us today.