Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
You want your vacation to be as stress-free as possible, whether you are traveling across the country to enjoy a few peaceful days away from the office or you are planning a trip to an intriguing destination abroad. Regretfully, in the unfortunate event that you sustain an injury while on vacation, you may have to deal with trouble getting to the doctor, high medical costs, and other challenges.
Here are a few tips from our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton to help you avoid serious frustrations after being injured on a holiday.
- Seek Medical Care
If you are hurt while on vacation, getting medical attention should be your priority. You should see a doctor to be sure your injuries are managed properly, even if you think they are minor. Because adrenaline can obscure pain, it is possible that you may not feel like you were hurt. By obtaining medical attention, you are recording both the injuries that were sustained in the accident and any problems that might cause issues down the road.
- Inform the Right Person About Your Injury – File an Accident Report
Should you sustain an injury while shopping at a nearby market, in the hotel pool, or at a restaurant, you need to disclose the injury to the manager who is on duty. Of course, you should call the local authorities and stay at the site if you are involved in a car crash, or similar accident, especially if it occurs abroad. Most establishments, including hotels, dining establishments and retail stores, have policies in place for handling injuries. It is likely that you will be required to submit a statement and fill out a series of forms. Request copies of everything. If they will not provide you with a copy, ask to read the report and while you are reading, take a quick picture of it with your phone.
- Gather Details About Other Parties Involved
Automobile accidents rank among the most frequent causes of vacation-related injuries. If this has happened to you, then you should try to learn as much as you can from the other motorist. Make sure you obtain the names and contact details of any passengers in their car, as well as information about insurance and registration. You want to take as many pictures of the crash site as you can. Take pictures of the scene, all the involved cars, the place where the accident happened, and your actual injuries with your phone.
- Speak with the Eyewitnesses
Talk to as many witnesses as you can, and make sure you have their contact information on hand for when the time comes that you may need it. If you have an injury that makes writing difficult for you, capture the information using your phone so you can transcribe it later. Additionally, you should record the contact details of any doctors you visit.
- Comply with the Physician’s Recommendations
You must follow the doctor’s instructions exactly after seeking medical attention. If the doctor tells you to stay off your feet and rest, that means you do not go surfing or hiking. An insurance claim may be rejected if medical advice is disregarded. Even if you feel considerably better, make sure to follow up with your family doctor if you are instructed to do so when you get home. You want to make sure that any information you received from the other doctor concerning your injuries is recorded and verified.
- Be Careful What You Say
Do not share your opinions with the doctor, the hotel staff, or anybody else, even if you think you did anything to cause the injuries. Keep in mind that if you ever need to take legal action, everything you say could be used against you. Your injuries might have resulted from something you did, but it is also possible that someone else’s carelessness played a part in it. The negligence may have been caused by a slick pool tile, water spilled in a store, or furniture positioned dangerously. You should never admit fault after an injury, and whatever statement you offer to a manager or police officer should be limited. Also, never sign any documents, especially if you are being asked to sign something in a foreign language.
- Speak to Our Florida Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton – 866-608-5529
You should get in touch with an attorney if you are injured while on vacation. We can assist you with filing insurance claims, helping you acquire the necessary medical care, and navigating the entire process. Hiring legal counsel does not imply that you intend to file a lawsuit. Rather, having an attorney will guarantee that your rights are upheld and that you receive any compensation to which you may be legally entitled. This is particularly important if you are hurt while traveling outside of the United States because personal injury laws vary greatly in other countries.
If you find yourself injured while on vacation this holiday season, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. You can call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online 24/7 to request a complimentary no-obligation consultation.
From all of us at Whittel & Melton, happy holidays!