What to Do If I Was In an Accident on Vacation

Common Injuries

Vacation injuries can range from minor cuts to fatal drownings. When hotel and resort operators are not attentive, the likelihood of injuries increases. While each case is unique, some of the most common injuries include:

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Hotels, waterparks, and resorts have many slippery surfaces where guests can fall. In serious fall cases, victims may hit their heads on the stairs or concrete and suffer from concussions or require stitches.

Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises

While most cuts and scrapes are minor injuries, they should be carefully monitored for signs of infection. If a cut becomes infected, a minor injury can turn into a more serious complication that requires a medical professional’s attention.

Drowning

According to the CDC, drowning is the fifth leading cause of death in the US. It only takes seconds for a child or inexperienced swimmer to slip under the water and lose consciousness. Nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.

Broken Bones

Whether victims are injured in a skiing accident or hurt in a car accident on the way to or from a vacation destination, broken bones are a common vacation injury that can quickly end the fun activities planned and result in significant medical bills.

Back and Neck Injuries

Car accidents, water park rides, and ski injuries can all leave victims with whiplash or other head and neck pains and injuries. In serious cases, accidents may result in permanent damage to a victim’s neck or spine.

What to do after an accident

After a vacation accident, you may be overwhelmed about what to do next. The steps below outline what you should do in the days and weeks following your accident.

1. Seek Medical Attention 

If you do not receive medical treatment at the scene of the accident, visit a doctor as soon as possible to determine if you need medical treatment. After you leave the hospital or doctor’s office, be sure to watch for any additional signs or symptoms that occur in the days following the accident.

Additionally, if you receive treatment from a doctor located outside of your usual practitioner, make sure you understand any follow up procedures or check-ups that will be necessary for your usual doctor to examine when you return home from vacation. For example, if you break your arm while on vacation in Florida and receive a cast, make sure you know when your home doctor in the Denver area should follow up with your treatment and remove the cast.

2. Report the Accident 

After an accident, report the incident to the local police, resort, or property owner. The type of accident will dictate whom you should report to, but it is important that the accident is reported and recorded so that there is a record of what occurred.

3. Document Your Damage

You may have been too injured or shaken to take photos of the damage at the scene of an accident. As soon as possible, be sure to take photos of the damage; this could include injuries you sustained in the accident and damage to your property. If any witnesses saw the accident occur, collect their information and contact details as well.

4. Document Your Accident Expenses

Keep track of all receipts and paperwork related to your accident. This includes hospital and doctor bills, physical therapy and rehabilitation costs, documented time taken off from work due to injuries, receipts for the repair or replacement of your car, and receipts for a rental car while yours is being repaired.

5. Speak with an Attorney

If you need an injury lawyer, our attorneys in Denver are here to help walk you through every step of the legal process. If retained, they will ensure you receive proper medical treatment. They will also investigate the accident, interview witnesses, collect accident reports, negotiate with the insurance company, file a lawsuit, and be prepared to go to trial if necessary.

At Zinda Law Group, our vacation accident attorneys can help you determine the damages you are entitled to and may help you pursue them. The amount of compensation you are eligible for will depend on the extent of your injuries, the amount of your medical bills, how much pain and suffering you are enduring, and whether you have lost wages as a result of being injured, among other things.

Faqs

What Compensation Can I Seek After an Injury?

After a vacation accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering; you may also be able to recover the costs for car repairs and rental car expenses while your car is being repaired. If you had to take time off from work due to your injuries, then you may be able to recover the wages you would have earned during that time. It is important that you save receipts and bills related to your car accident to help you seek the maximum compensation you may be entitled to.

Should I Hire a Local Attorney in the Location Where I was Injured?

After people are hurt on vacation and need an injury lawyer, they may wonder if they should hire someone in the state or country where the accident occurred or if they are better off speaking to a personal injury attorney when they return home from their trip. Determining which court will be able to hear the case can be complicated. It is usually best to speak with a local attorney near you when you return home, who may be able to advise you on whether they can represent you where the accident took place.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?

If you were injured in an accident and want to file a lawsuit against the other party, you need to be aware of the time limits, or statutes of limitations, that are in place. In Colorado, you have two years from the date of your personal injury accident to file a lawsuit. However, if you were injured in a car accident while on vacation, you will have an additional year to file a lawsuit in Colorado, so it must be filed within three years from the date of the accident.

If you were injured in another state, while vacationing outside of Colorado, another state’s time limits may apply. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to help you navigate the filing timeline to ensure that you will not miss a deadline, risking the chance that you will be ineligible to receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact an accident attorney today 

At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury accident attorneys have helped many Denver victims get the compensation they deserved after suffering from injuries on vacation. We understand that the last thing you want to worry about after a vacation is seeking compensation for hospital bills, pain and suffering, and much more. The timing may be inconvenient, but there is no better time than now to begin preparing a winning case for the recovery of compensation for your injuries.

We believe an accident victim should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case; it’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

If you were injured on vacation while in Denver or even in another state and believe you may need an injury lawyer, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to receive your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer near you in Denver.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.