Dealing with an Accident on Vacation

Waukegan Personal Injury Lawyers

When you go on vacation, you generally leave your worries and cares at home and try to have a good time. You might pack your family up and fly across the world to enjoy an exotic getaway, head out to the wilderness to “rough it” in a camper or a tent, or simply drive up to one of the many lakes in our region to enjoy a few tranquil days beside the water. In any of these scenarios, it is possible to be involved in an accident and suffer an injury. In fact, you might be more susceptible to an injury while you are on vacation because not only do you “have your guard down,” but you are in an unfamiliar place and may be drinking more alcohol than you do at home, inhibiting your judgment and perception.

Being injured on vacation is different from being injured at home, especially if you are vacationing outside Illinois. There are different laws in place in different states and nations and when you are injured in another state or country, these laws apply. Familiarize yourself with the applicable laws of the area where you are vacationing and always put your health and safety first. Seek medical attention for your injury as soon as you can after your accident and worry about filing a personal injury claim later.

Examples of Vacation Accidents

There are many ways you can be injured on vacation. Examples of accidents that can occur while you are away include:

• Car accidents;
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents;
• Truck accidents;
• Accidents involving any type of recreational vehicle, such as an ATV, a dirt bike, a waverunner, or a boat;
• Dog bites;
• Slips and falls;
• Amusement park ride malfunctions;
• Injuries caused by wild animals; and
• Food poisoning.

Although most of these accidents can occur while you are at home, some are more likely to occur in the area where you are vacationing. For example, if you vacation on a lake, you are more likely to be involved in a boat accident than you are elsewhere.

What you Need to Know if you are Injured on Vacation

Before you leave for vacation, familiarize yourself with the laws applicable to accidents in that country or state. Determine the following before you leave:

• Particular injury hazards present in that area;
• Premises liability laws in that area;
• Whether the area where you are going has comparative negligence laws in place and if so, their details; and
• Where to seek medical care in the area where you plan to vacation. If you are leaving the United States, determine which documents you need to have in order to receive medical attention as a foreigner.
• Do not leave home without updated insurance cards for every member of your family. Have these available in case you or your loved one need emergency medical care after an accident.

Your Responsibilities as a Traveler

When you are on vacation, you have the responsibility to take care to prevent accidents. Observe the same safety precautions you observe while at home, such as obeying the posted traffic signs and carrying a flashlight while walking at night.

If you are involved in an accident with another party, it is your responsibility to gather as much information about the incident as possible to support a personal injury claim later. Take photographs of the accident and exchange insurance information with the other party involved at the scene of the accident. Keep a copy of the official police report for the accident as well.

After you receive medical attention for your injury and keep documentation of this, speak with a personal injury lawyer about filing a claim to seek compensation for your damages. The laws of the state or country where your accident occurred are the laws applicable to your claim. These may be different from Illinois' personal injury laws.

Work with an Experienced Waukegan Personal Injury Attorney

If you have been injured on vacation, do not wait until you are home to seek medical attention. Get yourself to a hospital or clinic as soon as possible in order to have the injury diagnosed and treated properly. Once you are back to Illinois, contact our team at Salvi & Maher, LLP to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Lake County personal injury lawyer. During your consultation, we can answer your questions and determine whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim. If you do, we are here to represent your case through that process.