The Most Common Accidents Abroad
The holiday of your dreams could soon turn into a nightmare if things don’t go as smoothly as you’d hoped. Thousands of holidaymakers are injured on their travels every year. On top of the disappointment of a ruined trip, they’re forced to deal with alien legal systems, medical care and hit by language barriers.
If you ever suffer the misfortune of being stuck in this situation, it’s good advice to take some photographs of the cause of your injury and to speak to anyone witnessed the incident. You should also report your accident to your holiday rep or hotel staff and see that it is noted down in an accident book or similar. If you had to fork out for medical treatment, keep hold of any bills you are given. Taking these steps will put you in a much better position if you decide to make a claim for holiday accident compensation when you arrive home.
There are specialist solicitors who have years of experience handling these type of cases such as those at Your Legal Friend. You can find out more here.
In comparison to the millions of tourists who jet away every year and return home scot-free, your chances of getting injured abroad are relatively low. Nevertheless, here are the most common types of accidents abroad when things do go wrong…
In the air
Aside from the obvious type of aviation accident – a crash – there is plenty of other hazards involved in air travel that you might not have realized. Despite being a very safe way to travel, accidents can happen. Severe turbulence, falls on aircraft steps, burns from hot drinks and bags falling from overhead lockers all threaten to spoil your trip just as it’s getting started. Luckily, there is an international air travel agreement called the Montreal Convention which was introduced in 1999 to protect your rights.
On the road
Even the most experienced drivers can be stumped by unfamiliar traffic systems when driving in a new country for the first time. It’s wise to think twice before hiring a car abroad on a whim as the number one cause of injury for travelers is road traffic accidents. If you do decide to drive abroad, it’s worth taking the time to research the rules of the road and make yourself aware of potential dangers that might not be an issue for you at home. Apart from the obvious risk of serious injury, getting yourself into a crash abroad can get you into a pickle for legal and insurance reasons – and nobody needs that on their holidays.
From skiing to swimming
Sporting activities, from hotel pool games to extreme snowboarding, cause more injuries for participants than you might think. While playing sports on holiday, it might all seem like a bit of harmless fun, but there is potential for serious accidents if health and safety has not been considered. If there isn’t a trained instructor, supervisor or lifeguard present, your holiday provider could be liable for any injuries you suffer. It’s not uncommon for equipment manufacturers to face claims over faulty products either.
Out and about
If you’re the explorer type who loves to get out of the resort to see nearby attractions, landmarks and points of interest you might want to be careful. Accidents on excursions are a common cause of injury abroad. If you booked your holiday as a package deal with pre-booked excursions included, you would be covered if things go awry.
Trips and slips
Trips and slips in the hotel room, by the pool or out and about are one of the leading causes of injury abroad for holidaymakers. Hotels and travel operators have a duty of care for all their guests, meaning it is their responsibility to look after the health and safety of you and your family. If you take a tumble due to a wet surface or damaged paving, you could be covered by these travel regulations.
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