Yes, you should hire a local lawyer with an intimate understanding of where the injury occurred and how best to expedite the legal process. Hence, the injured victim receives the justice and compensation owed to them by the responsible party.
Stabbing Spree in Vegas Leaves Multiple Dead and Injured
According to The New York Times, recently, an unprovoked stabbing occurred outside a Las Vegas casino. During this unfortunate event, tourists and locals were injured. Two people died, and six were injured because of the unlawful and reckless behavior of one person who had no respect for the lives of others.
This stabbing took place on the Las Vegas strip at 11:42 a.m. In other words, this was not a case of people getting caught up in trouble late at night. There is no reason for them to have expected anything other than a perfect day that morning. Yet, fate had other plans.
This news story makes it abundantly clear that, at any moment, life can become extremely challenging, even while on vacation. These untimely deaths and injuries illustrate the importance of a person being ready for anything should they find themselves in a situation where the stakes are just as high.
Cruise Ship Statistics
Vacationing in Vegas is not the only time people are vulnerable to injuries. According to AARP, nearly one-third of international travel takes place on cruises. A study by BMC Public Health showed that thousands of people experience intestinal infections and influenza while on cruise ships. So, being physically harmed is not the only thing to worry about.
Should I Seek Medical Treatment?
First and foremost, seeking medical treatment is paramount after sustaining an injury while on vacation. Dismissing an injury as minor or insignificant so that a person can return to their vacation and move on is not wise. Having a doctor examine any injuries, big or small, to confirm or deny any problems is the way to go.
Injuries may not be visible to the naked eye or may be less noticeable because of the victim’s heightened emotions. Seeking medical treatment also creates a paper trail and documents from a credible healthcare professional can be beneficial when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit later on.
Should I Notify Someone About My Injury?
Several people should be notified when an injury takes place on vacation. Aside from emergency contacts, the victim should inform those operating the facility where the injury occurred. For example, reaching out to the supervisor or manager of a resort, casino, or restaurant where the injury occurred is essential. Wherever the injury happened, let the person in charge of managing that facility know immediately about the injury because they have a process they typically follow in such situations.
If the injury occurs in a foreign country, it is essential to notify the local authorities and cooperate with them when they arrive. Just like medical treatment documentation, having an official police report of what took place can be helpful when working with a personal injury attorney to secure insurance benefits or file a lawsuit.
What Information Should I Gather?
If injured on vacation, the information one should gather depends on what injury occurred. Many times, injuries on vacation involve cars. So, if the vacation injury results from a car accident, the injured person should collect as much information as possible from the person who caused the accident. The victim must have the other person’s insurance and registration information to file a claim.
Photos of the car accident scene, including injuries sustained and vehicle damage, are essential, too. These images can serve as evidence when working with a personal injury attorney or insurance company.
Additionally, medical bills, receipts, and police reports should be collected. Including these items with the insurance and registration information for the responsible party, as well as any medical reports, bills, and receipts, is highly valuable when building a case.
Should I File an Insurance Claim?
Filing an insurance claim within the United States after being injured on vacation is relatively straightforward. These situations are often labeled emergencies by insurers, so even if the victim is out-of-network, the carrier may be willing to waive any additional fees or higher-than-normal rates.
On the other hand, if the victim is injured while on vacation outside the United States, it might be a little more complicated to file an insurance claim. This is when travel insurance might come in handy because it is built for emergencies during travel. Travel insurance might prove to be more useful than ever because public health crises and natural disasters can have a swift and unexpected effect on vacation plans. If an individual opts for such protection, contacting the travel insurance company to determine what is and is not covered will help them better understand their options after being injured on vacation.
What Should I Not Do?
Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. For example, following a doctor’s orders after seeking medical treatment so the recovery is as quick and pain-free as possible makes perfect sense and is highly advised.
One thing not to do is speak too much or offer information that is not requested. Why? Because it could be used against you. Suppose the victim of an injury thinks they are partially responsible for the injury. In that case, that could be used by an insurance company or the responsible party for why they should not be on the hook for the damage done. If a restaurant has a hazard that is not adequately lit and a person gets injured because they could not see the hazard, that is the restaurant’s fault, not the person who got hurt, even if they think they are clumsy by nature. When in doubt, do not take responsibility for any injuries sustained before speaking with a personal injury attorney.
If you suffered an injury while on vacation, contact Stephenson, Chávarri & Dawson, LLC at 504-523-6496 or fill out our online contact form to request an initial consultation.
