Understanding accidents abroad
Travelling abroad for business or leisure comes with the risk of encountering accidents. Since you’re in an international territory, the legal systems may differ, making it difficult to navigate compensation claims.
Accidents abroad can happen in a variety of scenarios. Any avoidable injury sustained or one that was purposefully caused by someone else may qualify an individual to seek compensation for their medical costs and suffering.
Package Holiday Accidents, Injuries & Illnesses
Package tour companies are often responsible for managing the transportation, accommodation as well as planning or recreational activities for holiday makers. They are responsible for taking all needed safety measures to ensure travellers are safe for the duration of their holiday including their transport to and back from it. People suffering an injury due to tour operators’ negligence have the right to seek legal compensation.
Tour operators can be liable in several kinds of situations. Package holiday incidents could occur due to malfunctioning appliances in housing accommodations, resulting in injury. This includes food poisoning and bed bug infestations from lodging meals and facilities. It is also possible that holiday makers get injured taking part in unsafe activities promoted and delivered through their tour operator. Finally accidents can occur on the way to the holiday destination or when being transported from the resort to activity locations and back.
Road Traffic Accidents Abroad
Road traffic accidents can range from minor scratches to severe injuries and even fatalities. Even more so, these incidents occurring abroad can be more difficult due to the distinct legal systems in each country. Accidents of this nature are frequently caused by reckless driving or poorly maintained roadways.
Speeding, driving whilst intoxicated or distracted, and careless or inconsiderate driving are among the leading causes of road traffic accidents. Motorists who have been involved in a road traffic collision that was mainly caused by another driver are eligible for compensation. In addition to motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists are also eligible to file claims if they are injured.
When road traffic incidents happen, the people involved generally have to liaise with the local police. It is also often that they will be appointed a local solicitor. Unfortunately local authority representatives may not speak fluent English and the injured people may not know the language of the country they are visiting.
Even though translation services are provided in most cases, a lot of things can be lost in translation.
As road traffic accident cases are very complicated and often lead to life changing physical and psychological injuries, appointing an international personal injury lawyer with experience in bringing claims in the country you are visiting can make all the difference.
Our team has brought claims for accidents that have happened in many European countries, in the Americas as well as Asia. We are familiar with multiple foreign legal systems and have local collaborators we can go to to get you the help you need whilst you are still there. In addition to that we will always try to bring any court proceedings for your case in the UK courts to limit the time and money you need to spend attending court abroad.
Airline accidents
Generally, airline passengers injured due to external factors have the right to file a compensation claim. For instance, airlines may be held accountable if a passenger suffers an injury because something falls on them from an overhead baggage compartment. .
When you place your luggage in the overhead bin, flight attendants must ensure it is properly closed and locked. If the flight attendant fails to secure this, causing the baggage to fall and injuring passengers, the airline is held accountable for the incident.
People often confuse airline accident claims with compensation claims for flight delays. At Enable Law we represent people that have been injured because of the negligence or actions of others. We do not bring compensation claims for flight delays. We suggest you approach your airline or travel insurer to pursue such claims.
Accidents on cruise ships
Cruise ship passengers involved in an accident, whether caused by another party or due to the cruise line’s negligence, can seek legal compensation. Slips and falls are common due to slippery surfaces, wet decks, and gangways. These can also occur due to poorly maintained decks, floors, and other amenities. Swimming pool incidents caused by overflowing pools or a lack of lifeguards on duty can also result in drowning and other injuries.
Other causes of injuries include poorly maintained handrails and inadequate support from cruise ship employees when embarking or disembarking. Other injuries may occur to guests on board. Cruise lines may be held accountable for legal compensation if the cruise ship medical crew is negligent in medical treatment or commits medical malpractice on board.
Water sports accidents & injuries
Engaging in water sports has its fun and risks. Due to the high physical activity, water-related recreations such as surfing, jet skiing or snorkelling have their associated accidents. Possible injuries include cuts, scrapes, sprains, fractures, or even drowning.
Various sharp objects, including rocks, shells, and coral reefs, can cause cuts and scrapes in marine settings. Acquiring sprains and strains is probable as the sport is physically demanding.
High-impact activities like jet skiing or surfing can lead to fractures or broken bones. Since these sports are held in large water bodies, drowning is the most prevalent accident. Even though there is an acceptable level of risk to injury associated with taking part in these activities, the organisers of these sporting events are liable if they fail to provide safety precautions or are negligent in treating injured customers and participants.
Skiing Holiday Accidents & Injuries
Skiing accidents caused by another party or inadequate facilities allow filing for legal compensation. In this situation, claims are directed to the ski centre, tour operator, ski lift operator, ski tutor, and other skiers who caused injuries.
Injuries can appear differently. Knee injuries, for example, are the most common, which result from violent twists or falls. Head injuries vary from concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries caused by crashes or falls. Shoulder injuries, on the other hand, include dislocations and fractures induced when skiers attempt to break their fall with their arms. Though not as common as the others, spinal injuries result from high-speed crashes.
It is important to have a solicitor with significant experience in snow sport injuries and claims. Taking part in high speed activities like skiing comes with an acceptable risk to injury but the right lawyer will be able to help understand if your accident was caused fully or partly by faulty equipment or the mistake of resort employees enhancing the possibility of accidents happening by not having taken the right precautions.
