Injured While Traveling: 8 Dos and Don'ts
Las Vegas, Nevada
Helpful tips for travelers
If you are a traveler who got in an accident while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada, call us at 702-432-100 to discuss your case. We don't charge for consultations.
Vacation mishaps can spoil your trip in an instant. From slipping in hotels to unexpected poolside incidents to driving accidents, it's essential to know what to do if you get injured.
This article provides practical tips for out-of-towners injured in Las Vegas or Nevada.
Common travel accidents
The most common travel accidents include:
- Slips and falls;
- Traffic accidents (e.g., rideshare, rental car, or pedestrian accidents);
- Food poisoning and food-related allergies due to negligence in restaurants or buffets;
- Adventure sports accidents (e.g., ziplining, paragliding, rock climbing, or all-terrain vehicle accidents).
Here are helpful 8 Dos and Don'ts for people injured while vacationing in Las Vegas or Nevada.
The DOs
1. Get medical attention. Can you move? If not, call or ask somebody to contact the medical emergency service at 911.
2. Document injuries and surroundings with photos or videos. Within the next few days after the accident, document everything. Were you tired? Couldn't you follow your daily routine? Could you travel back home? Participate in planned vacation activities?
3. Record the eyewitness's information. If you are injured and can't talk to eyewitnesses, ask somebody to do it.
4. Report the accident to the venue and ensure they file an incident report. Also, remember to get and save an incident report number for future reference.
5. Check your travel insurance for coverage details. Was being admitted to the hospital while on vacation and transportation back to your hometown (or home country) covered by your travel insurance? If so, check for supporting documents travel insurance requires from you to get reimbursed and where to call to report an accident.
6. Obtain a Police Report Number. If the police were involved, get a Police Report Number from the investigating officer. You need this report number when you file an accident injury claim.
7. Know that venues often have CCTV cameras, which can provide crucial evidence. Most venues in Las Vegas today have CCTV cameras installed and record what happened before, during, and after the accident. The venue (hotel, restaurant, bar, nightclub, stadium) usually transmits these recordings to a secure location and will delete them after a certain number of days. These recordings protect both sides, the business owner and the victim, and provide necessary evidence in the event of a lawsuit. The attorney can issue a Preservation Letter requesting to save the surveillance videos as evidence; this is why talking to an attorney after a severe accident injury is important.
8. Hire a local attorney to represent you. The local accident injury attorney knows how insurance companies typically operate in Nevada, understands the tactics used by insurance adjusters, and can employ strategies to protect your rights and negotiate a fair settlement.
The DON'Ts
1. Don't apologize. Even if you feel the accident is your fault, don't apologize. Your apologies will be considered an admission of guilt and later used against you when you file a liability claim.
2. Don't delay seeking medical help after an accident. Seeing a doctor helps catch any injuries early on. Some injuries may not show symptoms right after the accident, but getting prompt medical attention allows for early detection and treatment.
3. Don't discard the shoes worn during the accident. Especially after a slip and fall, keep the shoes you wore during the accident. Your shoes could be a reason for your accident injury and necessary evidence when filing an accident injury claim.
4. Don't share personal or financial information. Never disclose your personal or financial information to the adverse party insurance when they call you. It opens the door to questioning the extent of your injuries or undermining your credibility.
5. Don't post injury photos or videos on social media. Avoid posting pictures and videos of your injuries on social media while in a lawsuit and seeking compensation. It is easy to take visual content out of context and misinterpret it. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may use your photos or videos to challenge the severity of your injuries, argue that you are exaggerating your condition, or cast doubt on the validity of your claim. In addition, posting photos or videos that show you engaging in activities or events that seem inconsistent with your claimed injuries can weaken your case.
6. Don't accept money from the business owner for your injury. Some venues may offer you money to avoid filing a claim with their insurance company. Without a proper assessment of your damages, you may receive an amount that falls short of what you are entitled to.
7. Don't rush into settling claims; seek legal advice first. Even if you desperately need money now - and we understand it - contact an attorney before accepting a settlement. Accident injury compensation obtained in a hurry usually means the claimant is losing money.
8. Don't assume liability waivers always apply. There are many situations when this waiver does not apply. So, if you get a sports accident injury in Las Vegas or Nevada, call us even if you signed this waiver.
Time limits to bring a case
In Nevada, you have two (2) years from the date of an accident to file an accident liability claim. Most travel accident injury claims are in this category.
If you are partly at fault
Very often, intoxicated victims fall into this category. Nevada is a comparative negligence state, which means you are still entitled to accident compensation even if you are partially at fault (less than 51%).
It applies to most travel accident injury lawsuits.
Pre-existing illness
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you are still entitled to accident compensation in Nevada, but it may result in a smaller payment. If you have questions, call us at 702-432-1000.
Travel accident compensation
Accident injury compensation depends on many factors but mostly correlates to the dollar amount of your medical bills and other damages. If you got injured while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada, ended up in a Las Vegas hospital, couldn't work after the accident for a while, or in some cases, had to change profession because you couldn't perform the work you previously did, call us. When we know the details of your accidents, we can help determine what is fair compensation for your injury.
We can help
We represent many clients injured while while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada.
We work on a contingency basis, which means that if we cannot collect your settlement money, we will not be paid, and you will not owe us anything.
To discuss your situation, call our office at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with an accident injury attorney.
Your first consultation with us is free.
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Last updated on April 6, 2024.
