Travel is not a foreign concept to us; it can be traced back to wealthier Greeks and Romans who traveled to their summer homes and villas in areas like Baiae and Pompeii for leisure. Merriam-Webster defines travel as "a journey, especially to a distant or unknown location." We used to be able to travel without a second thought. Unfortunately, as we travel to new places these days, we must be extra cautious of potential threats. These problems could have long-term repercussions, including legal action. Some of the topics we shall cover in this article are as follows: Auto Accidents, Cruise Ship Accidents, Rideshare Accidents, Premises Liability, and Bed Bugs.
According to Travel Pulse, nearly 80% (206 million) of Americans will take a road trip this year, with nearly 20% (47 million) driving more than 500 miles. With so many people on the road at any given time, you become more exposed to automobile accidents, and your chances of being involved in an accident rise as you travel further. Having said that, there may come a time when you are involved in a car accident and need to know what to do. So, in order to help you even more, we've detailed some of the most critical steps to take after a car accident.
The ability to use helicopters and airplanes to enhance your vacation experience is a terrific tool to have on hand. The ability to fly allows for speedier travel, fewer expenses, greater comfort, and, in most cases, safety.
We typically picture our destination and the wonderful activities that await us when we board a helicopter for a tour or a commercial airplane for travel. However, aviation accidents are unavoidable and are primarily caused by safety flaws, pilot shortages, and aging aircraft. You may encounter two sorts of aviation while on vacation: helicopter tours and commercial flights.
While helicopter tours are one of the most incredible things to do, whether visiting new tourist attractions or popular locations such as The Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, or a scenic tour above Manhattan, New York, there are some safety considerations to be aware of. Some of which include pilot error, maintenance team error or misunderstanding, mechanical faults, and inclement weather.
Depending on the reason, more than one individual may be held accountable. For example, in some incidents, both ground control and the pilot may be at blame. In other circumstances, the tour company or the manufacturer may have neglected to maintain the plane or designed it incorrectly.
Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a total of 45,000 flights carrying 2.9 million travelers fly in and out of U.S. airports daily. Airport hubs alone account for a large number of injuries, including broken bones and neck injuries resulting from slips and falls. Injuries, on the other hand, are not limited to the airport; in-flight incidents such as turbulence, falling in the jetway, or baggage falling from above can all lead to bodily harm. Despite the fact that airlines must adhere to the Federal Aviation Act's standards, incidents like this occur on a regular basis due to the enormous amount of traffic.
The Federal Aviation Act was enacted in 1958 to regulate civil aviation and commercial space transportation in the United States, as well as to maintain and operate air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft, and to develop and administer programs related to aviation safety and the National Airspace System. This move alone helped pave the road for the Federal Aviation Administration we know today.
If you are injured on a flight, you may be able to file a compensation claim against the airline. Here are a few things to keep in mind to do this:
In 2019, the cruise industry received 29.7 million passengers worldwide. Regrettably, no single government agency investigates and documents cruise ship occurrences in the same way that the FAA does for aviation accidents. This is not to say that personal injury accidents do not occur on cruise ships. Many tourists are unaware that the cruise line could be held accountable for injuries occurring on board. By suing a cruise line, you may be able to win a settlement or verdict for medical expenditures, lost work time, and other compensatory and punitive damages.
Occurrences that cause injuries on a cruise ship:
These acts of negligence can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, brain injuries, and internal organ damage.
Rideshare is a system that connects passengers with drivers using mobile apps or websites such as Uber, Lyft, Juno, and others. You are then are picked up and taken to your destination alongside other commuters.
In recent years, ridesharing has grown tremendously. Approximately 25% of the total U.S. population uses ridesharing at least once each month, and Uber alone employs over 3.8 million drivers worldwide. Ridesharing is becoming more popular in the United States and around the world due to high population and industrialization, particularly in larger cities, which equals more road traffic and a greater need for efficient transportation.
If you've been hurt in a rideshare accident, you're probably wondering if you may sue Uber or Lyft. After all, ridesharing companies have deeper pockets than ordinary rideshare drivers.
However, suing Uber or Lyft directly can be challenging. Uber and Lyft classify rideshare drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. As a result, companies are more likely than independent contractors to be found legally liable for an incident.
Nonetheless, you might want to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft if, for example:
Traveling exposes you to a wide spectrum of amazing people and wildlife. Unfortunately, traveling makes us more susceptible to bed bugs. Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, wingless insects that hide on beds and old furniture during the day. These insects are most typically encountered in hotel rooms because they can attach themselves to luggage, purses, and backpacks and migrate across multi-unit buildings.
If you were exposed to bed bugs while staying in a hotel or renting a home, you may be able to sue the property owner in many states. But first, you must prove that you were bitten by a bed bug. You will almost always need to see a doctor, such as a dermatologist, to confirm that you have been bitten by a bed bug.
If it is proven that you were bitten by bed bugs in a hotel or rental property and that your injuries were caused by the carelessness of the property's owner, you may be able to file one or more of the following claim for damages:
Bed bug litigation, on the other hand, may take a different path. If the host has reason to believe you brought bed bugs onto their property or failed to notify them of the problem, they may be able to sue you. Damages for bed bug bites frequently include some or all of the following, depending on who is at fault:
Property owners have particular obligations under local, state, and federal laws to maintain reasonably safe premises under certain conditions and to warn others of any harmful conditions in certain instances, which is known as premises liability. Premises liability cases encompass a wide range of personal injury claims, including:
Slips and falls are the most straightforward premises liability cases. Slips and falls, whether the victim is young or old, can be devastating. Fractures are one of the most common outcomes of falls, occurring in 5% of instances. A fall causes more than eight million people to visit hospital emergency rooms. Slips and falls can also lead to more significant tragedies, such as wrongful death in the case of those over the age of 85.
Broken bones and fractures are two of the most common injuries caused by slips and falls. Each year, roughly 6.8 million fractured bones/fractures are treated in the United States, according to The Ohio State University.
When a bone collides with a larger force, the shape of the bone changes, resulting in a broken bone. These fractures can occur horizontally or vertically across the bone.
Some common breaks include:
Drowning accident lawsuits are classified as premises liability since the injuries are often caused by a poorly maintained or guarded premise. This can include elements such as:
In drowning cases, victims or families can sue the parties at fault. Inattentive property owners and managers could be among them. Two typical legal claims are negligence and wrongful death.
Depending on the circumstances, plaintiffs in drowning cases may be reimbursed for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Furthermore, if the victim dies, his or her family may be able to recoup burial expenses as well as support loss.
Q: Can I sue the company that controls my cruise ship?
A: Yes, if you were the victim of a cruise ship accident, excursion accident, or even medical malpractice, you may be able to sue the cruise company that was at fault.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to help me with my hotel liability claim?
A: Yes, having an experienced lawyer will assist you in obtaining the most compensation for your injuries or lost property.
Q: Do I sue the ride-share service or the driver?
A: In most cases, your claim will be filed with the ridesharing business rather than the driver. Uber and Lyft, for example, have a million-dollar insurance policy that covers all passengers.
Q: When can I hold a hotel liable for my injuries?
A: Because it is a business that provides services to customers, every hotel is legally accountable for premises liability.
Works Cited
Agencies - Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration
Air Traffic By The Numbers. (2022, June 15). FAA. https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/
Arm Injury Statistics | Aids for One Armed Tasks. (n.d.). The Ohio State University. https://u.osu.edu/productdesigngroup3/sample-page/
Christoff, J. (2022, March 25). Road Trips Will Be the Most Popular Type of Travel This Summer. TravelPulse. https://www.travelpulse.com/news/features/road-trips-will-be-the-most-popular-type-of-travel-this-summer.html
Travel Definition & Meaning. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travelWhat is a Common Carrier? (2018, December 3). FindLaw. https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-injuries/what-is-a-common-carrier.html
