Travel is not a new notion to us; it can be traced back to wealthy Greeks and Romans who left for leisure to their summer houses and villas in places such as Baiae and Pompeii. According to Merriam-Webster, travel is "a journey, especially to a distant or unknown region." We used to be able to travel without hesitation. Unfortunately, as we travel to new places today, we must be more aware of potential hazards. These faults may result in long-term consequences, including legal action. Some things that we will discuss in this article are auto accidents, cruise ship accidents, rideshare accidents, premises liability, and bed bugs.
Per Travel Pulse, nearly 80 percent (206 million) of Americans plan to take a road trip this year, and nearly 20 percent (47 million) will travel more than 500 miles by car. Having so many people on the road at any given moment makes you more vulnerable to vehicle accidents, and the chances of being in an accident increase as you go farther. That being said, there may come a moment when you are involved in an automobile accident and need to know what to do. So, in order to assist you further, we have outlined some of the most important procedures to take following an automobile accident.
The ability to use helicopters and airplanes is a fantastic tool to have on hand to enhance your vacation experience. The ability to fly gives you access to faster travel, lower costs, more comfort, and, in most situations, safety.
When we board a helicopter or an airplane, we usually imagine our destination and the exciting activities that await us. However, aviation accidents are inevitable and are largely caused by safety issues, pilot shortages, and aged aircraft. While on vacation, you may come into contact with two types of aviation: helicopter tours and commercial flights.
While helicopter tours are one of the most amazing things you can do whenever visiting new tourist destinations or popular locations like The Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, or a picturesque tour over Manhattan, New York. There are some safety concerns to consider, such as pilot error, maintenance team error or misunderstanding, mechanical faults, and adverse weather.
Depending on the cause, it could be more than one person who is liable. For example, in some accidents, it could be both the ground control and the pilot who are responsible. In other cases, it could be the tour company or the manufacturer who failed to maintain the plane or designed it poorly.
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, however, are not restricted to the airport; situations that occur in flight, such as turbulence, falling in the jetway, or baggage falling from above, can all contribute to a bodily injury. Despite the fact that airlines must follow criteria established by the Federal Aviation Act, mishaps like this occur on a daily basis due to the sheer volume of travel.
The Federal Aviation Act was created in 1958 to regulate civil aviation and U.S. commercial space transportation while also maintaining and operating air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft and developing and administering programs relating to aviation safety and the National Airspace System. This act alone helped pave the way for the Federal Aviation Administration we know today.
If you are harmed on a flight, you may be eligible to submit a compensation claim against the airline. Here are a few things to remember in order to achieve this:
The cruise industry received 29.7 million passengers globally in 2019. Unfortunately, no single governmental entity investigates and documents cruise ship incidents in the same manner that the FAA does with aviation accidents. However, this does not mean that personal injury accidents do not occur aboard cruise ships. Many passengers are unaware that the cruise line may be held liable for injuries sustained on the ship. You may be able to obtain a settlement or verdict for medical bills, lost work time, and other compensatory and punitive damages by suing a cruise line.
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 in which passengers connect with drivers using mobile apps or websites such as Uber, Lyft, Juno, and others. Following that, you are picked up and driven to your destination alongside other commuters.
Ride-sharing has expanded rapidly in recent years. Approximately 25% of the total U.S. population uses ridesharing at least once a month, and Uber alone employs over 3.8 million drivers globally. Ridesharing is on the rise in the United States and around the world, thanks in part to rising population and industrialization, particularly in larger cities, which means more road traffic and a higher need for efficient transportation.
If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, you're likely wondering if you may sue Uber or Lyft for your injuries. After all, ridesharing businesses have more pockets than the average rideshare driver.
However, directly suing Uber or Lyft can be difficult. Rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees by Uber and Lyft. As a result, businesses are more likely to be held legally liable for an employee than for an independent contractor.
Nonetheless, you might want to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft if, for example:
Traveling will introduce you to a diverse range of wonderful people and creatures. Unfortunately, we do become vulnerable to bed bugs. Bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, wingless insects that hide during the day on beds and old furniture. These insects are most commonly found in hotel rooms because they can travel across multi-unit buildings by attaching themselves to baggage, purses, and backpacks.
In many states, you can sue the property owner if you were exposed to bed bugs while vacationing in a hotel or rental property. But first, you must confirm that you have been bitten by a bed bug. You will almost certainly need to consult a medical practitioner, such as a dermatologist, to confirm that you were bitten by a bed bug.
If it is established that you were bitten by bed bugs in a resort or rental property and that your injuries were caused by the property's owner's negligence, you may be able to file one or more of the following causes of action:
Bed bug lawsuits, on the other hand, could go in a different direction. If the host has cause to suspect you are responsible for bringing bed bugs to their property or failing to tell them of the problem, they may be able to sue you. Damages for bed bug bites often involve some of the following, depending on who is to blame:
Premises liability is where property owners have certain obligations under local, state, and federal laws to maintain reasonably safe premises under certain conditions and to warn others of any unsafe conditions under certain situations. Many different types of personal injury cases can be classified as premises liability cases, such as:
The most straightforward premises liability situations are slips and falls. Slips and falls, whether the victim is young or old, can cause tremendous damage. Fractures are among the most common results of falls, occurring in 5% of cases. More than eight million people visit hospital emergency rooms as a result of a fall. Slips and falls can also result in more serious tragedies, such as wrongful death for people over the age of 85.
Some of the most common injuries caused by slips and falls include broken bones and fractures. According to The Ohio State University, approximately 6.8 million fractured bones/fractures are treated in the United States each year.
Broken bones occur when a bone collides with a bigger force, causing the shape of the bone to change. These fractures can occur straight across the bone or up and down the bone.
Some common breaks include:
Drowning accident claims come under premises liability since these injuries are typically caused by an inadequately maintained or guarded premise. This can include elements like:
Victims or relatives sue the parties at fault in drowning lawsuits. Inattentive property owners and supervisors may be among them. Negligence and wrongful death are two common legal claims.
Plaintiffs in drowning claims may be compensated for medical expenditures, lost wages, and pain and suffering, depending on the circumstances. In addition, if the victim dies, his or her family may be able to recover burial expenses as well as loss of support.
Q: Can I sue the corporation that operates my cruise ship?
A: Yes, you may be entitled to sue the cruise line that was liable if you were the victim of a cruise ship accident, excursion accident, or even medical negligence.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to assist with my hotel liability issue?
A: Yes, having an experienced lawyer will help you get the most compensation for your injuries or lost property.
Q: Do I sue the rideshare company or the driver?
A: In most situations, your claim will be filed with the ridesharing company, not the driver. Uber and Lyft, for example, have a one million dollar policy that protects all passengers.
Q: When can a hotel be held accountable for my injuries?
A: Every hotel is legally liable for premises liability because it is a business that provides services to consumers.
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/travel
What is a Common Carrier? (2018, December 3). FindLaw. https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-injuries/what-is-a-common-carrier.html