The most common vacation accidents and how you can avoid them

No one wants their meticulously planned vacation cut short by an accident. Any time spent away from the sun, sea and relaxation is only cutting into your much-needed family time. Sadly, for millions of tourists each year, this nightmare turns into a reality. 

You’ve probably heard of vacation horror stories and holidays from hell, and it’s easy to assume that it won’t happen to you. However, by making yourself aware of the most common holiday mishaps will certainly improve those odds! 

Read on to discover the most common vacation accidents and how you can avoid them.

Car accidents

Imagine being caught up in a car accident on vacation – speak with the team at mdaccidentlaw.com if you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault. Unfortunately, a crash is enough to ruin your vacation, whether it’s you that’s been injured or your passengers. 

Driving on unfamiliar roads, with different speed limits, distracted driving and the increased likelihood of drink driving on vacation means that getting caught up in a crash is more likely. If you’re planning on driving to reach your destination or you want to hire a car, research the roads as much as you can, always wear a seatbelt and don’t drive distracted!

Slips, trips and falls

Sometimes a simple trip can completely derail your vacation plans. One minute you’re enjoying yourself, the next you’re flat on your back having slipped on a wet floor in a restaurant or having tripped over a loose tile in your hotel. Broken bones, fractures, back and even head injuries are common after a slip, trip or fall. Which means a lengthy hospital stay and claims on your travel insurance. 

It’s not always easy to avoid these kinds of accidents, however, the best prevention is to be vigilant and notify staff of any potential dangers e.g. torn carpet, bad lighting, faulty handrails etc.

Activity related accidents

Vacations are the perfect opportunity to try something new and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Whether you want to try paddle boarding, snorkeling, rock climbing or even swimming with sharks! Sadly, when the activity vendor is registered, has failed to provide staff with training or doesn’t provide adequate safety equipment for customers then accidents are likely. 

The best way to avoid these kinds of holiday mishaps is by checking the credentials of the operator first. Enquire about their experience, the training that their staff undertakes and use your common sense – if an activity seems unbelievably cheap, ask yourself why. 

And finally…food poisoning

We all know how disruptive a bout of food poisoning can be. Whether it’s a mild stomach upset or a full-blown illness, food poisoning can quickly cast a shadow over your holiday plans. 

If you’re heading overseas and want to indulge in new cuisine, or you want to play it safe and enjoy the same food you consume back home, be sensible. Look for signs of good food hygiene when you’re out and about. Research restaurants and street vendors before you eat anything and always wash your hands!