Personal Injury

Holiday Accident: What to Do

Estimated read time: 4 mins

Carrie Tennick, August 13, 2020

Even though we may not be having the summer we expected, plenty of us are still heading away for our holidays. That may be abroad for some sun or to the UK coastline to fend off the seagulls.

For most, these holidays will be a chance to get away and relax, possibly even returning with a new perspective. But that isn’t everyone. Some people will find themselves getting hurt or sick while they’re on their holiday.

So what should you do when your time away doesn’t go quite as planned and you end up having a holiday accident?

Different kinds of holiday accident

The unfortunate reality is that wherever you go for your summer holiday, there will be risks. For example, driving abroad can be very different to driving in the UK. This could lead to a higher risk of a road traffic accident abroad.

You’re also more likely to take part in certain risky activities when you’re on holiday. This could be anything from water-skiing to ziplining to hiking in the mountains. If you’re not experienced in these activities, you might find you’re also more likely to hurt yourself while taking part. Sports accidents abroad are one of the most common forms of holiday accidents.

Holiday sickness is another problem you might find yourself dealing with in the summer. Although there is less chance of catching one this year, with breakfast buffets typically few and far between and increased vigilance around hotel cleanliness and hygiene, stomach bugs will always be present. Social distancing might not protect you from all illnesses.

What to do immediately after a holiday accident

Your actions after suffering from a holiday accident will depend on what happened to you in the first place. But in the immediate aftermath of all situations, it’s a good idea to take a moment to collect yourself and establish if you or anyone else has been injured.

If there are any injuries, you’ll need to seek medical attention as soon as you can. This could be through calling an ambulance, heading to the nearest hospital or clinic or letting the medical staff at your hotel or accommodation check you over.

You should report your illness or injury to your holiday rep or hotel staff member if it happened on the premises. Make sure that the report is recorded in the hotel’s accident book. Take photos of the record and ask that it is sent to you via email if possible. Some hotels may be reluctant to record any holiday accidents or illnesses so you might want proof that it has been written down.

If you were on a package holiday abroad, you should also report what happened to the operator. They could be held responsible if the accident happened at your hotel or on an excursion or trip booked through or organised by your operator.

There may be the possibility that you’ll have to fill out a police report after a holiday accident. The rules surrounding this will depend on what happened – for instance, it’s more like to happen with a car accident than a slip, trip or fall – and the local laws.

Holiday accident claims

If you had an accident abroad while you were on a package holiday in the last three years, you might be able to make a personal injury claim against your holiday provider. This could go towards helping you make a faster and fuller recovery from your injury.

And if you were on holiday in the UK, you could claim against the organisation or person responsible for your accident. This could be the hotel you stayed in, a local council or another driver – it depends on the kind of accident you had.

If you decide to make a personal injury claim for a holiday accident, evidence can build the foundation for a successful claim. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be. So make sure you gather as much as you can.

This can include the proof of your accident being recorded by your hotel. It can also include police reports, medical reports, CCTV and photographs. So if you’re able, take as many photos and videos of the accident scene as you can.

You should also take photos of your injury itself. If you’re able to, request that you are sent a copy of any CCTV footage before you leave the scene of the accident. This can often be the most compelling evidence of an accident so it’s always worth accessing. If you need to request it after you’ve left the location where the accident happened, do it as soon as you can. Many organisations record over CCTV footage with new video after a certain period so you may end up being unable to retrieve it.

How can First4Lawyers help?

When you decide to make a compensation claim for a holiday accident, you need expert help. First4Lawyers work with specialist No Win No Fee solicitors whose aim is to get the best outcome for their clients.

To find out how we can help you make a claim to get you back on your feet, all you need to do is get in touch. Our understanding and compassionate claims advisors will discuss your claim with you, letting you know the best option for your specific situation.

You can give us a call, request a call back at a convenient time or start your claim online.


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