Travel Accidents
Most injuries that occur while you are on a plain, boat, or train are not newsworthy. Every year thousands of travelers get “minor” injuries while on the go. If you’ve been injured while traveling, you will have to hire a lawyer to make sure that your injuries are properly addressed by the major companies and organizations that run the transportation systems.
Documentation is key when it comes to a travel injury. You will need proof that the injury occurred while on the plane, boat, car, or train. Without a formal incident report, you and your lawyer will have to rely on witness testimony to confirm the injuries were the fault of the transportation vehicle. Of course if you were with several other people that you already know, acquiring those statements will be easy. If you were traveling alone, it might be nearly impossible to track down any of the other travelers who witnessed your injury.
A travel injury worthy of a lawsuit will have to be caused by some sort of neglect by the transportation company. Air turbulence, pot holes in the road, and sudden stops are typical of travel. As the traveler, you are expected to proceed with a modicum of precaution.However, if you were traveling by bus and wearing your seatbelt when the bus came to a screeching halt, you would be able to sue for damages if something flew through the air and hit you in the head.
Some accidents are the fault of the passengers. For example, if you drop a suitcase on someone’s head while trying to retrieve it from the overhead bin, you can be sued for personal injury. Luckily, most homeowner insurance policies will cover that kind of incident even if you are 10,000 miles away from your house.
Don’t attempt to contact the transportation authority on your own. Generally, these are massive organizations that will ignore any calls or emails from an individual. A properly-served letter on legal letterhead is the attention-getting first step necessary to getting compensation for your losses.
