How many people each year are injured in accidents while they are on vacation? Approximately 30 to 50 percent of the 1 billion tourists traveling abroad on a normal year acquire an injury or illness. While on a family vacation in New Mexico, I took note of a multitude of things that are culpable to the injuries sustained by people while they are on a trip. The best way to avoid a potential injury while on a vacation is to be informed on the common hazards one comes across so they can hopefully be avoided.

Distracted Driving

When on a trip, we are generally in a place where we are unfamiliar with our circumstances and may feel somewhat lost. As a result, we tend to do things that we might not ordinarily do. How many of us drive a motor vehicle and are constantly checking our GPS or are looking around when we should be paying closer attention to the roadway? The best way to avoid a distracted driving accident is to read the directions before embarking on your travels, ask a passenger to verbally instruct you on where to go, and if possible, take turns driving so you can take in the sights!

Unfamiliar Pathways

Many of us tend to familiarize ourselves with the sidewalks and walkways that we utilize on a regular basis and are more aware of the imperfections that could cause us to become injured. While in a new place, it is common for us to look at our cell phone- either to determine where we are, where we are going, or where the best restaurant is in the area. With our eyes on our phones and the unfamiliarity of the sidewalk, there is an increased risk of a trip or slip and fall accident that can result in serious injury.

Alcohol Consumption

People tend to consume alcohol at a much greater rate while on vacation. It is important to remember that drunk driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the United States. When an intoxicated driver gets behind the wheel of an automobile, they are putting people's lives at risk. The more alcohol you consume on vacation, the more difficult it may be to move from place to place. This, coupled with the unfamiliarity of our surroundings, makes us more prone to experiencing some type of accident.

Exhaustion

Oftentimes on vacation, we operate on less sleep or are not getting restful sleep due to our new surroundings. When our bodies and our minds become exhausted, we begin to function at levels that are below our normal states, which make us more prone to being involved in an accident.

What to Do if Injured on Vacation

Please be aware of the fact that you may very well be more apt to be involved in an accident while you are on vacation. If you are injured while away, make sure you take multiple pictures of where and how you were injured, call the police, get treated at the local hospital, and contact us right away. We have contacts with some of the best lawyers throughout the U.S. that we can refer you to. With a legal representative on your side, you can be protected and have a far greater chance of maximizing the amount of money you can get for your injury case. Click here to contact us or call us at (888) 244-5480

Be safe, have fun, and enjoy yourself while many places are opening up for vacationers!