What to Do if Injured While Traveling

Travel is meant to be relaxing, exciting, and rejuvenating. Whether you’re visiting family, embarking on a business trip, or soaking in a tropical paradise, the last thing you want to experience is an injury. 

But accidents don’t take vacations. From car crashes and hotel slip-and-falls to tour mishaps and airline negligence, travel-related injuries can disrupt not only your trip but also your finances, health, and future.

If you've been injured while traveling, whether domestically or abroad, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options. At Morgan & Morgan, we’ve helped thousands of clients recover compensation after unexpected injuries, including those that occur while away from home.

If you’re wondering, “Who do I call if I’m injured while traveling?”—look no further than Morgan & Morgan. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

What to Do Immediately After a Travel Injury

If you’re injured while traveling, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your ability to file a successful claim later.

1. Get Medical Attention

Your health comes first. Visit the nearest hospital or urgent care clinic. Even if you think the injury is minor, some conditions may not show symptoms immediately (e.g., concussions or internal bleeding).

2. Report the Incident

Whether it’s a car crash, hotel injury, or airport accident, make sure to file an incident report. If police are involved, get a copy of the police report. If you’re injured at a business or resort, ask to file a formal report with management.

3. Document Everything

Take photos and videos of:

• The scene of the accident
• Any visible injuries
• Hazardous conditions (wet floors, broken equipment, etc.)
  
   

Also, keep records of:

• Medical treatments
• Expenses incurred
• Any correspondence with travel companies or insurance
  
   

4. Get Witness Information

If there were witnesses, such as other guests, travelers, or employees, get their contact information. Their account could support your claim.

5. Avoid Making Statements

Don’t apologize or accept blame. Avoid signing any documents or waivers without legal review, especially if you're offered compensation on the spot. These can sometimes waive your right to a larger claim later.

Common Travel-Related Injuries

Injuries while traveling can happen in a wide range of settings and circumstances. Here are some of the most common scenarios where people sustain injuries:

Car Accidents (Rental Cars or Ride-shares)

Many travelers rent vehicles or use services like Uber and Lyft to get around. Accidents involving rental vehicles can create complex legal scenarios, especially if you're unsure whose insurance covers what.

Airport and Airline Injuries

Airports are often chaotic environments. Slip-and-falls, escalator malfunctions, and injuries caused by airline staff negligence are more common than you might think.

Hotel or Resort Injuries

Hotels have a duty to keep their premises safe. Wet floors, poorly maintained pools, defective furniture, and broken staircases can all cause serious harm to guests.

Tour and Excursion Accidents

Adventure tours—zip lining, scuba diving, ATV rides—are thrilling but sometimes poorly regulated. If an operator was negligent, you could have grounds for a claim.

Cruise Ship Injuries

Cruise lines are legally obligated to maintain safe conditions on board. Slippery decks, food poisoning, and onboard assault are some common claims from injured passengers.

Pedestrian Accidents

Walking around a new city? Poor signage, distracted drivers, or unsafe sidewalks can make tourists particularly vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.

International Travel Incidents

If you're injured abroad, additional complications arise, such as dealing with foreign laws, different liability standards, and language barriers.

Who May Be Liable for My Injury?

Determining who is responsible for your injury while traveling can be complex, especially when multiple parties or jurisdictions are involved.

Potentially Liable Parties Could Include:

• Airlines or transportation companies
• Hotels and resorts
• Tour operators
• Property owners
• Government entities (especially in cases involving public transportation or sidewalks)
• Rental car companies
• Other drivers or pedestrians

Each case, however, is unique. A skilled travel injury lawyer can help identify all potentially liable parties and ensure that none are overlooked.

Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If you’re injured while traveling due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical Expenses

• Emergency room visits
• Surgeries
• Prescription medication
• Physical therapy
• Long-term care
  
   

Lost Wages

If your injury prevents you from working, either during your trip or after returning home, you may be able to claim lost income.

Pain and Suffering

This covers the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the injury.

Loss of Enjoyment

If the injury prevents you from enjoying life as you once did, whether that’s playing sports or simply taking walks, you may be entitled to damages.

Future Medical Costs

For serious injuries, the need for ongoing care or future surgeries can also be factored into a settlement or award.

Punitive Damages

In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct (e.g., a drunk tour operator), punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party.

What if You’re Injured Abroad?

Travel injuries in a foreign country can be significantly more complicated due to different laws, legal systems, and time zones. Here's what to know:

Jurisdiction Matters

Laws vary by country. Some nations have shorter statutes of limitations or don’t allow personal injury claims in the same way the U.S. does.

Waivers and Liability Releases

Many international excursions require you to sign waivers. While not always enforceable in U.S. courts, they can complicate your case. A lawyer can help you determine whether the waiver is valid.

Foreign Insurance Policies

Your U.S. health insurance may not provide full coverage abroad. However, travel insurance may help. It’s important to keep records of all medical care and attempts to contact insurers.

Local Legal Counsel

In some cases, we may partner with lawyers in the country where the injury occurred to ensure you have proper representation, especially if the case must be pursued under local law.

The Role of a Travel Injury Lawyer

Navigating a travel-related injury claim is no simple task. Here’s how an experienced travel injury attorney can help:

Investigate and Build Your Case

We gather all relevant evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts if needed. If the accident happened abroad or in a complicated jurisdiction, we coordinate with local professionals and legal experts.

Deal With Insurance Companies

Insurers often try to minimize payouts or deny claims outright, especially when dealing with travel-related incidents. We handle all communication to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Pursue All Avenues of Compensation

We work to ensure that every potential avenue for recovery is pursued, from the liable party's insurance to your own underinsured motorist coverage or travel policy.

File a Lawsuit If Necessary

If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re ready to take your case to trial. Morgan & Morgan has the resources and experience to stand up to major corporations, airlines, hotels, and insurers.

Work on Contingency

We don’t get paid unless you win. That means no upfront costs, no hidden fees—just a team that’s motivated to get the best possible result for you.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Vacations and business trips aren’t supposed to end in hospitals or legal battles, but when they do, you deserve support, answers, and justice.

At Morgan & Morgan, we know how confusing and stressful it can be to suffer an injury far from home. That’s why we offer compassionate, experienced legal representation tailored to your unique situation. You focus on healing; we’ll handle the rest.

With more than $25 billion recovered for our clients, Morgan & Morgan is the nation’s largest injury law firm, with a reputation for fighting tirelessly For the People. We have offices in every state throughout the country and a robust network of international legal partners to help travelers who were injured abroad.

Whether your injury happened in a Florida resort, a California rental car, or a European city square, we’re ready to fight for you.

If you or a loved one were injured while traveling, contact us today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and we're here to fight beside you for everything you need and deserve to move forward with your life.