Last Updated on July 16, 2024
Texas is one of the top destinations for vacations in the United States, attracting over 270 million visitors annually. With its lively cities, beautiful parks, and miles of coastline, it’s easy to see why so many people flock to the Lone Star State for their holidays. However, accidents and injuries can happen anywhere, even on vacation. If you do get hurt while visiting Texas, here’s a quick guide on what to expect and do next.Â
According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were over 12,000 vehicle accidents in Texas in 2020 alone, resulting in over 14,000 injuries. Understanding what to do if you become one of those statistics can help minimize stress and get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.Â
The key steps involve seeking prompt medical attention, reporting the incident, contacting your insurance providers, and working with an attorney if the injury is serious or liability is disputed.
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Seek Medical Attention Immediately
If you suffer any injury while on vacation in Texas, your first priority should be to get medical attention right away. For minor injuries, head to an urgent care clinic or walk-in doctor’s office. For more serious or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go straight to the nearest emergency room.
When you seek treatment, be sure to give doctors your travel insurance information and any other health insurance details if you have coverage. Many standard policies provide emergency medical coverage while traveling, which can lower your out-of-pocket costs for treatment significantly.
Report the Incident
The next step is to report your injury to the appropriate parties. Start by notifying the manager or owner of the hotel, restaurant, transportation service, attraction, or any other business involved with the incident. Request a copy of their incident report form to complete on the spot, which documents important details like the date, time, location, circumstances, witnesses, actions taken, and any other relevant information.
You’ll also want to call your insurance provider to begin a claim if you want coverage for any medical treatment costs, lost vacation time, or other damages. Give them a clear account of what happened and ask about any next steps needed to access benefits you may be entitled to under your policy.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
For severe injuries or cases where liability is disputed, consulting an injury attorney can help protect your rights and ability to recover damages. A lawyer can conduct a full investigation into the accident, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and take legal action if warranted based on the specifics of your case.
It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after the injury, so key evidence and witness recollections are fresh. Your lawyer may even travel to the scene of the accident in Texas to take photos and measurements, interview witnesses, or inspect equipment. They’ll also request relevant documentation like medical records, incident reports, inspection records, training manuals, and more to build the strongest case.
Having legal guidance after an out-of-state injury can take a huge burden off your shoulders, letting you focus on recovery. Your attorney handles the legwork and complexities of dealing with Texas liability laws, court systems, insurance regulations, and negligent parties. This is especially helpful when the party at fault disputes who is responsible or offers an unfair settlement.
With the right preparation and legal support, an accident while traveling doesn’t have to derail your vacation permanently or lead to unpaid medical bills and lost wages. Texas has robust laws in place to protect the rights of injured tourists and visitors. So, take advantage of those protections if an incident occurs, and don’t let an injury ruin your overall memories of your time in this great state.