Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were to get injured while on vacation in New York City?
Unfortunately, accidents happen. In fact, just the slip-and-fall incidents in NYC alone result in a yearly average of over 52,000, reminding us that accidents can happen at any time.
Whether you’ve suffered a slip and fall injury, a traffic injury, or you’ve been assaulted, knowing what to do in these situations could make all the difference in ensuring you receive the proper medical attention and fair compensation for your injuries.
In this article, we will outline the steps you should take if you get injured while in NYC as a tourist.
From seeking medical attention to contacting a personal injury lawyer, we will guide you through the process and highlight the benefits of following each step.
So, if you want to be prepared in case of an emergency, keep reading.
1. Common Injuries for Tourists in NYC
1. Slip and Fall Accidents
If you’ve had a slip-and-fall accident in NYC, it’s probably because of uneven sidewalks, slippery surfaces, or poorly maintained areas.
Your injury could’ve even happened while you were visiting a popular tourist spot like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or Central Park.
In cases like these, the first thing you should do is let the property owner or manager know what happened and gather any evidence and witness statements regarding the accident. It’s also important that you seek medical attention for your injuries.
If you can prove that the property owner or manager was negligent in keeping the area safe and that led to your injury, you might have a strong personal injury case on your hands.
2. Traffic Accidents
Over the years, many tourists visiting NYC have been injured in traffic accidents, whether while crossing the road or using a rented bike or scooter.
If this is the case with you, and another driver was involved in your traffic accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
However, make sure to snap some photos and videos of the scene and your injuries and report the accident to the police. This will give you a solid foundation for negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company.
3. Assault and Battery
Sadly, as a tourist in NYC, you may fall victim to a crime while visiting the city.
In New York City, assault and battery are considered different offenses in civil cases.
This means that if you’ve suffered an injury because of either, it might be a good idea to get in touch with PI attorney in NYC and make sure that you’re properly compensated for your pain and suffering.
2. Steps to take when you get injured while you are in NYC as a tourist
1. Seek medical attention
If you’re hurt, the first thing you need to do is see a doctor for any injuries you’ve sustained.
Besides ensuring that you receive proper treatment for your injuries, seeking prompt medical attention also helps create a record of how your injuries came to be and how severe they are.
So, even if you feel completely fine, it might be a good idea to check in with a doctor and get the necessary medical documentation if you decide to pursue a personal injury case.
2. Report the incident
After visiting a doctor, it’s time to let the authorities know what happened.
If you were hurt in a traffic accident, you’ll want to call the police. If you were hurt, for example, while visiting a tourist attraction, you’ll want to report it to the management of that tourist attraction.
Either way, make sure you fill out an incident report so you have the official documentation narrating what happened.
Why’s this important?
Because, if the negligent party is insured, these records will form the basis of your negotiations with the insurance company.
3. Collect evidence
To build a strong case, it’s important to gather evidence of what happened.
This could mean taking videos of the scene, talking to witnesses, and keeping any physical evidence you can find.
Also, be sure to take photos of your injuries and get the contact information of anyone involved in the accident.
This sort of evidence will help show the extent of your injury and the impact it had on your life, which will be important for determining the amount of compensation you’re eligible to receive.
Moreover, having plenty of evidence will help you establish that the responsible party was negligent in their duty of care and strengthen your case.
4. Contact a personal injury lawyer
Navigating the complex legal system can be tough for anyone, especially for those who don’t have significant professional experience handling personal injury cases.
That’s why, if you want to get fairly compensated for your injuries, it’s a good idea to talk to a personal injury lawyer.
A personal injury lawyer will help you understand your rights and help you build a strong case while allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Final words
Don’t let an injury turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.
Take action, be proactive, and protect your rights by contacting a personal injury lawyer to guide you through the process of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries.