5 Steps To Take If You Are Injured On Vacation

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Beltz Law Group

Injured on Vacation in Texas? 5 Critical Steps to Protect Your Claim

Beltz Law Group: 214-321-4105

Vacations are meant for relaxation and enjoyment, a time to escape the routines of daily life. However, the unexpected can happen, and sustaining an injury while on vacation in Texas due to someone else’s negligence can quickly turn a dream trip into a nightmare. From slip-and-falls at hotels to swimming pool accidents or injuries at tourist attractions, these incidents can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens.

While your immediate priority after an injury is your health, knowing the right steps to take can be crucial for protecting your legal rights and securing fair compensation. Unlike accidents at home, vacation injuries can involve complex questions of jurisdiction, evidence gathering, and dealing with unfamiliar businesses.

If you’ve been seriously injured on vacation in Texas, taking the following five steps is vital.

Why Your Actions Matter After a Vacation Injury

Insurance companies and liable parties will often work quickly to minimize their responsibility. The evidence you gather and the actions you take in the immediate aftermath can significantly impact the strength of your personal injury claim.

Here are the essential steps to follow if you are injured on vacation in Texas:

Step 1: Prioritize Your Health and Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your well-being is paramount. Regardless of how minor an injury may seem, always seek prompt medical evaluation.

• Do Not Delay: Some injuries, particularly soft tissue damage or head injuries, may not show immediate symptoms but can worsen over time. A delay in seeking medical care can allow the opposing side to argue your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the incident.
• Be Thorough: Explain all your symptoms to medical professionals, even seemingly minor ones.
• Document Everything: Ensure all medical visits, diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and follow-up recommendations are thoroughly documented. These medical records will serve as crucial evidence of your injuries and their direct link to the accident.

Step 2: Formally Report the Incident to the Responsible Party

It’s critical to create an official record of the incident with the establishment or property owner where the injury occurred.

• Notify Management: Immediately inform the hotel manager, store manager, property owner, or tour operator about the accident. Do not leave the location without making a formal report.
• Request an Incident Report: Ask them to create an official incident report. Request a copy of this report for your records. This document will detail the date, time, location, and initial description of the incident.
• Note Key Details: Record the name and contact information of the person you reported the incident to.
• For Public Property: If the accident happened on public property or involved a vehicle, contact local law enforcement (e.g., city police, county sheriff, state highway patrol) to file an official accident report.

Step 3: Document the Scene and Your Injuries Extensively

Technology is your best friend in evidence preservation. Use your smartphone to capture as much detail as possible.

• Photos and Videos of the Scene: Take numerous photos and videos of the exact location where the injury occurred.
  • Capture wide shots showing the general area.
  • Take close-up photos of any specific hazards that caused your injury (e.g., spilled liquid, uneven flooring, broken handrails, poor lighting, slippery surfaces, missing warning signs).
  • Document the lighting conditions, weather, and any surrounding factors.
  • If a product or equipment was involved, photograph its condition and any identifying labels.
• Photos of Your Injuries: Document your injuries as they appear immediately after the accident and continue to photograph their progression or healing over time.
• Identify Contributing Factors: Think about what caused the fall or injury and capture visual evidence of it. For example, if it was a slip and fall, photograph any liquid, ice, debris, or defective flooring.
• Preserve Physical Evidence: If applicable, do not discard any clothing, shoes, or personal items that were damaged or soiled in the accident. These might contain valuable evidence.

Step 4: Gather Information from Witnesses

Eyewitness accounts can provide unbiased support for your claim and corroborate your version of events.

• Identify Witnesses: Ask anyone who saw the incident if they would be willing to provide their contact information.
• Collect Contact Details: Secure their full name, phone number, and email address. If they are willing, ask if they would provide a brief verbal statement (which you can record on your phone).
• Note Their Account: Briefly jot down what they observed while it’s fresh in their minds.

Step 5: Contact an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Attorney

Navigating the legal aftermath of a serious vacation injury, especially when away from home, can be incredibly complex.

• Texas-Specific Laws: Personal injury laws vary significantly by state. An attorney licensed and experienced in Texas personal injury law is essential to understand the specific statutes, deadlines (statutes of limitations), and legal precedents that apply to your case.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters for the liable party are not on your side. They are trained to minimize payouts. An attorney will protect your rights, handle all communications, and prevent you from making statements that could harm your claim.
• Investigating and Building Your Case: Your attorney can conduct a comprehensive investigation, secure hard-to-get evidence (like surveillance footage or internal company maintenance records), consult with experts, and build a strong legal strategy tailored to your situation.
• Maximizing Compensation: They will work to ensure you receive fair compensation for all your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any other losses stemming from your injuries.
• Understanding Jurisdiction: If you are from out-of-state, an attorney can advise on whether your case needs to be filed in Texas courts and guide you through the process.

Additional Critical Advice:

• Avoid Social Media: Do not post details about your accident or your recovery on social media. Insurance companies often monitor social media accounts for anything that could undermine your claim.
• Don’t Give Recorded Statements: Do not provide a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance adjuster without first consulting with your attorney.
• Keep a Detailed Journal: Document your pain levels, limitations, treatments, and how the injury impacts your daily life.

Let the Beltz Law Group Fight for You

Being seriously injured on vacation is a traumatic experience. While you focus on your recovery, let the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Beltz Law Group handle the legal complexities. We have a proven track record of assisting clients with serious accident cases across Texas, including residents of Dallas, Garland, Balch Springs, Richardson, Farmers Branch, Plano, Irving, and the surrounding Metroplex areas.

We understand the unique challenges of vacation injury claims and are dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the maximum compensation you are entitled to under Texas law.

Don’t delay. For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact The Beltz Law Group today at 214-321-4105.