When traveling for a vacation you likely do not expect to return home with a serious injury. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many tourists that visit the City of Philadelphia. Whether you were injured due to a defective pavement or while staying at a hotel, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to discuss your situation.
The Reiff Law Firm is well-versed in a variety of personal injury claims, and we are prepared to use that knowledge to help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. We recognize that a serious injury while on vacation can not only ruin your trip but leave you saddled with expensive medical bills. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your situation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
Common Tourism Injuries in Philadelphia
When visiting a new place, it is wise to do your research regarding where you decide to lodge or visit for your safety and various other reasons. However, despite how much research you might perform, it can be impossible to plan for the negligence of another person or business. Fortunately, if you are injured while on vacation, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for your injury.
The following is a list of common tourism accidents.
Slip and Falls
Slip and falls are the most prevalent type of personal injury case. A slip and fall occurs when a person trips and falls over a hazardous property defect on the property of another person. Property owners have an obligation to ensure that their property is free of any safety hazards that could injure a visitor. For example, if a business owner fails to shovel snow or ice on the sidewalk in front of their property, they could be liable for injuries caused to pedestrians.
In some cases, a property owner may need to avoid injuring a trespasser that enters their property. That is why it is important to understand the status of a person when they are injured on another person’s property. A property owner will have different levels of liability depending on whether a person legally entered their property or entered without their consent.
Hotel Accidents
There are a number of accidents that could occur at a hotel that is not properly managed. For example, failing to tell guests of when floors were recently mopped could result in a slip and fall accident.
Another common issue that may occur at a hotel is the existence of bed bugs in a visitor’s room. Bed bugs are small reddish-brown insects that can infest beds, furniture, curtains, and other upholstery in a room. These insects tend to hide until nighttime to make it easier to bite its victims. If you notice a large number of insect bites on your body and blood on your sheets after sleeping in a hotel room, this could be an indication the room is infested with bed bugs. It also possible to take bed bugs back in your luggage where another infestation could begin.
Other accidents that may occur at a hotel include:
- Malfunctioning elevators and escalators
- Pool accidents
- Assaults due to inadequate security and surveillance
Carriage Ride Accidents
When visiting tourist attractions in Center City Philadelphia, you will inevitably witness people enjoying a carriage ride pulled by a horse. While this attraction can be pleasant, the tight streets and large amount of traffic in the heart of the city can lead to a situation where the horse is startled and behaves erratically. Falling from a carriage under these conditions could lead to broken bones and a number of other injuries.
Boat Tour Accidents
There are a number of boat tours that a tourist could enjoy while visiting the city. However, there is also a history of dangerous and deadly crashes of boat tours in Philadelphia. If you were injured while experiencing a boat tour, you should consult with an experienced attorney today.
Uber/Lyft Accidents
If you wanted to avoid renting a vehicle for your trip to Philadelphia and opted to use ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft, you may indeed save money but could also be involved in a car accident. Drivers for ridesharing services typically do not receive any specialized training, meaning they are just as prone to cause accidents as any other driver.
While Uber and Lyft have extensive car insurance policies, there are circumstances where you may need to file a lawsuit against a negligent party.
There are a number of other unfortunate incidents that could cause a serious injury to a visitor and cut their vacation short. Our firm can help you determine an appropriate approach to your legal situation.
If you or a family member was severely injured while visiting the City of Philadelphia, contact an experienced Philadelphia tourist injury attorney today. At the Reiff Law Firm, we are devoted to providing our clients with the unique and aggressive legal representation needed to pursue a negligent party for damages. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940.
