If I Get Hurt on Vacation in Las Vegas, Can You Help?

Everyone looks forward to being on vacation, especially around this time of year. Even though it is great to travel, there are parts of a vacation that can be stressful. When you have to worry about hotel reservations and fun activities, you should not have to worry about getting hurt while out of town.

Unfortunately, another person’s negligence can cause you or your loved one to become seriously hurt on vacation. If you have been hurt on vacation, you may have some questions about choosing a lawyer: do you hire someone from home? Do you need a Las Vegas personal injury attorney instead? And what happens if you end up needing to go to court?

Do I hire a Las Vegas injury lawyer or a lawyer from home?

If you don’t live in Nevada, you might want to hire an attorney from home – but this could be a mistake. First, lawyers who aren’t licensed to practice in Nevada may not be able to represent you unless they petition the court for special permission to try your case. That permission may not be granted and requires a Nevada-licensed attorney to sponsor the out-of-state attorney.

Second, even if your lawyer does get permission, he or she is unlikely to know much about how our court system works. Different states have different rules, and a mistake on your attorney’s part can cost you your case.

These are two reasons why you want to hire a Las Vegas-based injury attorney if you get hurt on vacation. If you really love your attorney, though, we can still help you. Claggett & Sykes partners with out-of-state firms to help clients get the best possible representation needed. You gain the benefit of our experience and resources when we serve as co-counsel.

Will I have to travel back to Las Vegas for my case?

Most likely, yes. Generally, courts will require the person who filed the lawsuit to travel to Nevada for depositions and trial. But, with the increasing use of videoconferencing, there have been a lot more instances of depositions being conducted by videoconference. If your case makes it to trial, you would most likely have to travel to Las Vegas to attend.

Have you helped out-of-state visitors in injury cases before?

Yes, we have. Our attorneys are experienced in representing tourists who have been injured while visiting Las Vegas. We use our knowledge of the local laws to seek compensation for our clients in various kinds of accidents, from casino and hotel accidents to transportation accidents.

We assist with filing the right kinds of claims for our clients, meeting the tight deadlines to submit evidence, and preparing to negotiate against insurance companies. Where many attorneys focus on settling their clients’ claims (for lower amounts of compensation in some cases), we are always prepared to take our clients’ cases to trial, which can result in a much larger – and much more just – award.

What will help my chances of being successful in my vacation accident claim?

There are two specific actions that can help your chances of having a successful personal injury claim:

1. Seeking immediate medical attention. Just like any personal injury accident, you want to make sure that your medical injuries are properly documented. Even if you feel that your injuries are minor, you still want to be seen by a medical professional. Your injuries could possibly become worse. Make sure to continue your treatment plan once you return home, and follow the plan your personal doctor gives to you.
2. Collecting as much evidence as possible. If it is possible, you want to collect as much evidence as you can that can validate your accident and injuries. This evidence can range from photographs, video evidence, eyewitness statements and contact information. You can also request a copy of a police officer’s report

Common vacation accidents we handle

There are many factors that can increase your chances of suffering from an accident on vacation. You are traveling in an unfamiliar location, potentially leading to a motor vehicle accident. You can fall at the airport or hotel. You can even become seriously injured from a fun activity like ATV riding. Some of the most common vacation accidents that happen involve road trips, slip and falls, negligent security, and more.

• Vehicle accidents. The summer months are some of the busiest times for road trips. These are the times where thousands of families are taking to the roads to get to their destinations. As the number of cars on the roads increase, the chances of getting into motor vehicle accidents are higher. And in Las Vegas, we see many different types of vehicles on the road, like Uber/Lyft drivers, tour buses, taxi cabs, tractor-trailers, motorcycles, and automobiles.
• Slip and fall accidents. Whether you plan to go to the casino or a pool, there are greater opportunities for people to slip and fall.
• Physical assault. Tensions do not stop rising just because people are on vacation. Long wait times, excessive alcohol use, and the hot weather are just some of the factors that can lead to physical assault incidents between parties. The unsafe conditions of a property can increase your chances of being assaulted at a casino, mall, or commercial property. Buildings that are missing a specific security presence can contribute to your accident.
• Drowning and other water accidents. Pools are a fun place to frequent during vacations. Unfortunately, swimmers can sustain serious injuries in pools, lakes, and water parks. Falls are common, but the greatest risk of injury is drowning.

Our firm has the capabilities to file claims in state and federal courts, so no matter where you were hurt, we can help.

Who can be held liable in your vacation accident claim?

A critical part of your claim is establishing who the negligent parties are. There could be several parties liable for your injuries based on the circumstances of your accident. Claggett & Sykes has experience representing clients in claims against:

• Drivers
• Trucking companies
• Casinos
• Tour and tour bus companies
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Retail establishments
• Water parks
• Security companies

If you were injured in an Uber or Lyft, assaulted by a casino patron, sustained head trauma at a hotel pool, or suffered any other kind of serious injury on your trip, we can help.

Suffering an injury on vacation is stressful. If you were hurt while on vacation, talk to a Las Vegas injury lawyer from Claggett & Sykes by calling 702.333.7777, or fill out our contact form. Or, if you have suffered an injury on vacation in northern Nevada, call our Reno injury lawyers at 775-322-2923. Your initial consultation is always free, and we take all injury claims on contingency.