Las Vegas is a popular tourist destination, attracting tens of millions of visitors annually. Some visit to check out the casinos and Fremont Street Experience, while others come for the shows. Since traveling comes with the risk of injury, Las Vegas trips don’t always go smoothly.
Often, injuries when traveling occur due to someone else’s negligence. If you find yourself in this situation, you can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault parties, even if you live in another state. A Las Vegas attorney can handle the claim for you, so you won’t have to remain in the area when your vacation ends.
Go over some common causes of tourist injuries in Las Vegas. Understanding the reasons for these injuries can help you protect yourself when traveling.
Rental Car Accidents
Travelers often fly into Harry Reid International Airport, grab a rental car, and take off to their hotel or rental home. Rental cars give travelers the freedom to experience Las Vegas. Unfortunately, rental cars have a higher collision rate than non-rental cars.
Risky driving behaviors and traveling on unfamiliar roads contribute to some of these accidents. Las Vegas roads are challenging to traverse due to the high traffic density and distracting sights. Unfortunately, tourists aren’t the only ones prone to getting distracted. Locals often text and engage in other behaviors that take their attention off the road, creating hazards for tourists and locals.
While less common, a vehicle malfunction can also cause a rental car accident. Rental car companies are required to maintain their vehicles. Still, sometimes, employees fail to complete necessary repairs or remove the car from the rotation.
Las Vegas car accident attorneys investigate the cause of these accidents to ensure the claim includes all at-fault parties. You may be eligible to recover compensation if another driver or the rental car company is responsible for the accident.
Trips, Falls, and Assaults at Casinos
Numerous tourists gamble at casinos when visiting Las Vegas, so these establishments are typically packed with people. Casino floors are usually carpeted, reducing the risk of slips and falls on spilled beverages. Still, guests can trip and fall on chairs, cords, and other hazards.
Additionally, vacationers can get assaulted when visiting casinos. With alcohol flowing and emotions running high, fights break out at Las Vegas casinos from time to time.
The casino’s owner, staff, and other patrons can be held responsible for personal injuries at casinos. Report your injury to the casino’s manager immediately to create a record of the incident. You also might be able to get the surveillance footage to use as evidence when filing your claim.
Pedestrian Injuries
Travelers often walk a lot when visiting Las Vegas, especially along the Strip and Fremont Street. Even with a significant police presence, tourists are vulnerable to injuries from assaults, slips and falls, and more when walking.
Distracted and reckless drivers are also hazardous to pedestrians. These drivers can lose control of their vehicles, and pedestrians might get injured as a result.
You can mitigate the risk by sticking to well-traveled areas with lots of security. Even so, you can’t avoid all risks when traveling, so you might need to file a personal injury claim to recover damages after suffering an injury.
Personal Injuries at Hotels
Staying in a hotel is always a highlight when traveling. It’s easy to relax when the staff takes care of your needs, but you need to be mindful of hazards. Common hazards include wet floors, falling objects, and faulty electrical wires. Additionally, physical and sexual assaults from hotel employees occasionally occur in Las Vegas.
Hotel owners and employees must maintain the property and promptly remove hazards. Also, they should vet applicants before hiring them to avoid onboarding dangerous employees. Failure to do so could make the hotel liable for injuries caused by employees.
Recreational Accidents
From ziplining on Fremont Street to ATV tours through the desert, Las Vegas has a wealth of recreational activities available for tourists to enjoy. You assume some risk when participating in these activities.
However, the company and its employees must also take precautions to protect customers. Without precautions, these activities can be quite dangerous and cause injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, and burns.
You might have to sign a waiver before engaging in these activities, but that doesn’t absolve the company of all responsibility. Bring a copy of the waiver to an attorney to determine if you can make a legal claim. After reviewing the waiver and other supporting evidence, your lawyer will help you decide if you should move forward.
Contaminated Food at Restaurants
Las Vegas restaurants aren’t as cheap as they used to be, but they still offer lots of delicious food to satisfy travelers. Unfortunately, diners can develop foodborne illnesses when eating out. Even more concerning, your meal could be contaminated with cannabis or another mind-altering substance.
You may have a legal claim if you prove you suffered damages from eating the contaminated food. For example, assume your symptoms are serious enough for you to go to the emergency room, leaving you with a large medical bill. You can pursue a claim to recover the cost of the hospital bill and other expenses.
If an employee knowingly contaminates your food with a substance, you should call law enforcement. Even though this is a criminal offense, you can also hold the at-fault parties responsible by filing a personal injury claim.
Consult a Seasoned Las Vegas Attorney
You might feel out of your element handling a Las Vegas personal injury case from another city or state. Rules governing personal injury cases vary by jurisdiction, and it’s confusing if you’re unfamiliar with Las Vegas laws.
You don’t have to go through this alone. A local personal injury attorney can investigate your case, file the paperwork, and negotiate on your behalf. Your lawyer can even send the settlement funds to you if applicable, so you won’t have to travel back and forth to Las Vegas.
