Maison Law can represent anyone that gets hurt in Monterey, even if they don’t live in the city. Because an accident can happen to anyone, even a tourist, it can make the situation more complicated. However, your legal rights don’t change. Our Monteerey personal injury lawyers can guide you through this process. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer?
You don’t technically need a lawyer if you’re a tourist and injured in an accident while visiting Monterey. Hopefully, your injuries are only minor and won’t even require the legal process. However, there’s a variety of different things that can happen on your visit, all of which can leave you injured. The more hurt you are, the more help you’ll need. Our team of experienced Monterey personal injury lawyers can step in at that point. We approach every injury claim by:
- Looking into what happened.
- Explaining the legal steps and your choices.
- Talking to insurance companies on your behalf.
- Assisting you in collecting key evidence.
- Supporting you and your family through the process.
Again, there’s no legal requirement that says you need a lawyer, but having our team on your side can take the heavy burden of the legal process off your shoulders. And particularly in situations where you’re hurt as a tourist, we can help you clarify things.
Who’s Liable for a Tourist Accident in Monterey?
One of the good things (relatively speaking) about being in an accident as a tourist in Monterey is that it doesn’t change the overall legal process or your rights. So, the starting point is the same as any other accident: figuring out who’s liable. This obviously depends on the circumstances and what actually happened, but generally, whoever acted negligent and caused the accident and your injuries is going to carry most of the legal responsibility of covering your injuries and other damages.
This is known as “negligence,” and can fall on any of the following:
- People driving in a car accident
- People walking or riding in a car
- People who own or manage stores or properties
- People who own homes or rent out properties
- Companies that make products
- The city, county, or state government
- Employers
While this gives you a general idea of who’s responsible for your accident, the specifics are very important. It not only shows what can happen to you, but also what you have the right to go after with an injury claim.
How Can You Get Hurt as a Tourist in Monterey?
Monterey is a popular destination for tourists for a number of reasons. Whether you’re visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, walking along Cannery Row, or enjoying other activities, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. But unfortunately, there’s also potential for accidents and injuries. What’s worse, they can happen at any time. So, it’s important to be prepared and understand how you can get hurt:
- Car accidents on busy roads.
- Bike accidents, especially in traffic or narrow areas.
- Trips or falls at tourist spots or by the coast.
- Injuries from activities like kayaking, surfing, or hiking.
- Accidents at hotels or vacation rentals.
- Getting sick from food at restaurants or stands.
- Tourists might face theft or assaults, especially in busy areas.
You obviously don’t come to Monterey expecting to be hurt in an accident. Yet, this is unfortunately possible and even common in certain scenarios. That’s where you can lean on our legal team for support. And one of the best ways to protect your rights is to file a claim for damages.
What Damages Can You Get in an Injury Claim?
Being a tourist in Monterey doesn’t mean you can’t file an injury claim if you’re hurt. In fact, it’s probably a necessary thing to do, especially considering how injured you can be. The law tries to take this into account when factoring in your “damages,” which is based on your injuries and losses.
And like anyone else who gets hurt in Monterey, you can file your claim either through:
- An insurance claim
- A personal injury lawsuit
In terms of what you can get out of your injury claim, the law makes a few general categories of these damages available to you:
- Medical expenses – You can get financial support to cover hospital bills, surgeries, medications, therapy, and ongoing care.
- Loss of income – If your injury stops you from working or affects how much money you make, you can be paid for the wages you’ve lost and future earnings you might miss out on.
- Property loss – If your stuff gets damaged or ruined in the accident, you can get financial support to fix or replace it.
- Pain and suffering – This includes both physical pain and the stress and sadness the injury causes. It’s to make up for how the accident affects your life, not just financially.
- Emotional distress – Along with pain and suffering, you can get financial support for the emotional toll the accident takes on you, like anxiety or PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment – If the injury makes it hard to do things you once enjoyed, you can be paid for missing out on those activities.
- Loss of relationship – If your injury affects your relationships with loved ones, you might get financial considerations for the love and support you’ve lost.
Because every accident is different, your particular damages are going to depend on what happened, how hurt you are, and how liable the other person is. More to the point, it’s on you to show just how extensive your damages are.
How Can You Protect Your Injury Claim as a Tourist?
There’s a lot that goes into any injury claim, but as a tourist, the things you need to do after the accident are even more important. While your legal options and the process itself doesn’t change, there’s some practical differences if you’re a tourist. First and foremost, you’re probably not familiar with the particular area in Monterey. Still, you need to approach the situation as you would if the accident happened in your hometown. Here’s how you can protect your claim:
- Get medical care right away – If you get hurt, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay, some injuries might not show up right away. Getting checked out helps make sure you’re okay and creates a record of what happened.
- Call the police – If it’s a serious accident, like a car crash or something dangerous, call the police. They’ll come to the scene, help sort things out, and make a report about what happened.
- Report the accident to the property owner or manager – Let whoever’s in charge know about the accident. Whether it’s at a hotel, restaurant, or tourist attraction, they need to be aware of what happened.
- Exchange insurance information – If there’s insurance involved, like in a car accident, share your insurance details with the other person or people involved. This helps with sorting out who’s responsible for what.
- Collect evidence – Take pictures of the accident scene, any injuries you have, and anything else that might show what happened. Also, gather names and contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
- Keep track of expenses – Save any receipts or bills related to your injury, like medical costs or repairs. This helps you keep track of how much the accident is costing you.
- Don’t talk about the accident – Be careful about discussing the accident with anyone except your doctor or lawyer. Avoid posting about it on social media or talking to insurance companies without legal advice. This can protect your rights and ensure you don’t say something that could hurt your claim.
Dedicated Legal Support For Injured Tourists in Monterey
At Maison Law, our dedicated team of Monterey personal injury lawyers is here to offer you the legal support and guidance you need when you get hurt in a tourist accident. Acting fast to recover your health is crucial, but it’s equally important to protect your legal rights. With our knowledge and experience, you can count on getting the legal support you need to make a recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
