Coastal communities near oceans, lakes, or rivers can see a lot of tourist growth due to the natural beauty these locations often display. While tourism is beneficial in many ways, particularly for the economy, there are also some risks involved, including increased crime rates and accidents. If a tourist or resident is involved in an accident in our coastal communities, it can cause distress, injury, damage, and disruption to daily living. It’s important to familiarize yourself with common causes of accidents, particularly in these areas, and what to do if you’re involved in one.
Popular Coastal Tourist Areas
Coastal communities are prevalent throughout the entire world. States like California and Florida have numerous coastal communities, such as California’s Malibu or Florida’s Key West. Even northern states see tourism in coastal areas around lakes or rivers like Chicago’s Lake Michigan, Cincinnati’s Ohio River, or New Jersey’s Sea Isle City. While the popularity of these locations isn’t strictly attributed to the bodies of water in proximity, it is definitely part of their charm.
Accidents in Tourist Areas
Accidents can be quite common in coastal tourist areas due to busy streets and higher populations. Tourists that appear vulnerable, rich, or lost can make themselves a target for criminal activity like robbery. Busy streets and drivers unfamiliar with the area can make careless mistakes and cause car accidents. Pedestrian accidents can also be quite common, with people paying less attention to motorists and more attention to sightseeing or maps.
Legal Steps to Take After an Accident
No matter the cause or fault of an accident in a tourist area, it’s important to follow proper legal precautions to ensure safety, avoid criminal prosecution, and increase the chances of compensation in terms of insurance or litigation.
Get to Safety
When an accident occurs, it’s important to keep yourself safe. If any other victims can be safely helped, then do so. If they are stuck or wedged, do not attempt to remove them; keep yourself safe and wait until authorities arrive. Assess any injuries briefly to make certain you don’t injure yourself further.
Contact Authorities
In most accidents, it’s smart to dial 911 to alert police and emergency medical technicians to arrive. If the accident is minor, you may not have to alert emergency services, but reporting the accident to the police is crucial. This establishes a police record, and evidence of the accident.
Gather Evidence
Try to remember any identifying features or vehicles of anyone involved in the accident, including any criminals or drivers that fled the scene if applicable. Write these details down if you are having trouble remembering them. Gather license plate numbers, names, and insurance policies of everyone involved. You can also write down names of any willing eyewitnesses.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries are minor, it’s smart to establish a record of medical care and attention in case of any litigations in the future. Additionally, some injuries may seem minor (such as head pain) but can turn into worse conditions (concussions or brain trauma). Medical care can eliminate stress.
Consider Counsel
If you’re a victim in an accident, especially one that has caused significant injury, you may be entitled to compensation in the form of a settlement. Attorneys can also assist with insurance laws and filing insurance claims for any vehicular accidents or property damage. If you’re interested in filing a lawsuit, they will be your legal team, finding evidence and representing you in court.
Types of Lawyers for Coastal Communities
Whether you’re a resident of a coastal community or a tourist, you’re going to need counsel in the state where the accident occurred. In our Chicago example or any Illinois coastal community on Lake Michigan, you’ll want Illinois personal injury attorneys, even if you don’t live there yourself. Similarly, you’ll need Florida injury lawyers for an accident occurring in Key West, and so forth. It may seem strange to hire a lawyer that you may live far away from, but they will be the most familiar with the local laws where the accident occurred, and they will be licensed to file a lawsuit in that state. They will have plenty of experience working with out-of-state clients for these purposes.
Keeping Coastal Communities Safe
Coastal communities can reduce accidents in a few ways. Pay attention to yourself or others, whether you’re a resident or tourist. Try to help others whenever possible, and pay attention to seedy characters. Don’t be afraid to yell for help when necessary in crowded areas. Look in all directions before crossing the street or driving; don’t obstruct sidewalks or roads with your body or car. Don’t engage in reckless or distracted travel.
Conclusion
Coastal communities are beautiful no matter where they’re located, and tourists will flock to these areas for their natural beauty. However, an increase in tourism can cause an increase in accidents, such as vehicle accidents or violent crimes. It’s important to stay safe and know your rights when it comes to these accidents so you can minimize injuries and other issues. Finding a lawyer may be ideal if you’ve sustained significant injuries or issues stemming from an accident.
