With its breathtaking landscapes, rich history and vibrant culture, Scotland is a popular destination for holidaymakers seeking adventure and relaxation. However, amid the excitement of exploring this beautiful country, there is always a possibility of unexpected mishaps.
What happens if you find yourself injured while on holiday in Scotland and have to consult solicitors in Edinburgh? In this article, we delve into the potential consequences and necessary steps to ensure your well-being and make the most of your holiday despite unforeseen circumstances.
What kind of injuries can happen on holiday in Scotland?
As with many other destinations, there are a number of ways that an injury can occur on holiday and, some of these in Scotland are:
- Trips and falls: Scotland’s rugged landscape and beautiful scenry is a firm favourite with hikers. As great as this is, even experienced hikers can suffer injuries from trips and falls in this part of the world.
- Road accidents: From busy city streets to narrow, winding country roads, there were around 5103 road accident casualties in Scotland between 2020 and 2021.
- Activities: Scotland offers a wide range of activities for holidaymakers from boating and hiking to vibrant nightlife, all of which can contribute to an injury.
What to do if you sustain an injury?
In this section, we will explore the essential measures that should be taken if you or a loved one sustains an injury while travelling in Scotland.
Seek medical assistance
If your injury is moderate to severe, the first thing you need to do is to seek the assistance of a medical professional. This can be done as follows:
- Call an ambulance: If the injury is life-threatening or severe, you should phone 999 to call an ambulance which will then treat your injuries on arrival or transport you to the nearest A&E (Accident & Emergency) department for treatment.
- Travel to A&E: If your injuries are moderate and you have access to a vehicle, you may be better off driving yourself to the nearest hospital with an A&E department.
- Call 111: If your injury is mild and you are unsure as to whether you need to go to the hospital, you should call 111 and an operator will be able to advise you on the best course of action to take.
Record evidence
Unless your injury is severe and you are incapacitated or need immediate assistance, it’s a good idea to take photographs of your injuries. If your injury has been caused by a third party, for example, faulty equipment in a hotel or playground, you should also take photographs of the equipment which caused the injury.
Inform the operator
If your injury occurred in a public space such as a hotel, restaurant or playground, you should speak to the manager to report your injury. This is important as it may be used as evidence should you later file a claim against the operator.
Contact your insurance company
When taking any trip, no matter where the destination is, you should always ensure that you have holiday insurance. If you suffer an injury while on holiday in Scotland, you should call your insurance company to advise them of this. This step is particularly significant if the severity of your injury results in missing your return flight or train, or necessitates extending your hotel stay to facilitate your recovery.
By notifying your insurance company without delay, you enable them to guide you on your entitlements, ensuring you steer clear of any unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses that may not be reimbursed.
Make a claim
Following the last point about your insurance cover, it may be necessary to make a claim with your insurance company as per the contract that you have with them. In the event of an injury caused by a third party, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
If this is the case, you should seek the services of a personal injury solicitor who will be able to advise you on the process and the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Prevent and protect
Nobody wants their holiday to be ruined or cut short by injury and so wherever you go, and whatever activities that you take part in, it’s important to always take necessary precautions.
This can involve making sure that you have the right items and equipment with you while out and about, including making sure that you have your phone with you.
If you find that you wish to make a claim for compensation, it’s important to present as much evidence as possible so always ensure that you make detailed notes of what happened and back this up with photographic evidence.
