A lot of tourists come to Hawaii with the expectation of experiencing fun and adventure. Although there are a lot of businesses out there to help tourists find the outings that they’re hoping for, these activities aren’t without their risks. In fact, many outdoor adventures pose a significant threat to unsuspecting tourists, far too often leaving these individuals with serious injuries.
This is worrisome under any circumstances, but the scope of the problem can be better seen when you recognize that about two-thirds of vacationers indicate that they’re seeking adventure when they travel. On top of that, one-third of those adventure-seeking travelers have been in a position where they thought they were going to die while on vacation. Nearly half of travel adventurers have either been injured while on vacation or know someone who has been injured while on vacation.
How outdoor activity accidents occur
Outdoor activity accidents are common. And there are a number of ways that they can arise. This includes each of the following:
- Boating accidents: Boating is a great way to see what Hawaii has to offer. But inattention, inexperience, intoxication, improper passenger loading, equipment malfunction, and the use of inadequate lookout techniques can all contribute to a serious accident that leaves a tourist injured or killed.
- Drowning: This is one of the most common causes of death among Hawaii’s tourists. Many of these drownings are caused during snorkeling and scuba diving accidents. While some victims die as a result of water inhalation, others are killed by hypoxia, when fluid buildup in the lungs leads to low oxygen levels in tissues.
- Zipline falls: Ziplining can be a great experience. But improperly maintained lines and inadequate securement can lead to a devastating fall that results in serious injuries.
- Trip and falls: There are many adventure-based businesses in Hawaii that focus on showing you all that Hawaii’s nature has to offer. If you work with these businesses, you might be taken out on trails that are difficult to navigate. As a result, you might slip and fall, seriously injuring yourself.
- Bike accidents: You can take a bike tour of many areas of Hawaii’s islands, but this puts you at risk of being injured in an accident with a motor vehicle or other bicyclists.
- Car accidents: You can also take bus and van tours of many of the islands. In too many instances, though, these vehicles are driven negligently, which puts you and your loved ones at risk of being harmed.
What should you do if you’re injured in an outdoor adventure activity?
First, you should make sure that you seek out the medical treatment that you need. Then, you need to consider your legal options. There’s a good chance that you can pursue legal action against the individual whose negligence harmed you, as well as their employer. In fact, by taking action against the business responsible for the outdoor activity, you may be able to increase your chances of recovering the compensation that you need.
Will you face challenges as you pursue legal action?
Probably. After all, you might run into issues with any waivers that you signed before engaging in the outdoor activity, but don’t let the fact that you signed one of these documents dissuade you from considering your legal options. In many instances, these waivers are invalid or they don’t cover the kind of accident that left you or a loved one injured.
So, if you’re trying to figure out what your next steps should be, you might want to keep researching what these cases entail and how best to protect your interests in the legal arena.