This is the Ultimate Guide to Understanding Tourism Related Torts in CA. Were you wounded while visiting Los Angeles after an accident that was not your fault?
In 2021, total visits to California reached 213.5 million, a 52% increase in the number of visits since 2020.
All About California Vacation Accidents
Los Angeles in Southern California alone reached a historic milestone before the pandemic, welcoming over 50 million local and international visitors in 2018. Tourists visiting California enjoy the white sandy beaches, the glistening sun, the culturally steeped historic sites, and the thrilling amusement parks.
However, not all tourists leave California with a smile, and there are risks involved in visiting this highly violent crime state. With so many people sprawling across “The Golden State,” accidents can occur anytime, leaving a tourist with devastating injuries in a place far away from home. Pursuing compensation from a negligent property owner or other defendant requires the help of a local attorney with substantial experience.
What Should I Do If Hurt Visiting or Vacationing in California?
Fortunately, Ehline Law and our personal injury lawyers have over a decade of experience handling personal injury accident claims successfully across California, recovering more than $150 million in compensation for our clients.
If you’ve suffered injuries or lost someone you love while staying in California, contact us to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Prioritize Safety During Vacations
The excitement and fun can take over whenever you’re vacationing. In such situations, many do not think about safety or threats lurking at an unfamiliar destination. Prioritizing your and your family’s safety during vacations should be on your mind, as accidents can happen anywhere.
Suffering an injury on a vacation means you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, your family doctor, and your support network. You may get stuck in an unfamiliar place, which can add to the stress of an accident.
Even more distressing is that you’re in pain because of someone else’s fault. If that is the case, contact our local attorney to know your rights as a tourist in Los Angeles.
What Is the Most Dangerous Time for Vacationing?
According to the Department of Transportation, more than 7,000 people died from teen-related crashes during the summer period between the years 2010 and 2019 nationwide. The summer period is between Memorial Day and Labor Day, also referred to as the 100 deadliest days.
Due to a lack of experience and sense of driving, teen drivers have a higher risk of fatal car accidents. For vacationers, the months of May, June, July, August, and September are the most dangerous. If you’re traveling during these months to Los Angeles, keep an eye on the road and take necessary precautions to ensure your and your family’s safety.
Common Vacation Accidents in California
Here are some of the typical vacation accidents that can occur in California:
- Slip and fall accident at a hotel
- Escalator and elevator accidents at Malls and Casinos
- Assault in parking lots, nightclubs, and other places
- Boating accidents
- Pool drownings
- Bus, truck, and car accidents
- Hotel fires.
There are all sorts of accidents that can occur in California. Let’s look at some of them in detail.
Bus, Truck, and Car Accidents
The most recent report by the California Office of Traffic Safety revealed that the state had 3,606 traffic fatalities in 2019, and Los Angeles statistics are even worse.
Including tourists, motorists log more than 45 million miles daily on LA roads and highways. With the ever-growing population, Los Angeles County is the most dangerous place for drivers, especially for a tourist with a rental car or bicycle.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), 294 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2021, an increase of 22% since 2020. Moreover, Los Angeles streets are even more dangerous for pedestrians as the city saw 486 people seriously injured by motorists, almost a 35% crash increase since 2020.
The LAPD reports a rise in the following types of traffic accidents in Los Angeles in 2021:
- DUI car accident – 20% increase
- Severe DUI – 73% increase
- Fatal DUI – 9% increase
- Fatal hit and run – 25% increase
- Severe hit and run – 20% increase.
Pedestrian Accidents
Of the 294 people killed in traffic-related accidents in Los Angeles in 2021, 132 were pedestrians. According to LA Department of Transportation General Manager Seleta Reynolds, 6% of the streets in Los Angeles County accounted for 70% of pedestrian deaths and injuries. Most of these accidents occur in San Fernando Valley and South Los Angeles. Santa Monica and Hollywood have also seen an uptick in cases presenting a danger to a tourist.
A Los Angeles, CA, car accident during your vacation can leave you to return home with serious injuries, requiring medical treatment in a city far away while dealing with your case. Our best accident attorney is available 24/7 to help people injured in accidents and recover damages on their behalf for medical care, pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Hotel Accidents
Not all property owners maintain their hotels and rental apartments, keeping them up to code and safe. Lack of maintenance and negligence can create a hazardous environment for guests, putting them at risk of slip and fall accidents, elevator accidents, and more.
Los Angeles also has its fair share of murder and rape cases at hotels. In 1964, a retired woman, “Pigeon Goldie” Osgood, was raped and murdered in her apartment at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. In 2013, a Canadian student was found naked in the hotel’s water storage tank, and the LAPD ruled the death an accidental drowning.
Most rape, murder, and assault cases occur at hotels due to a lack of security. If a building has a history of violence, the owner must take steps to ensure the safety of its residents or guests.
Amusement Park Accidents
Tourists from all over America and the world visit California to enjoy North America’s most popular theme parks, which include:
- Disneyland
- Universal Studios
- Six Flags
- Legoland Resort
- Sea World and many more.
Although regulations at the state level govern ride safety at these amusement parks, lax enforcement or prioritizing profits over safety can result in mechanical and safety harness failures, causing severe injuries. Generally, insurance companies fight against these claims to avoid paying millions of dollars to copycat accident lawyers rather than negotiate a fair settlement.
Does California Negligence Law Protect Visitors?
California negligence law holds a party responsible for failing to exercise reasonable care to prevent injuries to others around them. California follows the comparative negligence rule, where the plaintiff can sue to secure the percentage of damage attributable to the defendant. The jury must decide if talking with the insurance company goes nowhere.
To have a successful lawsuit, a plaintiff must demonstrate the critical elements of negligence, which are:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff.
- The defendant breached this duty.
- The breach injured the plaintiff (Did you go to the hospital?).
- The defendant’s actions were the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s damages.
- The plaintiff suffered damages.
California Premises Liability Rule
Premises liability is a form of negligence. Under the premises liability rule in California, property owners are responsible for ensuring that their property is reasonably safe for guests and visitors. The law applies to businesses (grocery stores, malls, and others) and private residences, including apartments, condominiums, and townhouses.
According to California law, hotel owners must ensure their property is safe for guests. They must clear the hallways, inform their guests of potential hazards, and keep them safe from violence and criminal activity.
Our lawyer and associates can investigate this, so you don’t have to worry about being in a far-off jurisdiction. We will gather the crucial evidence on your behalf to get your life back on track and heal as soon as possible.
Parties That Could Be Liable for Your Injuries
If you’re injured in California as a tourist, it is your right to pursue an accident injury claim against the responsible party.
Some of the parties that could be responsible for your injuries include:
- Cruise ship companies based in other countries
- Amusement parks like Raging Waters
- Motorists and other drivers
- Hotels and rental apartment owners
- Property owners
- Restaurant employees
- Government entities.
In some accidents, more than one party could be responsible for your injuries. It is best to reach out to Ehline law firm and our experienced Los Angeles vacation accident attorneys for a free case evaluation on your vacation accident case.
California Statute of Limitations
Generally, the statute of limitation for personal injuries in California is two years, meaning tourists have two years following their vacation accident to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. The statute of limitations for wrongful death is also two years. Failing to file a lawsuit within the deadline will result in the victim forgoing their right to recover compensation.
Pursuing a claim to get you compensated in a state where you don’t know the local laws can be an obstacle. Whether you’re injured in a car accident or at your hotel, you need our experienced and skilled personal injury lawyer to handle your accident claims and the insurance company on your behalf.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law Firm Los Angeles Vacation Accident Attorneys
Ehline Law Firm and our personal injury lawyers and associates are driven and aggressive. We have helped protect injured victims’ rights across California. We have more than 15 law offices allowing us to maintain a solid attorney-client relationship, providing regular case updates and briefing our clients on the next step.
We understand how scary it is to suffer injuries far from home, and the piling medical expenses can add further stress. Our attorneys are ready to stand by your side during this challenging time and help you get the compensation you deserve. We also have considerable trial experience in California courts, meaning if you’re not getting what you deserve, we’re not afraid to go to trial.
If you suffer injuries during your vacation or stay in California, contact us at (213) 596-9642 for a free consultation on your personal injury case or visit any of our law offices across California. Call us so we can protect your confidential or sensitive information for the best results.
Here are some additional answers to frequently asked questions:
