The most common types of accidents that occur during the holiday season

Summer is the best time to relax and enjoy some time for yourself. You’ll get to unwind and spend time doing things you want, even if that only refers to lounging around for several hours each day.

Summer is the most common time for people to take vacations abroad, go and discover new things, and have some adventures. However, it is also a time when you are more prone to accidents. While some are relatively minor and can be brushed off without too much fuss, others can be more serious, even leaving you with long-term health damage. However, both are detrimental to your holiday since you’ll have to postpone everything until you’ve made a full recovery.

Here are some of the most common injuries you should be aware of and what you need to do in case you have to deal with any of them.

Road accidents

Traffic collisions are, unfortunately, a relatively common occurrence. Many tourists become injured this way since it’s more likely to get behind the wheel when you’re feeling a little tired. Driving after a night of partying or after you’ve been driving for considerably longer than you’re usually accustomed to can make you more prone to accidents. According to research, serious accidents are more likely to occur during the summer months.

Sunshine is also a likely culprit, as is the fact that people spend more time in their cars, journeying and on road trips. Having your children in the backseat can also cause you to not be as focused as you should be on the road ahead. Then, of course, there’s also the fact that the roads aren’t as familiar to you as the ones you take during your daily trip to work, for instance. However, there are also cases in which an accident it’s not your fault but occurred due to someone else’s negligence.

For cases like this, you must reach out to https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/personal-injury-compensation/car-accident-claims and talk to a specialised solicitor. They’ll be able to guide you through the intricacies of the legal proceedings, and you’ll learn more about the documentation you require in order to prove your case. Typically, you’ll need to provide your medical bills, as well as pictures of the scene of the accident. Getting witness statements can also be helpful, and if you can access CCTV footage, it could also play a crucial role in securing your remuneration.

Food poisoning

Although it can sound like nothing more but a minor complaint when compared with the seriousness of car accidents, food poisoning is no joke. Warm and humid weather creates the ideal conditions for bacteria growth, which is later ingested with food. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and typically include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and sometimes fever.

Most cases can be treated at home by ensuring you stay hydrated and take pain medication to manage the stomach aches. However, in some cases, the symptoms become severe. If you notice that your fever isn’t getting any better over the first two or three days, and you’re showing signs of dehydration, such as dizziness and a dry mouth and throat, you need to see a doctor. Untreated, a serious infection can lead to kidney or nerve damage, as well as increase the risk of systemic disease. Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a potentially life-threatening illness that occurs in the aftermath of food poisoning. It is more common in children but can also occur in adults and requires immediate medical treatment.

Heat-related

The summer heat is one of the chief reasons why people love the season so much. After all, it is the perfect time for sunbathing and lounging in the sunshine. If you’re one of those people that has been suffering during the cold, dreary days of autumn and winter, you have most likely been waiting for summer for quite some time. However, heat-related illness can be a cause for concern, and you should be ready to spot the tell-tale signs from the very beginning.

Sunburn is the most common, but you can easily avoid it by applying sunscreen and avoiding spending too much time in the blistering heat, particularly during lunch hours and noon. The most common symptom is skin inflammation, but you’ll also notice that the skin feels warmer, tender and itchy. Fluid-filled blisters are also common, as is skin peeling and even fatigue, nausea and headache in the case of severe sunburn.

Heat exhaustion is more serious. The symptoms include heavy sweating, weak pulse, muscle cramps and weakness. Treatment involves moving to a cool place and promoting rehydration. Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and can present with profuse sweating, rapid pulse, confusion and throbbing, intense headaches. Fainting, altered mental state, slurred speech and loss of consciousness can occur. The condition can be fatal without treatment, so it’s essential to see a doctor immediately.

Water accidents

Most people spend quite a lot of time around water during the summer. It’s fun and cooling, as there’s nothing like plunging into the sea after spending time in the sun. However, water-related accidents are also quite common and can have tragic consequences. Drowning is more common during the summer and can result from falling in, playing or swimming. Going too far can cause the currents to drag you away from the shore.

Boating accidents can also occur if the operator is negligent. For example, operating the vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to lapses in judgement, resulting in poor decision-making that endangers the lives and safety of others. Falling overboard is one of the most common occurrences in this case, as is not wearing a lifejacket for protection.

To sum up, many types of accidents become more common during the summertime because of the different conditions making them possible. Slips and falls are also more likely simply because people spend more time outdoors. You can fall and injure yourself in a hotel with uneven or improperly placed carpets or during a hiking trip. Therefore, it’s important to remain careful and mindful of your safety and that of your family members.