Avoid These Common Summer Personal Injuries
Summer is finally here, offering a much-needed break from the cold and snowy weather that Canadians endure most of the year. We’re all eager to soak up the sun and fill our time with adventures, but many of the activities that are common in the summer months have the potential to put you at a higher risk of personal injury.
To help you enjoy your summer safely and create unforgettable memories, we’re highlighting some of the most common personal injuries caused by summer accidents. With our tips on how to prioritize safety and what to do if you are involved in an accident, you’ll have your best summer yet!
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you’re like us, some of your core memories of summer involve packing up the car and hitting the road, heading out to the lake, or camping. While vehicle collisions can happen any time of the year, in the summer particularly, we see an increase in volume on highways as people head out of town. To proactively stay safe on your road trips, be aware of:
Distracted driving
- Travelling with friends and family can be fun, but it also increases the number of distractions for the driver. From cell phones to sightseeing to eating, there are many risk factors. Especially on long trips, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe. Incorporate more rest stops into your journey, use hands-free devices, and take turns driving.
Driving in unfamiliar areas
- Maybe your summer adventures mean you’re exploring new territory, or maybe you’re heading back to your favourite spot, but it’s been a whole year since you’ve last been there. Be cautious when driving in unfamiliar places and pay close attention to signage. Research where you are going in advance, and make sure you have access to a GPS handy if you need it!
Motorcycle/biking collisions
- Motorcycles and bicycles are popular choices for summer transportation, and it’s important for motorists to drive safely around them. Unfortunately, though, no matter who has the right of way, the 2 wheeled vehicle loses! Remember that not all vehicle drivers are careful enough to see your bike. It goes without saying that proper safety gear is a must but you also need to be hyper-aware of traffic on the roads.
Water Accidents
There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than by spending the day on or in the water! But it’s important to stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. With boats, tubers, jet skis, and swimmers all sharing the same space, it can be dangerous if safety precautions aren’t maintained. Accidents on the water can happen in a million different ways, but there are many risks that come with boating that can bring the joy of a vacation to an abrupt halt:
Prevent boating accidents.
- Since you can acquire a boating license online, many individuals operating watercraft lack the experience and know-how. Boating activities often take place in unsafe surroundings, and alcohol frequently contributes to poor decision-making. When on the lake, just assume the approaching boat driver is inexperienced, intoxicated, or both.
- Everyone aboard should wear a PFD (personal flotation device). And if you are in a small craft on cold water, wear a wetsuit!
- Alcohol, the sun, and the rocking motion of a boat all compete to create poor judgment and fatigue. Together, the combination can be deadly. Al boat passengers should wear a life jacket.
What to do after a boating accident.
Every boating or water sports accident is unique, with its own set of circumstances. If you or a loved one has been injured or has tragically lost their life in such an incident, there may be compensation available.
- Liability Waivers: Was a liability waiver signed? If yes, personal injury lawyers will want to see a copy. More often than not, legal action is still a possibility.
- Responsibility: Generally speaking, the captain of the boat is in charge of ensuring every passenger has a PFD and uses it. The captain should NOT be drinking alcohol. Just like in a car, the captain is responsible for collisions as well as ensuring guests don’t fall overboard.
- Insurance: Fortunately, the policies of many insurance companies cover events that occur on the water. In a lot of cases, the people involved in or at fault in water accidents are family or friends. This creates a hesitation to take legal action.
But don’t forget: we pay premiums to protect ourselves in case we cause an accident, as do our family and friends. It’s important to ensure someone who is injured can collect appropriate compensation. THIS IS WHY WE ALL BUY INSURANCE!
Hosting Incidents
Yards, pools, lakeside cabins- summer is a time for getting together with good friends over a few drinks. What happens if those friends injure themselves or others as a result of their impaired state? Is the host responsible in law?
- Because every circumstance is different, the Supreme Court of Canada has left the door open for social host cases. But as a social host, it’s important to know that you should always carry good liability insurance for your household.
- As personal injury lawyers in Edmonton, our focus is on the individual who is injured. If you have been injured in an accident while not on your own property, even if you were at least partially the author of your own misfortune, you MAY have recourse against the property owner. The property owner likely has an insurance policy to provide the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
- We recommend you reach out to a personal injury lawyer immediately and let us explore whether you are entitled to damages for your losses.
With a full summer schedule, it’s important to be prepared for any situation in order to avoid injuries as best as you can. In the unfortunate case that an accident does occur, know what compensation is available. If you have suffered an injury or loss in a summer accident, contact the best personal injury lawyers at Robinson LLP. Contact us for a free consultation and we will help sort out the facts to determine if you have a viable personal injury case.