What Tourists Need to Know About Medical Care After an Injury in Las Vegas

Understanding Las Vegas’s medical care system will allow tourists to know how to access the city’s healthcare facilities and what insurance options they have available in case they need treatment. From urgent care to emergency rooms, visitors should be able to distinguish what services they both offer. This will give them enough time to react promptly to an injury, and later, allow them to focus on recovering while enjoying the rest of their trip.

Common Causes of Injuries for Tourists in Las Vegas

Tourists can be met with injury risks due to various factors. Some common causes include the following:

• Car accidents
• Slip and falls
• Hazardous property conditions

These particular issues can trigger bodily harm. Let’s further explore each one, in addition to others, in the sections listed below.

Car Accidents

Tourists visiting Las Vegas may be unfamiliar with its road system. The typical solution would be to use navigational tools to figure out how to get your way around the city. But, multi-tasking could make it difficult to focus on your surroundings. Even if a few seconds of attention are put on a GPS, it could still increase the risk of car accident injuries.

Not only do distractions come into play, but an unfamiliar environment could also make it challenging for a tourist to go sightseeing. Learning how to adapt to complex intersections or congested traffic will require time and patience. But, if you are met with negligent drivers, it will make the process more dangerous and complex.

Slip and Falls

Tourists are often seen traveling on foot since it makes it more convenient for them to visit attractions that could be missed when driving. While heading to the destination, it is possible that you could run into road hazards, like cracked pavement or uneven surfaces. These particular factors do have the ability to trigger slip and falls. Depending on the force of the impact, minor to severe injuries may occur.

Hazardous Property Conditions

Tourists that are entering popular facilities, like clubs or restaurants, expect the area to be maintained by the property owner. No hazards, such as broken equipment or tiles, should be presented to guests entering the premises. But, if the staff or property owner are not adamant about keeping the place in good condition, visitors will be exposed to an unsafe environment.

Sporting Events

Tourists who attend a sporting event will be exposed to large crowds. These types of gatherings are known to have people push one another when entering or exiting the arena.

If no adequate safety measures have been implemented, like proper barriers or signages, it will create harmful conditions for everyone who is of attendance. This can lead to multiple injuries, especially if the location has reached a high capacity.

Outdoor-Related Activities

Many Las Vegas tourists favor the idea of partaking in outdoor-related activities. Whether it be an ATV tour, kayaking, or spending time at a water park, these involve lots of physical movement.

One wrong step and you could find yourself needing medical attention. So, remember to always be cautious of your surroundings and incorporate safety measures to keep yourself out of harm’s way.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcoholic beverage consumption can restrict proper body control. For instance, if you are participating in a hiking trip, you could have a more challenging experience trying to function your body to properly navigate your way around the area. Your ability to detect hazards will lessen, thus making it more likely for you to injure yourself by slipping into a river or falling onto sharp objects.

What to Do After an Injury

It is important to understand what you should do if you get injured while touring the Las Vegas area. Not only will you ensure your safety, but you can also protect your legal rights if the incident was caused by another person or entity.

Below, we have sectioned what steps you should consider taking to prepare yourself in case you get into some sort of accident while exploring the city.

Contact Local Authorities

After the impact, you should assess your injury and report it to local authorities. Police officers will arrive at the accident scene and document what happened. Emergency medical personnel will also be present to administer care, if needed. For worse outcomes, you may be transported to a nearby hospital for additional treatment.

Seek Medical Treatment

Even if you suffered minor injuries, you should still seek medical treatment to prevent the condition from progressing over time. Las Vegas has multiple health facilities that are accessible to injured tourists, like emergency rooms and urgent care. With either decision you make, you will be met with medical providers who are readily available to offer prompt support.

After the wounded area has been evaluated, you may be given a diagnosis. Following that, a care plan may be suggested to help with your recovery.

Report the Incident

Be sure to summarize any important information about your injury and what could have caused it to law enforcement. Whatever you choose to share will likely be noted in the police report. These are critical details, so be sure to ask for a copy if you are planning on filing a personal injury claim against the liable party.

Gather Evidence to Prove Liability

Other than acquiring a police report, you should obtain the following, as well:

• Photographs of your injury, damages, and the accident scene
• CCTV footage
• Witness statements
• A copy of your medical records

These can be used to prove liability. Under Nevada law, if the opposing side is found 51 or more percent at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the damages you sustained.

But, if they are found less than 51 percent liable, you will be given reduced compensation in accordance with your degree of fault. For instance, if you are 40 percent accountable for an accident and the total damages are $80,000, you may be granted $48,000.

Hire a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer

Filing a personal injury claim in a city or state where you do not reside can be tricky. Legal challenges will arise, and it can be overwhelming to deal with that while you are trying to recover.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of skilled Las Vegas personal injury lawyers are readily available to step in and handle the workload while you focus on healing from any physical or emotional trauma you endured from the incident.

We prioritize client satisfaction, and will keep your needs in mind to ensure you are given favorable results.

How to Seek Medical Care as a Tourist in Las Vegas

Seeking medical care in a city you are unfamiliar with can be confusing. Before taking a trip to a new destination, you should research what accessible resources the city has to better prepare yourself for whatever lies ahead. This includes learning about available medical facilities that can assist you in case you are harmed while visiting.

In severe cases, you could contact 911 for a swift response, and be taken to a nearby hospital for further assistance.

Non-Emergency Medical Assistance

Tourists who have minor wounds are not obligated to request paramedics to transport them to the hospital. Instead, you can visit a local urgent care, particularly for sprains or light scratches. Most locations should accept walk-ins and offer quicker services than emergency rooms. You could also visit a pharmacy and ask what over-the-counter medications are recommended for your particular issue.

Medical Transportation After an Injury

Medical transportation is often provided if the injury appears to be serious or life-threatening. If you are involved in an accident and need an ambulance, you could either try to call the police department yourself or ask a nearby witness to do it instead.

Nevada uses 911 as the go-to contact number for immediate assistance. Once you dial in, you will be speaking to a trained personnel who will send first responders to your location. If English is not your native language, an interpreter can be added as an external service to the call.

Emergency Room vs Urgent Care: Where to Go in Las Vegas

Injured tourists are given the option to visit the emergency room or urgent care to get the treatment needed for recovery. But, some may wonder, which one out of the two should I go to? The answer is: it depends.

Emergency Room

The emergency room can be accessed if you are experiencing serious or life-threatening harm that requires immediate medical attention. Wait times will vary for patients since the ER typically prioritizes those who have more severe cases.

Urgent Care

Urgent care is primarily designed to help patients who have non-life-threatening injuries, like minor cuts or infections. The medical provider will assess the affected area, diagnose the problem, and create a plan that is best suited to treat your condition. Most urgent cares run under a first-come, first-serve basis.

Dealing with Health Insurance and Payment Services

A tourist who uses medical services in a different city or state can find it challenging to navigate medical insurance. Prior to your trip, you should reach out to your insurance company and ask about coverage while traveling. Some plans may offer it.

If you have travel insurance, you should consider keeping receipts of your medical bills at hand. You can use it if you decide to file a claim to get reimbursed for the costs you incurred during your stay at a Las Vegas health facility.

Contact Our Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers Today

If you were injured while sightseeing in Las Vegas, you may be entitled to sue the liable party to recover damages. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of skilled personal personal injury lawyers will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf to ensure you are given the justice and compensation you deserve for your losses.

To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or completing our convenient online contact form.