Tourism is the largest industry in New Orleans and it’s not hard to see why. Millions of people visit Louisiana and Mississippi for the sights, the music, the restaurants, and the casinos. The majority of those trips are full of fun and excitement; but occasionally, things go wrong and accidents do happen. When they do, many people just want to forget the entire thing and return home to try to get back to normal. Doing so can be a big mistake.
When an accident occurs, tourists have the same rights as those who live in Louisiana and Mississippi. If someone was at fault for the accident, that person or company may be responsible for paying compensation to the victim.
Common Tourist Accidents
- Tour Bus/Street Car accidents: Few people who choose to visit New Orleans also choose to drive around the city. With casinos, restaurants, museums, and music venues within walking distance, there’s really no need to drive. However, when tourists leave the French Quarter to explore other parts of the city or state, they often rely on these common carriers. Whether in Louisiana or Mississippi, if you are injured while on a bus or street car, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Pedestrian accidents: We mentioned how much New Orleans tourists like to walk on Bourbon Street and other nearby neighborhoods. Oftentimes, cabs or Uber/Lyft drivers are distracted by their vehicle’s navigation system, or by their passengers. Other drivers may be impaired by drugs and alcohol. If you’re a tourist on foot, you need to watch for these potentially dangerous drivers, and be aware of your rights if you are stuck and injured as a result of driver negligence.
- Bicycle Accidents: There are a lot of ways to see New Orleans, and traveling by bike is one of them. When tourists decide to rent bikes so they can see more of the city, they are at risk for being involved in a bicycle accident.
- Slip and Fall incidents: In Louisiana and Mississippi there are a number of museums, restaurants, shopping outlets, hotels, music venues, casinos, and other great destinations; and all of them can pose a risk for a slip-and-fall accident. A carelessly mopped floor or a broken stair can send a tourist tumbling to the ground, causing serious injuries.
These accidents happen to everyone. However, they are more stressful when they happen to tourists. If you’re a tourist, and you have suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
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