Common Travel Accidents and How to Avoid Them

Find out about the most common travel accidents and how you can take simple steps to reduce your risk of accidents on holiday.

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This article is for information purposes and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, travel puts you in unfamiliar environments. You’ll start at the airport, ferry terminal or train station,  explore new destinations and landmarks and spend time in accommodation with an unaccustomed layout. 

This unfamiliarity can increase the chance of accidents that could ruin your holiday or business trip. 

However, most travel accidents are simple, avoidable mistakes that happen when we’re distracted or unprepared.

Understanding where these risks come from makes them easier to avoid. Read on to learn about the most common travel accidents and how you can take simple steps to reduce your risk.

Slips, trips and falls

Most travel injuries come down to slipping or tripping, but these accidents aren’t just related to risky activities. They can also happen in airports, hotels, tourist attractions or just walking along the pavement. 

That’s because the risk of tripping or slipping increases when you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings, like when you’re visiting a new destination. Add in hazards like uneven surfaces, poor lighting or wet floors, and it’s easy to see how accidents like this can happen to travellers.

To reduce your risk of trips, slips and falls:

• Stay aware of where you are walking, especially in busy areas.
• Avoid using your phone when you’re moving through unfamiliar spaces.
• Watch out for changes in floor levels, steps, or uneven ground.
• Use handrails when available.

These small adjustments in awareness can make a big difference to your accident risk.

Choose footwear carefully

You probably haven’t given it much thought, but footwear is one of the most overlooked factors in travel safety. Slippery or loose footwear is a common cause of falls.

The shoes you throw on without a care at home may not be suitable for your holiday wardrobe. You’ll probably be walking long distances when you go sightseeing, navigating uneven terrains on a hike or dealing with wet surfaces around the beach or lakes. 

All of these require proper support and grip, but chances are you’ve packed your flip flops or maybe your comfiest pair of trainers. Loose-fitting or worn shoes increase your risk of losing balance, so bear grip, support and fit in mind when you’re choosing your holiday footwear.

It’s better to choose a well-fitting pair of walking shoes or trainers with good grip for sightseeing. Water shoes are a good choice for water sports, around the pool or on the beach. 

Take care in transit

Accidents can also happen when you’re in transit, for example, when you’re boarding a plane, using public transport or navigating crowded stations.

Common issues include muscle strains from lifting heavy bags incorrectly, collisions in crowded areas and trips on stairs or escalators.

The common link is that these situations are usually rushed, so people are focused more on saving time than on safety.

To avoid accidents on the move, try to slow down when boarding or exiting transport. Keep one hand free for balance when using stairs or escalators, and if you’re carrying heavy luggage, use lifts rather than escalators for safety. 

Water-related injuries

Swimming, water sports, and outdoor activities carry their own risks. However, people often underestimate the risks because of the leisure setting. 

Slips around pools and wet areas are common, especially if you’re barefoot or wearing poorly-fitted flip-flops. Avoid running on wet surfaces and always follow safety instructions. 

Alcohol also increases the likelihood of accidents during physical activities, as it affects balance and reaction time. Of course, no one’s suggesting that you should abstain entirely during your holiday, unless you want to. But take extra caution if you’re around water, and don’t mix alcohol with physical activities. 

These basic precautions could help prevent most water-related incidents.

Accidents in Accommodation

Risks are also present in your accommodation, whether you’ve booked a hotel, villa or apartment. 

Unfamiliar layouts increase the risk of injury. Hotel rooms and small apartments can easily become cluttered, and loose items such as cables are common causes of trips. 

Try to keep your space organised and avoid leaving bags or shoes in walkways. Turn lights on before moving around at night, and it’s worth packing some small plug-in nightlights to add soft light overnight. 

Travelling for Work and Liability Risks

Of course, not all travel is for leisure or holiday purposes, and business travel can add another layer of risk. In addition to the unfamiliar environments, you may be working long hours and under stress.  

If an accident happens while travelling for work, it may still fall under workplace liability depending on the circumstances. Employers still have a duty of care, even when employees are working away from their usual location.

This is where professional advice may be required. In situations involving injury during work-related travel, consulting accident at work solicitors can help clarify your position and whether a claim is possible.