Spring break is a great time to let loose and have some fun before the seemingly endless work and studying for finals. But whether you are a college student, or just looking to take your kids on a holiday to Santa Barbara, we at NordstrandBlack PC urge you to be careful and stay safe. Of course, no matter how careful you are, there is always the possibility that someone else will be reckless or irresponsible and hurt you.
Even though spring break is officially over, here are a few things to keep in mind to prevent accidents, and tips to keep you safe when someone else is being dangerous:
- Be Smart and Be Safe
The first thing to keep in mind while on vacation is to be careful with your own actions. This means you should keep an eye on your property, research hotels and other locations before visiting them, and act responsibly while enjoying yourself. Do not drink and drive, or drink in excess while in public, and make sure you observe traffic signs and other warnings and follow them. Remember: just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean the Santa Barbara police are more lenient—in fact, they are more likely to be on alert. This is a good thing as long as you obey our local rules.
- Watch Out for Others Being Reckless
Even if you control yourself, you should always be aware of what other people are doing. Watch out for others who may be driving after drinking too much, especially late at night and in the early morning. If you see people who are clearly intoxicated in public, give them plenty of space and call local law enforcement if you feel they present a danger to themselves or others. You cannot control what other people do, but you can be active in keeping yourself safe even when someone else is irresponsible.
- Remember That Property Owners Have Responsibilities
If you do end up getting hurt while enjoying yourself responsibly, the owner of the property where you were injured may be liable for what happened. Property owners are responsible for replacing lights to make sure stairs and other areas are properly illuminated and fixing damaged floors that could be dangerous. If a hotel or bed-and-breakfast owner did not act reasonably to keep you safe while you were staying there, you might be able to hold that property owner accountable for your losses. People who rent out rooms on sites like Airbnb may also be held liable if you are harmed or your property is damaged while staying in their homes.
Don’t suffer in silence if you or a loved one has been injured while on spring break in Santa Barbara. Call NordstrandBlack PC today at (805) 962-2022 for a free consultation. As Santa Barbara personal injury lawyers with decades of experience, we know how to look at your situation and advise you as to your best options.