Thailand Accident Claims Guide – How To Make A Personal Injury Claim In Thailand After A Accident

Thailand holiday accident

Thailand holiday accident

Thailand could be considered a popular destination for business or leisure travellers. Whether you were in Thailand on holiday, for meetings or conferences, there could be lots of new experiences to enjoy, from the food to the culture and the beautiful scenery. But what happens if you are in an accident whilst on holiday in Thailand, and it was not your fault? Could you make a Thailand holiday accident claim?

This guide aims to provide information about accidents in Thailand, whether a boat accident in Thailand, an accident at a Thailand airport, or any kind of Thailand tourist injury. If someone else could be liable, you may be able to file a claim for compensation against a third party.

Our guide covers the kinds of situations that could be the basis for making a claim, and provides information on how Accident Claims UK can be of assistance. Call us on 0800 073 8801 if you are ready to begin a claim today our team can answer common questions regarding Thailand holiday accident claims.

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A Guide To Thailand Holiday Accident Claims

If you were injured in a Thailand airport accident, a Thailand car accident or any other accident while on holiday in Thailand, you may be wondering whether you could make a compensation claim if the accident was not your fault. If someone else could be held liable for your injuries, you may be able to seek compensation.

If you’ve suffered a Thailand holiday accident that wasn’t your fault, this guide covers all the sorts of situations that might lead to you making a personal injury claim, and how Accident Claims UK could make a Thailand holiday accident claim a less stressful experience.

You might think that since you had an accident on holiday in Thailand, you’d have to use a Thai lawyer but this is not the case. We can provide injury lawyers for personal injury claims that occur overseas which includes whilst on holiday in Thailand. While we are not based in Thailand, claims for accidents that happened there could be handled by UK-based lawyers. For more information please contact our team of expert lawyers.

Popular Places To Visit In Thailand

There are many great places to visit in Thailand, which includes the following:

  • Chiang Mai
  • Bangkok
  • Railay Beach
  • Koh Phi Phi
  • The Grand Palace
  • Sunday Walking Street
  • Pai
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • And much more…

Wherever you happen to be injured in Thailand, whether at one of these great destinations or anywhere else in the country, if someone else could be liable for your injuries, you may be entitled to make a Thailand holiday accident claim.

What Should I Do If Involved In An Accident Whilst On Holiday In Thailand?

If you suffered a Thailand holiday injury, there are some important steps to take, whether you are considering making a Thailand holiday accident claim at this point or not.

If you suffered a Thailand holiday accident that caused you injuries, then you should contact your operator to report the incident as soon as you are able. If your Thailand holiday accident occurred in a bar, or restaurant, or other establishment, such as a nightclub, then you must inform the management/owners.

You should also make sure your report is recorded in an accident book, so that an official record is made. You should also keep a record of who you spoke to about your accident, in case you need to refer to this later. If you are injured in an assault in Thailand, or when some other crime was being committed, you must report the incident to the local police.

You must gather as much evidence from the scene of the accident if your injuries allow. This could include photographs of the scene, as well as details of any bystanders who witnessed the accident. If you are in a car accident, it should report the incident to the authorities. On top of this, you should try and get the other driver’s details. This would include their insurance details, make of car and vehicle registration number. If your injuries prevent you from gathering evidence, you could ask a family member or friend to this on your behalf.

You should also keep all receipts for costs you incurred as a consequence of your accident, whether medical, travel expenses, or other related costs. These are needed to support your Thailand holiday accident claim and any special damages you may be awarded.

Emergency Numbers And Useful Contacts In Thailand

Useful contacts if you’ve suffered an accident whilst on holiday include the following:

Police – 191

Highway police – 1193

Fire services – 199

Tourist police – 1155

Tourist service centre – 1672

Police general hospital – (0) 2207 6000

The. British Embassy – Bangkok – +66(0)2 305 8333

If you have your holiday insurance documents available, they should contain the number of your travel operator. You could call directory services on 1133 for Bangkok and 183 (upcountry) if you need to find a number.

Accessing Medical Services In Thailand

If you are visiting Thailand on holiday you should consult with your doctor about any vaccinations and health issues you may be exposed to while you are there. You should also take out fully comprehensive travel insurance which provides cover for pre-existing conditions if necessary.

According to the NHS, vaccinations required for a trip to Thailand could include:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies

Malaria

The risk of Malaria is higher in the hilly and forest areas of Thailand which are located on border the country. Inland regions in the province of Surat Thani could also put you more at risk, and the same can be of the Malaysian border in the south. If you are visiting Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Chang, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, the bridge area of the River Quai, Chiang Rai, Pattay and Mae Sot, there is thought to be little to no risk of Malaria but taking precautions is always a must.

Covering yourself with long clothing before sunset, sleeping under a special mosquito net, and using repellents on any exposed skin could help to prevent bites. In some parts of Thailand, where Malaria may be high-risk, anti-malarial medication is advised.

Thailand Holiday Accident Claim Time Limits

Are you wondering what the personal injury claims time limit would be for a Thailand holiday accident claim? If so, the table below provides some guidance.

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Situation Time Limits
General claims within Thailand 1 year from the date of the incident
Where liability is confused An extension may be granted in some cases
Claims arising from criminal acts An extension may be granted in accordance with the specific criminal law
Package Travel UK time limits (under UK law) 3 years from the date of the incident
Cruise ship accidents 2 years from the cruise date

If you need more information about Thai time limits for personal injury claims following an accident in Thailand, please get in touch with our team of lawyers today.

Accidents On A Package Holiday In Thailand

If you suffered a holiday accident in Thailand and you booked your vacation as a package holiday with a UK-based tour operator, you might be able to claim compensation under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018. This legislation may be used in circumstances where a traveller has booked more than one part of their trip through the same UK booking agent. This would include the following:

  • Accommodation
  • Flights
  • Car rental
  • Excursions

If you need more information following an accident in Thailand, one of our team of lawyers would provide essential legal advice on how to make a Thailand holiday injury claim against a negligent third party.

Thailand Package Travel Companies

Below are the names and contact numbers of some of the major tour operators covering Thailand holidays:

TUI – 0203 636 1931

Virgin Holidays – 0344 739 8364

Emirates Holidays -020 8972 8645

On The Beach – 0871 474 3000

First Choice – 0203 897 1185

Travel Republic – 0208 974 7200

Staying Safe While In Thailand

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against travelling to the following parts of Thailand if it is not essential and there will be no consular support in these areas:

  • Southern Songkhla Province
  • Narithiwat
  • Yala
  • Pattani

In terms of terrorist activity in the country, the FCO warns that terrorist attacks are considered very likely, with Bangkok having experienced a number of small explosions in August 2019, and Satun city and Patthalung province having experienced similar events in March of 2019. Tourists in the area are advised to monitor news channels and to be extra vigilant in public places.

Hotel Accidents And Injuries In Thailand

Have you been injured in a hotel accident in Thailand that was not your fault? There are a number of ways in which you could have a Thailand holiday accident while staying at a hotel there.

Whether you suffered an accident that was caused by faulty fixtures and fittings in the hotel, which includes broken chairs, broken tiles in the swimming pool, a broken balcony rail, and you were injured as a result of the accident, the hotel could be held liable because it is their duty to provide you with a safe place to stay. If they have not maintained the fixtures and fittings in the hotel to a reasonable standard, you may be able to make a Thailand holiday accident claim for your injuries.

It is not only accidents caused by things that are broken in the hotel that you could make claims for. If you are served food in the hotel restaurant that caused food poisoning due to poor hygiene standards, you may also be able to make a claim compensation. If there are bedbugs present in the hotel and you are bitten, or the pool was not kept hygienic and you suffered an infection or illness because of this, you could also make a claim for compensation.

Accidents, Injuries Or Illness Caused By Watersports And Swimming Pools

TILL HERE

While you are in Thailand, you may wish to take part in sporting activities which includes watersports. For your part, you should ensure you are fully insured for activities you plan to undertake.  You should check your policy carefully before agreeing to any activities that could be excluded like diving, jet-skiing etc. You may assume you would be covered for these activities, but your policy may say otherwise.

If you plan to take part in watersports, the provider of the activity should take care to follow safety procedures and ensure that an environment is safe. To avoid a Thailand scuba diving accident, for example, a diving instructor should be fully trained and certified to take you on a dive. They should also ensure that all equipment is safety checked before it is used. If they have not taken such precautions, and you suffer a Thailand diving accident, you may be able to claim compensation. If someone you love suffers a fatal accident in Thailand due to unsafe watersports activities, you may be able to make a Thailand holiday accident claim if the watersports provider was negligent. This would obviously not be enough to compensate for losing a loved one, as no amount of money could do that, but it could help cover funeral costs and the loss of income to the family, if you were financially dependent on that person.

When it comes to swimming pool accidents, if you can prove that your accident whilst on holiday occurred due to the negligence of the owner/operator of the swimming pool (e.g. if they did not check and keep chemical levels to the correct level, or they did not maintain pool equipment such as the filter or pump correctly), you may be able to make a claim against them.

Slips, Trips And Falls In Thailand

Whether you suffered an airport accident in Thailand because of a spillage that was not cleared up in the terminal, or you suffered an injury in your hotel, or out and about in Thailand due to a trip, slip or fall caused by someone else, you may be able to make a claim for compensation if the responsible party can be identified.  However, you may not have very long to make a claim (see our section above on time limits). As such,  it is much wiser to get advice on whether you could make a Thailand holiday accident claim sooner rather than later to avoid your case being time barred.

Thailand Road Traffic Accident Claims

Sadly, Thai roads are considered to be unsafe, and as such you may be involved in a Thailand road accident while you are in the country. According to Thailand accident statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the estimated number of road deaths in Thailand in 2013 stood at 24,237, which could be considered a significant number. It is thought that almost 50% of fatalities on Thai roads involve cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

If you are in a car accident in Thailand or a Thailand bike accident that was not your fault, you may be able to make a Thailand holiday accident claim for the injuries you sustained. You must make sure the accident was reported to the authorities and it is important to gather as much evidence as you can at the scene. This would include photographs and witness details, which would add strength to your claim.

But what if you have lost a loved one in a Thailand fatal car accident or fatal motorbike accident in Thailand? You may still be able to make a claim on their behalf, if you are financially dependent on that person. The claim you make may result in a bereavement award, as well as providing compensation that could cover the funeral costs for the person you lost.

Thailand Boat Accident Claims

Were you injured in a Thailand ferry accident that was not your fault? Could someone else be liable for your injuries? If so, then you may be able to make a Thailand holiday accident claim. While visiting Thailand, you may opt to take a boat tour or excursion to another part of the country, or you may wish to visit the islands there. If you do so, then the tour organiser should ensure that your safety is taken care of while travelling by boat. If they do not, and you suffer a Thailand holiday accident while on-board a boat, then you could be eligible to claim compensation for the injuries you suffered.

Thailand Holiday Accident Compensation Claims Calculator

Are you wondering how much compensation a Thailand holiday accident claim could bring you? If so, this alternative to a personal injury claims calculator, provides a rough estimate on the amount of compensation may be awarded for specific injuries.

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Injuries Guideline Payouts Notes
Finger fractures Up to £34,480 Leading to amputations (partial) as well as a deformity and loss of grip/function
Leg injuries £51,460 to £85,600 Very serious – leading to problems with the claimant’s mobility that are permanent, that may require mobility aids for the rest of their life.
Knee injuries £13,920 to £24,580 Moderate – Which include torn cartilage, dislocations, or meniscus tears, leading to instability in the joint.
Ankle injuries £12,900 to £24,950 Moderate – with ligament tears or fractures that lead to difficulty walking up stairs or on uneven ground. Risk of osteoarthritis may be present.
Arm injuries £7,410 to £11,980 Moderate – Frozen shoulder leading to limited movement, or soft tissue injuries that have symptoms persisting for more than. 2 years, but that are not permanent
Pelvic/hip injuries £73,580 to £122,860 Fractures to the pelvis that are deemed to be extensive, requiring spinal fusion in some cases. There may be residual disabilities such as bowel and bladder control issues remaining. Hip deformity may require the use of a calliper.

If you don’t see the injury you’ve suffered in this table, then do not hesitate to get in touch and we’ll give you the figures that the Judicial College Guidelines have for those specific injuries.

Could I Claim Through A UK-Based Personal Injury Solicitor?

You may be under the assumption that you’d need to use a Thai-based solicitor to make a Thailand holiday accident claim, but this is not the case. If you are a British citizen or resident who has been injured on route to Thailand or in Thailand in an accident that was not your fault, Accident Claims UK could provide you with a personal injury solicitor based here in the UK to handle your personal injury claim.

It would not be necessary to search for a lawyer based in Thailand. Using a UK-based solicitor would make it easier for you to meet them in person, and you would not have to worry about any language barriers either. Therefore, making a Thailand personal injury claim with a UK-based personal injury lawyer could be less stressful than trying to get legal representation in Thailand.

No Win No Fee Thailand Holiday Accident Claims

Are you looking into making a claim but are assuming you’d have to pay upfront for any legal assistance? This would not be the case if you chose to work with a personal injury solicitor who takes on claims under a No Win No Fee agreement. This agreement, which could also be referred to as a Conditional Fee Agreement, would allow you to defer paying your solicitor until such time as your claim was settled.

The agreement details how much and when you would need to pay for legal assistance, so you would know how much – as a percentage of your payout – would be going to your lawyer, with the rest being for your benefit. Once you sign a No Win No Fee agreement, your lawyer could begin working on your case. When they secure you a settlement, their legal fees would be deducted, and the rest would be paid to you.

Should you have a valid claim, but the solicitor you chose did not secure a settlement, you would not be required to pay the percentage detailed in the agreement. Some lawyers may advise you to take out an insurance policy to cover against unsuccessful claims, but this is something that could be explored in more detail between you and your lawyer. Please do not hesitate to call the Accident Claims UK team should you have any questions regarding No Win No Fee claims.

Start Your Thailand Holiday Accident Claim

If you’re ready to begin a Thailand holiday accident claim, or you have further questions about making a personal injury claim in Thailand, you can get in touch with us in various different ways. We can be reached by phone, on 0800 073 8801, or via the live chat feature on the site, through our contact form, or you could simply email office@accidentclaims.co.uk.

When you call us, we’ll be able to assess your eligibility to make a claim and give you advice pertaining to your specific situation. We’ll also, if appropriate, be able to provide a solicitor to help you make your Thailand holiday accident claim. We look forward to helping you.

Essential References

British Embassy Bangkok

14 Wireless Road
Lumpini
Pathumwan
Bangkok  10330
Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2 305 8333

Web: www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-bangkok

Email: emailInfo.Bangkok@fco.gov.uk.

Opening hours: (Local times) Mondays to Thursdays, 8am to 4.30pm   Fridays, 8am to 1pm

Health Resources

The UK Government’s Guide To travel safety in Thailand – You could find useful advice here.

Fit For Travel – The NHS page shows what you may need medically while in Thailand.

Travel Vaccinations – Here, you could find details on vaccinations.

Thailand Malaria Map – This map, from the NHS give information on Malaria in Thailand.