Travel

Whether you’re traveling across town or across the country, safety shouldn’t take a backseat. Our travel section explores legal issues that arise during vacations, road trips, or business travel — from hotel injuries and transportation accidents to scams that target tourists. We also discuss liability in travel-related accidents and how travelers can protect their rights.

What Should I Do If I’m Injured at a Hotel?

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, staying at a hotel is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Regrettably, accidents and injuries can sometimes occur.

By Eric Washburn

/ 1 Oct 2025

A blurred image of a hotel front desk with a bell to ring and two hotel workers.

Know What to Do if You Get Injured at an Airbnb Rental in North Carolina

Accidents happen, even when you are on vacation. Our personal injury law firm learned this painful truth from a case in which a man who lived in Florida slipped and fell on loose steeping stones sunk into a hillside at a Virginia lake house. Our…

By Eric Washburn

/ 4 Jan 2020

What Duties Do Rental Agents Have Under the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act?

In a sentence, rental agents have legal duties to ensure that landlords comply with the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act. An agent who fails to meet that basic duty can potentially be held liable for personal injuries and wrongful deaths that occur at properties covered…

By Randy Appleton

/ 18 Dec 2019

Injured Due to a Collapsed Deck at a Vacation Rental Property – Understanding Your Rights

On July 30, 1994, the Conley family, tenants at a summer vacation rental cottage in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, suffered serious injuries when the second story deck on the cottage collapsed beneath them. A lawsuit was initiated against the owners of the cottage and the…

By Randy Appleton

/ 15 Oct 2019

1 Dead When Amtrak Train Carrying GOP Lawmakers Derails Near Crozet, Virginia

One person died Jan. 31 when an Amtrak train carrying Republican lawmakers to an annual retreat collided with a truck at a railroad crossing and derailed near Crozet, Virginia. The White House has confirmed the train crash fatality. One person also was seriously injured. According to White…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 1 Feb 2018

Railroad Safety: No More Extensions on Requiring Positive Train Control

In the wake of a deadly Amtrak passenger train derailment in Washington shortly before Christmas 2017, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that a long-mandated automated braking system would have prevented the deadly wreck. The agency has reached the same conclusion repeatedly since t

By Richard Shapiro

/ 17 Jan 2018

School Bus Crashes: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Many people consider school bus transportation to be extremely safe. After all, we watch every day as our most precious cargo hop up the school bus steps and drive off for the day. School buses share the road with other vehicles – passenger vehicles and…

By Randy Appleton

/ 11 Dec 2017

FRA Calls for Mandatory Sleep Apnea Screening for Train Engineers

In a recent announcement, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is calling for all passenger train engineers in the United States to be screened for sleep apnea. The agency also said that train engineers who have severe sleep apnea should not be allowed to operate those…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 28 Dec 2016

Plane Manufacturer Wants Buyers to Sign Away Right to Sue

Imagine that you are looking to purchase a new automobile. You finally find the vehicle that meets all your requirements. As you are signing all the paperwork involved with that purchase, you discover there is a clause in the contract that states you are waiving…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 28 Nov 2016

Nine-Year-Old Girl Killed School Bus Dragging Incident

A horrific school bus dragging accident in Plainfield, Massachusetts has claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl. The young child was killed as she attempted to get off the bus Friday afternoon at approximately 4 p.m. According to reports from the Massachusetts State Police, the…

By Randy Appleton

/ 31 Oct 2016

Opposition to Federal Rule on Two-Person Train Crews Places Profits Above Lives

Automation and budget-cutting have led many freight and passenger railroads across the United States to cut crew sizes. As a logical result of such staff reductions, many of the largest trains moving along the nation’s rails have only a single engineer in the locomotive—even those…

By Randy Appleton

/ 30 Aug 2016

Water Slide Death in Kansas Brings Safety Oversight Into Question

The son of a Kansas state legislator died last weekend while riding a 168-foot high water slide at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. The water slide allows riders to reach speeds of up to 70 MPH. While it is not known yet if the boy was killed…

By Randy Appleton

/ 12 Aug 2016