So the summer has finally arrived and so its holiday time! The months July to August are the peak time to take a break in the UK, this is because as soon as the schools shut down for six weeks the parents are raring to go away for a few weeks. The suitcases, sun cream, buckets and spades are dusted off and they are all off on a summer holiday. But the last thing any of us want to consider once we return from our escapades is to make a holiday accident claim.

No matter where you go on holiday this year you will find yourself having to use some form of transport. Whether you are jetting off to explore Australia, you are hopping onboard a liner to cruise around the Caribbean, or you are taking the passenger ferry or the Eurostar over to France or simply getting in the car for a trip down to Cornwall, the reality is that you are vulnerable to become an accident statistic.

However, it’s not quite as dismal as it may appear to be. The odds of having a holiday accident for which you have to consult a personal injury solicitor to make a compensation claim are a thousand to one. The majority of travellers will return with a sun tan, a selection of tacky souvenirs and a suitcase full of duty frees hardly ever a serious personal injury. However, some accident statistics released reveal some greater insight into the dangers that British holiday makers may face.

Although it is a good job that you have decided to take some time off from work. As working for long periods without regular breaks away can lead to work-related stress, which could then make you become more vulnerable to the risk of having an accident at work. During 2005/06 there were 160 fatal accidents and a staggering 28,605 personal injuries in the workplace reported to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR. Likewise, there were a total of four deaths reported in schools.

Worryingly, many holiday accident claims are on the cards before holiday makers even make their destinations as the UK national estimate for accidents while travelling and touring was 480,664.

There is also worrying news if you are staying close to home and either touring local attractions or doing a cross-country trip, as around 271,017 people suffered personal injury in road accidents. This figure relates to all drivers in the UK, not just holiday makers, but is worth bearing in mind all the same.

Also, there were around 5,172 casualties from train accidents, including accidents through the movement of railway vehicles and accidents on railway premises. But, despite a number of fatal crashes being reported in the media recentely, public transport is still the best and safest method of travel. So it is worth considering to take the train rather than driving long hours, as it would make the journey less tiresome and also a safer one at the same time.

despite there being a more likelier chance of being killed by lightning than you do of being involved in a plane crash, in 2005 there was a total of 105 casualties and 27 deaths resulting from aviation accidents in UK airspace. The majority of these air crashes were caused by UK registered aircraft.

You should also take extra care when choosing which leisure activities to pursue when on holiday. There are also leisure activities on offer in the UK and abroad from surfing and sailing to hiking and mountain climbing and although there are stringent safety measures in place with professional establishments, accidents are still fairly common.

According to the Home Accident Surveillance System including the Leisure Activities Final Report, it found that a total of 1,208,414 people had accidents whilst participating in leisure activities in the UK. Also, the national estimate for non-fatal water sport accidents is 21,935. It is thought that many of these resulted in holiday accident claims.

Fazila has more articles on accident claims, no win no fee, and other legal related articles.