What to Do If You're in a Car Accident While on a Cruise in Puerto Rico

A cruise vacation should be all about relaxation, adventure, and making unforgettable memories. However, accidents can happen anywhere, even when you're exploring a beautiful destination like Puerto Rico. If you’ve been involved in a car accident while on a cruise in Puerto Rico, it’s crucial to understand your rights and legal options.

At Morgan & Morgan, we have offices in Puerto Rico and every other state in the U.S., making us uniquely equipped to handle your case, whether you're a visitor or a resident. We fight For The People and are here to help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim after a car accident in Puerto Rico.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Puerto Rico

If you're involved in a car accident while on a cruise excursion in Puerto Rico, here’s what you should do:

1. Ensure Safety First

• Check yourself and others for injuries.
• Move to a safe location if possible.
• Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance.

2. Contact Local Authorities

• Puerto Rico’s police must document the accident, especially if injuries or significant damages occur.
• Request a copy of the accident report, as it will be crucial for insurance claims and potential legal actions.

3. Gather Evidence

• Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Obtain contact and insurance information from the other driver(s) involved.
• Collect names and statements from witnesses.

4. Seek Medical Attention

• Even if you don’t feel injured immediately, some injuries (like whiplash or internal bleeding) can appear later.
• Keep copies of all medical records and bills related to the accident.

5. Notify Your Cruise Line

• Report the accident to the cruise line, as they may have procedures or assistance available.
• Some cruise lines provide legal resources, but remember they may prioritize their own interests over yours.

6. Contact Morgan & Morgan Immediately

With an office in Puerto Rico and throughout the U.S., we can provide legal guidance wherever you need it. Contacting a lawyer promptly helps ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Know the Legal Landscape in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico operates under a legal system that combines elements of both U.S. federal law and civil law traditions. When it comes to car accidents, there are several key differences you should be aware of:

Puerto Rico Is a No-Fault Jurisdiction

Puerto Rico follows a no-fault insurance system, meaning that your own personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is typically responsible for covering medical expenses and certain other costs, regardless of who caused the accident. However, serious injuries may allow for a claim against the at-fault party.

Comparative Negligence in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Different Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Puerto Rico is one year from the date of the accident. This is much shorter than in most U.S. states, so acting quickly is essential.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries:

The Other Driver

If another driver was negligent—by speeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence—you may be able to file a claim against them.

Tour Operators or Excursion Companies

If the accident occurred during an excursion organized by the cruise line or a third-party vendor, they could be liable for negligence in arranging safe transportation.

The Cruise Line

In some cases, cruise lines can be held partially responsible if they fail to properly vet or monitor their excursion providers.

The Vehicle Manufacturer

If the accident was caused by a defective vehicle or faulty part, the manufacturer may be held liable under product liability laws.

How to Prove You Were Injured in a Car Accident Caused by Negligence

To file a successful car accident lawsuit in Puerto Rico, you must be able to prove the following elements.

Duty of care: You must prove that the other party owed you a duty of care. This is usually quite easy to prove. For example, in the case of a car accident, the other driver owes you a duty of care while driving. In other words, they are responsible for driving carefully and avoiding accidents.

Breach of duty: You must also demonstrate that although the defendant owed you a duty of care, they breached this duty. This is just a fancy way of saying that you must show that the defendant was negligent, which occurs when someone breaches their duty of care.

Injuries: You must also prove that you got injured due to the breach of duty. Specifically, you must demonstrate that the breach of duty was the proximate cause of your injury. In simpler terms, the other party’s negligence was the primary cause of your injuries.

Damages: Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered damages due to your injuries. The term “damages” refers to the losses you incurred due to the injury.

There are two main types of damages in a personal injury case: economic and non-economic damages.

What Is the Difference Between Economic and Non-Economic Damages?

The main difference between economic and non-economic damages is that the former compensates the injured for their financial losses while the latter focuses on non-monetary losses.

Common examples of financial losses that could derive from this incident include medical expenses, transportation due and from medical appointments, lost wages and earning potential, cost of medical equipment, etc.

On the other hand, non-economic losses include pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship, etc.

When determining negligence in Puerto Rico, the issue of foreseeability will come into play. For example, in the case of a car accident, the court will want to establish whether the defendant failed to do the right thing to prevent the injury. Specifically, the court will want to know whether any reasonable person would have acted differently under similar circumstances.

The bottom line is that it is not always easy to prove negligence, even when the defendant appears to be at fault for the accident. This is because it is one thing to cause an accident and a totally different thing to act negligently, leading to the accident.

Why Choose Morgan & Morgan?

At Morgan & Morgan, we have over 35 years of experience fighting for accident victims. 

Unlike many law firms that only operate in the continental U.S., we have a dedicated office in Puerto Rico, allowing us to handle your case locally and efficiently.

If you live in another U.S. state, you don’t have to worry about dealing with multiple law firms—we can represent you seamlessly across jurisdictions. As the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, we have offices in every state, with an army of lawyers who understand local laws and nuances of specific case types.

Plus, with Morgan & Morgan, there are no upfront fees to get started. That’s right—the Fee Is Free®. You don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case. This means we are truly committed to fighting for maximum compensation on your behalf.

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident while on a cruise in Puerto Rico, don’t navigate the complex legal system alone. Morgan & Morgan is here to help. With our offices in Puerto Rico and every other U.S. state, we can provide the legal expertise and support you need to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.