What Happens If I Am Injured in a Virgin Islands Tour Accident?

 Posted on July 15, 2025 in Personal Injury

Jeep tours are one of the most popular ways to explore the U.S. Virgin Islands. These off-road adventures take visitors to secluded beaches, historic ruins, and panoramic viewpoints that are often inaccessible by regular vehicles. Island Jeep excursions are frequently marketed to cruise passengers and play a major role in local tourism. But when something goes wrong, these excursions can quickly end in serious car accidents. If you were injured in a Jeep tour accident while on the US Virgin Islands, speak with a qualified St. John personal injury lawyer to understand your options.

Can I Sue If I Am Hurt During a Jeep Tour in the Virgin Islands?

You may be able to pursue compensation if you are injured during a Jeep tour in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the legal process depends on who was responsible for the accident and what kind of agreements were in place. As of July 2025, local personal injury laws in the USVI allow injury victims to sue negligent drivers, tour operators, and sometimes even cruise lines, depending on the circumstances.

If your Jeep was operated by a local tour company, that business could be liable if the driver acted recklessly or the vehicle was not properly maintained. Common causes of Jeep tour accidents include:

• Driving on rough or unsafe roads without proper precautions

• Speeding

• Lack of seat belts or safety gear in the vehicle

• Inadequate driver training or supervision

Some tours include self-driving components, where tourists operate the Jeep themselves after a brief orientation. In those cases, the tour company might still be responsible for failing to properly instruct participants, maintain the vehicles, or guide the group safely.

What If I Booked the Jeep Tour Through a Cruise Line?

Many tourists assume that booking a tour through a cruise line guarantees safety and legal protection. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. While cruise lines often arrange excursions with local businesses, they may attempt to avoid liability by claiming that the operator was an independent contractor.

Still, there are situations where the cruise line might share responsibility. For example, if the cruise line knew the tour company had a history of unsafe operations or failed to investigate serious past incidents, a lawyer might be able to show that the cruise line acted negligently by continuing to promote or partner with that business.

Why Is Local Legal Help So Important in USVI Injury Cases?

Accidents that happen on Jeep tours often involve multiple parties: the driver, the tour company, the vehicle owner, and potentially the cruise line or equipment manufacturers. A USVI-based personal injury attorney can investigate the tour company’s history and safety practices, identify all parties who may share responsibility, review contracts and booking agreements for liability disclaimers, and apply local tort law to help build a strong case.
Because the U.S. Virgin Islands are a U.S. territory, many of the same personal injury principles apply, but the procedural rules can be different from those in mainland courts. Having a local attorney who understands the island’s legal system is critical, especially if you live elsewhere.

Contact a St. Thomas Tourist Injury Lawyer

If your vacation was cut short by a serious Jeep tour accident, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a St. Croix tourist injury attorney at Colianni & Leonard LLC for a free consultation. We are ready to help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Call us at 340-719-1766 today.