Having a holiday accident can not only spoil your break but also cause long-term injury.

Holiday accidents are becoming more common and road accidents are now the most common type of holiday accident.

However, slips and trips, falls from height such as balconies, and swimming pool accidents regularly make the headlines.

Twitter is one of the most popular social media sites and has the added advantage over other sites that news and info can be uploaded fast and tweets can be responded to almost instantly.

Most companies and organisations now tweet and update their feeds daily, if not hourly.

Having an accident on holiday can be traumatic and getting help or advice quickly crucial to recovery.

It may not be you who has the holiday mishap but a friend or loved one – and if you are in charge of making arrangements or care, getting help fast can ease the responsibility at a time when you might also be in shock at what has happened.

The following organisations all have Twitter feeds which may offer help in case of a holiday accident, whether serious or minor:

Government departments and Twitter

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) (www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/social-media/twitter)

DirectGov (twitter.com/directgov)

Passport Office (www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports)

Holiday Health and Twitter

NHS Direct (twitter.com/nhsdirect)

Driving Holidays and Twitter

DVLA (twitter.com/DVLAPers_Reg)

RAC (twitter.com/rac_breakdown)

AA (twitter.com/aa_members)

It is also a good idea to check whether your car insurer has a Twitter feed which can answer any queries you might have if you do have a prang in your holiday car abroad.

Tour Operators and Twitter

Tour operators also have Twitter feeds – and even if you are not a Twitter user, it is easy to sign up for an account before you set off on holiday in case you need help fast.

Check out TUI’s Twitter feed (twitter.com/tui_travel), which is major tour operator, which includes Thomson.

First Choice is also another major tour operator with a Twitter feed (twitter.com/FirstChoiceUK), so make sure you are following your tour operator’s tweets before you leave home.

Holiday Insurance and Twitter

Many people buy their holiday insurance via their tour operator but if you buy separate insurance, check whether your insurer is on Twitter before you leave home.

Many holidaymakers take part in activities abroad without realising they are not covered for accidents or medical expenses, so tweet your insurer before you sign up to a sports or other holiday activity.

And if you are not a member of the Twitter generation, over-50s holiday company Saga offers a simple online guide to using Twitter for anyone who wants to get into tweet mode before they fly off on holiday (www.saga.co.uk/…/a-simple-guide-to-twitter.aspx).

Travelling Abroad Accident Claim can make sure you get the compensation you deserve.