6 Things To Do If You Are Injured In An Accident While On Vacation
Getting injured while you are away on vacation can be very stressful, especially if you are in a different country and don’t speak the language. In the E.U. alone, approximately 3,800 tourists die every year. Thousands more are injured. This article will tell you six things that you should do if you are injured while on vacation:
1. Notify the Place or Person
If you are injured in a public place, such as in a shop, hotel, or bar, then you need to notify the manager immediately, and if possible, get written evidence. If a person injures you, then you should contact the local authorities. If you have a car accident, do not leave the scene of the accident. If somebody has attacked you, then get away to safety before stopping to contact the police. Reporting your injury is one of the most important steps after an accident, at home or abroad. If you are injured in a public place, you could be entitled to compensation from the company responsible for managing the place in question.
2. Documentation and Evidence
Most people walk around with smartphones in their pockets at all times. This makes documenting evidence much easier. For any accident, especially abroad, evidence is absolutely essential. Take photographs of the scene of your accident, your injuries, and the person responsible (if possible). After an accident, people will begin to clean up, which can erase the evidence. It’s always best to be discreet when you are taking evidence unless you are in a safe, public place. Despite the language barrier, try to gather witnesses together to support you also.
3. Medical Assistance
After any type of injury, you should always go to see a doctor. A doctor will be able to write a medical certificate for you, which can be presented as evidence if you do claim compensation later on. Even if you feel fine after your injury, it’s still good to go and get a doctor’s opinion. Some injuries can worsen over the course of a few days, so don’t chance it. If you notice new symptoms, return to your doctor and ask for another written piece of evidence. Make sure that you do not leave the doctor’s surgery without a note, certifying your injuries.
4. Contact an Attorney
It can be a nightmare dealing with foreign attorneys, but if you want compensation, then it’s something that you will have to do. A local attorney will be able to brief you on the destination’s specific laws regarding compensation. As claimed by the legal specialists at RecoveryLawCentreHawaii.com, they will also help you to collect what you are owed, and move on with your life. Filing a compensation claim abroad often means that you will have to stay in that country for an extended period of time. However, due to the pandemic, you may be able to deal with your claim back at home.
5. Insurance
When you are injured while traveling, you should contact your insurance company. If you are sensible, you will never go abroad without travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover you for your injuries, and your medical care. You should, as with all injuries, avoid discussing fault until after the investigation has been completed. Travel insurance is inexpensive and protects you wherever you go in the world. You might be able to get loyalty discounts on travel insurance if you take a plan out with your existing car or home insurer. Your insurer may be able to pay for you to return home on an earlier flight, though if you are found to be at fault, you could have to reimburse them for the cost.
6. Return Home
If you are injured abroad, you might need to return home immediately. Nobody wants to have their holiday cut short, especially since most of us have been locked up in our homes since the pandemic began. Unfortunately, your injury could mean that you are unfit to remain in the country that you are in. Depending on your location, the healthcare provided might not be to the standard that you would find in the United States.
Early flights can be costly, and if your insurance provider won’t cover them and you can’t afford them, then you might want to consider taking out a loan, borrowing from family or friends, or liquidating some assets. With that said, if your injury is manageable, then by all means enjoy your vacation and stay safe!
Injuries sustained while traveling can be a real headache. Instead of making the wrong decisions, follow the suggestions made in this article, and deal with your injuries swiftly and effectively. When abroad, behave as you would at home, and be safe.
