Travel
5 Steps to Take If You Get Hurt While Traveling
Travelling can be a lot of fun, but there’s always the risk that you might get hurt.
You could end up in a car accident, get food poisoning, slip and fall, or get injured while playing a sport.
In short, accidents happen.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared. If you get hurt abroad, here’s what you need to do:
1. Seek medical attention
The very first thing you should do when you get hurt while traveling is get proper medical attention.
In some cases, you may only need first aid. If you don’t have a first aid kit with you, however, ask around to see if the property owner or someone nearby does.
If the injury is more serious, you may need to go to the hospital or a clinic. Search online for the nearest ones. Depending on how badly you’ve been hurt, an urgent care might do.
If you can’t move or be transported, call 911 in the U.S. or an equivalent emergency number wherever you are to get an ambulance.
As a rule of thumb, it’s better to get your injury checked out even if you don’t think it’s that bad. Some injuries aren’t immediately visible (like concussions or internal bleeding), and getting proper medical attention could save your life.
Once you’re back home from your trip, you can always schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician.
2. Report the injury to the proper authorities
Once you’ve addressed the injury itself, report it to the proper authorities. This could be the police, a property owner, a business manager, or an employee. It all depends on where the injury happens and who is there. Are you in a public space like a park or at a business like a restaurant or a hotel?
Wherever you are, notify the responsible authority about the injury so they are at least aware of it. They may also be able to help you file an accident or injury report.
3. Gather evidence
At this point, you should collect as much evidence of the injury and information about the accident as possible. This may include:
- Getting the contact information of any witnesses to the injury or accident
- Taking photos or videos of the injury and the accident scene
- Making a detailed record of exactly what happened by writing it down or recording a voice memo
- Keeping any medical bills, records, and receipts
- Getting copies of any police or incident reports
- Holding onto any other relevant information
All of this will come in handy later when it comes time to file your insurance claim or any lawsuits. Once you’ve returned home, getting ahold of this information will be much more difficult since you are no longer at the accident scene.
4. Notify your health insurance company
Call your health insurance provider and tell them exactly what happened.
Your insurance company will gather information from you and walk you through the process of filing a claim. The sooner you do, the better since many insurance companies have filing deadlines after which you’ll no longer qualify for compensation.
When you discuss the injury with your health insurer, be careful not to admit fault or assign blame. Doing so may work against you.
Instead, let the police work out who is at fault. Right now, all you need to do is explain to the insurance company how you were hurt.
5. Consult a personal injury attorney
Lastly, consult an experienced personal injury attorney.
They can help you navigate the personal injury legal system, which can be especially complex when the injury happens abroad.
Choose a personal injury attorney near where you live as opposed to where the accident happened. That way, you’re not working with someone who lives far away from you. If needed, they can always procure help from an attorney closer to the scene through a subcontracting arrangement.
Having a good personal injury attorney on your side can make all the difference in personal injury cases. They can provide you with the assurance and confidence you need to get through an otherwise stressful legal process.
Research local personal injury attorneys today so that you know who to call if and when the need ever arises.