Suffering an injury while on vacation is never a part of anyone’s plans. You may have dreamed of sleeping in and enjoying delicious food. But injuries while traveling are all too common, and knowing what to do can save you time and money. Here are a few things to know if you’re injured while on vacation.
Seek Medical Care
It’s usually a good idea to seek medical care after an injury for a few reasons. For one, seeking medical care after an accident ensures you’re okay. Some injuries may not present themselves until later, and you may experience an even worse outcome by then. The sooner you receive medical care, the faster you can recover and get back to enjoying your vacation.
Inform Others of Your Injury
It’s also best to inform someone of your injury. Who you notify will depend on where the injury occurred and what happened. For example, if you’re injured at your hotel, you should notify the hotel manager as soon as possible. This allows them to resolve the problem, which can help prevent others from also getting injured.
If you suffer an injury while riding public transportation, you should inform the driver and the city or company as soon as possible. Other people to notify include a close family member, friend, and potentially, the local police. If your injury requires spending a lot of time in the hospital, inform your family or friends where you’ll be and check in with them often. If you believe the injury was due to criminal behavior, such as another person driving under the influence, you might decide to file a police report. Remember that your insurance company may also require you to file a police report if your vehicle sustains damages.
Talk With a Personal Injury Lawyer
You may also find benefit in talking with a personal injury lawyer, especially if you think someone else is at fault for the accident. You’re likely to incur many expenses from an injury, and if someone else caused your accident, you shouldn’t have to cover those costs. A personal injury lawyer can also help you decide the most important steps to take immediately following the accident.
If you’re injured in a car accident, your lawyer can help track down the details to find out what happened. If you suffer an injury while riding public transportation, bus accident lawyers can help you recover lost funds on your behalf when you return home. It’s best to avoid discussing details of the accident with anyone other than your personal injury lawyer for the time being. Even if you believe you may have been partially at fault, it’s best to leave the investigation to the professionals. Your lawyer will handle the research and find out what happened before assisting you in filing a claim.
Collect Evidence
You should collect evidence following any accident. Even if you decide not to pursue a legal case, some evidence is time sensitive. This means that you won’t be able to collect it later, which could prove your innocence or show someone else’s liability. Of course, if you experience a significant injury, seek medical care first.
Some pieces of important evidence to collect following an accident include photographs, video evidence, a property damage report, and the contact information of any witnesses. You’ll also want to keep any medical records or receipts. Try to be as detailed as possible with your photos and evidence report. It can also be helpful to collect information about the other driver, including their name, contact information, and insurance policyholder.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It’s also best to notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. If you were driving a vehicle, you might be required to file a claim within a specific period of time. If you don’t have automotive insurance or you were injured in another way, such as riding on public transportation, you may have to rely on your health insurance to cover your medical costs.
Don’t Travel Until It’s Safe
Some injuries may make travel unsafe for a while. Always listen to your medical team and avoid travel, whether by car or plane, until you’re cleared to do so. Your doctor may advise you to take certain medications or stay in your hotel room until you recover. It may be tempting to ignore these requests to enjoy the rest of your vacation, but this can be dangerous.
There’s never a convenient time to suffer an injury. Being in an accident that sustains injuries while on vacation can pose many barriers, including determining where to receive medical care and how to follow up on repayment. Regardless of whether you file a lawsuit or not, it’s usually a good idea to seek immediate medical care and talk with a personal injury lawyer.
