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If you are traveling and get injured in a foreign country, you have no one to turn to but yourself. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon problem for travelers who often need medical care while abroad. Luckily, the internet provides you with valuable resources to help if you ever find yourself in this situation. This blog post will give tips on what to do when you get injured in a foreign country.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Suppose you get injured in a foreign country. In that case, your priority should be to seek medical attention and then contact the police as soon as possible if you sustained injuries from criminal activity or another person’s negligence. If the accident was not your fault but may still result in charges against you, save any evidence that could help your defense. That means not only taking pictures of the scene but also making notes about witnesses and gathering any other information you can find.
Fortunately, your lawyer can do some of this for you. After all, you are paying their fee, so it’s wise to involve them in the process. Seek out the best lawyers in the city who will keep you in the loop and respect your wishes. However, if they seem dismissive or make decisions without consulting you, it is probably time to look for another lawyer.
Ensure You Have Travel Insurance
If you are injured or become ill while traveling in a foreign country, you must visit your medical practitioner for treatment. If your travel insurance does not cover the cost of the journey, then it may prove expensive without further cover. But if you do, travel insurance will cover all medical expenses and transport home if needed.
This consideration is why it’s essential to make sure your insurance plan covers you for risky sporting holiday activities, such as scuba diving or mountain climbing. It should also include health care in foreign countries, just like at home so ensure you choose an insurance plan that fits your needs.
Please do not forget your travel insurance as the cost for treatment abroad is very expensive and can even exceed $100,000 if you are injured or become ill in another country.
Contact the Local Authorities
Contact the local authorities as soon as possible. Local police might be able to help you with minor injuries. They can provide first aid and contact the local hospital or a doctor for further assistance. If your injury is more serious, they will know which hospitals are best suited to treat it and who among their medical staff is multilingual- in case of a language barrier.
If you are in a major city or popular travel destination, the chances are that there is a hospital nearby. However, even if your injury is minor and not potentially life-threatening, it’s vital to seek immediate help from a professional as soon as possible after getting injured to prevent any future complications.
Go To the Nearest Health Facility
There are many different medical facilities that you can visit. The best choice is the nearest one to your location at the time of injury. You can search for clinics and hospitals by city on the internet before traveling home so that you have a list of places to visit in case of emergency. However, not all may be open late or during weekends. If possible, it’s best to call ahead to inquire about opening times from your tour guide or agency.
If the facility is overcrowded or lacks equipment, staff will usually direct you to another nearby that can help. When you are at a crossroad, choose caution and contact your embassy- or better yet, your travel agency- for advice if possible.
Contact Your Family Back At Home
The first thing you want to do is contact your family back at home and tell them what has happened. Then, if you don’t have service, use a payphone. They will most likely be more than happy to help after hearing the bad news that you are hurt and need assistance getting home.
Conclusion
When in a foreign destination, you should always prepare for injuries or sickness. If this does happen, you must know what to do and have access to the proper medical care. An excellent first step is to ask your travel insurance provider what they recommend and provide you with a list of local contact hospitals, doctors, or clinics that can help. Additionally, don’t forget to keep all receipts from medical fees as your travel insurance will need them for remuneration.
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