Traveling abroad is an experience that everyone should have. For those that do travel abroad, it is often a fun and mind-opening experience that will change your life forever. One thing that can put a damper on your trip is getting injured. Getting injured while abroad can really complicate things as you may be in a completely foreign environment.
It is best to be prepared and know what to do rather than enter into the situation completely helpless. The following is what you should do if you are injured when you are out on a vacation in another country:
Get Medical Assistance
After being injured, the only priority should be to ensure that you get adequate medical assistance as soon as possible regardless of where you are. Of course, getting medical attention will involve a different process than the one you are accustomed to in your home country. You should use Google Maps to find out the closest hospital to your location. If you are severely injured, you will get medical assistance by calling the emergency services number.
It will be helpful if you made plans in advance and stored your medical records in your phone or on a flash drive. That way, the foreign doctors will have an easier time treating you than they otherwise would.
Contact the Authorities
Injuries in a foreign land can be caused by many things. You may be injured in a traffic accident or you might be involved in a crime among others. In most situations, you will be required to contact the authorities and report the incident. If you are in urgent need of medical assistance, contacting the authorities as soon as possible will significantly speed up the process. They will be there soon to clear up the traffic or to be able to pursue the criminals.
When you are in a foreign country, it is a good idea to contact your national embassy if you are injured in a traffic accident or as a victim of a crime. They will offer you the assistance that the local authorities might be unable to provide.
Contact a Lawyer
Depending on the nature of your injury, you might be forced to contact a lawyer. It is particularly so if you are injured as a result of a traffic accident or a crime.
You should contact your personal attorney when you are injured in a foreign country. You should view website if you don’t have one. They will apprise you of the legal options you have at that point. In some cases, you may be forced to find a local lawyer to help with your case. An injury that requires help from a lawyer will ruin your vacation completely. The lawyer should be well versed in international law and personal injury law. They should also be willing to negotiate with the local authorities and insurance company on your behalf.
Collect Data
When you are in a foreign land on vacation, you will probably have a camera that you will be using to take pictures. The camera might be in your smartphone or tablet and will be a great place to record information about the injury. You should collect evidence of the scene especially if you were injured in an accident or criminal activity. Take as many photographs and videos of the scene as you can from as many angles as possible.
The more evidence and information you can collect the better. It will be of major importance when it comes to dealing with the authorities and the insurance company. Ensure that you capture important data such as license plate numbers, insurance policy numbers, the faces of witnesses, and any other relevant information.
Contact Insurance Provider
You will definitely need to get in contact with your insurance provider if you are injured while abroad. It is always a good idea to undertake a vacation insurance policy when traveling for situations like this. You should be well versed in the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy. If you don’t, call and find out your treatment and coverage options.
If you did not take up any vacation or travel insurance, then you should find out if your medical insurance will cover the medical bills. Have an attorney help you deal with the insurance companies. Getting injured while you are on vacation abroad can ruin the entire trip. However, if you know what to do, you should be able to recover in no time. Use the points outlined above and you will be in good hands even after your injury.
Leave a Reply