Personal injury doesn’t take a vacation when you do. In fact, many travelers come face to face with accidents, negligence and other types of personal injury while trying to take some time away.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 657 million trips were made in 2001 between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That number rose in the decade that followed. The BLS estimates that the average trip is close to home, at 284 miles with only five percent of trips traversing more than 1,000 miles.
With every trip, the vacationers run the risk of coming face to face with an injury of some kind. Knowing what to do in the event of those accidents is important for the personal injury case that may come later.
1. Treat the accident like any other
A car accident in a rental car requires the same procedures as an accident in your own car. In fact, the local law enforcement will not deviate from the accident reporting and investigation because the car is rented. The same goes for product failures, slip and falls, and fraud and malpractice injuries received while on vacation. Seek medical attention, alert the authorities wherever necessary and document everything. Contact your personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
2. Alert the travel insurance and rental agencies immediately
Never forget to inform the insurance company of your accident as soon as you receive medical treatment. This includes the travel insurance agent, rental insurance agents and even the rental company. The authorities may contact the owners of the equipment, but don’t rely on them to do so. Make the call yourself and find out what you need to do to get your vacation back on track or to get safely back home.
3. Find local counsel to determine laws and liability
In some foreign countries, car accidents could net you an instant jail sentence or a lengthy interrogation by the local authorities. In others, you may have specific paperwork to prepare or file to report the incident. If you plan to sue in the future, there may be still more laws governing your actions. Contact your embassy in a foreign country to find out what your responsibilities are. Never just walk away.
4. Get copies of medical records
After your hospital stay, insist on copies of your medical records. Having them on hand will save the trouble of transporting them to Indiana and will also prevent a delay in your case. Sure, your personal injury attorney can request and eventually get the records, but you can make things easier by requesting copies before leaving the hospital.
5. Research before embarking on your trip
Know what the laws are before visiting another country and familiarize yourself with the accident reporting procedures for rental agency and/or travel insurance policy. Doing so before your trip will help you to get through the incident without losing some vital information that could help during a personal injury lawsuit. The annual summer family vacation is an event that no one should bypass due to fear of accident or injury.
Be prepared for these events, but don’t let them ruin your trip. Instead, enjoy yourself with the knowledge that you can handle any situation that may arise while on summer vacation. If you or a family member is injured in an accident while you’re on vacation contact one of our South Bend personal injury attorneys for a free no obligation consultation.
