Traveling opens the door to new worlds and gives you a chance to see spectacular places. When you head abroad, you might take the steps to protect yourself from pickpockets. What you might need to think about is the possibility of suffering an injury during your travels.
Just like knowing what happens if your car is stolen, knowing what to do if you’re injured as you travel abroad is crucial. These steps can help you protect your legal rights.
Take Care of Your Safety
Your safety should always be a top priority, no matter where you are. If you were hurt in a car accident or while crossing a street, move to a safe spot out of the flow of traffic. You should also seek prompt medical treatment for your injuries, especially if they are serious in nature.
Get Immediate Medical Care
Whether you wind up sick from food served to you at a resort or you suffer an injury due to the negligence of another person, you should not waste time getting medical care. Your hotel may be able to guide you to the nearest hospital but you can also contact your travel insurance company and the U.S. Embassy for assistance.
Make a Report of the Incident
You’ll want to contact the local authorities if you were injured in any type of traffic accident while abroad. If your injury occurred at a hotel or another establishment, alert management immediately. You should fill out an incident report and get a copy of it for your records.
Gather Information and Evidence
If you’ll need to take legal action regarding this incident, make sure you document it thoroughly. You can take photos and videos of the accident scene as well as your injuries. It also helps to get the contact information of any witnesses who may have observed what occurred as these details can help you if you file a personal injury case.
Organize All Relevant Documentation
Keep any paperwork relevant to the accident and your injuries organized. By having your medical bills and receipts in one place, it will be easier to seek compensation for your damages.
Contact Your Travel Insurance Company
Purchasing travel insurance when traveling abroad is encouraged to protect travelers. Travel insurance usually covers a wide range of situations and may help with medical expenses, costs related to your trip such as cancellations, and other expenses. If you have insurance, you should notify the travel insurance company as soon as possible. They will tell you the steps you need to take to file your claim and what documentation you’ll need to submit along with the paperwork.
Be Aware of the Local Laws
When you’re abroad, local laws will likely come into play. It is important that you understand their legal processes as that will help you make smart decisions about your next steps.
Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
All travelers visiting other countries should know how to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the event of any type of emergency, including sustaining serious injuries while traveling. These offices can provide support and information to you and offer guidance on navigating the local laws. Additionally, they can guide you to reliable healthcare services to treat your injuries.
Speak with a Personal Injury Attorney
When you are hurt or become ill as a result of the negligence of another party, it is important to talk to a personal injury attorney. They can help you determine if you have a valid case and what steps you should take next.
Should You Get Travel Insurance?
The decision of whether or not to get travel insurance is completely up to you. It’s an optional purchase that can provide some added protection. Generally, if you’re traveling far away and your trip has major expenses, it may be a wise choice to make.
It works like a safety net that provides financial protection, which can allow you to relax and enjoy your travels. If you are injured on your trip abroad, your health insurance may not cover treatment outside of the U.S. Travel insurance can bridge that gap if need be.
Travel insurance covers a variety of circumstances but you will need to fully examine each policy to see what yours might include.
What Will Travel Insurance Cover If You’re Injured While Traveling Abroad?
Here is a look at what your travel insurance policy may cover during your trip:
Cancellations or Interruptions to Your Trip
If you have non-refundable trip expenses or something arises that causes you to cut your trip short, like an injury, travel insurance will typically reimburse you for your losses.
Emergency Medical Bills
As mentioned previously, your health insurance policy may not cover your medical expenses if you were injured abroad. Travel insurance can cover costs such as hospital stays, medications, and doctor visits. Additionally, they may also provide 24/7 emergency assistance services to help you get medical referrals or legal assistance, which can be very helpful if you’ve been seriously injured.
Lost Luggage
Lost, delayed, or stolen luggage can also be covered. You could be reimbursed for the costs of replacing your items.
Costs for Replacing Travel Documents
Travel insurance may also assist you with the costs associated with getting replacement travel documents if they are lost or stolen.
These are just some of the most common offerings provided by travel insurance companies. It’s important that you understand that policies, even those offered through the same company, may differ widely. You should always review all the terms carefully to know what to expect.
If your travel insurance doesn’t honor what is stated in your specific policy, you’ll want to speak to an attorney who can help you take legal action. Ultimately while traveling, you should be focused on having the time of your life; however, you should be fully prepared and know what to do if things take an unfortunate turn.