Traveling is one of the most exciting experiences a person can have. You get to visit new places, get exposed to fascinating scenery, and meet new faces. Whether you are traveling for entertainment, work, or to escape the norms of hectic work life, it’s an opportunity to experience life beyond your borders. But then again, things don’t always go as planned. More often than not, journeys can be cut short by unforeseeable events including car breakdowns, sickness, or, and God forbid, an accident. Getting injured while traveling is the last thing on a commuter’s mind. So, what are the most important steps to take if you’re injured while traveling?
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Regardless of the state or country you are in, if you’re injured while traveling, you must receive immediate medical care. Your overall health should be your top priority. Just because it’s a minor abrasion shouldn’t give you any reasons to skip a medical checkup and examination from a qualified health provider. You’ll want your medical status recorded and elaborately jotted down in your medical report.
Get in Touch With a Personal Injury Attorney
Getting injured while traveling can be traumatic and stressful. This is especially the case if it happens far from home. It can be confusing not knowing all the steps you need to take afterward. But right after you’ve received treatment, you need to get in touch with a qualified personal injury attorney pronto. They’ll help you to navigate the intricate claim processes if you’ve suffered a personal injury while traveling. You’ll want the investigations to start right away and for the insurance companies to also know that you have an attorney defending your rights. By this, it means hiring an attorney in the state where the incident occurred.
Your attorney will be instrumental in handling the paperwork, overseeing the investigations, and filing a lawsuit. The question of traveling back and forth to the state where the incident occurred should be out of the table, thanks to advancements in technology. You can liaise with your attorney through phone calls, video calls, or emails. It can however become an issue if you were to go it alone in filing your own lawsuit. Below are qualities to look for in an attorney if you’ve been injured while traveling in another state:
- They must have excellent communication skills
- They musty possess people skills
- They need to have analytical skills and a good sense of judgment
- Their accountability should go beyond the halls of justice
- They should be great at negotiating
Have the Scene of the Accident Documented
Having proof of the accident is among the things you can do to increase your chances for better compensation. This is the case if the accident was caused as a result of someone else’s negligence. Among a host of common injuries sustained by travelers include:
Slip and fall accidents near pools, in bathrooms, and on staircases
Injuries in carriers such as serious turbulence in aircraft or car accidents
Any form of injury sustained in various forms of transportation such as falling off of a moving train
There are various ways you can document the scene of the accident. This might include taking pictures with your smartphone or writing down number plates in case of a car crash. You might also request CCTV camera footage if any.
Report Your Injuries
This can be done right at the scene of the accident or after you’ve received treatment depending on the severity of your injuries. Injuries sustained at recreational facilities such as swimming pools in hotels, museums, or restaurants must be reported to the relevant people such as the hotel managers or the local authorities. This will ensure that your case is handled as their criteria dictate.
Collect Vital Information
It’s of paramount importance to collect any vital information that might be of help to your case. This might include exchanging information with the other driver in case of a car crash, witness accounts, your doctor’s report, and police accident report. You’ll also need to ensure that such documents have been preserved for future reference.
Understanding the steps to take after you sustained injuries while traveling can make a huge difference in your injury case. This will help to increase your chances of fair compensation but also help to see you recover from your injuries. The above are ways to help guide you if you’ve been hurt while traveling.