When you travel by car, you’re able to choose and change your route whenever you feel like. You can visit one or more places, so you have more flexibility and freedom. Most importantly, you don’t have to follow someone’s schedule. You can stop the vehicle whenever you want and take pictures. You wouldn’t be able to do that if you were, say, on a tour bus. When it comes to driving long distances, not everyone is keen on reaching out for the keys. That’s because road trips rack up mileage and routine maintenance. You can drive your own car or rent a vehicle for the upcoming vacation.
However, driving long distances has its drawbacks which you need to take into account. Even the most chilled-out vacation can land you in a hospital. Road accidents are the most common causes of injury for tourists. A car accident can happen even to the most careful driver. The question now is: What should you do when good times go bad? It’s not a situation you encounter every day, so it’s normal to be hesitant about what the best course of action is. Hopefully, this article will offer you a little bit of knowledge. This is what you need to do if you get injured on vacation.
Follow the normal procedure
Indeed, you’re far away from home, on a holiday getaway, but the procedure remains the same across states. In the event of a road traffic accident, you should immediately:
Avoid panicking
Panic is a natural response after an incident such as a car accident. The symptoms of emotional distress can last for a couple of days or weeks following the collision. Hard as it might be, try to control your emotions. Keep in mind that this will go away and you’ll be back home soon enough. A crash can turn out to be very scary, but you need to calm down and be proactive. Take a deep breath and count to 10. Try to process what happened and think about what you need to do next. No matter what, don’t leave the scene of the accident.
Reach out to the local authorities
Reach out to the local police and file a report, especially if the road traffic accident resulted in major injuries or property damage. If the other driver is uncooperative, it will be hard to recover payment for damages. At any rate, speak to them, make sure both of you are alright, and exchange contact information. A police officer’s presence at the scene will make things a lot easier. Get the name and number of the officer and the police agency. You’ll need a copy of the accident report.
Seek medical attention
You can never be sure that you’re hurt until you get checked by a doctor. Adrenaline, inflammation, and swelling can hide serious injuries. Not seeking medical attention is a huge mistake. There’s nothing more important than your health and safety. Possible injuries resulting from a car accident include whiplash, head injuries, neck and spine injuries, and fractures. A spine injured from a car accident may not show symptoms right away. It may show up after a few weeks or months, so you’ll need to monitor this over a longer period of time. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that medical records serve as evidence. You might need them later to obtain justice.
Speak with a lawyer
It would be best if you consulted with a lawyer, even if you don’t think it’s necessary, especially if you or one of your loved ones was injured. You might have a just cause for a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to cover some of your expenses. Dealing with an insurance company can prove to be a difficult process, regardless of the circumstances. A personal injury lawyer with experience can ease some of the burden. Different states have completely different laws, which is why you need to contact a legal professional as soon as possible.
If your lawyer thinks that your case is worth more than what the insurance company is offering and settle negotiations hit a dead end, they will advise you to take matters to court. As a rule, the compensation you’re entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries and vehicle repairs. The liable party’s insurance company is obligated to pay for medical bills and related expenses, pain and physical suffering lost wages, and emotional damages, just to name a few. Get in touch with a local attorney who can help you navigate through unfamiliar territory. If you want to battle with the big boys, you’re going to need a specialist.
Make fresh travel arrangements
Needless to say, you need to secure new transportation. Reach out to the rental company and demand a replacement vehicle. If you’re driving your own car, rent a vehicle until yours is repaired. You can have your car towed back to the mechanic if you’re within one hour of home. The collision shouldn’t ruin your trip. Have fun and relax. You need a break from it all. On the other hand, if someone in your party has been injured, it makes sense to cut your vacation short and go back home. Call around, cancel reservations, or ask if it’s possible to accommodate your new situation.
The added cost of transportation is something to think about. You’ll need help getting around. No matter if you use a car rental service or public transportation, it costs money. Can you afford the costs? According to Denmon Pearlman Law, the insurance company may avoid paying the full amount of benefits and, therefore, exclude the cost of transportation from the settlement.
A lawyer will fight for your rights and create a brilliant strategy for recovering expenses. At any rate, you shouldn’t have to pay for transportation costs out of pocket. Make copies of all the receipts and hold onto them until the lawsuit is scheduled.
All in all, many situations can compromise the joy of a vacation. Suffering a road traffic accident while traveling is one of the worst things that can happen. Be prudent when immortalizing your trip on social media.
The insurer can manipulate the story behind the images and convince the jurors that you weren’t injured. Maybe it’s not a fair tactic, but it can destroy your case. You might lose the case entirely, so be careful what you post.
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