Been injured while on your trip? This article explores the five things you should do immediately after the accident.
Whether you’re traveling across the country or you’re far away from home visiting an exotic country abroad, you want your vacation to be as stress-free as possible. Unfortunately, the plans you have in mind when you leave home don’t always match with what actually happens when you’re away. Sometimes, a pretty significant plan change can be related to getting injured on your vacation.
Like everybody, you too probably think that there’s no way YOU would get hurt while traveling. However, it is actually a lot more likely to get injured on vacation for a number of reasons. More precisely, when traveling, you’re less aware of the dangers you are surrounded by. You’re also not familiar with the places. Plus, you also tend to be more relaxed and careless, which makes you more vulnerable to risks.
Now, asking the real question here, “what do you do when you get injured on vacation?” Well, no one actually likes to think about this, which is precisely why they have no idea how to react when this happens. If you were hurt while traveling or want to be better prepared in case this happens on your next trip, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore these five tips on what to do if you get hurt on vacation!
1. Seek Immediate Medical Care
This one may sound like a no-brainer, but it is not that obvious for everyone and is worth mentioning. Here it is: if you get hurt on your vacation, seek medical help IMMEDIATELY.
Even if you think your injuries are minor or don’t feel symptoms like pain right away, make sure that you have your injuries checked by a medical professional. Some injuries may not display symptoms right away. However, they can be pretty serious, even life-threatening. Plus, you may not experience pain immediately after the accident at all, as the adrenaline in your body can mask it. Yet, as soon as your adrenaline rush ends, you will realize just how bad your injury really is.
That being said, make sure that you get your injuries seen by a specialist. You can call emergency services or ask locals for indications on where to see a doctor specialized in your injury. It’s best to ask locals about recommendations for a medical specialist to see. You’re in an unknown place there, and you can’t know who to trust with your injuries. That’s perfectly understandable. This way, you also make sure that you don’t end up with even more injuries and a victim of medical malpractice.
As the legal experts from MedicalNegligenceLaw explain, “When getting medical help abroad, you’re more at risk to be a victim of clinical negligence. There can be a matter of a language barrier, or you may choose to go to medical professionals that don’t have an excellent patient care background without even knowing.” So, pay extra attention to the care and treatment given to you.
Seeing a doctor is also important for documenting your condition. If your injury was caused by someone else and you decide to file a compensation claim, the medical evidence of your injuries will be key to your case.
2. Let Someone Know About Your Injury
It can be tempting to keep the accident for yourself as you may feel embarrassed or simply rush into your room to determine the damages. However, keeping the incident to yourself may actually work against you if you plan to take legal measures against the person or entity at fault.
For example, you may get injured at the hotel, at the pool, or while shopping in a local market or pub. If that’s the case, you should notify the manager on duty about your accident and injury. Or, if you’re injured in a road accident, you should also immediately inform the local authorities and do not leave the scene until they arrive.
Most public places have specific protocols in place regarding injuries so that they know how to react if a customer suffers an accident at their location. Expect to be asked to fill out a form and provide a statement about your injury.
3. Document The Accident Scene
Another essential thing to do when you get injured while traveling is to make sure that you document the scene before leaving. More precisely, if you are able to do so, make sure to take many pictures of the scene and your injuries. You should also take photos of other factors that have contributed to your injury.
For example, if you get hurt after slipping on a wet surface, make sure to capture that in your pictures. Wet surfaces in public places should have a proper sign to let people know that there’s a danger. If the restaurant/ hotel/ bar, or any other place you may be in, has failed to do so, they are to blame for your injury.
You should also acquire contact information before leaving the scene, like names, titles, and contact information of employees, managers, and the owner of the property where you were injured. Also, make sure to get contact information from witnesses.
4. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Strictly following your doctor’s orders is just as important as having your injuries checked and treated by a professional.
Sure, it may be tempting to continue your vacation as nothing happened. But, if the medical specialist has advised you otherwise, you should listen to them. If your doctor recommended that you should go home and rest, you shouldn’t continue your vacation like nothing happened because this can worsen your injuries and lead to more severe problems.
Your doctor’s orders may include rest, taking certain medication, changes in your diet, or physical therapy. Make sure that you start respecting those orders as soon as you leave your doctor’s office, not when your trip should have ended.
5. Think Twice Before Talking About the Accident
Another essential thing you should do is think twice before you make certain statements about your accident. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you are entitled to file a compensation claim. So, you need to make sure that you don’t say something that may affect your claim in the future.
For example, avoid saying things like “it’s my fault for not being more careful” or “it’s not that bad.” Such statements may work against you if you decide to take legal actions against the person or entity at fault for your accident.
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