Having an accident while traveling abroad can be scary and stressful. Knowing what to do can help you get the care you need and deal with logistics like insurance. Follow these tips if you or someone you're traveling with gets injured overseas.
Get Medical Care
Your first priority is getting medical care for any injuries. Call emergency services right away if the injuries are serious. For less severe issues, head to the nearest hospital, clinic or doctor's office.
Many countries have excellent medical care available, sometimes even better than what you'd find at home. Don't worry about finding a provider that your insurance will cover - just go where you can get treated quickly and by qualified professionals.
Contact Your Travel Insurance Provider
Reach out to your travel insurance provider as soon as possible after an accident overseas. They can help coordinate medical care, arrange transport home if needed, and deal with the bills.
Be prepared to provide details about what happened, the injuries sustained, and where treatment was received. Your insurance policy number is essential. If you don't have travel insurance, costs may be covered by your standard health insurance plan, credit card benefits, or travel assistance from your bank.
Keep Documentation of the Incident
Make sure to keep any documentation related to the accident and medical treatment. This includes police reports if the authorities were involved, bills from hospitals/clinics, and receipts for medicines or medical equipment. Your insurance provider will need this paperwork to process any claims.
You should also photograph injuries or damage to substantiate your claim. Know that you may need to provide authorization to release your medical records. Keep copies of everything for your records.
Address Logistics
Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may need to make arrangements for extended medical care or for travel home. Your insurance provider can help coordinate this.
You may also need to involve your embassy for assistance. They can contact family members, connect you with doctors or lawyers, replace lost passports, and potentially assist with emergency funds or travel arrangements in severe cases.
If you miss pre-booked travel because of an accident, contact the airlines, hotels, and tour companies to cancel or reschedule. Most will waive fees if you can provide documentation of the medical situation.
A medical repatriation service can help make the journey home less stressful and safer.
Seek Legal Counsel
If your injuries resulted from another party's negligence - like a car accident - consult a lawyer about seeking damages. Your travel insurance may cover legal referrals and fees. Pursuing compensation can be complex across international borders, so legal expertise is advised.
A lawyer can also help if you need to dispute excessive or fraudulent charges from medical providers overseas. This is rare, but it occasionally happens in places prone to tourist scams.
Give Yourself Time to Recover
Don't rush your travels after an accident. Give yourself adequate time to receive quality medical care, rest up, and regain your strength before resuming an active vacation schedule or returning home. The less stress you put on yourself, the better.
Staying safe is the best way to avoid medical emergencies away from home. But even the most seasoned travelers can have accidents. Being prepared by knowing what to do can help minimize complications and make the process smoother.