While most of your holidays and trips abroad will be incident-free, there is a chance you could get injured. Dealing with these accidents can be challenging in a non-English speaking country or somewhere with expensive healthcare like the USA.
Knowing the appropriate steps can help you receive the necessary assistance to mitigate complications and get the best treatment possible. Check out our tailored guide to learn how to handle these situations.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Whether you’ve had a poolside slip or minor road traffic accident, you should first prioritise your health by obtaining prompt medical care. Injuries that appear at first to be minor can be worse than you think.
Call the emergency services if you need urgent medical attention for a serious injury. The phone number is in the health section of the UK government’s travel advice page for the country. You’ll need enough cash or a credit card because foreign medical care often requires upfront payments, even if you are fully insured.
Ensure you get a copy of any medical records and x-rays you receive at the hospital or clinic. They’ll serve as crucial official documentation of your condition for any subsequent insurance claims or legal processes you undertake.
Report the Incident to the Relevant Authorities
If you’re at a resort or hotel, alert staff and officials and ensure they make a record of the incident. You should also get the contact details of any witnesses, regardless of whether or not they’re British.
For accidents in public spaces, call the police and get a copy of the police report. If the police don’t speak English, ask for an interpreter. If the accident involves vehicles, exchange insurance details with the other parties involved. You should also avoid apologising or admitting liability, as this could harm your case when you make a claim.
Document and Gather Evidence
Gathering and managing evidence will be invaluable if you decide to file a compensation claim. Get photographs and videos of the incidents from multiple angles, including any visible hazards or conditions that might have contributed to the incident. Also, remember to take photos of your injuries.
Make detailed notes about what happened before, during, and after the accident as soon as possible while the details are fresh in your mind. Note the exact location and list any relevant environmental conditions, such as icy roads. Get the names and addresses of any witnesses, if possible. Their accounts can independently confirm your notes.
Beyond medical documents, you should keep copies of your travel itinerary, tour operator details, and hotel bookings that establish your presence at the time of the accident. Gather any medical and travel receipts that occurred due to the accident, and retain copies of all correspondence with your travel insurance company.
Store all this documentation securely, and make digital copies backed up in the cloud. They may be needed for legal proceedings and insurance claims.
Consult Your Insurance Provider and Get Legal Advice
Contact your insurer as soon as your health permits, and check the claim timeframe. Most insurers provide 24/7 phone support and require you to register your claim within 30 days to a few months of your return. If you miss the deadline, you may be refused, even if your claim is valid, so request a form by email to speed up the process.
You can also pursue legal advice to explore your compensation claim options. You might be awarded compensation for medical expenses and lost income if the accident resulted from negligence.