Motor vehicle accidents range from mere bumper bang-ups to potentially deadly, but if you’re injured in such an accident while traveling abroad, you may encounter additional issues beyond the physical harm. Rather, you’ll need to navigate international insurance, hospitals, and you may not even speak the same language. It has the potential to be a dire situation.
What should you do if you’re injured in a car accident abroad? Here are a few tips that can help you navigate the situation.
Learn The Environment
One reason that people are so often injured on the road while traveling is that they don’t understand the local transit norms. The roads in many parts of India, for example, are very dangerous – crowded with motorbikes, buses, and a variety of other vehicles traveling at varied speeds. Accidents are common, and you may want to acclimate yourself to the roads in more well-planned areas like the cultural center, Chandigarh.
Know Insurance Norms
How insurance companies handle motor vehicle accidents varies depending on where you are in the world. In British Columbia, for example, once you file a claim with the insurer, you should contact an attorney and leave the situation to the professionals. In Japan, however, it’s typically easier to recuperate losses after an accident, due to the lower incentives for avoiding full coverage.
Beware Deadly Vehicles
One of the most common reasons people are injured in accidents while traveling abroad is because they choose to travel by unreliable forms of transportation. Those who takes buses, trains, or even traditional cars are less likely to be injured than those who trust jalopies and motor bikes. Opting to explore by motor bike may have been the main reason behind the death of Michigan-based medical student Sujal Parikh, who was killed in an accident in Uganda while doing research. With an enclosed vehicle, Parikh may have fared better.
Stay Alert
When traveling abroad, you may be hesitant to call a cab because of language barriers, or you may drive after having a few drinks because you’re on vacation and don’t have contacts in the area. While this may be a vacation for you, it’s important to follow standard safety rules just as you would at home. Don’t use your cell phone while driving and make sure to wear your seatbelts. These are small things that can lower the likelihood you’ll be hurt, but people are sometimes negligent when on vacation.
If you’re in an accident and don’t know what to do, try your hardest to advocate for a translator or legal representative who can help you through the situation. Or play it safe – take the train, walk in pedestrian friendly areas, and avoid overloaded public transit. Small safety measures can save your life.