We all look forward to going on holiday. We work hard for it. We usually book holidays and travel abroad because we want to relax, see more of the world and enjoy ourselves.
Unfortunately, sometimes a long awaited-trip is ruined by an accident. Maybe it was a car accident, or you slipped or tripped at the hotel. Maybe you got sick from something you ate, or you caught something from a public pool.
This can cause problems because you’re in an unfamiliar setting and you don’t know what to do. You may also have to pay for medical care and additional travel expenses because you can’t return home as scheduled. In this article, we will go through some of the most important things you should know if you have an accident abroad.
What Are the Common Types of Holiday Accidents?
Road accidents are a very common type of holiday accidents. According to statistics, the UK has some of the safest roads in the world, which means that if you drive abroad, you have a higher chance of being in an accident. This includes car, motorbike and bicycle accidents.
Slips, trips and falls are another common type of accident, and they’re especially likely to happen when boarding or leaving aeroplanes or trains and near swimming pools.
The third most common type of holiday accidents is accidents at sea, which include cruise ships but also water sports accidents.
Who Is Responsible For the Accident?
If you’re on a package vacation and have an accident that wasn’t your fault, your tour operator could be held liable. This implies that even if the accident occurred outside of the UK, you might be eligible to file a personal injury claim in the UK as long as the accident took place at your hotel complex or on an excursion that was arranged by the tour operator.
On the other hand, you will not be able to claim compensation if the accident happened because you broke health and safety rules.
To get compensated for damages, you need to prove that the accident wasn’t your fault and that it happened from negligence on behalf of the tour operator or their representative. For example, the hotel complex where you were staying did not meet local health and safety regulations.
The accident will need to be reported to the tour operator’s representative as soon as possible. In the absence of a representative, call the UK office.
You’ll also want to contact your insurance provider, and they will give you additional guidance relating to medical care.
Keep a record of anything relevant to your accident, such as:
- Witnesses to the accident – their names and addresses
- Tour operator and their representatives
- Guests that were accompanying you
- Medical care you’ve received
- Copy of the entry in the accident report book
- Pictures of where the accident took place
- Medical reports related to your accident.
Once you return to the UK, you can contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you get compensation for medical expenses, injury, discomfort and pain, as well as transportation cost. You can also get compensated because the accident caused you to no longer be able to enjoy the holiday you paid for, and in certain circumstances, you may be able to recoup the cost of your holiday.
What to Do if you’re Involved in a Road Accident Abroad
If you get in a road accident while you’re on holiday abroad, call the police and get a copy of the police report on the accident. If you’re unable to understand what you’re being told, request an interpreter.
When speaking to the police officer, answer their question and give an honest and accurate account of the facts. However, you’ll want to avoid speculating. If you don’t know the answer to a question, simply say that you don’t know. Speculating might lead you to say something that can be used against you and make it harder to claim compensation. In general, you should avoid saying anything that will incriminate you, such as admitting fault or apologizing.
You should also exchange insurance details with the other drivers involved and take notes of what happened, including the names and addresses of witnesses. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accidents, including the other vehicles involved, their positions and license plates.
If the accident happened in Europe, your insurance company might have provided you with a European Accident Statement (EAS), or you may have received one at the scene. The EAS is a standard form that is available in several languages throughout Europe and which will help you obtain an agreed-upon statement of facts concerning the accident. The EAS will also help with insurance claims.
As soon as you’re able to, you should contact your insurance provider to let them know about the accident.
What will happen next depends on the kind of insurance you have and whether or not you were driving a rented car.
If you use your own car when travelling abroad, you should always check if your insurance is valid by contacting your provider. Your policy may not offer the same coverage when you’re abroad, which would mean that in certain situations, you’d have to pay for the damage to your car out of pocket. In case you’re travelling outside the European Union, you’ll also need to apply for a Green Card which shows that you have the required level of third-party liability insurance.
In case you were driving a rented car, car hire firms typically insist on reporting accidents, even minor ones, which you will need to do before you come back to the UK, or it will be much more difficult. Contact the company as soon to inform them about the accident but don’t speculate or say anything that could incriminate you since this can affect your insurance claim.
Check your contract to see if you find a number for the UK. Some car hire firms also offer assistance number for the UK, and this way, you won’t have to worry about any issues stemming from language barriers.
To find out what charges you might be liable for, look at the terms and conditions of the insurance you purchased when you rented the car and never have a rental car repaired without permission from the hire company.
