Travelling the world can change your life for the better. You can explore history, different cultures and even various cuisines, not to mention that the people you’ll meet can have a huge impact on your future. The problem is that sometimes, things can go wrong, and it is usually when you least expect it. You may come down with a horrible illness or you may experience a physical injury, and if this does happen, you need to know exactly what to do.
Always Seek Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. If you require urgent attention then you need to call the emergency services. If you are in the EU then the number is 112 and it is free to call, 24 hours a day. If you are not in the EU then the number will vary depending on which country you are visiting. There are plenty of travel apps out there that can provide you with the emergency number for almost any country, so this is well-worth downloading before you go. Healthcare systems can vary from one country to another, and sometimes you may need to make a payment upfront.
Don’t Forget to Contact your Insurance
It’s so important that you are able to protect yourself before you go abroad by taking out a good travel insurance policy. If you don’t notify your insurer early enough then you may end up paying thousands for treatment, not to mention the cost of accommodation, therapy and other expenses. If the holiday that you have booked is a package holiday then it may be that you have additional protection, so it’s worth chatting with your travel agent as well to find out if this is the case.
Gather the Evidence
Sometimes you may need to state the details of what happened if you want to make a claim or if you need to contact a lawyer. The sooner this happens, the better. In the event of an accident, gather the details of any witnesses that were nearby and write down any notable dates or times that may be useful. It is also a good idea to take photographs of any injuries you have sustained at the time. If you have been in a car crash then taking pictures of your car is very important, even if you are in a taxi. Some costs may be recovered from evidence like this and it may help you to get the support you need. If you are injured because of someone else’s doing, always get in touch with a personal injury law firm to see if they can help.
The chances of something happening to you when abroad may be slim, but that doesn’t mean that it’s ruled out altogether. Little things like driving on the other side of the road, new laws and even regulations can all increase your chances of experiencing an injury, so it’s important that you remain diligent when planning and seeking out the right help.