What Happens If You Get Hurt On Vacation?

If you're hurt when you're out and about such as at work or while you're running errands, you probably know what to do. If you're seriously hurt, you might seek medical attention, and you may even at some point file a personal injury lawsuit.

However, what happens if you're hurt on vacation, and especially if you're out of the country?

Common Reasons Injuries Occur

You may be more likely to get injured when you're traveling abroad than you would at home for some different reasons.

First, when you're on vacation, you might do things you wouldn't otherwise do, such as riding a scooter, participating in extreme sports, or you could drink more than you would at home. You might also just be paying less attention to what you're doing because you're in a new environment and you're trying to take it all in.

There may also be risks in your destination you wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. Common reasons for travel injuries include:

• Traffic accidents: Traffic accidents are common all over the world, but in foreign countries, the risk may be even greater because there are laxer traffic rules, roads aren't necessarily well-maintained and there may be more reckless drivers. You're at risk if someone else is behind the wheel, but also if you're the one driving. You're not familiar with the roads nor the vehicle you're driving. Traffic accidents can involve not just cars but also buses, taxis, and bikes.

• Crime: Different types of crime can lead to injuries. Most places around the world see a lot of petty crime, with tourists being a target.

• Water activities: Anytime you're doing a water-based activity, you may be at risk of an injury. This could include boating, paddle boarding, surfing, scuba diving, and other things you do on the water.

To reduce some of the potential risks of traveling, make sure that before you do any activities, you check reviews and credentials of companies you might work with. This includes excursion providers and tour companies.

If you're going on a cruise, read the fine print carefully, and no matter what you're doing, don't sign a liability waiver without reading it.

If you're going to be driving, give yourself a quick overview of the rules of the road, and if you see something you feel uncomfortable with, avoid it.

Insurance

Due to the risks that can come with traveling and especially traveling abroad, you should make sure you have the right insurance before you ever head out.

Your private insurance may or may not cover an injury you sustain abroad. You'll need to check with your company or the person at your employer who deals with insurance to determine what might be covered versus what isn't covered. If you don't have coverage through your health insurance, think about a supplemental policy.

Your car insurance may offer some protections for traveling abroad. For example, if you're injured while you're driving a rental car, there may be some coverage, but there doesn't have to be, so again you should check on this.

Travel insurance is a good idea to have, especially if you are going to another country. International travel insurance can depending on what you purchase, cover things like emergency medical care and medical transport back to the U.S.

You might also purchase travel insurance that will cover you for the specific activities you plan on participating in while you're away.

If you buy travel insurance with emergency medical coverage, you may be reimbursed for the costs of not only medical treatment for an injury during your trip but illnesses as well. This coverage could include a doctor's services, hospital charges, and ambulance charges.

Medical evacuation coverage can help provide you coverage if you need transportation to a hospital and also if you need to be transported home.

By the way, while they're frequently used interchangeably, there is a difference between trip insurance and travel insurance.

Travel insurance is like having an extra health insurance policy, so when talking about injuries, this is what you would need.

Trip insurance, on the other hand, is for those things that are related to financial loss that can happen during a trip, such as missed flight connections or lost baggage.

Record Injury Details

When you get injured anywhere, including when you're abroad, you should make note of as many details as possible.

You'll need these details if you're going to make any kind of claim, and even if you aren't necessarily thinking about that at the time of your injury, it's better to be safe than sorry in these instances.

You should also report your injury to anyone you think is relevant. For example, you should report it to your hotel, or someone on your cruise boat, depending on where you are at the time.

If it's a criminal situation, contact the police right away.

Take photos of the scene of the injury or accident. If you receive any medical treatment, get the contact information of the medical professionals who see you, and if there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well.

When you're at the doctor or wherever you receive treatment, make sure you get a report from that visit too, because getting it later can be a challenge.

Can You Be Compensated If You're Injured Abroad?

In the U.S. and you sustained an injury, you may be entitled to compensation. So what if you're injured in another country?

Whether or not you can bring a claim depends on the country, the situation and a number of other factors.

Much of whether or not you can file a claim for an injury you sustain in another country depends on the other country's legal system. You would need to speak with a lawyer to figure out the best steps for you to take.

If you are injured in a foreign country, make sure you take care of your medical needs first and foremost and document all the details, and then you can work with someone in the U.S. who can help you decide what to do legally.