According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 66 deadly work injuries in 2021 in Oregon. Other people had non-fatal work injuries and had to hire a Portland injury lawyer to help them sue their employers for compensation. Work injuries are more common than you think, and while they sometimes happen due to the employee’s lack of attention, they can also be caused by an employer’s negligence.
But while work injuries are something you can expect, injuries that occur while traveling are not exactly something you see coming. When you travel, you want to have fun. You can finally take a well-deserved vacation and relax far away from home, alone or with your loved ones. But depending on where you go or what you do, you can also get injured while traveling.
So, what can you do if you experience an injury during your travels? Here’s everything you need to know.
Let the People Nearby Know
If you’re traveling for fun, chances are you have other people nearby, like your relatives, a tour guide, or even travelers you do not know personally. If you get injured, you should let them know immediately. Tell them whether they are your companions, the local authorities, the hotel manager, or a different individual. When you are involved in a car accident, the people you are with can ensure you get help as soon as possible.
In other words, they will call for help, get you out of the situation, and make sure you get medical care if necessary. Also, you should know that any entertainment, travel, or leisure company should have a certain policy or some guidelines that they take into account when injuries occur.
Reach Out to Healthcare Professionals
Each area has its emergency hotline. Before you travel, look it up so you have it available in case anything happens to you. So, make sure you call for help and seek treatment, whether the accident was a bad one or not.
Sometimes, injuries may be worse than they appear to be. Even when you are not bleeding or your injury is not exactly visible, reaching out for medical help is crucial. Some injuries become more visible with time, while others might be internal – thus, they cannot be seen with the eye alone. Not taking care of these injuries in advance may cause permanent damage, which is why the importance of medical care shouldn’t be underestimated.
Let Your Travel Insurance Know
Travel insurance may add more costs to the already high price of your trip, but it’s worth it when you get injured or become sick while you’re away from home. When you experience an injury, you should immediately inform your insurance provider.
Generally, the insurance company can take care of most of the costs associated with treatment for the injury you get while traveling. Bear in mind that all insurance companies have their procedures for reporting, but you should typically be able to do it if you have Internet access.
Collect Evidence
Sometimes, the injury is not your fault. Perhaps another individual crashed into you in traffic and caused your injury, or another party was negligent and didn’t remove the risk for injuries in a particular spot.
If you’re in good condition, you should collect as much evidence as possible from the scene. This means you should take photos and videos of the injuries, the other vehicle, the accident scene, etc. You should also get the contact information of any potential witnesses.
Now, there is also the possibility that you may be unable to gather evidence because you’re in a terrible condition. In this case, you should ask a witness to do it for you. Make sure also to keep the contact information of the doctor you see.
Hire an Experienced Lawyer
When the accident was caused by someone else, you may have grounds to sue them for negligence. Many personal injury lawyers can help you out, so if you want to pursue a claim, you should look for an experienced and skilled attorney. This way, the lawyer can ensure that you win the case and claim compensation.
Final Thoughts
Getting injured while traveling can be terrible because you are far away from home. Still, you can do a few things, like contacting your insurance provider, getting medical help, collecting evidence, and hiring a lawyer.
