Summer is fast approaching and about 60% of Americans plan a vacation that’s at least 100 miles from home during the warm and sunny months. Whether you go road-tripping in your own car, or fly to your destination and rent a vehicle, it’s important to know what to do if you get in a wreck far from home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 30 million people become injured in car crashes globally each year and 50% of medical evacuations back to the USA from other countries result from injuries incurred in a car accident.
Vacations are all about relaxing and having fun but remember to take care when driving a vehicle. Whether it’s just a fender-bender or a major crash, you wouldn’t want your summer vacation spoiled by a car accident.
What to do if you have a car wreck while on vacation
Read these tips for dealing with a car accident, especially when on vacation in unfamiliar territory:
- Follow the usual procedure. Even if you’re far from home, the procedure for car accidents is typically the same – especially in the United States. Call the police, file a report, and seek medical attention immediately. Move your car out of the roadway to prevent further chaos. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and take photographs of everything – license plates, damage, injuries, scene of the accident. Reach out to your personal injury attorney, such as Kathryn Burmeister, and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Even if you’re not in Georgia at the time, Kathryn can help you. If driving a rented car, you’ll also need to contact the rental company and follow any additional instructions.
- Speak with your car accident lawyer. Always consult a car accident lawyer after you’ve been involved in a car wreck, even if you don’t think it’s necessary. This is especially crucial if you or the other driver were injured in the wreck. Your attorney will advise you on the amount of compensation you may be entitled to as part of a claim settlement.
- Make new travel plans. Depending on the severity of the car accident, you may need to make fresh travel arrangements. Get in touch with a rental company for a replacement vehicle if you rent a car. If you drove your own vehicle, you can rent while waiting for repairs. If your car is totaled, you may need to fly home. Keep all receipts for expenses and you may be eligible for compensation from the other party involved.
It’s heartbreaking when a car accident ruins your vacation and subsequent travel plans. You may need to cut the vacation short so you can recover from injuries at home. Just remember, if you are ever involved in a car accident while traveling away from home, contact the premier Georgia personal injury law firm, Burmeister Law, and Kathryn Burmeister can help you get things set right.
