While going on trips can be a lot of fun, accidents do happen, especially considering winter conditions and different surroundings that you will find yourself in. In this article, I will discuss some of my best tips for dealing with injuries while you are traveling and what you need to do to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve once you are home.
Dealing With Injuries While Away From Home
Be Prepared
Before you leave on your trip, consider buying travel insurance for yourself. While this might seem unnecessary, travel insurance is really cheaper than you think it might be, and in the event of an injury, it can make your treatment go much more smoothly. Also, make sure that you have your home doctor’s phone number saved in your phone or accessible on the trip. If you are injured, you can immediately call and set up a follow up appointment with your own doctor for when you get home.
Accept and Plan for Small Health Issues
When people travel, they are more susceptible to picking up viruses, stomach bugs, or colds. This is because travel oftentimes interrupts our sleep and workout routines, we generally eat less healthily while on vacation, and traveling on a plane or train means spending a lot of time in a confined space with people who are sick. Accept the fact that you will probably catch a cold or feel jet-lagged while you’re traveling, and prepare for this.
Pack a medical kit with any prescriptions, nyquil, a fever reducer, antibiotics, etc. Having these basic medications can make a world of difference if you wake up in a foreign city at 4 in the morning with a raging fever.
Use Safe Equipment
If you plan on doing things that are dangerous while traveling, like biking, hiking, skydiving, etc. make sure that you plan these activities well and research safe companies to use. Many companies offer packages where insurance is included. If you’re renting a bike or other sports equipment, make sure that you are using a reputable company and that the equipment is of a high quality.
Ask for Help from Your Friends and Family
Let the locals be your guide and advise you on which Chinese restaurant you should stay away from and which Rite Aid has the best selection of over-the-counter painkillers. If you do encounter a serious injury, your family or friends should be able to take you to the best hospital or doctor in the area. Listen to their advice and follow it!
Dealing With Injuries from Home
If you were injured on your trip, you should take a few steps when you get home to ensure a full recovery and compensation if it is necessary.
- Schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor. Even if you went to a doctor or a hospital while away, it is a good idea to see your own doctor and have him or her check out your injuries. Make sure that your doctor takes note of your injuries and how you got them.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer. If you think that you were injured at the fault of another person or company, you should contact a personal injury lawyer and discuss your case with him or her.
