When you are injured on a vacation that is probably in another state, the unfamiliar surroundings might shock you, and you might panic since you feel like you have made an enormous mistake; for this reason, it’s always essential to be prepared for such a scenario. When involved in an accident, when you are away from familiar territory, there are some critical steps that you could take; let’s look at them.What you can do if you ever get into a Car Accident on Vacation.Take a look at this article to learn all about Travel tips and advice.
What to Do I you Get on a Car Accident on Vacation
1. Contact the Local Police
When you are involved in any car accident, either at home or away from home, always contact the police. You need a police report now that you are on vacation. The information will serve as evidence should the case proceed to court, and it can also be helpful when claiming compensation from the other party’s insurance company. Once the police officer arrives at the accident scene, you never admit blame but instead question the officer on how the local accident procedure takes place. In case you feel molested, or you notice peculiar things going on, ensure that you record everything using your phone.
2. Find a Local Lawyer
The traffic laws and insurance policies vary in every state. It’s therefore advisable that you contact a local attorney who happens to be conversant with car accidents or personal injury. If you get into an accident in Tampa, Florida, consider finding a lawyer at BrooksLawGroup.com since you will probably need one who understands how important the case is to you. An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you fight for fair compensation, and besides, they will speak to police officers and the insurance agents on your behalf. Given that the attorney is familiar with the territory, they would be in a better place to handle your case as opposed to your home attorney. You are, however, at liberty to pick your preferred lawyer; such a move is, however, not recommended.
3. Make Contact with your Insurer
Some people hate contacting their local insurance guys, but in this case, the claims agents could be on your side. Most of the time, when the accident happens away from your home state, the car insurance agents might expedite the process, and this might help get even faster compensation. Your registered insurer might even connect you to a nearby repair center since they might find it expensive to tow your car back home. Besides, having your vehicle repaired by a center that’s approved by the insurance company ensures that your car repair is under warranty; therefore, should your car break down on a later date, you will be covered. Ensure that you inquire about the details from your insurer about the repair warranty.
4. Google the State Insurance Laws
All states have their laws concerning vehicle insurance. In some states such as Kansas, the insurance policy is no fault, meaning that the insurance company has to cover costs whenever you are involved in an accident. In Missouri, you will be in a fault state; therefore, the driver who was responsible for the accident would be obligated to pay all expenses through the insurance agency. Consequently, you have to check the state’s insurance policy. This could affect the way you address the insurance guys as you file a claim.
5. Dealing with a Completely Wrecked Car
When the damage is severe, the car might be towed to a yard, and the insurance agency might rule that it’s unsalvageable. To get a payout from the insurer, it would be necessary that you stick around and give away ownership. If you leave your car for a long time at the junkyard, you might be forced to pay some storage charges, but in case you were hospitalized, the insurance agency might refund the fees. Inspect the vehicle before handing over ownership since most states lack laws that regard the loss of personal property or the responsibility of towing companies.
In case you decide not to leave the car at the junkyard, there are other options that you could consider; you can place a Craigslist advertisement for tow services, you can find a cheap tow truck to transport the wreckage, or you could rent a U haul and have your car towed back home in a trailer.
In the unfortunate event of a car accident, when you are on vacation, your rights have to be protected. You shouldn’t panic since you are in an unfamiliar state, but instead, consider employing the above bold moves. The best way to address a car accident in a different state would be to contact an attorney since they have a vast knowledge of how things run in the state.
