What should you do if you’re road-tripping abroad and get into a car accident?
Whether driving to another country for a fun excursion or flying someplace and renting a car to get around at your vacation destination, you’ll want to enjoy safe travels. But even if you’re a defensive-minded driver observing the rules of the road, extending courtesy to other motorists, and doing everything possible to avoid vehicular trouble, accidents can happen.
Here are five things you should do if involved in a fender bender while on vacation.
1. Relocate Your Vehicle to a Safe Spot (If Possible)
If involved in an accident on a roadway or highway, you should move your vehicle to a safe location if that’s possible. You don’t want to leave your car where vehicles are whizzing back and forth. Pulling over to the shoulder of the road is best if your car is operational. Doing so will also make it easier for a tow truck to pick up and tow away your vehicle.
2. Exchange Information With Other Motorists
You’ll want to exchange information with other motorists involved in the collision. Get their names, insurance details, driver’s license numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and vehicle makes and models. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers, too.
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3. Contact the Authorities
Call the authorities to report the accident. If you get hurt in a car accident, you need a police report documenting what happened. It’ll be hard to file a solid personal injury case without a police report that explains what happened, who was at fault, and any resulting damage. Ensure you get the police report before you head home from your vacation.
4. See a Medical Professional
You should also seek help from a medical professional for any injuries sustained in a car accident. Waiting until you return home isn’t the best course of action. You must find a doctor at your vacation destination and get a written medical report. You’ll learn what injuries you have, the extent of the injuries, and what treatment options are recommended.
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5. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
You must also contact a personal injury lawyer to determine the best course of action after a car accident. Pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident abroad will be more difficult than if the accident occurs in your home country. But it’s something an experienced personal injury lawyer can help out with. Get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. Waiting until you get home from your vacation might complicate things. A lawyer will let you know what steps to take before your vacation ends — so, it makes sense to retain the services of a lawyer right away.
When going on a trip, you don’t want the top memory to be a car accident. Unfortunately, vehicle accidents do happen. And if it happens to you, knowing what to do and how to respond can make things a bit easier. You’ll notice that the steps above mirror what you would do after an accident closer to home. But if it happens abroad in a foreign jurisdiction rather than closer to home, the aftermath of the accident can be more stressful.
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Last Updated on August 7, 2025
