No one wants to be in an accident, but unfortunately they can happen anywhere and at any time, even while you are on vacation. Getting into an accident and being injured can be very traumatic, besides the fact that it can ruin your plans during your vacation. Your recovery is the most important thing after an accident, but the next thing to think about is preparing a case for damages against the at-fault party.
You will likely face a mountain of medical bills and other expenses after your accident and the only way to be made whole is to file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident. To do that effectively though, you need evidence.
The process of gathering evidence can be even more complicated while you are on vacation. To help, we’ve put together some tips on the type of information you need to gather and how to make things easier in an unfamiliar location.
Start With the Basics
There are two people you need to contact immediately once you’ve made sure you are safe: your insurance company and a personal injury attorney. You should notify the insurance company so that you have at least some coverage for your damages and to let them know about the accident. Notifying the insurance company will help with getting another vehicle, if necessary, and start the paperwork process.
Next, you’ll want to notify an attorney as soon as possible. “Because the process of investigating an accident, proving liability, and negotiating with insurance companies can take time, and may eventually proceed to a lawsuit if the company does not offer an ample settlement,” notes accident lawyers at The Fang Law Firm, “it’s best to begin this process early to avoid missing the deadline for filing a lawsuit if it becomes necessary.”
It is also recommended to hire a personal injury lawyer who is familiar with the law in the area where the accident occurred. Each state and municipality has different laws regarding fault in accidents and compensation, including damage caps, so you want a lawyer that knows these laws, particularly if you are in a completely unfamiliar location while on vacation.
Gathering Evidence
Evidence is the key to a strong case and you should start gathering it immediately after your accident.
Medical Evidence
The first thing you should do is seek medical attention for your injuries. This will make sure that you meet your obligation to prevent any further injury to yourself and also allow you to document both your injuries and your medical expenses related to those injuries. Medical bills, invoices, and records of procedures, medications, and other treatments are all important for your case so go get to a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible.
Accident Scene Evidence
You also want to gather evidence from the scene of your accident. This can be more difficult if you are in an unfamiliar place, so this is where having a local personal injury attorney helps. They can get access to things like traffic camera footage and expert witnesses that can help to prove fault and elaborate on the nature of the accident and the total damages. This will make your case much stronger and increase the chances that you get compensation you deserve.
Other Types of Evidence
Besides these two types of evidence, you also want to gather evidence of other damages you have suffered, such as lost time at work, wages, earning potential, travel expenses, legal fees, even emotional damages, such as if you have to start seeing a therapist because of your accident.
In most personal injury cases, the injured party may claim both financial and emotional damages. The more evidence you have to prove both types of damage, the more likely you are to get compensated the way you deserve.
Conclusion
If you are injured in an accident while on vacation you are still eligible for compensation, but it is important that you get the help you need to file your case right away. Contact an attorney and your insurance company right away and let them help you build your case as you focus on your recovery.
