You are enjoying the time of your life on vacation when the unthinkable happens. You have a car accident that interrupts your plans. The majority of car accidents result in property damage. You need to ensure that you take all the necessary steps to protect yourself if you are involved in a car accident while traveling.
Follow The Usual Procedures
The first thing you need to do if you get in a car accident when traveling is to immediately check for injuries and call the paramedics. It may be a good idea to go to the hospital even if you do not feel that you have been injured.
A car crash tends to increase adrenaline, which could cause you to feel as if you are fine. It is not until your body relaxes that you start to feel the pain that the impact caused. Going to the hospital immediately following an accident is the best way to be proactive about your health.
You should also exchange contact information with the other driver. Some states have “no-fault” laws that require drivers to use their insurance policies to pay for accidents regardless of who caused the incident. You should, however, still make it a habit of exchanging information as you may need the involved party’s name and number to address other issues related to the crash.
Contact information becomes crucial when you live in a tort state. Statistics show that about 96% of personal injury cases are settled through negotiations. Only 4% of such claims go through the courts. You cannot negotiate with the other party involved unless you have their contact information.
Contact The Car Rental Agency
If you get into a car accident while traveling in FL and you’re driving a rental car, you should still take the above steps before calling the rental car agency. Before speaking with an agent, gather all the information you can, including details related to the Florida highway patrol accident report.
Some drivers do not contact law enforcement for minor car accidents. You, however, need to cover all bases when you drive a rental. Some agencies may even request a copy of the report for their records.
You should also refrain from telling the other party that you are driving a rental car even if you are at fault for the accident. Some individuals may take advantage of the rental company’s indemnity coverage, which can lead to financial grief on your end.
Make New Travel Arrangements
Some travelers choose to cut their vacation short after a car crash. Having an accident while traveling, however, does not automatically mean your trip has come to an end.
You can still enjoy time away from the norm if you are not significantly injured or traumatized. It may be necessary to secure other means of travel if you rented a car involved in a car accident while on vacation. You do not, however, have to cancel all of your plans on account of a fender bender unless you want to end things early.
It may indeed be a good idea to end your vacation early if you suffer a significant injury that requires downtime. Healing from the comforts of home may be the better option in such an instance.
Speak With A Lawyer
An attorney for a car accident may appear extreme at first glance. You should remember, however, that you are on vacation and the rules may be different in the region you are visiting. Speaking with a car crash lawyer is the best way to ensure that you are legally protected from backlash, especially when you have a car accident while traveling.
You should especially consider legal counsel if the accident was your fault and if you were arrested for DUI. Bail bond agencies do an incredible job of acting as surety by pledging money or property in exchange for your conditional freedom. These entities cannot represent you in court.
Your vacation plans do not have to be ruined if you have a car accident while traveling. Follow these procedures to move forward after such an incident.