Now that travel has been opened up again many of us are planning a road trip for our holiday or vacation. There are lots of things you need to do to plan a successful road trip and not least is to plan the quickest and safest route and get some travel insurance.
The various lockdowns imposed across the world over the past two years have seen a huge reduction in traffic, but not in road traffic fatalities. According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 million people globally die every year on the road, underlining the serious risk that even simply traveling on roads poses in many countries. Protecting yourself isn’t always as easy as it seems however, and for many trips, it’s wise to consider what might happen to you in the worst case situation. Health care insurance aside, what can you do to ensure you can find some peace after an accident?
Legal help
Police forces are arranged differently in every country, as are the courts. As the Council on Foreign Relations asserts, not every country offers the same level of police protection or, indeed, the same level of police competency. It’s important, then, to have the insurance or resources to obtain private legal help in case you are struck by a vehicle. Road injury legal experts Johnson Garcia (https://www.johnsongarcialaw.com/) highlight the benefits of such an approach – having trained legal experts that are aware of local rules and how business is conducted will help you to make sure you find proper access to justice. That will, in turn, make sure your case is handled properly and you are reimbursed where you weren’t at fault.
Follow the rules
One important factor that the British Citizens’ Advice Bureau recommends concerns the accident itself. You would stay with your vehicle in any country, but it’s especially important to listen carefully and follow local rules and customs abroad. You may not be aware of the law and, even if you are injured, it’s important to follow the process and ensure that every box that needs to be ticked, is ticked. This will prevent conflict further down the line and also gives you a solid case for any discussion that does need to be had, whether that’s with the relevant authorities in that country or with the other people involved in the accident.
Consular assistance
Where there are roadblocks in your case, it can be useful to pursue consular assistance. This can, at the very least, help you with assistance in returning to your home country if you are seriously injured. There are consulates from every country all over the world; the USA, for instance, lists over a hundred on the US Department of State website. It’s also a good idea to look at travel advisories; they can provide you with specific issues and details related to the country you are visiting, and also can provide the relevant details of contacts if you’re struggling.
Protecting yourself from long-term problems arising from a road traffic accident can be difficult abroad. The key is in preparation. Knowing the situation you’re heading in to, and having the knowledge and resources available ahead of time to manage, will help you to ensure you are fully protected.
