How to Handle a Car Accident While on Vacation?

July 3, 2023

If you are about to embark on a long-anticipated summer vacation, the last thing you want to consider is what to do if you get in a car accident. No one wants to be involved in a car accident under any circumstances, but think how you would handle such a situation, given that you may be far from home without access to your physician and other comforts.

After a car accident on vacation, you should do the following:

• Check that all drivers and passengers are okay, and call 911 for help if anyone is injured.
• Call the police at the accident scene so there will be an official report of what happened.
• Exchange contact information with the other driver, including their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, insurance company, and insurance policy number. Take down the names and phone numbers of eyewitnesses to the accident, and ask them to write down what they saw. Write down your recollections of the accident, too, as this can become important should you file a legal claim against the other driver.
• Take as many photos as possible of the accident scene, including damage to the vehicles and surrounding property, any injuries incurred, skid marks on the road, weather conditions, and anything related to the accident.
• Get checked by a medical professional even if you think you are uninjured or have minor injuries. Your priority may be your vacation and the activities you have scheduled. Still, not all injuries are immediately apparent, and you may need a professional diagnosis to know your condition. Always remember that you protect your rights by immediately seeing a doctor and obtaining a medical record of your accident injuries.
• Talk to your insurance company and the rental car company. If you were driving your car, you should inform your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. If you were in a rental car, you would probably need to fill out paperwork regarding the accident and exchange the vehicle.
• Keep meticulous records of expenses incurred because of the accident, including medical bills, car repairs, missed vacation opportunities, and damages paid to the rental car company, if applicable.
• Be very careful about what you post on social media regarding your vacation photos. If you sue for compensation for injuries and other damages, it could hurt your case.

Contact Our Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. if You Were Injured in a Vacation Car Accident

Having to deal with injuries from a car accident while on vacation is not ideal. Let our experienced Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. handle your legal needs. Call 302-656-5445 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Wilmington and Millsboro, Delaware, we serve clients in Dover, New Castle County, and Sussex County.