What to do after an accident abroad

Going on holiday abroad is meant to be a time of relaxation. However, accidents can happen anywhere, and this can turn an enjoyable holiday into a nightmare experience for everyone involved.

If your holiday is ruined by an injury or illness caused by someone else, you may be eligible to claim compensation through the Scottish courts. Here are some situations where you could go ahead with a claim:

• Hotel or resort accidents.
• Accidents on cruise ships.
• Food poisoning in hotels or cruise ships.
• Aeroplane accidents (including boarding, in flight, or disembarking the aircraft)
• Any accidents or injuries during excursions.

I’ve been injured abroad; what do I do now?

If you have sustained an injury abroad, what do you do after? Who should you phone? What are your next steps?

Figuring out where to begin can be confusing without the right support. From finding out who you can claim against to navigating different legal systems, having a specialist to guide you through the process can make the experience smoother. 

Here is some advice from our Foreign and Travel team if you are involved in an accident abroad:

1. Keep all travel documentation.

Save all copies of your holiday booking, including your hotel, travel, and any other relevant documents. Keep them organised in a folder in your email or print them off and store them in a secure place. You will need these when reviewing your case.

2. Gather evidence from the accident location and of the injury. 

The more evidence you can collect, the better. Taking photographs and videos is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. This will help prove exactly what happened and the circumstances of the injury. 

Once you are home, it will be difficult to gather this evidence, so it’s best to do so as quickly as possible. You would rather have too much evidence, than not enough to strengthen your case.

3. Obtain a copy of the accident report.

Once you have reported the accident to the hotel staff or holiday rep, they will probably fill out an accident report. Don’t be scared to ask for a copy or take a photo of the report and if possible, take pictures and videos of the fault which caused the accident. 

4. Obtain a copy of the medical report.

It is important that you get medical help as soon as possible after the accident. Once you have received any treatment and are ready to leave the hospital or treatment centre, always request a copy of your medical report as this will help your compensation claim.

5. Keep receipts for any expenses related to the injury.

If you have had to pay any expenses due to the injury from the accident (e.g. medical bills), then you may be entitled to claim for these. To be able to claim this money back, it’s important you get a copy of all receipts and keep them in a safe place. 

6. Collect contact details of witnesses.

Ask any witnesses for their contact details right away as it might be hard to get this information once you have returned from your holiday. They might be able to provide a statement that will be vital to your case. 

7. Contact specialist solicitors promptly.

There is a limited window in which you can make a compensation claim once you have had an accident abroad. This varies depending on what country you had your accident and might be less than the Scottish time limit. For instance, in some countries you only get up to one year compared to the three years in Scotland. 

To avoid being time-barred, it is important to seek legal advice quickly. To get the best advice on the necessary steps to take and how quickly you need to move, you should speak to experts in dealing with accidents abroad. 

When should I speak to Digby Brown about my accident abroad?

Whether it be a city break or a package holiday, the Foreign and Travel department at Digby Brown is committed to helping people who have been injured abroad. Our team has unparalleled expertise in this field, and handle cases from aeroplane and cruise accidents to different accidents in hotels. 

If you would like expert legal advice, please give us a call or fill out an enquiry form.