Car Accident on Vacation - St. Louis Car Crash Lawyers
By Christopher Hoffmann
Sep. 30, 2019 3:58p
Over 41 million Americans traveled abroad in 2018 for business or vacation. When abroad, nobody likes to think of the possibility of something going wrong, but unfortunately many Americans can experiencecar accidents while overseas.
Whether you were a passenger or behind the wheel of a rented car, if you get injured while abroad you are probably wondering how you can get compensated when you return home in Missouri.
There’s an Issue with Jurisdiction
To get compensated, you first have to know where you should file thepersonal injury claim. If the accident took place overseas, then the most common scenario is that the claim has to be filed in the country where the defendant resides or the accident took place, unless you can present a reason why a U.S. court to take jurisdiction of the case.
The following reasons may persuade the courts:
The defendant also lives in the U.S.;
The defendant has even minimal contact with the U.S. (such as traveling for work);
The defendant formally agrees for the U.S. to take the case.
If you get into a car accident while abroad, it’s best to reach out to a St. Louis car accident attorney to discuss your options. There may be a way to get the case back into the U.S. but if not, you may need to contact a lawyer in the country that has jurisdiction. For instance, if the liable party is the car rental company (because they did not properly maintain the vehicle), and they have a subsidy in the U.S., this may be enough to bring the case on domestic territory.
Other Factors to Consider
People who are only planning to stay abroad for a little while may skip on purchasing travel insurance. While nobody likes to think of the possibility of their vacation going wrong, a potential accident can complicate things even more. These cases can be very complicated, so it’s always best to be safe than sorry. As such, consider purchasing travel insurance when going abroad, and if you’re renting a car, remember to purchase auto insurance.
Filing a claim abroad doesn’t just mean the inconvenience of having a legal battle unfold miles away. The laws and procedures regarding how these cases are handled can be wildly different, including how fault is assigned.
If you have insurance, you can cover your immediate medical costs and vehicle repairs right on the spot. Some car rental services may only offer optional policies, but you should check for the premiums they have, or buy one yourself at a more convenient rate.
Over to You
If you get involved in a car accident oversees, reach out to a St. Louis car injury lawyer and consult with them. Based on the details of the case, they can help you figure out how to proceed. Call (314) 361-4242.