Summer vacation - don't forget to pack some prevention

Author: LaGeris Underwood
Published: Jun 10 2013

We all look forward to those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" - road trips to the beach; delivering the kids to grandma’s house; racing to the next party with BFFs—but before the fun, comes a lot of planning. Taking a few simple precautions can help you prevent or cope with the unexpected. So before you get on the road or board that flight, follow these 5 tips so you’ll be prepared in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

1. Medication

Make sure that you have enough of your essential medications with you at all times. Pack these items securely in carry-on luggage so that they are always accessible. Keep a list of medications and your medical history with you, including your doctor’s name and contact information. Give a copy of this document to a trusted friend or family member who is not going on the trip; and send a copy to your email address and "CC" another friend or family member.

2. Automobile Insurance Coverage

If you're traveling by car, you'll not only need to make sure it's road-worthy; you'll also need to have on hand any details about the condition of the car that might be pertinent if you have an accident. Should you need emergency repair work done, a mechanic might want to know about the age of the tires and the last time they were rotated, or how recently the oil was changed, or how old the battery is. Bring your registration and updated auto insurance cards, and know what your policy covers.

Remember that no matter where you vacation, if you have an accident, you still have rights. Attorneys who work on personal injury cases from any car accident Charlotte NC residents may experience, for instance, will tell you that in North Carolina, when you are involved in a car wreck, you can make a claim against the driver if they cause the accident. The at-fault driver must compensate you by paying "damages,"  which are usually paid by their liability automobile insurance policy. Secure the legal advice you need and don't allow an accident to ruin your vacation.

3. Documentation

Remember to bring your airline tickets, and your travel itinerary with confirmation numbers for airline, hotel, and car rental reservations. Keep all of this information together. And as a back up, transmit this information online to a secure email account. Keep passports and other legal documentation necessary for the trip, such as visitor visas and a prepaid phone card, with you at all times.

Consider vacation insurance to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, tropical storms and hurricanes, as well as other unforeseen events. Keep insurance documents stored in a secure place; stash an extra copy of the policy in your suitcase, and email a copy to your own email address and that of a friend or family member.

4. Contact Information

Give a copy of all travel documents to a trusted person who will not be on the trip, including every place you plan to travel. Arrange to communicate with them regularly by email, text, or phone. Not only does this make it possible to communicate with you in case of an emergency, but the information may be provided to authorities if you do not return as scheduled. And keep in mind that laws vary from state to state and in other countries. Therefore, also carry along with you the number of your own attorney or that of a reputable lawyer to whom you've been referred.

5. Clothing

Study the long-range weather forecast before you depart. As a contingency, pack two extra changes of clothing in the event of unpredicted changes in the weather. Take essential items like light jackets and heavier shirts that can be easily layered. And don't forget to pack first aid supplies like sunscreen, antibacterial ointment, gauze, bandages, and motion sickness medication.

While it is not possible to predict or prevent all unpleasant situations while on vacation, wise planning and careful preparation are sound investments of time and resources. Done successfully, you may make your time away as worry-free as possible.

Travel enthusiast, LaGeris Underwood Bell believes in being prepared for every possible contingency while on vacation and offers these emergency tips to vacationers who may have an auto emergency while away from home. Auger & Auger Attorneys at Law provide legal help for those who may be vacationing in the eastern states and have a car accident Charlotte NC bound.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robbiew/2477845568/

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