In Austria and Switzerland there is a good infrastructure and the roads are usually well signposted. However, this is not always the case when driving to other countries. Especially when driving in unknown areas, an accident or breakdown can happen quickly. But don't worry, I have some tips for you here, so you know what to do if an accident or breakdown does occur.
Accident or breakdown in Austria: What to do?
The accident or breakdown can hit us anywhere and at any time. It is important to respond in the right way to prevent harm to yourself and others.
If the accident or breakdown happened in Austria, it is essential to follow the Austrian traffic rules. This includes, above all, stopping if an accident has occurred and the vehicle is no longer drivable / you need a towing service. To do this, it is also essential to inform the police and secure the scene of the accident. Even if no one was injured, you should always have a first aid kit on hand to help if needed. If other people are injured or there is damage to property, it is essential to fill out the accident report and report the insurance claim.
Even if the accident happened abroad, there are a few rules that must be followed: First of all, it is essential to try to find out the exact location of the accident and, of course, take all the necessary steps to secure the place of the accident. After that, one should contact the local authorities and possibly make use of a translator. If there is personal injury, it must be reported to the authorities, and if there is property damage, all data must be forwarded to the insurance company.
It is also possible to take preventive measures: for example, it is advisable to take out travel cancellation insurance with a credit card before going on vacation, in order to be protected in the event of illness or other unforeseen necessities. Likewise, one can inform oneself about the foreign health protection law and, if necessary, take appropriate measures.
It is therefore advisable to prepare for such a situation and to know about the relevant legislation – even before it comes to that! This is the easiest way to be prepared for any eventuality – whether in Austria or abroad – should you be confronted with an accident or breakdown.
Important first steps after an accident
If you have an accident in Austria or abroad, you must take certain steps to preserve your rights and fulfill your financial obligations. Although every case is different, there are some general rules and guidelines you should follow.
An important first step is to ensure that everyone involved receives medical care. If possible, accident victims should be taken to hospital after the arrival of the emergency doctor. This is especially important if the injured person is seriously injured or has some type of concussion. Since the costs for medical emergency in Austria are high and these costs can also be incurred abroad, affected persons should try to minimize their costs.
Once care has been completed, both Austrian and foreign accident victims should file a report with the police and collect evidence that may be needed for compensation later on. It is also advisable to take photos of the accident scene and record the names of everyone involved as well as their license plate numbers. After that you can call the towing service Vienna.
Accidents in Austria are subject to the provisions of the Austrian Road Traffic Damage Claims Act. In general, the party at fault must pay for all damages resulting from personal injury. These include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and material damage to the accident victim's vehicle, as well as compensation for pain and suffering. In many cases, the victim can also claim reimbursement for psychological counseling.
Which insurances should be informed in case of an accident?
In case of an accident, different insurances may be applicable depending on where the accident took place. In Austria, there are some mandatory insurances that should always be informed in case of an accident. This includes health insurance, liability insurance and motor vehicle insurance.
The health insurance should be informed in the case of any accident, as it pays for medical treatment costs. It also pays for other costs such as medical bills or medications. Even if you are not injured yourself, you should contact the health insurance company to inform about the accident and make possible claims.
The liability insurance is also an insurance that must be informed in case of an accident. It takes effect when someone has caused damage to third parties or their property as a result of the accident. The liability insurance will then stand in for the person who caused the damage and will thus cover the costs of the damage. Therefore, it is very important to contact the liability insurance company after the accident and inform them about the incident.
Finally, there is the question of which insurance company to contact in the event of a car accident: the car insurance company. Since cars are usually more expensive than other goods, you have to be especially careful when driving – especially on public roads – in order not to endanger other road users. If someone has been injured in a car accident or has caused damage to property, it is essential that they also inform their car insurance company; as a rule, this will cover all costs incurred and claims for compensation.
If the accident occurred abroad, different laws and rules apply here than in Austria and different insurance companies may be applicable. Especially when driving abroad, it is therefore highly advisable to inform yourself in advance and possibly take out additional travel health or travel accident insurance. This provides you with special coverage for your trip abroad and protects you from unforeseen high cost claims in the event of an emergency.
Conclusion: In the case of general accidents, you should always inform your health, liability and possibly also your car insurance in Austria and, if desired, also take out a travel health insurance or travel accident insurance if the accident happened abroad.
Conclusion: How to behave correctly in case of a car accident in Austria
Because of the many drivers and the different traffic rules in Austria, it is important to behave properly in case of an accident. It is better to find out about the consequences of a car accident beforehand than to act quickly and rashly. If you are unsure, it is better to consult a lawyer to protect your rights and negotiate appropriate compensation.
If you are traveling abroad and are involved in an accident, there are even more rules to follow. For example, insurance conditions and claims for damages may vary from country to country. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain information about the applicable rules in the respective country in good time. This can be done, for example, through various guidebooks or the Internet.
Whether you are driving in Austria or abroad: The best protection against high costs in an accident is still caution. Always watch the traffic and obey all traffic rules! The bottom line: a car accident can be very unpleasant for everyone involved – so it's important to do your research in advance and know about the relevant regulations, both when traveling in Austria and abroad. Always pay attention to your safety and follow all traffic rules! This is the only way to avoid unnecessary costs.