In general, the US is a fairly safe choice of travel destination, especially if you’re visiting a big city like New York. However, it’s still important to take all the necessary precautions that you would take when visiting any other country. Whether you’re coming to visit the US from abroad, or are a US citizen who’s decided to explore more of your home country and see some different states, knowing what to do to stay safe will ensure that you have an enjoyable trip without any mishaps.
Protect Your Personal Belongings
Protecting your personal belongings is key no matter where in the US you are traveling. Pickpockets and chance thieves can be anywhere, and you can never keep items like your passport, wallet, and any valuables too safe. If you’re planning to explore a large city and want to walk around a lot, then you may want to consider investing in a travel backpack designed to be unable to break into, or a belt that you can wear to store your valuables safely under your clothes.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the US, and if you’re traveling to a big city, you should have no problem finding an ATM – so consider minimizing the amount of cash you withdraw to take with you.
Know Where to Get Help
Hopefully, you will have an enjoyable trip without any issues, but knowing where you can seek assistance if you need it will provide you with peace of mind. If you’re traveling from another country, remember that the emergency number is different – call 911 if you need emergency assistance from the police, ambulance or fire service.
It’s also worth looking up where you can find the nearest police station, ER, or urgent care center to where you are staying. If you’re traveling from within the US, check your health insurance policy and upgrade it if needed to include healthcare in different states. If you’re traveling from outside the US, make sure that you have a good travel insurance plan. You will be glad of it if anything goes wrong, requiring you to seek emergency medical attention because it is not cheap.
If You Are Involved in an Accident
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, accidents can happen through no fault of your own. If you are traveling in the US and are injured, harmed or take ill due to the negligence of others, you may want to consider pursuing a personal injury claim. The compensation you may be awarded can help you cover any additional expenses that you incurred as a result, and you can put it towards another trip after this one was rudely cut short. (moneypip.com)
If you think that you have a case, you should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer. They will go through the details with you and help you determine whether or not it’s worth going to court. If you’re not a US citizen, look for a personal injury lawyer who specializes in travel-related cases.
The good news is that the US is a safe place to travel, but you should always take necessary precautions wherever you go.
