While no one likes the thought of getting into a car accident, what can make this bad situation even worse is if you get in a car accident while taking a trip abroad. Not only have you had a traumatic experience, but you may also be in a country where you’re unfamiliar with the language or customs of the people. So to help you navigate through this unique and potentially scary predicament, here are three tips for dealing with a car accident abroad.

Make Sure You Legally Should Have Been Driving

Although you may be licensed to drive in your home country, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be legal for you to drive in a foreign country. So especially if you get in an accident, you’re going to want to be sure that you legally should have been driving in the first place. If not, you may have more legal issues that could require you to get a lawyer or other legal representation. To find out if and how you can legally drive in another country, Damian Tysdal, a contributor to TravelInsuranceReview.net, advises that you learn the driving laws of this country, go through the correct legal channels to obtain an international driver’s permit if necessary, and get the legal coverage for your rental car if you’re using one.

Call The Authorities

After the accident has taken place and you’ve assessed whether or not any major injuries have been sustained, the next thing you’re going to want to do is call the police or other authorities. In the event that you don’t speak the same language as the person you were in the accident with, Christopher Coble, a contributor to FindLaw.com, writes that the police can often serve as a mediator to help with communication and filling out the correct accident report. If at all possible, try to keep any other people involved in the accident at the scene until the police arrive so everyone’s stories can be taken into consideration.

Get All Essential Documentation

While documenting a car accident is always important, it’s even more important now that you’re in a foreign country. If you have to get back in touch with the person you were in the accident with, that communication is going to be much more difficult than if you got into an accident with someone in your own hometown. Because of this, Zia Xin, a contributor to Motorist.sg, shares that you should take as many photos of the accident and damage as you can and get all essential details from the others involved in the accident. Additionally, get a copy of the police report or their documentation so you can have everything you might possibly need when dealing with this claim through your insurance or your rental company.

If you get in a car accident while traveling abroad, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you figure out how to best handle this situation.