Desert Safari accident - what to do now? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Desert Safari accident - what to do now?

199
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:02

Hi all

Hoping somebody has some advice on how to handle an accident that happened in the desert.
The 4x4 hit a sand dune - head on - the car was damaged a bit and all the passenges , including 3 of our cousins sustained injuries that included bruises, chipped tooth whiplash , swollen head, head etc .... but no major bleeding
when they requested a doctor - they- the tour operators/drivers told them -- NO Doctor this is the dessert
when they insisted on another car and driver - they said this is the dessert accidents happen and tried to make light of the situation

when they got home - we called smart tours and insisted that they offer them proper medical assistance but they refused saying it was for our account if we wanted to go to a hospital
they even had the audacity to argue and insist that they asked our guests if they are ok - and relayed a different set of events than what actually happened - i am so livid at the unprofessional manner in which they handled the incident
and now instead of enjoying thier holiday our cousins are trying to get medical treatment at the hospital - who is giving them a run around because we dont have a police report
Now
hopefully somoene can help with the following
Does thier visit visa cater for insurance - someone told me it does - anyone with ideas on how or where to check?
Where can i lodge a complaint against the tour operator for putting the 7 passengers in what might have been a private vehicle (it apparently had no tour operator logo etc)

4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:51
I might be wrong...but if they have no medical insurance then they probably don't have a leg to stand on. Saying that though..shouldn't the company have asked whether they have insurance before taking them out? A company like this will have a legal obligation to have insurance of some kind........ In that case then there is no reason why they shouldn't cover medical expenses..or is that a little too simplistic for dubai? I would imagine there are several reasons: 1. the car was not part of the official fleet 2. they may not even be insured / trying to fly under the radar 3. possibly the driver was not on their employment 4. they don't want it getting out
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:33
They are tourists and i guess they where in the middle of the dessert so had no choice but after the got home - we called the police This should have been reported to the police. I agree. In the event of an accident, the police should be called. edited by Muesli Bar on 01/03/2012 Sorry I missed this - what did the police say?
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:32
I might be wrong...but if they have no medical insurance then they probably don't have a leg to stand on. Saying that though..shouldn't the company have asked whether they have insurance before taking them out? A company like this will have a legal obligation to have insurance of some kind........
4329
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:23
Waiver or not, there is still liability to be carried by a company such as this. They will have or should have insurance for such events. Of course they tried to make light of it - possibly the vehicle was not part of their fleet... It should have been reported at the time but moving on, I think that I would do so now ie make a report. I don't know how fast this would move though..your other option would be to inform the company that you intend to make a report in order to claim for medical expenses. Perhaps they may then change their minds..it depends on what you want to achieve - immediate payout for medical or prevention of this ( possibly illegal) kind of thing happening to someone else and the possible pay out for medical. Why would anyone travel to a foreign country with no medical insurance though?
3863
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:14
I'm sorry to hear about your cousins and their accident. To answer your questions to the best of my ability, I cannot for one moment believe that the visit visa covers insurance, it may (and I really have no idea) cover emergency treatment at a government hospital. Best to call one and ask. Regarding the accident why did you not report it to the police as soon as they told you? I think that is the way forward. I believe visit visas these days do have a compulsory insurance taken....but don't know if its the same for visit visa granted on arrival. The visit visa doesnt cover insurance here. You are supposed to take out insurance
199
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 17:04
They are tourists and i guess they where in the middle of the dessert so had no choice but after the got home - we called the police This should have been reported to the police. I agree. In the event of an accident, the police should be called. edited by Muesli Bar on 01/03/2012
581
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 16:59
This should have been reported to the police. I agree. In the event of an accident, the police should be called. <em>edited by Muesli Bar on 01/03/2012</em>
199
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 16:54
no they did not sign any waiver i thought that you signed a waiver when you took place in a desert safari, if this is the case (long time ago since i last went on one) - then sorry but the tour operator is not responsible.
984
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 15:36
i thought that you signed a waiver when you took place in a desert safari, if this is the case (long time ago since i last went on one) - then sorry but the tour operator is not responsible.
2192
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 15:33
This should have been reported to the police. If you are driving and have caused an accident and somone is injured the police wont release that person from the station i belive until that person has had the all clear from the hospital. Correct me if im wrong. I think thats why the tour operator didnt want any fuss and have behaved like this because they know the drill. I would contact the police and explain what has happened as you have done below.
489
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 15:03
To lodge a formal complaint you can do it through here: http://www.dubaitourism.ae/e-services/suggestions-complaints/e-complaints-against-dubai Do they have a travel insurance? If they do, they can go to any hospital and they'll get refunded once in their home country.
371
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:44
A friend of mine had an accident on a Quad Bike in Dubai and we took her to Rashid Hospital where she was treated and stayed for almost two weeks (she fractured her spine), all for free.
407
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:40
I'm sorry to hear about your cousins and their accident. To answer your questions to the best of my ability, I cannot for one moment believe that the visit visa covers insurance, it may (and I really have no idea) cover emergency treatment at a government hospital. Best to call one and ask. Regarding the accident why did you not report it to the police as soon as they told you? I think that is the way forward. I believe visit visas these days do have a compulsory insurance taken....but don't know if its the same for visit visa granted on arrival.
Anonymous (not verified)
0
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:39
Hi all Hoping somebody has some advice on how to handle an accident that happened in the desert. The 4x4 hit a sand dune - head on - the car was damaged a bit and all the passenges , including 3 of our cousins sustained injuries that included bruises, chipped tooth whiplash , swollen head, head etc .... but no major bleeding when they requested a doctor - they- the tour operators/drivers told them -- NO Doctor this is the dessert when they insisted on another car and driver - they said this is the dessert accidents happen and tried to make light of the situation when they got home - we called smart tours and insisted that they offer them proper medical assistance but they refused saying it was for our account if we wanted to go to a hospital they even had the audacity to argue and insist that they asked our guests if they are ok - and relayed a different set of events than what actually happened - i am so livid at the unprofessional manner in which they handled the incident and now instead of enjoying thier holiday our cousins are trying to get medical treatment at the hospital - who is giving them a run around because we dont have a police report Now hopefully somoene can help with the following Does thier visit visa cater for insurance - someone told me it does - anyone with ideas on how or where to check? Where can i lodge a complaint against the tour operator for putting the 7 passengers in what might have been a private vehicle (it apparently had no tour operator logo etc) Do they have a travel insurance? That should cover accidents. Maybe you can check with the insurance company in their home country. Otherwise, contact any insurance company here, get their opinion and maybe they can give you advice on how to proceed.
634
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:28
I'm sorry to hear about your cousins and their accident. To answer your questions to the best of my ability, I cannot for one moment believe that the visit visa covers insurance, it may (and I really have no idea) cover emergency treatment at a government hospital. Best to call one and ask. Regarding the accident why did you not report it to the police as soon as they told you? I think that is the way forward.
1617
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 01 March 2012 - 14:26
I've been to Medcare Hospital in Safa as an emergancy and got great treatment. I'm assuming they have travel insurance and not sure why a police report would be required? On the other stuff, I guess Heath and Safety standards are different and maybe not what they would be in "the West'.
 
 

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