A Guide to Compensation Claims, the Steps to take following a Car Accident Abroad

A car accident that you did not cause is always a dreadful experience, but a car accident abroad on holiday can be a horrifying event, especially in the immediate aftermath and particularly if the injuries incurred require hospitalisation.  Following a car accident where you or any of your passengers are injured, especially if the injuries are serious, the last thing on your mind is gathering evidence to start a legal case for compensation.  It is quite understandable if your thoughts do not turn to the consequences of the accident such as the long term effects of a serious injury, a protracted recovery period, requirement for rehabilitation, whether there will be any permanent effects that cause a complete change to your life and affect your ability to work.   

If another person was fully or partly to blame for your accident, it highly likely that you will be entitled to receive financial compensation from that third party. We also understand that embarking on a legal case in a foreign country, particularly if you do not know the language, can seem daunting.  With the assistance of Giambrone’s English speaking personal injury team the language barrier and a different jurisdiction will not be a concern, with offices in the UK as well as in the country in which the accident took place, a claim for compensation, with Giambrone’s, help will not be the challenge it may first appear to be.  Giambrone is ideally positioned to guide and protect you through a compensation claim and oversee your interests.

Following an initial assessment of the matter, it is imperative to gather as much evidence as possible, together with eye witness statements.  If possible the following steps should be taken immediately after the event:

• Photograph the aftermath of the accident from every conceivable angle.
• Contact the other parties involved, the witnesses, any other individuals in the surrounding streets and offices or shops whose staff may have had sight of the accident.
•  Photograph the landscape around the accident and all the streets, particularly at a junction.  It may be important to be able to demonstrate whether there were any obstacles that contributed to the accident.
• Sometimes an accident happens due to inappropriate footwear – high heels, flip-flops etc. if at all possible a photographic record your footwear and clothing and that of any other parties involved, this could be helpful to off-set the suggestion that the injured person contributed to the accident.
• Ask for the contact details of all potential witnesses, including medical staff and the police. 
• Obtain comprehensive contact details and any relevant information from any third parties also involved in the accident, particularly those who could be held responsible for the accident.
• Write contemporaneous notes outlining the entire incident, ideally signed by your witnesses.
• Where appropriate report the incident to the local police.
• Where appropriate inform the British consulate or embassy.

There are many factors surrounding a compensation claim following a car accident, for example, getting an injured person home after a car accident may involve additional costs, including medication and taxis, which can be included in a claim, so all documentary evidence should be retained. There almost certainly will be insurance companies involved and our expert personal injury lawyers are extremely experienced at negotiating with them to obtain the maximum damages for our clients.

Compensation for car accident claims is variable simply because each case is different. An accident may involve multiple parties and cause a range of different injuries to more than one person with short and long-term consequences to the injured party or parties.  Giambrone believes that our tenacious lawyers should focus on fighting for our clients’ compensation for their stress, suffering and injuries and that our clients should be free to focus on their recovery.

If you would like more information about obtaining compensation for a car accident abroad please click here