Germany Car Accident Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For Personal Injury In A Car Accident In Germany

By Jo Jeffries. Last updated 29th November 2021. Welcome to this guide on claiming for a car accident in Germany.

Car accident in Germany claims guide

Car accident in Germany claims guide

If you are a UK resident who was injured in a car accident in Germany that was not your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation. Accident Claims UK is a well respected personal injury solicitors firm. We can provide you with a UK-based personal injury solicitor who could handle your road traffic accident in Germany claim.

Call us today on 0800 073 8801, to speak to one of our advisers. If you have legitimate grounds to claim compensation, we could provide you with a solicitor who would offer you No Win No Fee terms when representing you in a road accident abroad claim. Our solicitors have up to three decades experience when it comes to handling personal injury claims abroad and will always push to win the maximum amount of compensation you could be entitled to.

Call now to begin your car accident in Germany compensation claim, or use our online claims form to contact us. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

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A Guide To Claims For Car Accidents In Germany

Each year over 2 million travellers from the UK visit Germany for holidays, business or to see family and friends. Germany is a relatively safe country to visit but sadly, has twice the number of road traffic accidents than the UK. This is partially due to there not being a speed limit on many of Germany’s motorways (autobahns).

If you are injured in a car accident in Germany that was not your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries. Your claim would be against the other driver, or the party who was responsible for your injuries. If you are a UK resident who was injured whilst visiting Germany, you may be able to use a solicitor based in the UK to handle your compensation car accident claim. This means that you don’t have to worry about communicating with a firm based overseas.

In this guide to making a compensation claim for a car crash in Germany, we off advice on how to drive safely in Germany, what to do if you are injured in a car accident in Germany, and tell you how to make a car accident compensation claim, if you have been injured because of a car accident in Germany, what to do?

To make your car accident claim, call Accident Claims UK for your free consultation. If you have legitimate grounds to make a claim, one of our personal injury lawyers would start working on your claim as soon as possible and would offer you No Win No Fee terms.

What Are The Largest Cities In Germany?

Germany is a large country with a diverse terrain, ranging from busy cities to epic mountain ranges. This means that there are many different types of roads on which accidents could occur. We have included the largest cities in Germany, by population below:

  • Berlin
  • Hamburg
  • Munich
  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt am Main
  • Stuttgart
  • Dusseldorf
  • Dortmund
  • Essen
  • Leipzig

What Should You Do Before Driving In Germany?

If you are embarking on a road trip in Germany, you are obliged to have the following:

Documentation You Need To Drive In Germany

  • A full driving licence
  • Your V5C certificate to prove that you own the vehicle
  • Proof that your car is insured
  • Your passport

Equipment That Is Compulsory For Driving In Germany

  • A reflective safety jacket
  • A warning triangle to use in case of a breakdown
  • Beam deflectors
  • A first aid kit

If you are driving in snowy or icy conditions, it is highly recommended that you have winter tyres or snow chains fitted. Although you are not legally required to have them, if you experience an accident in these weather conditions, you could be held partially at fault if you do not have them. The rules of the road in Germany are also different to the rules of the road in the United Kingdom, so you should familiarise yourself with them, before driving.

Why Do You Need Additional Insurance To Drive In Germany?

United Kingdom citizens are able to use a Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which gives access to healthcare provided by the state that they are travelling to.

If you are travelling to Germany, we strongly recommend that you take out fully comprehensive travel insurance to cover any medical treatment you may need during your trip. This is because Germany’s state healthcare service is not as comprehensive as the NHS, so you may have to pay for your medical treatment if you become ill or injured in Germany. Insurance will also cover the cost of repatriation if you become seriously ill or injured and need to return home for further treatment.

Before travelling with your own car, check that your car insurance provider offers car cover abroad.

What Should You Do If Involved In A Car Accident In Germany?

What to do if involved in a car accident in Germany? If you are involved in a car accident in Germany, you can take the following steps to collect evidence at the scene of the accident. Of course, if you or anyone else is seriously or critically injured, the first priority should be to get to the hospital right away. Anything else can take second place.

How to collect evidence to support your road traffic accident compensation claim:

  • Make your car accident report in Germany. Report your accident to the police as soon as possible. This is a legal requirement and will also provide evidence of the accident taking place
  • Get the necessary medical treatment you need as soon as possible. The doctor will produce a medical report, which will provide evidence of your injuries
  • Speak to eyewitnesses and get their contact details. They may be needed to give evidence at a later date
  • Speak to the other driver and exchange contact details. Do not say anything like, “I’m sorry,” or “That was my fault,” even if it may feel like it at the time, or you are upset by the accident. This could be taken as an admission of liability for a car accident in Germany and you could lose your right to claim in the future, even if you are judged to be not at fault
  • Make a note of the make, model, colour and registration plate of the other vehicle
  • Photograph the hazard that caused the accident or any damage caused to your vehicle, if possible
  • If possible, photograph your injuries to create visual evidence

It is very important that after your accident you do not sign anything given to you by the other driver, their solicitor or their insurance company. This may be a way of duping you into accepting liability and losing your right to claim. You should always consult a solicitor before accepting a compensation payment from the other driver’s insurance company as this may be purposefully too low.

To begin your compensation claim for a car accident in Germany, call Accident Claims UK today.

Accessing The Emergency Services In Germany

If you have been involved in an accident in Germany and you, or another person is seriously or critically injured, call an ambulance on 112. If you are in need to emergency police services call 110. The emergency contact number for the fire brigade is 112.

If you do not speak German, many of the telephone operators speak English.

Accessing Healthcare In Germany As A Tourist

At the present time holidaymakers and business travellers visiting Germany from the UK, can access state-provided healthcare services using their GHIC (GlobalHealth Insurance Card). However, it is essential that you take out fully comprehensive health insurance before you travel.

Claims For Whiplash Caused By A Car Accident In Germany

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that happens when an impact or trauma, forces the head beyond its normal range of motion. As a result, the soft tissues in the neck become sprained and strained. Whiplash can affect the neck, upper back and shoulders. Occasionally, someone who has suffered a whiplash injury may feel normal at first, but the symptoms might before worse after a day or two. Symptoms of whiplash include severe pain, limited mobility in the affected areas, a stiff neck and difficulty moving the head, spasms of the neck and headaches. Whiplash usually heals on its own after three months and is treated with painkillers. In some instances the person may need physiotherapy to recover. In extreme cases, whiplash can cause a permanent disability.

Unfortunately, many car accidents cause whiplash. For example, if a driver is involved in a rear-end collision/ rear shunt where another driver collides with the back of their car, this can result in them suffering a whiplash injury. If you have suffered a whiplash injury because of a car accident or a motorbike accident in Germany, which was not your fault, call Accident Claims UK today. We can provide you with an excellent no win no fee solicitor, to handle your whiplash claim abroad.

To learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of whiplash, read this NHS guide to whiplash injuries.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Road Traffic Accident In Germany?

If you suffer an accident on holiday in Germany, how long do you have to make a personal injury claim? There is a personal injury claims time limit for making a Germany holiday accident claim. This means that you have to start your claim within this time frame. Your personal injury claims time limit starts from the day of your accident, or the day that you realised you had been harmed if you had a difficult diagnosis.

The personal injury claims time limits for making a Germany holiday accident claim vary depending on the type of trip you are taking. Please see the table below for more information.

Edit
Type of trip Personal injury claims time limit
Package holiday Up to three years
Independently booked trip Up to two years

Special Damages You Could Claim For A Car Accident In Germany

If you are injured because of a road traffic accident in Germany, you may be entitled to file a claim. If your case is successful, your compensation package will include general damages and special damages. We will look at what these are in more detail below.

General Damages

General damages are the primary part of a compensation award and are usually the largest part. They compensate the claimant for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity that their injuries have caused them.

Special Damages

Special damages compensate an injured person for any expenses they have experienced, which were caused by their injuries. Let’s look at what special damages claims can often include, below:

  • Medical expenses reimbursement: Compensation can be paid for any medical care the claimant needed after their accident. This can include the cost of medication, an operation, physiotherapy or treatment for PTSD
  • Mobility equipment expenses: If you have become disabled because of a car accident in Germany, you can claim compensation to cover the cost of any mobility equipment expenses
  • Home or car adaptation expenses: If you required your home or car to be adapted, because of permanent debilitating injuries caused by the car crash in Germany, you can claim these expenses as special damages
  • Travel expenses: Travel expenses can include the cost of travelling to and from the hospital or medical appointments, or the cost of seeking alternative transport if you are temporarily unable to drive because of your injuries
  • Car repairs: If you had to pay for your car to be repaired, or an insurance excess fee, you can claim either of these back as special damages
  • Reimbursement for loss of income: You can be reimbursed for any salary or in work benefits payments you missed out on, if you had to take time off work to recover from you car accident injuries

Car Accident In Germany Injury Claims Calculator

Use our personal injury claims calculator to estimate how much you could be entitled to claim for your injuries. Please note, this calculator does not include any special damages you could claim, and is only an initial estimate. For a more accurate estimate that reflects your personal circumstances, call Accident Claims UK today, to speak to one of our advisers.

Edit
Injury How serious it was How much you could claim Comment
Back injury Moderate (i) and (ii) £11,730 – £36,390 Back injury claims which fall into the moderate category are split into two levels, moderate (i) and (ii), depending on how severe the injury is and what impact it has had on the victim.
Arm injury Less severe £18,020 – £36,770 The claimant may have been left with some significant level of disability in the affected arm.
Leg injury Serious (iii) £36,790 – £51,460 At this level of injury, people could be left with injuries such as fractures, ligament damage and joint injuries.
Shoulder injury Minor (i) £4,080 – £7,410 Injuries from which the claimant recovers in two years or less.
Neck injury Moderate (i) £23,460 – £36,120 Dislocations or fractures causing immediate symptoms to the neck.
Hand injury Moderate hand injury £5,260 – £12,460 Soft tissue injuries, penetrating wounds and crush injuries to the hand or the hands.
Finger injury Loss of the Terminal Phalanx of the Ring or Middle Fingers £3,710 – £7,390 Loss of the Terminal Phalanx of the Ring or Middle Fingers
Ankle injury Moderate £12,900 – £24,950 The claimant could be left with both immediate and long-term types of injury and symptoms.
Foot injury Modest Up to £12,900 Simpler and more modest forms of injury to the foot.
Toe injury Moderate Up to £9,010 This is the lowest level of injury classification for toe injuries and includes more moderate forms of injury.

No Win No Fee Claims For Car Accident In Germany

If you have been injured because of a road traffic accident that was not your fault and the other driver, or a third party has liability for a car accident in Germany, you could be entitled to claim compensation. At Accident Claims UK, we would offer you the option to make a No Win No Fee claim. This means that you will not have to pay an upfront solicitor’s fee, making the process a more affordable option for many of our clients.

Instead, you will only have to pay your fee if your solicitor wins your claim, so there is less financial risk involved for you. To learn more about our No Win No Fee terms and to begin your claim for a car accident in Germany, call Accident Claims UK to speak to an adviser today.

Why Select Our Holiday Accident Claims Team?

If you wish to make a Germany holiday accident claim, or claim for an accident on holiday anywhere else overseas, trust Accident Claims UK to handle your claim effectively. We will provide you with an excellent personal injury solicitor who is based in the UK for your convenience but is experienced at handling personal injury claims overseas. Our solicitors know what your car accident claim is worth and will fight to win you the maximum amount of compensation that you could be entitled to claim.

Start Your Claim For A Car Accident In Germany

Call Accident Claims UK and if you have legitimate grounds to claim, we will provide you with a No Win No Fee solicitor, to handle your case. Call today or use our online claims form to make your enquiry, we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Essential References For Visitors To Germany

Contact details for the British Embassy in Berlin.

British Embassy Berlin
Wilhelmstraße 70/71
10117 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 30 204570
Web: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-berlin/office/british-embassy

Accident Claims Guide: – How much could you claim for a holiday accident in Germany?

A Guide To Car Accident Claims: – How much compensation can I claim for a car accident?

Making A Whiplash Claim: – How to claim compensation if you have suffered whiplash.

Could I claim for a car accident in Germany that has injured my child?

There are many ways in which a child could become injured in a car accident in Germany that was not their fault. Your child may have been crossing the road, and been hit by a car or other motor vehicle, when they failed to stop at a crossing, for example. Or, perhaps your child was a passenger in a car, taxi or on a bus, and they were injured in a crash. If the road traffic accident in Germany was not their fault, you could help them to make a claim. Unfortunately, they would not be able to claim for themselves until they became an adult. This is because the law does not deem children under the age of 18 to have the capacity to make a claim for themselves. You would need to act as their litigation friend. If you would like to make such a claim on behalf of your child, we could help you. One of our no win no fee solicitors could talk you through the process of becoming a litigation friend. We could then take your claim on and fight for compensation on your child’s behalf. It is important, however, that you understand that compensation paid out to children is usually held in a trust. They would normally be able to access this trust once they became an adult. However, if there were urgent costs that needed to be paid for, such as medical expenses, you could apply to the court to have some funds released.

Could I claim for a fatal accident in Germany that killed my loved one?

Unfortunately, sometimes people are fatally injured in car accidents. If you have lost a relative or family member due to a road traffic accident in Germany that was not their fault, you could claim compensation. Compensation for a fatal accident abroad could include expenses relating to the person’s funeral. In some cases, you may be able to claim a bereavement award. Compensation could also include damages for what your loved one’s pain and suffering. If you are in the same road traffic accident and you suffer mental trauma, you could also make your own claim for psychological injury compensation. To find out more about claiming compensation for an accident in which your loved one was killed, please do not hesitate to contact us. We promise to handle all claims with the sensitivity they serve. We understand that you may still be grieving. While it is true that no level of compensation could ever make up for your loved one’s untimely death, it could help put you in a better financial position than you would be if you hadn’t made a claim.

What evidence would I need to back up my claim for a car accident in Germany?

The types of evidence that you would need could include evidence of the accident, which could include CCTV footage, a police report and witness statements. You could also submit evidence relating to any costs you’re intending to claim for. Documents such as bank statements, receipts and pay slips could be vital in securing the special damages you deserve. In addition to this, you would have to submit independent medical evidence of your injuries to back up your claim.

Thank you for reading this guide to claiming for a car accident ini Germany.