By Jo Jeffries. Last updated 29th November 2021. Welcome to this guide on claiming for a car accident in Hungary.
Car accident in Hungary claims-guide
It can be very traumatic to be involved in a Road Traffic Accident (RTA). It can be even more so when they happen in a country abroad. If you have been involved in a car accident in Hungary and the accident caused your injuries but was not your fault, you may be able to make a claim for compensation
The law around making road traffic accident claims in EU countries usually concerns the EU Motor Directives, which stipulate how claims might be made in road traffic accidents across the EU involving citizens of other EU states. The process of making a claim for a road accident in Hungary may change so it is always worth calling the experts for up to date advice.
In this guide to making a claim for injuries caused by a Hungarian car accident you will find information on making a personal injury claim, tips on claiming for whiplash, and further general information on what to do after a car accident in Hungary.
Due to the changes expected in the law, we recommend you contact us today if you are considering making a claim. Our advisors could help you decide if you have grounds to make a claim and advise you on steps to take when making a claim for a car accident in Hungary. You can reach us on 0800 073 8801 or use our online contact form to have us call you back at a time of your choosing.
Select A Section
- A Guide On How To Claim For A Car Accident In Hungary
- What Are The Top Ten Largest Cities In Hungary?
- What Do I Need To Know To Be Able To Drive In Hungary?
- Do You Need Travel Or Driving Insurance Cover?
- What To Do In The Event Of A Car Accident In Hungary
- Emergency Numbers In Hungary And Hungarian Emergency Services
- How To Get Medical Care After A Car Crash In Hungary
- Who To Report Your Car Accident In Hungary To
- Road Accidents In Hungary Involving A Rental Car
- Could I Claim Compensation If I Have A Whiplash Injury?
- Am I Limited To Using A Hungarian Solicitor?
- How Long After A Car Accident In Hungary Could I Claim Compensation?
- Car Accident Personal Injury Calculator
- No Win No Fee Claims For Car Crashes And Accidents In Hungary
- Why Make Your Claim With Accident Claims UK?
- Start A Hungary Car Accident Claim
- Essential Resources For Visitors To Hungary
A Guide On How To Claim For A Car Accident In Hungary
There are many reasons why a person may travel abroad. You could be visiting Hungary on holiday, to visit family, for work, to study, etc. and while there you may rent a car, or drive your own to help you get from a to b. While many people may not like to imagine the idea of being in an accident, they do happen. A road accident in Hungary could happen in a wide variety of circumstances, and the law surrounding each one can vary greatly.
For instance, if you are renting a car as part of a package holiday you booked through a UK based provider, and the car has a fault which leads to an accident, then your claim could be handled under UK law and made against the provider. The law can vary however if you are driving your own car and are involved in a Hungarian car accident that was not your fault. In this case, the circumstances can affect which steps might be taken in making a claim, and the process can be complicated.
Despite the many varied ways in which a claim may need to be handled, it is still possible to claim personal injury compensation after a car accident in Hungary that was not your fault. For more information and clarification, we recommend you contact our advisors today.
What Are The Top Ten Largest Cities In Hungary?
Below is a list of the ten largest cities in Hungary based on population.
- Budapest
- Debrecen
- Szeged
- Miskolc
- Pécs
- Győr
- Nyíregyháza
- Kecskemét
- Székesfehérvár
- Szombathely
What Do I Need To Know To Be Able To Drive In Hungary?
In this section you will find information on things to have with you, and what to do before driving in Hungary. This includes a list of the things you are expected to have in your vehicle at all times while driving. It is mandatory for drivers to have their driving licence on them when ever they are driving, and in some cases, where you may be driving on a motorway, you will need a valid sticker. You will also be expected to have the following:
- Driving licence.
- A second form of proof of identity, which could be your passport.
- Proof that you own the vehicle you are driving
- Proof of insurance or a green card
There are some other paraphernalia that you are required to have in your vehicle at all times, and these include:
- A high visibility vest in case of breakdown or roadside emergency.
- Warning triangles which should also be used in the event of a breakdown or roadside emergency.
- A first aid kit is a mandatory requirement for private vehicles and must always be included.
In Hungary it is also expected for you to have your lights adjusted to expected levels, and it may be necessary for you to adjust them yourself, or purchase stickers that do so. In daytime outside certain areas drivers are also required to have their dipped headlights on at all times, regardless of visibility or if they are on a motorway.
Do You Need Travel Or Driving Insurance Cover?
It is always important to ensure that you are correctly covered by car insurance which would be vital in the event of a car accident in Hungary. You are also required to be able to prove that your vehicle is insured while driving on Hungarian roads, and that the type you have is sufficient to cover you in the event of a crash.
Having travel insurance gives you extra cover you might rely on if you are injured in a road accident in Hungary, although for the time being UK citizens have access to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), it does not cover all injuries. Therefore, having adequate car and travel insurance will ensure you have all the necessary cover you might need if you are unfortunately involved in a Hungarian car accident. For more information on travel advice in Hungary, follow this link to the UK government page on Hungary.
What To Do In The Event Of A Car Accident In Hungary
This section outlines what to do if you are in a car accident in Hungary, including seeking medical attention, as well as what details and information to collect from the other driver following the accident. Firstly, depending on the seriousness of the accident, the first action to take would be to seek medical attention for any injured people. Following this, there are other steps you can take that may help support your claim.
It is important to report a road accident in Hungary to the Hungarian police by compiling a report that includes the following information:
- The Hungarian police must be called in the event a person is injured.
- Where the accident happened and what time it was.
- An account of visible injuries suffered by any one involved.
- The contact details of any witnesses that were present, as well as the details of all people involved in the accident.
- Information on both cars, like colour, make, any specific markings, and the registration number.
In the event of a Hungarian car accident there are other parties that should be informed, such as the rental company if you are renting a car, your insurance provider, holiday providers, etc.
If possible, we always recommend taking photographic evidence of the scene of the accident, as this can be used to support your claim. We advise, where possible, taking photos of injuries also, as this will help to show the extent and severity of them.
Emergency Numbers In Hungary And Hungarian Emergency Services
Knowing what numbers to ring can be very helpful if you have been involved in a Hungarian road accident. 112 is the emergency number that you can call from any country in the EU, and they cater for calls made in many languages.
In the country itself, there are national numbers used to contact the local emergency services. These can include:
- 107 to call the police
- 105 for fire brigade, civil protection and rescue services
- 104 for emergency medical services and an ambulance
How To Get Medical Care After A Car Crash In Hungary
As we mentioned in the “What to do after a car accident” section above, there may be instances where you need emergency medical attention for injuries caused by a car accident in Hungary. In this case, you could contact emergency services by calling 112, or 104.
Payment for certain services can vary depending on if you have travel insurance to cover you after a road accident in Hungary, or if you have a Global Health Insurance Card. This can also vary depending on what services or treatment you need, and if there are any additional costs applied.
Who To Report Your Car Accident In Hungary To
As we have stated, it is important to report your car accident in Hungary to Hungarian police, as it can help to remedy any disagreements among drivers about who is liable, but it also creates an official record of the incident and could help to support your claim. It may also be necessary in cases where the other driver does not have any insurance, or they have fled the scene before authorities could be involved.
Other parties that should be informed of your involvement in a road accident in Hungary can vary depending on your circumstances. The rental car company should be informed if you are renting a car, you should tell your insurance providers, your holiday provider, etc.
Road Accidents In Hungary Involving A Rental Car
Following a rental car accident in Hungary, you must inform the rental car company of the accident. Before taking out a rental car always ensure that you take out the insurance also, so that in the event there is a road traffic incident you are covered.
The circumstances surrounding every case are different, and your car accident may be handled different in cases where the rental car was booked as part of a package holiday with a UK based holiday provider, and the accident was caused by a fault in the car. We recommend you contact us at your earliest convenience if you require further clarification on accidents abroad in rental cars.
Could I Claim Compensation If I Have A Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered by those involved in road traffic accidents. They can include injuries of varying severity and have the potential to leave a person incapacitated for some time. Car crash compensation could possibly be awarded for whiplash injuries developed in a Hungarian car accident if the accident was not your fault.
Whiplash is caused when the head is violently jolted back and forth, resulting in damage to the neck, shoulders and head. The symptoms that accompany whiplash may not surface for some time after the accident, and in some cases, even serious damage may not be noticeable for some time after usually 24 hours. It is recommended that if you suspect you may have whiplash that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. This is for your overall health, but also can be beneficial to your claim, as the doctors report will detail the extent and severity of your injuries. See this NHS page for more information on whiplash.
Am I Limited To Using A Hungarian Solicitor?
When it comes to claiming personal injury compensation for an accident in Hungary, you may not be limited to using a Hungarian solicitor. The circumstances for each case can vary, meaning that your claim may be handled under different laws. Depending on this, you may be able to use a UK based solicitor, or at least a UK based solicitor with training in international law.
For example, if your car accident in Hungary happened because a rented car you booked through a package holiday with a UK provider was faulty, then your case could be handled under UK law by a UK based solicitor. Another example could be that you had a car accident that was not linked to a package holiday, but was instead in your own private vehicle, where another road user was at fault. In this case, your claim may be handled under Hungarian law. To find out if you can use a UK based solicitor for an accident in Hungary all you have to do is call us on the free phone number for free legal advice.
How Long After A Car Accident In Hungary Could I Claim Compensation?
If you are considering making a claim for a Hungarian car accident, there may be a personal injury claims time limit that applies to most cases. These limitations can vary from case to case and we advise seeking legal advice if you wish to know what limitations may affect your case.
| Circumstances Of Accident | Applicable Limitation Periods |
|---|---|
| A car accident in Hungary caused by a fault in a rented car booked through a UK based provider as part of a package holiday | 3 years, but may vary accordingly |
| A road accident in Hungary in a private vehicle, caused by the fault of another road user | 5 years, but has potential to vary greatly according to Hungarian law |
As stated, the law can vary greatly in certain cases, and we recommend you seek legal advice as soon as possible in relation to possible limitation periods.
Car Accident Personal Injury Calculator
It is not for us to speculate on how much you may be awarded in a Hungary car accident compensation claim. We can, however, include the possible figures that may be awarded if your claim is made under UK law. Using the Judicial College guidelines, we can show typically awarded figures for injury claims in the UK.
To show this we have included a personal injury claims calculator below which will show some, but not all, of the possible award amounts for injuries of varying severity. As with all personal injury claims, the awards are based on how severe the injuries are, and the overall impact they have had on your everyday life. They are only indicative, and every case is different, so if you wish to talk about more accurate estimates relating to your individual situation, then contact us today for free, no obligation legal advice.
| Injury Type | Injury Severity | Typical Award Amount | Comments on Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Moderately Severe | £205,580 to £264,650 | This bracket commonly covers injuries resulting the person requiring almost constant care and have a severe disability. These disabilities may also include paralysis, and significant impairment to a person’s personality or intellectual ability. |
| Brain Damage | Less Severe | £14,380 to £40,410 | In this bracket are injuries resulting in a small risk of epilepsy, but the person may have shown to make a good recovery, but with certain persisting symptoms like mood swings, and loss memory and concentration, which may interfere with everyday life. |
| Back injuries | Severe | £85,470 to £151,070 | Injuries in this bracket include severe damage to nerves roots and the spinal cord which result in serious consequences not usually associated with back injuries. Injuries in this bracket also include symptoms of paralysis as well as impairment to the function of lower body organs. |
| Back injuries | Minor | £7,410 to £11,730 | This bracket varies according to severity, how long it takes to recover, the presence of persisting symptoms, and generally applies to injuries that heal without surgery within two to five years. It mainly applies to soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains, as well as prolapsed discs. |
| Arm Injuries | Severe | £90,250 to £122,860 | This bracket is for injuries that fall just below amputation, and account for injuries that leave the person in a similar position to an amputee, in so far as the arm is of no use because of serious damage to the brachial plexus. |
| Arm Injuries | Less Severe | £18,020 to £36,770 | This bracket covers the range of injuries that may have resulted in serious disabilities, but which have made a very good recovery over time, or will be expected to recover greatly in time. |
| Hip Injuries | Severe | £73,580 to £122,860 | This bracket applies to injuries resulting significant impairment of lower bodily functions, such as bladder and bowel control, and which also affect reproductive organs, or affects a woman’s ability to give birth naturally. This bracket also includes hip and pelvis injuries that involve damage to the lower back which may require spinal fusion. |
| Hip Injuries | Lesser Injuries | £3,710 to £11,820 | This bracket includes injuries that were initially significant, but from which the person has made a complete recovery within two years and there will not be any persisting disability. |
| Leg Injuries | Severe | £90,320 to £127,530 | This bracket is similarly just short of amputation, in which the injuries are so severe they may be awarded a similar level of compensation. This can include injuries that required bone grafting, where fractures did not unite correctly, where degloving has occurred, or injuries have resulted in significant shortening of the leg. |
| Leg Injuries | Less Serious | £16,860 to £26,050 | This bracket generally covers fractures or soft tissue damage from which the person has not made a complete recovery. This can include persistent difficulty walking, cosmetic deformity, or serious impairment of mobility. |
No Win No Fee Claims For Car Crashes And Accidents In Hungary
At Accident Claims UK, we handle all of our claims, including car injury claims, on a no win no fee basis. Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) is the technical term for no win no fee and a CFA is what you enter into when you agree to work with a no win no fee personal injury solicitor. The CFA stipulates that if your solicitor wins your case, their personal legal fees will be deducted from the overall amount you are awarded.
If they are not successful however, you are not required to cover for the legal fees for your solicitor. There is also a cap on the amount a solicitor can expect to receive for their legal fees, and it is set at a maximum of 25% of the overall compensation awarded. Before you agree to proceed with a claim, all of the fees and costs should be discussed and agreed upon between you and your solicitor. Contact us today if you have any other questions.
Why Make Your Claim With Accident Claims UK?
If you choose to work with a personal injury lawyer from our team, we can ensure that from the first consultation we will be working towards securing you the best possible amount to compensate you for injuries caused by a Hungarian car accident. Even though the laws affecting your claim may vary, our team can use their experience in handling claims for accidents that occur abroad to try and help you make a successful claim.
Start A Hungary Car Accident Claim
If you are looking for more information on making personal injury claims in Hungary, contact our team today on 0800 073 8801 and our friendly advisors will be happy to answer all of your questions. If you prefer, you can arrange to have us call you back a time that suits you best by completing our online contact form.
Essential Resources For Visitors To Hungary
We hope this guide to Hungary car accident claims has given you the information you need. To provide a little more information, we have included some links below which you may find useful.
British Embassy Budapest – This is the government site for the British Embassy in Budapest.
Hungary Accident Claims Guide – This is our online guide to making claims for injuries while on holiday in Hungary.
Vehicle Insurance – See this government page on driving abroad and in the EU.
Visit Europe After Brexit – See this government page on possible changes that may occur after the UK leaves the EU.
What injuries could be common in a car accident in Hungary?
We have highlighted above that you could suffer whiplash in a car accident in Hungary. However, there are many other injuries that could be considered common in car accidents. Some of these could include the below:
Spinal injuries-if you suffer a spinal injury, this could lead you to long term problems. You may lose some mobility, although sometimes this may be temporary. However, in severe cases, you may be paralysed from a spinal injury. This could mean that you have long term medical costs that compensation could help you to pay for.
Head injuries-it is not uncommon for people to suffer head injuries in a car accident. When it comes to claiming for a head injury, the compensation you would receive would be dictated by the level and severity of your injury. For example, a claim for minor head injuries where there is no brain damage could bring you less than a traumatic brain injury. Again, a traumatic brain injury could lead to long term costs for care and medical expenses. Your claim could include damages for this.
Broken bones- broken bones are a common injury wherever there is extreme force applied to the skeleton. No matter what bones you have broken, you could claim compensation if you can prove the accident is someone else’s fault.
Soft tissue injuries- while you might not think of soft tissue injuries as being serious, in some cases, they could lead to a long-term impact on your life. Particularly, where there are torn muscles or ligaments, this could lead you to be unable to perform the tasks that you once did.
Organ damage- in some cases, you could suffer organ damage from a car accident. Internal injuries can be quite severe, and you may have to undergo surgery to repair any damage.
No matter what type of injury you have sustained in a car accident that was not your fault, we could assist you in claiming for its. Please do not hesitate to contact our team.
Could I claim for my child who was injured in a car accident in Hungary?
Has your child been injured in a car accident in Hungary? Whether they were run over at a pedestrian crossing, or were injured as a passenger in a car, if the accident was someone else’s fault, they could be eligible for compensation. You could make a claim on their behalf up until they turn 18. If you chose not to do so, there could be a chance for them to claim themselves once they turn 18. However, it might be a good idea to consider claiming earlier rather than later. It could be easier to gather evidence if the accident has only just occurred, for example. If you would like to make a claim on behalf of your child, you would need to register to be a litigation friend. We could talk you through the process of doing so, and could help you claim on a no win no fee basis. We would be glad to assess your case to see if you could have a strong chance of getting compensation for your child. Please note that any compensation would be put in a trust for your child.
Thank you for reading this guide on how to claim for a car accident in Hungary.