Tenerife Car Accident Personal Injury Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For Car Accident In Tenerife?

By Joanne Jeffries. Last Updated 3rd October 2022. Welcome to our guide on claiming for a car accident in Tenerife. Here, we look at what you may need to know about driving in Tenerife and how we could help with car accident claims in Tenerife.

Tenerife car accident car accident in Tenerife driving in tenerife car accident claims in tenerife

Tenerife car accident

Have you been injured whilst driving on holiday in Tenerife? Do you need to make a Tenerife car accident claim? If you have been injured in a car accident abroad whilst staying on the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, this guide will provide you with all of the information you need to know, such as what to do before driving in Tenerife, and how much you could claim in compensation. Whilst we focus specifically on one of the Canary Islands in this guide, much of the information is relevant to accidents on the roads across the rest of the Canary Islands, as well as the Spanish mainland.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Europe, our friendly team could be able to help you to claim compensation, and we could even do so through a no win no fee agreement. Whilst the UK is still part of the EU and EEA, there are laws in place which help you to claim compensation in the UK for a car accident abroad in other EU states. This may change after the UK leaves the EU.

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A Guide To Claiming Compensation For A Car Accident In Tenerife

This guide specifically looks at cases where people have been injured in a road traffic accident in Tenerife and who wish to make a personal injury claim. As a claimant, you could have been a driver or a passenger involved in a car crash in Tenerife, or you may have been a pedestrian who was hit by a moving vehicle. So long as you can show that someone other than yourself was to blame for the accident happening, you can claim compensation.

As well as being able to claim compensation for the injuries that you suffered, you can also claim for things like the trauma caused by being involved in an accident on the road. We can often help people with injuries ranging from being relatively superficial through to those which restrict your ability to keep working, and for the wider impact of the injury on your life.

Helpful sections we have included in this guide are;

  • Tips on how to drive safely in the Canary Islands,
  • Why it is important to have the right type of travel insurance,
  • What to do if you are involved in a road traffic accident abroad,
  • Who you need to report your accident to,
  • How to claim compensation and what your claim could be worth.

Before we look further at Tenerife road traffic accidents, we look at the best places to stay on the island.

The Best Tourist Resorts And Areas In Tenerife

Firstly, we will look at places where people visit and stay on the island. We have included some of the most top rated destinations such as towns, villages, and resorts.

  1. Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  2. Costa Adeje
  3. Los Cristianos
  4. Playa de las Américas
  5. Puerto de la Cruz
  6. San Cristobal de La Laguna
  7. Adeje
  8. El Medano
  9. Arona
  10. Icod de los Vinos
  11. La Orotava
  12. Golf del Sur

Information on popular destinations in Tenerife is based on information from TripAdvisor and the guide to the Canary Islands. If you have been injured in a car crash in any of these or other destinations, please contact our team to make a personal injury claim for a car accident in Tenerife.

Tips For Driving In The Canary Islands

If you are driving in Tenerife, the Canary Islands or elsewhere in Spain, there are some simple tips which you should follow. Whilst your UK driving license can be used to drive in Spain, there are a few things which you should know.

Firstly, as with all EU member states, there are regulations on what you need to carry in your vehicle at all times. If you are driving a hire car, these items should have been provided. If you have brought your own vehicle, you will need to make sure you have the following items.

  • Your UK driving license.
  • Copies of your insurance or rental documents.
  • Vehicle registration/ rental agreements.
  • Headlamp deflectors.
  • A GB sticker if you are driving your car brought from the UK.
  • Two warning triangles.
  • Reflective jacket for all passengers.

Additional tips for driving in Spain include things such as;

  • There is leeway on speed limits when you are overtaking.
  • You need to indicate when changing lanes, overtaking and changing road position.
  • Take more care in towns and built up areas as there are often more scooters and mopeds on the roads weaving through traffic.

If you have had an accident on the road, please contact a holiday claims solicitor.

Why You Need Adequate Insurance When Driving Abroad

Whenever you are driving abroad, or indeed going abroad for any reason, you should always make sure that you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place. It should cover any activities you intend to participate in whilst on holiday. Remember, in some countries, you may have to pay a lot for medical treatment in the event of accidents and injuries, so it is advisable to have travel insurance in place before you go.

If you are planning to drive when abroad, most car insurance companies in the UK will allow up to 90 of cover if visiting an EU country. In most cases, this will only extend to third party cover. Before you go, make sure to confirm what coverage your existing policy gives you. Similarly, make sure that whether you are driving a hire car or have brought your own vehicle, you also have breakdown cover in place.

Currently if you are involved in an accident abroad in an EU country you can claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB), however, this may be subject to change in the future. You can find out more about making a claim for a road traffic accident abroad through the MIB here.

What To Do If Involved In A Car Accident In Tenerife

Now that we have looked at what to do before driving in Tenerife, we will look at what to do if you are involved in a car crash.

  1. At the scene of the accident, you should immediately stop and switch off your engine. Switch your hazard warning lights on.
  2. Leave the vehicle and make sure that everyone is wearing a reflective jacket.
  3. Next, place the warning triangles in front and behind the car, about 50 meters away.
  4. If the road is blocked, turn your lights back on (if possible) and help to direct other vehicles around the scene of the accident.
  5. Dial 122. Request both an ambulance if anyone is hurt, as well as the police. You do not need the police to attend the scene of the accident if the damage to the vehicles is minor and/ or if nobody is injured.
  6. If anyone is injured, do not move them unless it is absolutely necessary.

Once you are back in the UK and have had treatment for any injuries, there are several steps which you can take to help you have a stronger case.

  1. Inform your insurance provider(s) of what happened.
  2. Write down everything you remember about the accident. You could do this earlier as well.
  3. Make sure you have the contact details of anyone who witnessed your accident.
  4. Ask for copies of your medical reports/ notes.

Your final step should be to contact a personal injury solicitor specialising in holiday accident claims. Try to provide them with as much information as possible to help you have a stronger case.

What Is The Emergency Number In Tenerife?

When travelling abroad, and especially when driving in another country, you should be aware of how to contact the emergency services if you are involved in an accident. If you have a car accident in Tenerife, you may need to contact the following services.

  • 112 – the emergency services.
  • Dial 112 or 061 for an ambulance or other emergencies.
  • Dialing 092 will get you the local municipal police service.
  • Calling 112 or 080 will connect you to the fire brigade.

Before you travel abroad, make you note down the phone numbers of the emergency service.

Medical Care In Tenerife

At the moment, if you travel to any country or territory in the EU, you can use the GHIC to access healthcare services at the same level as a resident of that country. You can apply for an GHIC card here.

We do also recommend that you get travel insurance as discussed above. If you do need to access medical care, such as needing to visit a hospital after a Tenerife car crash, you may still be expected to pay some costs, even with an GHIC card.

Who To Report Your Car Accident To

If you have had a car accident on Tenerife there are three bodies which you should report your accident to (please keep in mind that there may also be other people you need to notify). These are commonly are the police and local authorities, your hire car company and any insurance providers.

If your Tenerife road traffic accident only resulted in minor vehicle damage and no injuries, you will just need to fill in a Declaración Amistosa de Accidente. The drivers will agree on what happened and who was at fault. This is not legally required and we recommend that you do not fill this in if you do not feel confident that you understand what is being written down and what you are signing. It is possible to fill in the form in English.

You should also inform both the company you rented the vehicle from, letting them know what happened. Finally, you should also notify the relevant insurance providers. This is important if you intend to make a claim against your policy.

Of course, there may be other parties who you need to notify of your accident, however, in most cases, you will still need to inform these three.

What If I Have An Accident In A Rental Car?

If your Tenerife car accident claim involves an accident in a rental or hire care, you will need to inform the hire car company as soon as possible after the accident has taken place. As well as your own insurance policies, the hire car company should also have a comprehensive insurance policy covering the vehicle. They should also take steps such as providing you with a replacement car if you did not cause the accident.

Claim For Whiplash In Tenerife

We can see that Spain has a higher rate of car accidents than we see in the UK. Whilst we do not have statistics looking at the breakdown or distribution of types of injuries in car accidents in Tenerife, we do know that whiplash is one of the most common types of injury from road accidents in the UK.

There are different criteria for making a whiplash injury claim in Spain when compared to the UK. when you contact a personal injury lawyer they will be able to take you through the specific requirements which your case will need to meet in order for you to successfully make your claim, if doing so under the Spanish legal system. If you are making your claim against a package holiday company in the UK, your claim will come under UK law and so applicable criteria and time limits will apply.

Is There A Time Limit For Claiming Compensation In Tenerife?

Whenever you are making a personal injury claim, whether, for an accident which happened in the UK or for one which took place abroad, such as a car crash in Tenerife, you need to be aware of the applicable time limit. When you contact a personal injury solicitor they will make you aware of the time limit which applies to your case.

As personal injury claim time limits can vary depending on certain factors and between countries, we have included this handy guide to time limits in Spain.

Edit
Cause or type of accident Personal injury claim time limit
Travel claims for an injury or an illness where a package holiday company based in the UK is responsible. Example if you was a passenger in a car that was provided as transport by the package holiday company. 3 years may very
An injury (such as those sustained in a car crash) which occurred in a vehicle not booked as part of a package deal. 1 year, though this can vary may very
Accidents and injuries which have happened on flights travelling to or from an international airport in Spain. 2 years may very

Talk to our travel claims solicitors today to find out the time limit applicable to your Tenerife car crash claim.

How Is Compensation For Car Accident Claims In Tenerife Calculated?

If you successfully claim for being injured while driving in Tenerife, your compensation could depend on the level of injury you suffer. Plus, it could depend on the wider impact of your injury on your quality of life and finances. For example, in some cases, you could lose a significant portion of your usual earnings if you have to be off work while recovering from your injury. In very serious cases, you might not be able to work at all.

In most successful personal injury claims, there are two types of damages you could receive. However, as the claims process could differ depending on the nature of the claim you make, the way your compensation is calculated could also differ. 

The following sections look at compensation that could be awarded in successful personal injury claims made in England and Wales.

Special damages 

Special damages are designed to compensate successful claimants for the financial impact of their injuries. As we mentioned, this could include a loss of earnings. However, it could also include travel and medical expenses and even the costs of receiving care at home. 

General damages 

Whether you suffer a broken leg, a fractured wrist or psychological injuries, successful claimants who make car accident claims in Tenerife could be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. If your claim is successful, your general damages payout would reflect your short and long-term suffering.

Below, you will see a table containing rough guidelines for general damages payouts for claims in England and Wales. These figures are from the Judicial College Guidelines. For further guidance on compensation amounts for car accident claims in Tenerife, please call our team. They could provide further guidance on how compensation could differ depending on the nature of the claim you make.

Edit
Injury and severity Settlement range Personal injury claim calculator comments
Moderate neck injury £24,990 to £38,490 Including fractures and dislocations
Severe neck injury £65,740 to £130,930 Including damage to discs in the cervical spine
Serious shoulder injuries £12,770 to £19,200 Injuries which will restrict use of the shoulder. Can include other injuries.
Moderate shoulder injuries £7,890 to £12,770 An injury which is very similar to a frozen shoulder.
Minor head or minor brain injury £2,210 to £12,770 Very minor levels of injury to the head and/ or the brain.
Significant burns – which cover a large percentage of the body Likely to exceed £104,830 These are significant burns with coverage of a large percentage of the body, 40% or more.
Less severe wrist injuries £12,590 to £24,500 You could be left with some level of disability in the wrist.
Fractures to the wrist In the region of £7,430 Fractures which can be recovered from fully.
Severe injuries to the pelvis £78,400 to £130,930 Injuries could include pelvic injuries which lead to disabilities in the future.
Very serious jaw fractures. £30,490 to £45,540 Prolonged treatment and permanent consequences.

No Win No Fee Claims For A Car Accident In Tenerife

Our claims advisors and personal injury solicitors are often asked what does no win no fee mean for someone making a car accident abroad compensation claim. Sometimes also called conditional fee agreements, these allow claimants to make compensation claims without having to pay for their solicitor’s services till you win. If you lose your claim, you have nothing at all to pay.

The biggest benefit of this, if you are making a Tenerife car accident personal injury claim, is that you can do so without having to worry about how much money you have and whether or not you could afford a solicitor. Making a claim will cost you nothing till your solicitor as negotiated an agreement for your claim.

Why Make A Car Accident Abroad Claim With Our Team?

So, why should you make a claim for a car accident in Europe with our experts? At Accident Claims, we are able to help you if you have been injured in an accident on the roads in Spain or elsewhere. Our expert teams of claims advisors and panel of personal injury solicitors are able to support you at every step of your case. Whether the fault lays with a package holiday company in the UK or a provider in Spain, we are ready to help with expert solicitors who have helped people like you to successfully claim compensation.

We have a high success rate when it comes to making claims for accidents abroad and has helped people in a variety of different circumstances. With solicitors who have up to thirty years of experience in personal injury claims, you can be sure you are getting great advice.

Contact A Holiday Accident Solicitor

If you have been injured on holiday in Tenerife, simply contact our team to have your case assessed. You can use the phone number at the top of this page, or fill in the quick form to request a call back from our team.

We are ready to help you.

Further Resources If Injured On Holiday In Tenerife

Across our site, we have produced a range of other helpful guides for those injured on holiday in Tenerife, other parts of Spain, or elsewhere. You can find some of these guides below. We have also included information on how to contact the main British Embassy for Spain in Madrid and the British Consulate on the island

Consular Services

British Embassy Madrid
Torre Espacio
Paseo de la Castellana 259D
28046 Madrid
Spain
Tel: (+34) 91 714 6300
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-madrid/office/british-consulate-general-madrid

British Consulate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Plaza Weyler, 8, 1º
38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Spain
Tel: +34 928 26 25 08
Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-santa-cruz-de-tenerife

NHS – Guide To Healthcare In Spain
In this NHS guide, you can find out more about accessing healthcare in Spain.

Tenerife Holiday Accident Claims
This is our main guide to how holiday claims solicitors can help you if you were injured on holiday on this Spanish island.

Car Accidents In Spain
This is our main guide to making a personal injury claim for a car accident in Spain.

FAQ about claiming for a car accident in Tenerife

Can I claim if my child was injured in a car accident in Tenerife?

Children, according to the law lack the mental capacity to make a claim for themselves. This is why some parents choose to make claims on their children’s behalf as their litigation friend. You would have to put in an application to become a litigation friend so you could act for them when making decisions about their claim. One of our personal injury solicitors could guide you on how to go about this. You could make your child’s claim on a no win no fee basis, just as you could when claiming for yourself. If you decided not to claim for your child, they could have a right to claim once they reached adulthood. Usually, they would have 3 years from their 18thbirthday to do this.

 

Can I claim if my spouse was fatally injured in a car accident in Tenerife?

Unfortunately, not everyone walks away from a car accident. Sometimes, the injuries a person receives in a road traffic accident are not injuries they could recover from. Whether your spouse was killed instantly or perished from their injuries at a later date, if someone else was at fault, you could make a claim for fatal accident compensation.

The compensation you could receive could include damages for their pain and suffering, and also costs associated with their death, such as funeral costs. You could also receive an award for your bereavement. In addition to this, if you were financially dependent on the person who died, you could receive compensation to reflect the loss of financial support.

We understand that deciding to claim compensation for a loved one’s death is not a decision you would make lightly. We could support you throughout the claims process to ensure that we took away as much stress as possible out of claiming.

Thank you for reading our guide to claiming for a car accident in Tenerife.