After a traffic accident, the injured party is entitled to compensation for both material and non-material damage. The quality of documentation gathered immediately after the accident often determines the amount recovered.
What counts as damage
Material damage covers vehicle repair, lost earnings, medical costs and third-party care. Non-material damage relates to physical pain, fear and permanent consequences — and in certain cases family members are also entitled to fair monetary compensation.
The procedure with the insurer
The claim is submitted to the liable party’s insurer, which must deliver a reasoned offer or substantiated response within the statutory deadline. In practice, insurers’ offers are frequently lower than the amounts achieved in court — so they should not be accepted without review.
Limitation periods
A damages claim becomes time-barred three years from learning of the damage and the liable person, and at the latest five years from when the damage occurred. Longer periods apply to damage caused by a criminal offence.
This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact us to discuss your specific case.
