Road Traffic Accident Abroad Claims

A road traffic accident can be a traumatic and life-changing experience wherever in the world it takes place. If you've been involved in a road traffic accident (RTA) while abroad for work or leisure, our lawyers could help you claim compensation.

When an accident happens overseas, it can be hard to know what to do. The rules around claiming compensation can be different from country to country, and language barriers can make navigating these local laws difficult.

Most of the international personal injury claims we handle are made in England & Wales. But in some cases it may be beneficial to make your claim abroad. We can advise you on this in a free initial consultation about making a claim.

Compensation claims in England & Wales are normally funded through a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there's nothing to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

We have the largest and most successful international personal injury department in the UK, and have successfully handled thousands of road traffic accident abroad claims, winning record levels of compensation for a number of our clients.

Whether you were the driver, a passenger or a pedestrian, our lawyers have years of experience in road traffic accidents. We've helped numerous clients in accidents involving:

Cars and taxis
Coaches and buses
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and lorries
Motorcycles
Bicycles
Pedestrians

The injuries caused by an RTA can range from relatively minor conditions severe injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Tragically, road traffic accidents can also result in fatal injuries.

If you've been injured, or a loved one has been killed, in a road traffic accident abroad that wasn't your fault, we could help you claim compensation. Call us today on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation about your case or contact us online and we’ll get back to you.

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Road Traffic Accident Abroad Claims - More Information

I am relieved that our legal battle is finally over. Our holiday was a nightmare and we were so disappointed. We’re glad Irwin Mitchell has managed to achieve a successful outcome for us”

David, client

Jason's Story

"I just feel so lucky to be in the position that I am today. I feel like I’m able to live life to the full and I’m determined to ensure nothing holds me back in the future.” – Jason

“Securing the ongoing funding for his exoskeleton was extremely important to Jason, and has enabled him to walk again; something he hasn’t been able to do since the accident." – Bronwen Lancaster, Chartered Financial Planner

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Can Claim Compensation For A Road Traffic Accident Abroad?

If you've been injured, or a loved one has died, as a result of a road traffic accident caused by someone else, then you could be able to make a claim.

The cause of the accident could have been:

The driver of another vehicle
The driver of a vehicle you were a passenger in
A fault in the vehicle
A poorly maintained road surface or traffic signals

Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, perhaps due to being unfamiliar with local traffic laws, you may still be able to claim compensation – please contact us for expert advice in this situation.

Under UK law, you generally have three years to make a compensation claim for a road traffic accident. You may be able to make a claim in the UK – even if your accident took place abroad. However, in that situation, foreign time limits usually apply and these may be different to UK time limits and are often shorter.

Claims can potentially be made in the UK if:

The accident has happened in the EU
It involves a serious injury
It involves a coach operated by a UK company
You were travelling with a tour operator based here
The responsible driver or other defendant is resident in the UK

Wherever you need to make your claim, we aim to make the entire process as simple as possible for you. If you do need to claim abroad, we work with an international network of law firms whose representatives can attend hearings overseas on your behalf, removing any language or travel barriers to making your case.

If you’d like to claim compensation following a road traffic accident abroad, it's vital that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible, to ensure you don't miss your chance because of local laws or time limits. Contact us on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation about your case, and we'll be able to discuss your circumstances and give you some more information on your options.

Who Would I Be Claiming Against?

In the case of a collision between two cars, for example, you’re likely to be claiming against the other driver and their insurer. If you were a passenger in a car or in a taxi, it may be the driver of the vehicle you were a passenger in and their insurer, or the other driver and their insurer – whoever was found to be at fault.

However, in certain cases someone other than the driver may be deemed to be responsible. For example, if you were travelling on a coach or bus as part of a package tour, and the accident was caused by reckless driving on the part of the driver, the tour operator may be held responsible, as they failed in their duty of care to you as a customer.

Road traffic accidents can also be caused by other factors, such as poorly maintained signage or road surfaces, and in these cases you may be able to bring a claim against the local authority responsible for this.

In the case of hit and run accidents where the driver responsible is not insured or who cannot be traced, you may still be able to make a claim. If you're able to claim through the UK courts then your compensation could be paid by the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB), an insurance industry-funded organisation that compensates victims of uninsured or untraceable drivers.

When you've been injured in a road traffic accident abroad, it's important to contact a lawyer for legal advice as soon as possible, so call us today on 0800 121 6558 for a free initial consultation. We'll advise you on whether we think you have a case, and what your options are.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Road Traffic Accident Abroad Claim?

Making a claim for compensation following a road traffic accident abroad may seem daunting, but with experts on your side it’s nothing to worry about. We’ve helped thousands of people to claim in this situation and have the experience needed to navigate local traffic laws and rules around compensation settlements.

We work with an international network of law firms to support our clients when you need to make claims around the world, removing any language barriers and handling every aspect of your case. When you need to make a decision, we'll offer our advice in plain English, without any legal jargon.

Our aim is to make the process as simple as possible for our clients, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries as much as possible. Rehabilitation is an essential part of our process, informing the amount of compensation you'll receive, and we'll arrange for you to access all of the medical care and support you are entitled to from suppliers close to your home where possible.

If you have any questions about the claims process, or how we can help, contact us today on 0800 121 6558 for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.

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