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 a car or other road traffic 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.

Some car and road traffic accident abroad claims can be settled in England and Wales. But in certain cases, it might be best to make your claim in the country the accident occurred. We can advise you on this in a free initial consultation about making a claim. Contact us today.

Compensation claims in England and 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. Other funding options are available and may be necessary in some claims for road traffic accidents abroad, but we’ll always make sure you’re aware of all options.

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 accident abroad claims
Taxis
Coaches and buses
Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and lorries
Motorcycles
Bicycles
Pedestrians.

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

If you were injured in a road traffic accident in the UK, our personal injury solicitors can help you to claim in these circumstances too.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell to handle your claim for a road traffic accident abroad?

We’ve the largest and most successful international personal injury department in the UK. Our team has successfully handled thousands of road traffic accident abroad claims, winning record levels of compensation for many of our clients. Several of our team are listed as leaders in their field by renowned legal guides.

We also have strong connections with legal experts all over the world. These relationships are invaluable when you need to make a claim in a foreign country, as having a lawyer with full knowledge of the law in that jurisdiction ensures the process is as smooth as possible. If your claim needs to go to court, they’ll be there to represent you, which can simplify the process for you enormously.

Not only do we look after you from a legal perspective, but we make sure you’re fully supported in all your needs. Our Support and Rehabilitation team will be on hand to get you help that’s local to you. As trained clinical specialists, they’ll assess the help you need and use our strong relationships with charities across the UK.

Charities we’re proud to work with include:

Brake
Headway
Aftermath
Royal London Hospital
Brain & Spine Foundation
Widowed & Young
RoadPeace.

Your injuries may entitle you to certain means-tested benefits, and our benefit claims experts can help you to understand and access these.

We can also set up a personal injury trust to keep your compensation separate from the rest of your finances. This helps to ensure you get your full benefit entitlement.

No Win No Fee

Help accessing medical support and rehabilitation

Close links with law firms around the world

Offices across the UK

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More information on road traffic accident abroad claims

The first thing they did was reassure me. They were there for questions. They had my back.”

James, client

James' Story

“If I’d not contacted Irwin Mitchell, I'd probably be in a sticky situation now. My career was swept out from under my feet, potential sponsors, funding. They made sure I was compensated rightly for the losses."– James

“James's case was complex and included arguments about who was at fault, which law applied, and quantifying his claim as an athlete. Understanding James's potential and having international expertise was crucial to securing the best outcome for him.” – Kylie Hutchinson, Legal Director

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can claim for a road traffic accident abroad?

If you've been injured, or a loved one has died, because 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.

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 pursue your case in their jurisdiction.

Who would I be claiming against?

When making a car or road traffic accident abroad claim, who you’re claiming against will depend on the circumstances.

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 abroad, and the accident was caused by reckless driving by the driver, the tour operator may be held responsible. This is because they failed in their duty of care to you as a customer.

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

In the case of hit and run accidents abroad, where the driver responsible isn’t insured or can’t 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.

Does it matter where in the world my road accident happened?

Thanks to our excellent relationships with partners and law firms around the globe, we can help with pursuing your claim in many different jurisdictions, such as the USA, Europe, Canada and Australia.

So, wherever your road traffic accident abroad took place, we urge you to speak to us. We’ll be able to see you’re properly represented by a legal expert with in-depth knowledge of the law in the country your accident took place.

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