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How To Claim Compensation Against Dutch Lorry / HGV Driver? – View Our Guide The Netherlands
When you’re involved in a road traffic accident you probably know the process of exchanging insurance details with the other driver and verifying the damage and who was to blame, but what if you were hit by a Dutch lorry? What is the process? Can you claim if you were hit by a Dutch lorry driver? The answer is yes you can claim and Legal Expert can help you claim if you were hit by a Dutch lorry and have experienced any form of personal injury. Give us a call now on 0800 073 8804 or if you want to know more then keep reading our guide on what do if you were hit by a Dutch lorry.
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A Guide To Claiming Compensation If Hit By A Dutch HGV or Lorry
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How To Claim Compensation Against A Dutch Lorry / HGV Driver
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The Motor Insurance Bureau Can Not Confirm The Dutch Drivers Insurance, What Happens To My Claim?
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My Accident Involving A HGV Happened In The Netherlands, Can I Still Make A Compensation Claim?
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How Much Compensation Could I Claim After Being Injured By A Dutch Lorry?
A Guide To Claiming Compensation If Hit By A Dutch HGV or Lorry
It has been estimated, by a recent report, that around 18000 traffic accidents happen in the UK each year that involve foreign vehicles. Of that number a fair few are accidents where a UK vehicle is hit by a Dutch lorry.
Dutch hgv accident claim
Being hit by a Dutch lorry is fairly commonplace on the UK roads and a lot of British drivers are worried that when they are hit by a Dutch lorry that they may not be able to make a claim for compensation. However, there is a system in place called the United Nations Green Card which can help UK drivers make a personal injury claim against Dutch lorry driver.
This article goes into more detail about the Green Card later on and how it will help your claim for being hit by a Dutch lorry. It is suffice to say that there are legal systems in place, if you were hit by a Dutch lorry, to make a compensation claim and we at Legal Expert have the best understanding of the process to make your claim successful when you’ve been hit by a Dutch lorry.
How To Claim Compensation Against A Dutch Lorry / HGV Driver
So how do you know if you have been hit by a Dutch lorry? The driver doesn’t necessarily need to be from the Netherlands and nor does the company he is working for but the vehicle itself does need to have been registered in the Netherlands.
The easy way to tell if the lorry is registered in the Netherlands is to look at the number plate. A Dutch lorry will have the blue section containing the European flag and most importantly the letters NL to indicate it has been registered in the Netherlands.
Once you’ve identified that you were hit by a Dutch lorry you can make a claim for compensation with us via the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB) who will act as intermediary between us and the Dutch insurance company.
What Is A Dutch HGV/Lorry?
When you are hit by a Dutch lorry you may be wonder what exactly classes as a Dutch lorry or Dutch HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) . The answer is simply it’ a lorry that carries over 7.5 tonnes of cargo which can mean a small lorry with 2 axles right up to a 6 axle lorry towing a trailer.
If you were hit by a Dutch lorry this guide from gov.uk gives a very clear indication of the types of Dutch lorry that are considered to be HGVs. Vans and small flat bed lorries would not be classed as an HGV as you can drive those on your normal drivers licence whereas an HGV requires a specialist licence.
The International Green Card System for Vehicles Explained
If you’ve been hit by a Dutch lorry and want to make a personal injury claim then it is much easier if the driver of the Dutch lorry can produce a UN Green card. These make it much easier for us to claim when you’re hit by a Dutch lorry as it is a certificate that guarantees the driver has got at least the minimum level of insurance to cover any claims for compensation.
The driver should have a copy of their green card with them so if you are hit by a Dutch lorry, ask to see a copy of their green card and make a note of any relevant details from it. We will then let the MIB know the details so that they know who to contact in the Netherlands.
The Green Card system works across 40 countries including the UK and Netherlands so if you’re hit by a Dutch lorry then it is the thing to ask for as well as the drivers details. We will use all of the information provided when you claim compensation when you were hit by a Dutch lorry and work with the MIB process your claim as quickly as possible.
What Steps Should I Take After Being Hit By A Dutch Vehicle?
If you are hit by a Dutch lorry then there are steps you should take to make sure your claim can be processed. Being hit by a Dutch lorry is similar to making a claim against a UK driver in that you should get the name, address and contact number from the other driver.
If you were hit by a Dutch lorry and the driver doesn’t speak English then it is important to write down their number plate and if it is safe to do try to take a photograph showing how you were hit by a Dutch lorry. Also, when you’ve been hit by a Dutch lorry, it’s worth remembering that the lorry cab may have a different number plate to the one on the trailer. If you are hit by a Dutch lorry then try to get both number plates but definitely the one at the front of the lorry.
If, when you were hit by a Dutch lorry, the driver speaks good English then ask them for their insurers details and the green card number as this will really help with the claim from the MIB.
The Motor Insurance Bureau Can Not Confirm The Dutch Drivers Insurance, What Happens To My Claim?
If you make a claim for being hit by a Dutch lorry and the MIB are unable to confirm that the driver has insurance then they will transfer your claim for being hit by a Dutch lorry to another scheme called the Uninsured Driver’s Agreement. Essentially you will still be able to progress with your claim for being hit by a Dutch lorry but it will be through an alternative scheme than the UN Green Card.
I Suffered Whiplash, Can I Claim Compensation?
One of the most common injuries when hit by a Dutch lorry is whiplash which is caused when soft tissue in the neck are stretched because of a sudden or violent movement of the head. In the case of being hit by a Dutch lorry the whiplash would be because the seatbelt in your vehicle prevented your body moving forwards but your head and neck were jolted forward by the impact.
Commonly people hit by a Dutch lorry may experience pains and tenderness in the neck, headaches, painful shoulders and arms and sometimes find it difficult to move their heads.
If you’ve been hit by a Dutch lorry and have experienced any whiplash symptoms then you may be eligible to claim compensation from the insured driver of the Dutch lorry. Other injuries obtained after being hit by a Dutch lorry can also be claimed for an are listed in our table below which gives an indication of how much compensation you may get after being hit by a Dutch lorry.
My Accident Involving A HGV Happened In The Netherlands, Can I Still Make A Claim?
If you were hit by a Dutch lorry while abroad we can still make a claim for compensation on your behalf. As with accidents in this country you should try to gather as much evidence of when you were hit by a Dutch lorry to back up your claim. This includes photographs and witness contact details if possible.
Our guide to claiming for personal injuries while abroad is a useful guide to the claims process if you were hit by a Dutch lorry while abroad and want to use us as your personal injury solicitor.
It is still possible to claim compensation for being hit by a Dutch lorry while in the Netherlands and our experts can progress your claim quickly.
How Much Compensation Could I Claim After Being Injured By A Dutch Lorry?
Being hit by a Dutch lorry can lead to a multitude of different injuries which means it would be impossible for us to say exactly how much compensation you would get for being hit by a Dutch lorry. However, our table below gives and indication of how much different injuries, linked to being hit by a lorry, may get in compensation.
| Compensation type | Common compensation amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death from a HGV accident | £12,500 to £300,000 | Average compensation for death but may increase when all issues are considered. |
| Mental suffering | £3,720 | Compensation added in fatal accidents where the victim knows they are going to die and fears end of life.. |
| Care and protection for family members due to loss of companionship | £2,000 to £100,000 | In certain cases there may be a higher amount awarded than displayed. |
| Loss of benefits. | £5,000 to £500,000 | This compensation would be to cover any wages/income you have lost because of the cycle accident. In certain cases there may be a higher amount awarded than displayed. |
| Anticipated earnings lost | £10,000 to £400,000 | If your accident has caused you to miss out on future anticipated earnings such as pay increases or promotions this compensation would apply. The compensation would be based on the future earning potential you may have and also your current pay rate. In certain cases there may be a higher amount awarded than displayed. |
| Pain and suffering | £1,000 to £200,000 | The compensation you receive for this will be determined by the level of suffering and pain you have endured. |
| Funeral expenses | £3,000 to £10,000 | In certain cases there may be a higher amount awarded than displayed. |
| Minor back injury | Several hundred pounds to £9,500 | If it’s expected you’ll make a full recovery within a few months, you may receive a lesser payout. |
| Moderate back injury | £9,500 to £29,475 | The highest award in this range is for back injury where there is residual disability, but it isn’t so bad that it would be classed as a severe back injury.. |
| Severe level of back injuries | £53,000 to £122,350 | The highest award in this range is for the severest of back injuries, which tend to be spinal cord damage and nerve root damage. |
| Whiplash |
If you can’t see the injury you sustained when you were hit by a Dutch lorry, or are unsure which category you fall into, give us a call and we will work it out with you.
No Win No Fee Claims For Accidents Involving Dutch Lorries
If you were hit by a Dutch lorry or involved in a road traffic accident involving a Dutch driver and want to claim compensation then we offer a no win no fee service. This means that you pay no legal fees up front to make your claim which means it is at no risk to you.
Our experts will listen to the story of how you were hit by a Dutch lorry and decide whether to take the case forward or not. If we do it means that we believe you have a high chance of receiving compensation. Unlike other solicitors that make you pay by the hour regardless of the outcome or not which are much more invested in your case as we will not be paid unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.
Talk To Legal Expert Today
If you’ve been hit by a Dutch lorry, or are claiming on behalf of somebody else who was hit by a Dutch lorry, and are ready to make a claim for compensation then get in contact with us today. We have a team ready to take your call, listen to your story about when you were hit by a Dutch lorry, and work swiftly to make your claim for compensation.
Our free phone number is 0800 073 8804
We know how worrying it is to deal with making a claim when being hit by a Dutch lorry but our experts are here to help you through the whole process. We’ve made claims for compensation for other people hit by a Dutch lorry so know what needs to be done to make a claim successful. Legal Expert will make the process as easy for you as possible.
Useful Links
Here are some useful links that may be relevant to making a claim for being hit by a Dutch lorry.
A Guide to Foreign Vehicle Car Accident Claims – similar to claims for being hit by a Dutch lorry but more targetted at other foreign vehicles.
A Guide to HGV Lorry Accident Claims – not specifically about being hit by a Dutch lorry but a useful guide to HGV accident claims.
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