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Portugal Car Accident Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation?

In this guide, we will reveal everything you need to know about car accident claims in Portugal. If you have been injured in such an accident and it was not your fault, it is vital to get the compensation you deserve. We can help you to do this at Legal Expert. You can reach us on 0800 073 8804. But first, read on for more information.

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A Guide Compensation Claims For Car Crashes In Portugal

In this guide, you can discover everything you need to know about European road accident claims and making a case if you have suffered an injury in Portugal. You can also claim if you have lost someone in a fatal car crash in Portugal. Below, you will discover everything you need to know, from how to contact the emergency medical services to the different payouts for common road traffic accident injuries. But first, let’s take a look at the personal injury claims time limit for these claims…

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Circumstances Time limit
Package holiday 3 years
Independent holiday 3 years
Flight to or from an airport in Hungary 2 years

Emergency Medical Services In Portugal

The emergency number for the police, ambulance, and fire department in Portugal is 112.

Healthcare Services For Visitors To Portugal (Including Madeira)

Car accident claims Portugal

Car accident claims Portugal

Luckily, the healthcare system in Portugal is very similar to the NHS. This means you should be treated in the same manner as a Portuguese citizen. Nevertheless, not all treatments are free. Use your EHIC for reduced costs. You can apply for this card for free via the UK Government website.

What Steps To Take After An Accident Abroad

If you have been injured abroad, seeking medical assistance should always be your number one priority. Once you have done this, you should then report the incident to the relevant parties, for example, you may need to call the police or report the incident to your hotel. You also need to ring your insurance provider and make sure they are aware of what has happened.

What To Do After A Car Accident In Portugal

Here are the general steps you should follow if you have been involved in a car accident –

  • See a medical professional – There is only one place to begin and this is with the fact that you must see a doctor. This may seem obvious; after all, you have been injured in a car accident! However, there are incidents when those who have sustained minor injuries elect to cope with them alone as opposed to getting professional treatment. If you do this, you will ruin your chances of securing compensation.
  • Get the contact details of the perpetrator – It is important to get the contact details of the person that caused the accident. You will need their name, address, telephone number and the information regarding the firm that insures them. Also, jot down the make and model of their vehicle as well as the registration number. If the perpetrator has fled the scene, you will obviously not be able to get this information, yet you will still be able to make a Portugal holiday compensation claim. Please make sure you inform the police of the hit and run.
  • Get the contact details of any witnesses – If anyone witnessed the incident, it is a good idea to get their contact information, as witness statements can give your case a real boost. They will serve as proof as to what happened.
  • Take photographs – In some cases, photographs can also help to make your case stronger. Photos you can take include images of your injuries, damage to the street and damage to your vehicle.
  • Document proof of costs you have had to fund – The fifth and final step is to document and keep receipts and other forms of proof for all of your expenses. When you claim for an injury in Portugal, you will be able to claim for these as special damages but you will need proof in order to do so. Examples of common special damages include the likes of vehicle repair costs, medication costs, loss of income, travel costs, childcare costs, counselling expenses and such like.

Reporting Your Accident To The Police, Insurance Company And Relevant Parties

If you have been involved in a car crash, you will need to contact the police and your insurance company. You will also need to get in touch with the car rental firm.

Portugal Car Accident Whiplash

This section has been designed to provide you with all the information you need regarding a whiplash injury in Portugal and how to make a claim. So, keep on reading to find out more…

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Firstly, let’s begin by taking a look at the symptoms you can experience if you have suffered a whiplash injury in Portugal. It is crucial to state that you may only experience a few of these symptoms…

  • Pain
  • Discomfort
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Restricted neck movement
  • Lethargy
  • Blurred Vision

If you suffer any of these symptoms you need to make sure you visit a medical professional. Not only is this imperative for your wellbeing, but also you will struggle to make a personal injury case if you do not. Plus, whiplash symptoms can often be delayed, so you may feel fine immediately after the crash, and then the symptoms may start developing later.

How much compensation will you get?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to say. All cases are different and they vary dramatically. Your compensation will be calculated based on the seriousness of your injuries, taking into account the impact they will have on your life. You will also be compensated for any expenses you have encountered because of the whiplash injury.

What Can Victims Of Road Traffic Accidents In Portugal Claim Compensation For?

What can you claim for if you have been hurt in a car accident on holiday in Portugal? If you have been hurt in a car accident in Portugal that was not your fault, there is a very high chance that you are going to be eligible for compensation. Aside from showing that someone else is to blame, the only other aspects that are vital to your case is whether you have seen a medical professional and if the incident occurred within the time limit. If all of this applies to your case, read on to discover some of the things you will be able to claim for:

  • Medical expenses – If you have been injured, there is no doubt that you are going to face some medical expenses, whether this is the cost of treatment or prescription expenses. You will be able to claim for all medical expenses that relate to your suffering so long as you have receipts to back up your claim.
  • Vehicle repair costs – If your vehicle has been damaged in the incident, you will be able to claim for the cost of repair.
  • Vehicle hire – If you need to hire another car while your vehicle is getting repaired, you will also be able to claim for this as special damages.
  • Vehicle storage costs – There are some cases when people have to pay to have their vehicle stored when they are waiting for it to be repaired. This also counts as a special damage.
  • Loss of income – Have your injuries left you unable to work? If so, and you are losing income as a result, you will be able to claim for this. You are advised to get a letter from your employer to back this up. If you are self-employed, you will need proof of your injuries to show how much you are missing out on.
  • Travel expenses – Finally, you can also claim for travelling to and from the hospital, as well as any parking costs that are incurred during these journeys.

Portugal Car Accident Compensation Claim Calculator

Please do not rely on a personal injury claims calculator for information on the sort of payout you may receive. These can be very inaccurate. The truth is every case is different, and handled as such. In the table below, you can find out about the average holiday accident compensation amounts for injuries commonly related to car accident claims in Portugal.

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Injury Payout
Minor Brain or Head Injury £1,940 to £11,200
Severe neck injury In the region of £130,060
Minor neck injury, recovery in 3 months Up to £2,150
Loss of both legs £211,150 to £247,280
Simple Fracture of a Femur £7,990 to £12,350
Severe ankle injury £27,450 to £43,900
Severe back injury £79,890 to £141,150

Can’t find your injury in the table? Give us a call for more details.

No Win No Fee Compensation Claims For Road Traffic Accidents In Portugal

There are many incidents that can result in personal injury cases. Nonetheless, a lot of people do not actually go ahead and make a claim. Why? Because there are many barriers in the way. Well, this may be the case with a traditional service, but not with No Win, No Fee claims. Let’s look at some of the typical barriers and how No Win, No Fee claims overcome them.

Hurdle 1: Not having any money to make a claim

This is definitely one of the main issues people face when it comes to personal injuries. They do not have the money available to use a personal injury solicitor and make a case. Yet, you don’t have to worry about this when it comes to a No Win, No Fee service, as you don’t need any cash to start the process.

Hurdle 2: Financial risk is too much

Aside from this, a lot of people worry that they are going to spend a large sum of money on a personal injury lawyer only for the person to lose their case. But, financial risk is diminished when choosing a No Win, No Fee service. Not only is the payment structure different, but also the solicitor is more impacted by the outcome of the case.

Hurdle 3: Wasting time

Last but not least, a lot of people worry that they are simply wasting their time. No one wants to go through the hassle of a complex case merely to discover they didn’t have a prayer of winning it. You don’t have to worry about this with No Win, No Fee claims. The solicitor will only take on your case if they think you have a genuine chance of winning it.

How We Can Help Victims Of Road Traffic Accidents In Portugal

Every day, car accidents happen in Portugal and around the world. If you have been involved in a road traffic accident in Portugal, and someone else is responsible, there is a very high chance that you will be eligible for compensation. However, the whole process can seem a bit daunting and complex if you have never had any experience with personal injury cases before. But, don’t panic, as Legal Expert have you covered. Read on to discover what you can expect from our service.

Legal Expert was established years ago, and since then we have grown to become one of the leading firms in the UK. With our years of experience, you will struggle to find another company with the level of expertise that we have. From road traffic accidents to product liability claims, we have handled an abundance of claims over the years, and so you can be confident that we will have dealt with cases similar to yours before.

One thing that makes us stand out from a lot of other personal law firms is the fact that all of our solicitors work on a No Win, No Fee basis. What does this mean for you? It means your responsibility to pay the bill for the solicitor disappears if for some reason one of the solicitors does not manage to secure compensation for you. This offers you a significant degree of financial protection, as you can be sure that you will not find yourself in a position where you have spent a huge sum on legal fees yet not got any compensation in return.

If you are still feeling a bit unsure about the service we provide, we advise you to take a look at our website in further detail. Not only will you get a better understanding of the service we provide, but you will see that we have an excellent reputation as well. You can read some of the feedback that has been left by our clients.

With our experience, we are able to handle claims no matter where in Portugal they have occurred. Below, you can see the 10 largest cities in Portugal based on population.

  1. Lisbon
  2. Porto
  3. Amadora
  4. Braga
  5. Setubal
  6. Coimbra
  7. Queluz
  8. Funchal
  9. Cacem
  10. Vila Nova Ge Gaia

Talk To Legal Expert Today

If you are ready to make a personal injury claim, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We are happy to star the claims process for you or to simply answer any queries you may have. You can reach us on 0800 073 8804. Otherwise, you can use the live chat feature, request a free call, or send an email. You will find more contact details via our contact page. Please note that all conversations, no matter over what medium they occur, will be handled with full confidentiality. Our advisors are very experienced and will do everything in their power to make you feel at ease during this stressful time.

Further Guides And Services

Embassy – Lisbon – Here you can find the details of the British embassy in Lisbon.

Lanzarote Car Accident Claims Guide

Formentera Car Accident Claims Guide

The Balearic Islands Car Accident Claims Guide

Ibiza And Formentera Airport Accident Claims Guide

Menorca Airport Accident Claims Guide

Ibiza Injury Claims Guide

French Bus or Coach Accident Claims Guide

British Consulate Lisbon

Rua de São Bernardo 33
1249-082 Lisboa
Portugal

Telephone+351 21 392 40 00

You may also find the guides below from our website helpful.

  1. Accidents Claims in Portugal – Here, you’ll be able to read more general information about claims in the area.
  2. Hotel Accident Claims that happen in Portugal – Here you’ll see details of what to do if you’ve been injured or fallen victim to an illness in a hotel.