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Switzerland Car Accident Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For A Car Crash Injury In Switzerland

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Switzerland and you’ve decided to claim compensation for your injuries then this guide will help explain how the process works.

Car accident claims Switzerland

Car accident claims Switzerland

Legal Expert are personal injury solicitors who are able to help with car accident claims including those that occur in Switzerland. We have a team of specialist solicitors and we offer no win no fee services on all claims we take on, and we are always open and honest with clients when assessing the chances of successfully winning their case.

If you’d like to begin your claim with a free initial consultation, then please call us today on 0800 073 8804.

If you’d like to know more first, then please carry on reading as this guide will explain what to do in the event of a car crash in Switzerland, the types of compensation you could be awarded and how our no win no fee service works.

Select A Section

  1. A Guide To Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Claims
  2. Emergency Service Telephone Numbers For Switzerland
  3. Visitor And Tourist Healthcare In Switzerland
  4. What Should You Do If Involved In A Road Accident In Switzerland?
  5. What Should You Do If Involved In An Accident On Holiday?
  6. Completing A European Accident Report
  7. Claim For Whiplash Caused By A Road Traffic Accident Abroad
  8. What Damages Do Claims Compensate You For?
  9. Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Calculator
  10. No Win No Fee Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Claims
  11. Why Choose Legal Expert For Your Claim?
  12. Speak To Us Today
  13. Where To Find More Information Or Help

A Guide To Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Claims

Switzerland offers some of the most scenic holidays in Europe with many mountainous regions making spectacular photo opportunities. In general, the roads in Switzerland are very safe but car accidents do happen which can require a compensation claim when you return to the UK.

There are number of local requirements when driving in Switzerland which you should adhere to:

  • Carry with you, at all times, your valid UK drivers license and insurance documents.
  • A GB sticker on the back of your car (even if you have euro plates on the car)
  • Headlight stickers (to stop you dazzling other cars) and also a motorway sticker if you’re going on to the motorways.
  • Snow chains (road signs will tell you when to use them).
  • If you wear glasses, you must have a spare pair in the car.
  • A warning triangle must be in the car at all times.

Some of these may seem unnecessary but they are legal requirements for driving in Switzerland. You can buy motorway stickers at most garages or at the border.

As with all European countries, if you’re involved in a car accident in Switzerland, you have a limited time to submit your claim. If you fail to file a claim within these time limits, then it will automatically be rejected.

The table below details the current time limits for compensation claims:

Edit
Accident, Injury or Illness sustained in a Swiss car accident Time Limit
If the holiday was booked by a UK Tour operator 3 years ( may very )
If the trip was booked privately 2 years ( may very )

We recommend that you begin your claim as soon as you return to the UK so that your solicitor has enough time to gather the required evidence to support your claim. Higher payouts can usually be obtained when there is more supporting evidence to back up the compensation amounts requested by your personal injury lawyer.

Emergency Service Telephone Numbers For Switzerland

If you’re involved in a car crash or are a pedestrian hit by a vehicle then you may need to contact the emergency services. They can be contacted on these numbers:

  • Police: 117
  • Fire Department: 118
  • Ambulance: 144

Another specialist service, if emergency help is required in the mountains is the helicopter rescue service which can be contacted by dialling 1414.

All British citizens involved in serious accidents or crimes (such as fatalities, assault or robbery) can also contact the British Embassy. For your information, we’ve included their contact details at the end of this guide.

Visitor And Tourist Healthcare In Switzerland

Prior to travelling to Switzerland, it is advisable to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It’s free and takes around a week to arrive. You can apply for one here.

Once you have your EHIC card, if you require medical treatment, then you’ll get the same level as locals would, for free, for as long as you’re staying in Switzerland.

It doesn’t cover the cost of repatriation to the UK, if required, or private medical care so you may want to take out travel insurance to cover you. Healthcare in Switzerland is generally good but if you’d prefer private healthcare then insurance is a must.

Ensure you carry your EHIC card at all times or your travel insurance documents to show to any medical centre that you need to attend.

What Should You Do If Involved In A Road Accident In Switzerland?

If you’re involved in a car accident in Switzerland, then there are number of things that you’re required to do.

Importantly, before doing anything, you should ensure that you remain safe and don’t endanger anybody else involved.

You may be committing an offence if you leave the scene of an accident, so it is best to call the police to advise them of the accident.

You should also:

  • Place your warning triangle at least 50 meters away from your vehicle to warn other drivers (100 meters or more for faster roads).
  • Check the condition of everybody involved, administer first aid if possible and call an ambulance for serious injuries.
  • Do not move anything from the scene of the accident, let the police assess if first.
  • Photograph the accident, trying to capture the position of vehicles.
  • If your car is fitted with a dashcam then try to secure the evidence from it or speak with your car hire firm to have it emailed to you.
  • Fill in a European accident report form but never admit liability for the accident (see below for more details on this form).
  • Take contact details for any witnesses. If they are able to provide any dashcam evidence themselves then this can be very useful evidence to support your claim

As mentioned previously, the number one priority is to stay safe so only undertake the above if it is safe to do so.

What Should You Do If Involved In An Accident On Holiday?

As with the above section, if you’re involved in any accident on holiday there are a number of things you should do:

  • Seek medical treatment for anybody who’s been injured. Whether that is via emergency services, first aid or attending a medical centre.
  • Capture the scene of the accident with photographs and try to include what you believe caused the accident. Capture as much detail as possible including positions and number plates in the case of a road traffic accident.
  • Ask witnesses for their contact details and, if possible, ask them to write down what they saw while it’s still fresh in their minds.
  • If you booked your trip through a package holiday, then report your accident to your holiday rep

Gathering evidence may not feel like your first priority after an accident in Switzerland but if you do decide to make a compensation claim later then it will really help to make the claim easier.

Completing A European Accident Report

In some countries there is a requirement to fill in a European Accident Report form which will usually be provided in all hire cars (and you can print one yourself prior to travelling).

We advise that you fill the form in but don’t admit liability on it. Use clear sentences stating what damage has been caused but don’t make statements that suggest you were at fault.

The form is used to gather all of the contact and insurance details for each of the cars involved.

Claim For Whiplash Caused By A Road Traffic Accident Abroad

According to the NHS, you should seek medical advice if you’ve recently been involved in a car accident.

Whiplash can range from very minor symptoms to more serious injuries but may not always present itself straight after a car accident, which is another reason to ensure you see a doctor.

Symptoms include: bruising, stiffness, headaches and muscle spasms. If you’re experiencing any of these, or an unsure if your suffering whiplash symptoms, then it is advisable to visit a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Remember to take your EHIC card with you when attending a doctor’s practice or emergency department.

What Damages Do Claims Compensate You For?

When you’re involved in a car accident in Switzerland there are a number of parts of any compensation claim that your solicitor will make:

  • Firstly, they’ll claim for general damages which are made for the pain and suffering caused by your particular injury. Different injuries have different ranges of compensation associated with them i.e. a bruised arm will be worth less than a serious head injury.
  • Medical expenses can also be claimed back which includes the cost of any treatment required because of the accident and prescription costs.
  • Travel costs may be included in your claim if you’ve incurred costs travelling for treatment or have to change your travel plans to return to the UK.
  • Care costs are allowed as well if you need somebody to look after you because you’re unable to complete your normal duties while recovering.
  • Loss of earnings or future loss of earnings may be required for claims if you’re unable to return to work while recovering.

Your solicitor will gather as much evidence to support each element of the claim, so it is advisable to keep any receipts that prove your expenditure. Finally, if any of your personal property was damaged during the car crash, then the cost of replacing or repairing it may be included as part of the personal injury claim.

Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Calculator

The injuries you sustain in a Switzerland car accident can be compensated for under the general damage’s element of a claim (see above). These are a range of pre-defined compensation payments for different types of injury and are based on the severity of the injury.

For instance, a broken finger would be compensated more than a bruised finger. This table shows compensation ranges for different injury types:

Edit
Injuries caused by a car accident Range of compensation Additional notes
Minor back injury Up to £9,500 The amount of compensation may paid out may vary because of differences in the nature and severity of symptoms.
Severe back injury £53,000 – £122,350 Higher amounts may be paid for injury to the spinal region. Severe forms of an injury could lead to a serious disability and the compensation will be adjusted accordingly (i.e. the more serious the disability the higher the compensation).
Minor neck injury Compensation up to £6,000 Whiplash, soft tissue damage and other similar forms of bruising to the neck and surrounding body parts.
Moderate neck injury £6,000 – £19,000 Payouts may be for existing injuries made worse, or for simple breaks or fractures. This category can also include dislocations.
Severe neck injury £34,575 – £112,750 Severe injury might result in paralysis. Such injuries can often lead to a much higher settlement amount.
Psychological pain and/ or anguish Compensation up to £3,550 This compensation can be paid for scenarios when someone fears for their life and or sometimes long term anguish.
General pain and suffering £1,000 – £200,000 Compensation for pain and suffering is calculated based on your actual experience.
Expected loss of income £10,000 – £400,000 Compensation can be what you have already lost and are predicted to lose if your employer reduces your salary for time off work.
Expected loss of benefits £5,000 – £500,000 Compensation includes what you have already lost and are predicted to lose.

No Win No Fee Car Crash In Switzerland Compensation Claims

In the past it was only possible to use a solicitor who charged an hourly rate to make your personal injury claim. This meant you had to pay them up front and it was possible to end up with a huge legal bill even if you didn’t receive any compensation.

With no win no fee agreements, clients are a lot less stressed about claiming as they don’t have to pay any up front fees, they don’t pay an hourly rate, there’s no fee to pay if the solicitor is unsuccessful and if they do win compensation then the solicitor keeps their agreed success fee and sends the rest of the compensation straight to the client.

This removes a barrier from claiming as you never actually have to send any money to the solicitor.

Why Choose Legal Expert For Your Claim?

Legal Expert have been working on personal injury claims, including car accidents in Switzerland, for many years and have a team of dedicated, professional specialists ready to help you with your claim.

We offer a free consultation to start with where we very open and honestly assess your claim and advise you on the chance of successfully claiming compensation. We never mislead but if we think your case has a good chance of success then we’ll offer you our no win no fee service.

Top 10 largest cities in Switzerland

For your information we’ve listed the top 10 cities, by population, in Switzerland:

  • Zurich
  • Geneva
  • Basel
  • Bern
  • Lausanne
  • Lucerne
  • Gallen
  • Lugano
  • Fribourg
  • Thun

Speak To Us Today

Hopefully, now that you’ve read this guide about Swiss crash claims and you know about our no win no fee service, you’re ready to begin a claim with Legal Expert. If that’s the case, you can contact us by:

As mentioned earlier, if you contact us we’ll offer you a free initial consultation where we’ll assess your car accident and injuries and let you know if we think you’ve got a good chance of compensation.

Where To Find More Information Or Help

Here is some more useful information that you may need following your car accident:

British Embassy Berne
Thunstrasse 50
3005 Berne
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)31 359 7700

Opening Times: Monday to Friday 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm

Switzerland Holiday Accident Claims – a guide about accident claims on holidays in Switzerland, not just for car accidents.

Hotel Accidents in Switzerland – a comprehensive guide about claiming for accidents in Swiss hotels, including food poisoning and slips, trips and falls

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    Meet The Team

    • Patrick Mallon

      Patrick is a Grade A solicitor having qualified in 2005. He's an an expert in accident at work and public liability claims and is currently our head of the EL/PL department. Get in touch today for free to see how we can help you.