Lawyer in Prague — Traffic Accident
A traffic accident in Prague involving a foreign resident has its own process for claiming compensation from the insurer, even from abroad.
Describe your caseLegal Context
The EU's compulsory motor insurance system (the Motor Insurance Directive, codified as Directive 2009/103/EC) allows someone injured in a Czech traffic accident to pursue a claim through the insurer's claims representative in their own home EU country, without needing to travel to the Czech Republic. The applicable law for the amount and scope of compensation is generally the law of the place of the accident (Czech law, under the Rome II Regulation), unless a specific exception applies.
When to Contact a Lawyer
If the insurer disputes the claim, offers a low settlement, or the accident involved an injury, it is worth involving a lawyer familiar with Czech law — the specific heads of compensation available differ from what you may be used to at home.
Documents to Prepare
- Czech police accident report, if police were called
- European Accident Statement, if one was completed at the scene
- Photos of the accident scene and damage
- The other driver's insurance details
- Medical records, if there was an injury
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to deal with the Czech insurer directly, in the Czech Republic?
No — thanks to the EU claims representative system, you can typically pursue the claim from your home country through the insurer's local representative. A lawyer can help set this up.
What law governs the compensation for an accident in Prague?
Generally Czech law, as the law of the place of the accident, under the Rome II Regulation — so the specific heads and amounts of compensation may differ from your home country's rules.