Best Accidents & Injuries Lawyers in Dornach

About Accidents & Injuries Law in Dornach, Switzerland

Accidents and injuries in Dornach are governed primarily by Swiss federal law, applied locally in the canton of Solothurn. Switzerland uses an insurance-first model that coordinates social insurance, private insurance, and civil liability. After an incident, medical treatment and wage replacement are often handled by mandatory accident insurance for employees, compulsory health insurance, and motor liability insurance, while additional losses and pain-and-suffering may be pursued under civil law.

Key sources of law include the Swiss Code of Obligations for liability rules, the Road Traffic Act for motor vehicle accidents, the Federal Act on Accident Insurance for occupational and non-occupational accident coverage of employees, and the Product Liability Act for defective products. Local authorities in the canton of Solothurn, including the cantonal police, prosecutors, civil courts, and conciliation authorities, handle reporting, investigation, and dispute resolution. Because Dornach sits near Basel and cross-border routes, cross-border issues with foreign insurers can also arise.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need legal help when liability is disputed, an insurer denies or delays benefits, or your injuries are serious and long-lasting. A lawyer can evaluate the interplay between social insurance benefits and private claims, calculate full damages, and protect you against reductions for alleged contributory negligence, such as not wearing a seatbelt or helmet.

Legal support is especially useful after road traffic accidents, bicycle or e-bike collisions, pedestrian knockdowns, workplace and construction injuries, medical errors, dangerous premises incidents like slips and falls, dog bites, product defects, and sports or leisure injuries. Cross-border accidents or crashes involving foreign-plated vehicles require navigation of foreign insurers and Green Card procedures. If you face pressure to settle quickly or to sign medical authorizations or releases, a lawyer can help you avoid waiving rights.

When court proceedings are necessary, counsel can represent you before the conciliation authority and the civil courts in the canton of Solothurn, manage expert evidence, and handle fee-shifting risks under Swiss civil procedure. If you have legal expenses insurance, a lawyer can coordinate coverage and reporting duties.

Local Laws Overview

Liability and compensation. Under the Swiss Code of Obligations, injury claims are typically fault-based. There are strict liability regimes, including for motor vehicle owners under the Road Traffic Act, with mandatory liability insurance. Owners and keepers of animals, building owners, and employers may face specific liabilities. Damages can include medical costs, rehabilitation, household services loss, lost earnings, future earning capacity, property damage, and interest. For serious injury or death, courts may award pain-and-suffering compensation, known as Genugtuung.

Insurance coordination. Employees are covered for occupational and non-occupational accidents under the Federal Act on Accident Insurance if they work enough hours. Benefits can include medical treatment, daily allowances, rehabilitation, and disability pensions. Compulsory health insurance covers medical care not borne by accident insurance, subject to deductibles and copayments. Insurers and social insurance bodies may have subrogation rights against liable parties. You can still bring civil claims for losses not covered by insurance and for pain-and-suffering.

Road traffic accidents. The Road Traffic Act imposes a presumption of liability on vehicle owners and allows direct claims against the motor liability insurer. Police reporting is expected for injury crashes. Fault and contributory negligence affect the final apportionment of damages. Evidence such as police reports, scene photos, dashcam footage, and medical documentation is important.

Product and premises claims. The Product Liability Act provides a path to recover for defective products. Building owners can be liable for defects in construction or maintenance that cause injury. Shops and property holders must take reasonable safety measures. Evidence of defect, maintenance records, and witness statements are helpful.

Workplace injuries. Report promptly to your employer and accident insurer. Benefits are generally no-fault, but you may have civil claims against third parties, such as a negligent subcontractor or equipment manufacturer. Employers may also have liability if supervisory duties were breached.

Limitation periods. For tort claims, the standard time limit is 3 years from when you know of the damage and the liable person. The absolute long-stop is generally 10 years, extended to 20 years in cases of bodily injury or death. Product liability claims have a 3-year relative and 10-year absolute period. Different rules can apply if the conduct is criminal. Missing deadlines can bar claims, so timely action is important.

Procedure and costs. Most civil cases start with a mandatory conciliation proceeding in the canton of Solothurn before a lawsuit. Swiss civil procedure follows a loser-pays principle for court costs and a contribution to the other side’s legal fees, subject to court schedules. Legal expenses insurance may cover lawyer fees and costs. For those of limited means with reasonable case prospects, legal aid can be available.

Duties of the injured person. You must mitigate your loss by following medical advice, participating in rehabilitation, and seeking reasonable return-to-work options. Failing to mitigate can reduce compensation. Keep detailed records and avoid public statements that could be used against your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after an accident in Dornach?

Ensure your safety and call emergency services if needed. For road accidents with injuries, contact the police. Seek medical attention and tell the provider it was an accident so billing is routed correctly. Exchange details with involved parties, take photos, note witnesses, and report promptly to your employer or insurer as applicable. Do not admit fault and avoid signing comprehensive releases without advice.

Who pays my medical bills after an accident?

For employees, mandatory accident insurance usually covers accident treatment and rehabilitation. If you are not covered or if certain costs remain, compulsory health insurance responds subject to deductibles and copayments. In road traffic cases, the liable motor insurer may reimburse losses, but primary billing often goes through accident or health insurance first, with later recourse between insurers.

Do I have a claim if I was partly at fault?

Yes, but your compensation may be reduced for contributory negligence. Not wearing a seatbelt, cycling without lights, or ignoring safety rules can lead to reductions. The extent of the reduction depends on the facts. A lawyer can assess likely apportionment under Swiss case law.

How long do I have to bring a claim?

In general you have 3 years from when you knew about the damage and the liable person. The absolute long-stop is 10 years, extended to 20 years for bodily injury or death. Product liability claims have a 3-year relative and 10-year absolute period. Evidence preservation and early notices to insurers should not be delayed.

What compensation can I claim?

You can seek medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost earnings, future loss of earning capacity, household services loss, property damage, and interest. For severe injury or death, pain-and-suffering compensation may be available. Social insurance benefits you receive are considered when calculating any remaining loss recoverable from the liable party.

How are workplace accidents handled?

Report the accident to your employer and the accident insurer without delay. You may receive daily allowances, medical treatment, and rehabilitation. If a third party is at fault, you can also pursue civil claims for uncovered losses and pain-and-suffering. Coordinate carefully so that insurer rights of recourse and settlement approvals are respected.

Should I report a traffic accident to the police?

Yes if anyone is injured, if there is a dispute about circumstances, if a driver is intoxicated, or if there is significant damage. A police report helps establish facts and is frequently requested by insurers. For minor collisions without injuries, parties sometimes resolve matters directly, but timely reporting to your insurer remains important.

How much does a lawyer cost in Switzerland?

Lawyers typically charge hourly or according to cantonal fee schedules. Pure contingency fees are not permitted, although a success-related supplement can be agreed in addition to a base fee. Legal expenses insurance can cover fees and costs. If you have limited means and reasonable prospects, you can apply for legal aid.

What if the other driver is uninsured or has foreign plates?

Switzerland participates in the Green Card system. Claims against foreign insurers can be pursued through designated correspondents in Switzerland. If the liable party is uninsured, special guarantee funds or your own insurer’s coverage may respond depending on the situation. A lawyer can identify the correct claiming route and deadlines.

How long will my case take?

Simple insurance claims may resolve within weeks or a few months. Complex injury cases involving medical stabilization, expert reports, and contested liability can take 12 to 24 months or longer. Swiss procedure emphasizes early conciliation, which can shorten timelines if settlement is feasible.

Additional Resources

Cantonal Police Solothurn for accident reporting and reports.

Public Prosecutor’s Office of the canton of Solothurn for criminal investigations related to bodily injury and traffic offences.

Civil Courts and the Conciliation Authority in Civil Matters of the canton of Solothurn for pre-suit conciliation and lawsuits.

Road Traffic Office of the canton of Solothurn for administrative matters related to driving licences and vehicle registration after accidents.

SUVA Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund and private accident insurers for occupational and non-occupational accident benefits.

Ombudsman of Private Insurance and of Suva for free, neutral assistance in disputes with insurers.

Solothurn Bar Association for finding qualified local lawyers experienced in personal injury law.

Swiss Patient Safety Foundation and cantonal patient advocacy services for concerns about medical treatment and potential medical errors.

Next Steps

Prioritize health and obtain medical evaluation. Tell your doctor it was an accident so the correct insurance pathway is used. Follow medical advice and keep all records.

Notify the right insurers quickly. Employees should inform their employer and accident insurer. For road accidents, tell your motor insurer and, if injured, the liable party’s insurer if known. Keep claim numbers and copies of all correspondence.

Collect and preserve evidence. Secure the police report, witness contacts, photos, dashcam footage, and invoices. Keep a diary of symptoms, missed work, and assistance needed with household tasks.

Assess coverage and deadlines. Check whether you have legal expenses insurance. Calendar the 3-year limitation period and any insurer notice requirements. Do not sign broad medical releases or final settlements without understanding the implications.

Consult a qualified lawyer in or near Dornach. Early advice can increase your net recovery by coordinating social insurance, private insurance, and civil claims, and by avoiding reductions for alleged contributory negligence. Ask about fees, potential timelines, and strategy for conciliation and, if needed, litigation.

This guide provides general information only. For advice about your specific situation in Dornach or elsewhere in the canton of Solothurn, speak with a lawyer who can review your facts and documents.