Best Accidents & Injuries Lawyers in Hasselt

About Accidents & Injuries Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Accidents and injuries law in Hasselt falls under Belgian civil liability rules. If you are hurt because someone else acted carelessly or unlawfully, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost income, assistance at home, pain and suffering, and other losses. This area of law covers road traffic accidents, accidents at work, medical accidents, product defects, slips and trips, dog bites, and many other situations.

Hasselt is part of the Limburg judicial district. Traffic accident cases are often handled by the Police Court, while other personal injury disputes go to the Court of First Instance. Work accident disputes are handled by the Labour Court. Most cases settle with insurers, but courts decide when there is disagreement about fault or the value of injuries.

Belgium uses a mix of fault-based liability and specific strict liability regimes. Motor third party liability insurance is compulsory, so in road cases you usually claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer. There is no punitive damages system in Belgium. The goal is to restore the victim to the situation they would have been in without the accident.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

When injuries are serious, temporary or permanent disability is likely, or fault is disputed, a lawyer can protect your rights and build a strong claim. Insurers often make early offers that may not reflect the full extent of your losses, especially future care or loss of earnings.

A lawyer coordinates medical evidence, negotiates with insurers, and ensures that deadlines are met. If needed, they can ask the court to appoint an independent expert to assess your injuries. They also know the local courts in Hasselt and how to present your case effectively.

You may also need a lawyer if you are hurt by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver, if your employer or its insurer contests a work accident, if you suffered a medical accident and want to apply to the Fund for Medical Accidents, or if a defective product caused your injury.

Legal representation is especially helpful if multiple parties are involved, if there is a foreign element, or if you want to join as a civil party in related criminal proceedings.

Local Laws Overview

Basis of liability: Belgian civil law provides fault-based liability for wrongful acts that cause damage. There are also specific strict liability rules, for example for the keeper of an animal or the custodian of a defective thing, and a strict EU-based regime for product defects.

Motor accidents: Third party liability insurance is mandatory. Injured persons can bring a direct claim against the insurer of the at-fault vehicle. The Police Court in Hasselt commonly hears civil claims arising from traffic accidents. The Belgian Motor Guarantee Fund can compensate victims of unidentified or uninsured vehicles.

Work accidents: Private sector work injuries and commuting accidents are covered by the Work Accidents Act. Employers must insure employees. Fedris, the federal agency for occupational risks, supervises the system and can intervene in some cases. Disputes are handled by the Labour Court Limburg.

Medical accidents: Patients have rights under the Patient Rights Act. Compensation can be claimed based on fault. In some cases, the Fund for Medical Accidents can compensate without proving fault when damage is abnormally severe in relation to the expected risk.

Product liability: The Belgian Product Liability Act implements EU rules. A producer can be strictly liable for a defective product that causes injury. The usual time limits are three years from when you knew of the damage, the defect, and the producer, with a long-stop of ten years from when the product was put into circulation.

Time limits: Many personal injury claims must be started within five years from the day you knew of the damage and the identity of the person responsible, and in any event within twenty years from the harmful event. Insurance law and special regimes can impose shorter limits, for example three years for certain actions against insurers. Do not wait to seek advice.

Damages and valuation: Belgian courts compensate economic losses and non-economic losses. The non-binding Belgian Indicative Table is widely used to value heads of damage such as pain and suffering, temporary incapacity, permanent impairment, loss of amenity, and the need for third party assistance. Interest is added according to legal rates.

Evidence and experts: Medical evidence is critical. In larger cases, courts often appoint an independent medical expert to assess injuries and consolidation. Police reports, witness statements, photos, dashcam footage, and the European Accident Statement are commonly used in road cases. Keep all receipts and records.

Criminal and civil overlap: If the at-fault party committed a traffic or other offense, you can seek compensation by joining the criminal case as a civil party. This can help obtain evidence, but it may lengthen the process.

Language and procedure: Proceedings in Hasselt are conducted in Dutch. Documents filed in another language may need translation. The losing party generally contributes to the other side’s costs through a lump-sum procedural indemnity set by law.

Lawyer fees: Pure contingency fees are prohibited. Success fee arrangements are allowed as a supplement to a base fee. Legal expenses insurance is common in Belgium and can cover your lawyer and expert costs. If you have such coverage, notify the insurer promptly and choose your own lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do right after a road accident in Hasselt

Put safety first, call emergency services if anyone is hurt, and call the police if there are injuries or significant damage. Exchange details and complete the European Accident Statement. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries. Seek medical care the same day and tell the doctor the accident details. Notify your insurer quickly and keep copies of everything.

Do I need the police to come to every accident

If there are injuries, if the parties disagree about what happened, if a driver is impaired, or if a hit-and-run occurred, call the police. In minor property damage cases with full agreement, the European Accident Statement usually suffices. A police report can be very helpful for proving fault.

How long do I have to bring a claim

General personal injury claims must usually be brought within five years from when you knew about your damage and who caused it, and no later than twenty years from the event. Some actions against insurers and product liability claims have shorter three-year limits. Get legal advice quickly to protect your rights.

Can I still recover if I was partly at fault

Yes. Belgium applies comparative fault. Your compensation is reduced according to your share of responsibility. For example, not wearing a seatbelt can reduce the award if it worsened your injuries.

Who pays my medical bills

Your health insurer typically pays first according to Belgian social security rules. The at-fault party’s liability insurer should reimburse non-covered costs and repay the health insurer. Keep all invoices, hospital bills, and pharmacy receipts.

How are injuries valued in Belgium

Courts and insurers use medical reports to determine temporary incapacity, permanent impairment, and future needs. They rely on the Belgian Indicative Table to calculate non-economic losses and apply actuarial methods for lost earnings and care costs. Each case is fact specific.

Should I accept the insurer’s first offer

Not without advice. Early offers may be based on incomplete medical information. In most cases it is best to wait until medical consolidation, when your condition is stable, so that permanent consequences and future costs are clear. A lawyer can benchmark the offer against local practice.

What if the other driver is uninsured or fled the scene

You can claim from the Belgian Motor Guarantee Fund. Report the accident to the police promptly and provide all available evidence. A lawyer can handle the fund application and any parallel claim.

I was injured on my way to or from work. Is this covered

Yes. Commuting accidents are generally covered under the Work Accidents Act. Notify your employer immediately and see a doctor. The employer’s insurer handles the claim, and disputes go to the Labour Court.

How do legal fees and costs work

Belgian lawyers charge hourly, fixed, or mixed fees. A success fee supplement is allowed, but pure contingency fees are not. If you win or lose, the court usually orders a lump-sum contribution to the other side’s legal fees based on a statutory scale. Legal expenses insurance can cover most costs, and you have free choice of lawyer.

Additional Resources

Police Limburg - for accident reporting and obtaining police reports.

Belgian Motor Insurers’ Bureau and Motor Guarantee Fund - for uninsured or hit-and-run traffic accidents.

Fedris - Federal Agency for Occupational Risks - information and support for work and commuting accidents.

Fund for Medical Accidents - guidance and applications for medical accident compensation without fault.

Ombudsman for Insurance - independent complaints body for disputes with insurers.

Vias Institute - road safety research and practical guidance on traffic rules.

FPS Justice - information on courts, procedures, and victims’ rights.

FPS Economy - product safety and consumer protection information.

Next Steps

Get medical attention immediately and follow treatment advice. Tell your doctor how the accident happened and keep all medical records, certificates, and invoices.

Report the accident. For road accidents, complete the European Accident Statement and notify your insurer as soon as possible. For work accidents, inform your employer immediately in writing and provide medical certificates.

Preserve evidence. Take photos, secure dashcam footage, gather witness details, and keep a diary of symptoms, missed work, and expenses. Do not post details on social media.

Check your insurance. Look for legal expenses cover, accident insurance, or travel insurance that may fund your lawyer and experts. Notify relevant insurers without delay.

Consult a local lawyer in Hasselt. Bring your documents, insurance policy, medical records, and any correspondence. Ask about strategy, timelines, expert appointments, and fees. Early advice helps avoid mistakes and protects deadlines.

Consider settlement but prepare for litigation. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurer and, if needed, file in the competent court in Hasselt. In serious injury cases, ask about a court-appointed medical expert to secure an objective assessment.

Act promptly. Time limits can be short, especially for product liability and actions against insurers. Quick action improves your chances of a full recovery of damages.