Best Car Accident Lawyers in Hasselt

About Car Accident Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Car accidents in Hasselt are governed by Belgian law, which combines compulsory motor insurance, rules on liability and compensation, and practical procedures for reporting and settling claims. Every motor vehicle must carry third-party motor liability insurance, often called BA Auto. If you are injured, you can usually claim directly from the at-fault driver’s insurer, and in many situations pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers are protected by a special no-fault rule that makes compensation faster and more predictable. Hasselt sits within the Limburg judicial district, so traffic offenses and many civil claims related to road accidents are handled by the Police Court in Hasselt, with larger or appealed matters heard by the Court of First Instance Limburg.

After a collision, parties typically complete the European Accident Statement, a pre-printed form that records facts and diagrams. Police intervention is required in defined situations, such as when injuries are present, parties disagree, or a crime is suspected. Insurers appoint loss adjusters and medical experts to assess damage and injuries, while victims can appoint their own independent experts and lawyers. Compensation aims to restore your situation as if the accident had not occurred and can include medical costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, assistance by third parties, and property damage such as vehicle repair or total loss.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can protect your rights, value your claim correctly, and navigate procedures and deadlines. Legal help is especially useful when liability is contested, multiple vehicles are involved, injuries are serious or permanent, the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene, you were a cyclist or pedestrian and the insurer disputes coverage, you receive a criminal summons for a traffic offense, there are complex losses such as long work incapacity, self-employed loss of profits, or need for home adaptations, the insurer proposes a quick settlement that seems low, cross-border issues arise, or a workplace or commuting accident overlaps with a road collision.

Lawyers can coordinate with medical experts, challenge low offers using the Belgian Indicative Table that guides courts on damages, preserve evidence, and, if needed, bring a civil claim before the Police Court or the Court of First Instance. Many car policies include legal expenses insurance that lets you choose a lawyer, and people with limited means may access partially or fully subsidized legal aid.

Local Laws Overview

Compulsory insurance - Every motor vehicle in Belgium must carry third-party motor liability insurance. If you are injured by a motor vehicle, you can generally claim directly from the responsible insurer. If the vehicle is uninsured or unidentified, the national guarantee fund may step in. Rental and company vehicles are also subject to compulsory cover.

No-fault protection for vulnerable users - Under Belgian law, pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers are generally compensated for bodily injuries by the motor vehicle’s insurer regardless of fault, with limited exceptions such as intentional behavior and exceptional cases of extreme fault for adults. Property damage for these victims is usually handled under ordinary fault rules, though limited items such as clothing may be included.

Fault and shared responsibility - Drivers’ claims are evaluated under fault principles. If both drivers contribute to the collision, compensation is apportioned. Evidence such as the European Accident Statement, police reports, photos, dashcam footage, witness statements, and expert reports is used to determine fault.

Police Court and criminal aspects - Traffic offenses and many civil claims from road accidents are handled by the Police Court in Hasselt. If a criminal prosecution follows, a victim can join as a civil party to claim damages in the same proceedings or proceed separately on the civil track.

Medical assessment and damages - Insurers often propose a medical expert to assess injuries. You have the right to appoint your own independent medical advisor. Compensation can cover medical treatment, travel to care, temporary and permanent incapacity, assistance by third parties, loss of earnings, professional impact, pain and suffering, scarring, adapted housing or mobility aids, and vehicle damage. Courts and practitioners refer to an Indicative Table to promote consistent valuation.

Deadlines - In many road accident cases, civil claims are subject to a limitation period that is commonly five years from the day you knew of the damage and the identity of the liable person, subject to a long-stop period. Insurance policies also require prompt notification, often within eight days. Do not delay seeking advice, because missing a deadline can bar your claim.

Claim handling - Insurers must handle claims diligently and provide a reasoned answer within set timeframes. When liability is not contested and the damage is quantified, payment should follow without undue delay. If liability is disputed or offers seem inadequate, you can negotiate, seek an independent expert, escalate to the insurance ombudsman, or bring a claim in court.

Language and venue - Proceedings in Hasselt are conducted in Dutch. You can instruct a Dutch-speaking lawyer and request interpretation if needed. Local police in Hasselt operate within the Limburg Regio Hoofdstad zone.

Work and commuting accidents - Accidents on the way to or from work or during work may also fall under the work accident regime, with your employer’s insurer playing a role alongside motor insurers. Coordination and subrogation rules can affect how and from whom you recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a car accident in Hasselt

Check safety, call emergency services if anyone is injured, and secure the scene. Exchange details and complete the European Accident Statement. Take photos of positions, damage, and the surroundings. Identify witnesses. If there is injury, disagreement, hit-and-run, or suspected intoxication, call the police. Notify your insurer as soon as possible and seek medical evaluation, even for seemingly minor symptoms.

Do I always need the police, or is the European Accident Statement enough

If there are no injuries and both parties agree on the facts, completing and signing the European Accident Statement is often sufficient. Police must be called in case of injuries, disputes, hit-and-run, suspected crime, intoxication, or blocked traffic. Keep a copy or clear photos of the completed form for your records.

How is fault determined and what if we both share responsibility

Fault is assessed using the Highway Code, road signs, and the factual record. Evidence includes the European Accident Statement, police report, photos, dashcam footage, and witness accounts. If both drivers were negligent, liability is apportioned. Your compensation as a driver can be reduced accordingly, while pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers benefit from special protection for bodily injuries.

I am a cyclist or pedestrian hit by a car - am I compensated even if I made a mistake

Yes, Belgian law generally grants bodily injury compensation to pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers regardless of fault, with narrow exceptions such as intentional conduct and certain exceptional cases of extreme fault for adults. Report the crash to the motor insurer involved. Property damage usually follows the ordinary fault regime.

What if the other driver is uninsured, unidentified, or fled the scene

If the at-fault vehicle is uninsured or unknown, claims can be directed to the national motor guarantee fund. File a police report promptly and gather as much evidence as possible. Time limits still apply, so seek advice quickly.

How long do I have to start a claim, and how long will a settlement take

Many civil claims must be brought within a period that is commonly five years from when you knew of the damage and the identity of the liable party, subject to a long-stop. Insurance policies require prompt notification, often within eight days. Simple property damage can settle within weeks, while injury cases often take longer, especially if medical consolidation has not occurred. Insurers must provide reasoned answers within set legal timeframes and pay promptly once agreement is reached.

Can I claim lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care costs

Yes. In addition to vehicle repair or total loss, you can claim medical costs, travel to treatment, temporary and permanent incapacity, loss of income and professional impact, pain and suffering, assistance by third parties, scarring, and necessary adaptations to home or vehicle. Courts use an Indicative Table to help value these heads of loss.

Do I need a medical expert, and can I choose my own

For injury claims, a medical assessment is key. Insurers often propose an expert, but you can appoint your own independent medical advisor to protect your interests, attend examinations, and challenge conclusions. Do not sign medical releases or final settlements before understanding their impact.

Will my legal expenses insurance cover a lawyer of my choice

Many auto policies include legal expenses insurance. Belgian rules generally recognize your right to choose your lawyer once there is a dispute. Check your policy to confirm coverage limits and whether expert fees are included. If you meet income criteria, you may qualify for subsidized legal aid.

Can I settle without a lawyer, and when is it risky

For minor property damage with clear liability, you can often settle directly with the insurer. It becomes risky to proceed alone when injuries are involved, liability is disputed, damages are significant, there are long-term work or care needs, or you are asked to sign a final settlement early. A lawyer can value your claim, coordinate experts, and negotiate or litigate when needed.

Additional Resources

Police services in Hasselt within the Limburg Regio Hoofdstad police zone for on-site intervention and reports.

Police Court in Hasselt for traffic offenses and related civil claims arising from road accidents.

Court of First Instance Limburg for larger civil claims, appeals, and complex matters.

Belgian Motor Insurers’ Bureau for assistance with cross-border motor claims and foreign vehicles.

National Motor Guarantee Fund for claims involving uninsured or unidentified vehicles or bankrupt insurers.

Insurance Ombudsman for independent mediation in disputes with insurers.

Bureau for Legal Aid Limburg for information on first-line advice and subsidized legal aid.

Vias Institute for road safety information, accident prevention, and research.

Health insurance funds and your general practitioner for medical care coordination and documentation.

Department of Mobility and Public Works of the Flemish Government for mobility rules and road user information.

Next Steps

Seek medical attention and keep all records. Complete the European Accident Statement and file a police report when required. Notify your insurer promptly and keep a log of expenses, missed work, and symptoms. Request the claim number and the details of the other party’s insurer. Do not admit fault or sign final settlements before obtaining advice, especially if you have injuries.

Consult a lawyer experienced in motor liability in Hasselt to review liability, evidence, medical issues, and valuation. Ask about funding through legal expenses insurance or legal aid. If needed, appoint an independent medical advisor and, for vehicle damage, consider a counter-expert. Aim for a negotiated settlement supported by evidence. If negotiations stall or the offer is inadequate, your lawyer can escalate through the insurance ombudsman or bring a civil claim before the Police Court or the Court of First Instance in Limburg.

This guide is informational and not a substitute for tailored legal advice. Because deadlines are strict and facts matter, early legal consultation is often the safest way to protect your rights.