Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Arta

About Truck Accident Law in Arta, Greece

This guide offers general information about truck accident matters in Arta and the broader Greek legal framework. It is not legal advice. Truck accident law in Greece combines traffic rules, civil liability, compulsory motor insurance, and often criminal law when negligence is involved. Arta sits on important regional routes with both urban and rural traffic. Collisions can involve heavy goods vehicles, delivery lorries, and agricultural trucks, and cases frequently require technical investigation of speed, braking, loading, and driver hours.

After a truck accident, two tracks often run in parallel. A criminal investigation may look at negligent injury or homicide. A civil claim seeks compensation for medical costs, lost income, and moral damages. Most civil claims are pursued against the truck driver, the employer or vehicle owner, and the compulsory liability insurer. If the vehicle is uninsured or leaves the scene, claims may be directed to the Greek Motor Auxiliary Fund. Timely reporting, medical documentation, and preservation of evidence are crucial from day one.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Truck accidents are complex. A lawyer can coordinate evidence collection and protect your rights while you recover. Common situations where legal help is important include multi-vehicle crashes, severe or long-term injuries, disputes about fault, involvement of a foreign-registered truck, or when the other side denies insurance coverage. Commercial carriers keep records such as tachograph data, maintenance logs, and loading documents. Prompt legal action helps secure this evidence before it is overwritten or lost.

Insurers often evaluate claims aggressively and may dispute causation or the extent of injuries. A lawyer can arrange independent medical and engineering experts, calculate full damages including future care and earnings, and handle negotiations and litigation. If a criminal case is opened, a lawyer can advise you about joining as a civil claimant and how the criminal proceedings may affect your civil claim. If you are a visitor or non-resident injured in Arta, counsel can also handle jurisdiction issues and communication with foreign insurers.

Local Laws Overview

Traffic rules are set by the Greek Highway Code known as KOK. It governs speed limits, signaling, right of way, overtaking, alcohol limits, load security, and vehicle technical requirements. Violations can establish fault. Truck operations are additionally subject to EU rules on driving times, rest periods, and tachographs, and to weight and dimension limits. Breaches of these standards can support negligence claims.

Civil liability is primarily fault-based under the Greek Civil Code. The driver is liable if negligent. The vehicle owner and the employer are commonly liable when the driver acts within the scope of employment. The compulsory liability insurer is directly liable to injured parties. Greek law also recognizes contributory negligence. If the injured person partly caused the accident, the court may reduce compensation proportionally.

Compulsory motor third party liability insurance is governed by Law 489 of 1976 and related legislation. An injured person usually has a direct action against the insurer of the liable vehicle. When the liable vehicle is uninsured, unknown, or where the insurer is insolvent, claims may be brought against the Greek Motor Auxiliary Fund. Foreign trucks within the EU are covered through the Green Card system or frontier insurance.

Damages include medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, home care, vehicle repair or total loss, and moral damages for pain and suffering. In fatal cases, close relatives can claim moral damages for mental anguish and funeral costs. Legal interest may accrue on awarded amounts. Settlement is common, but courts in Arta handle cases when settlement is not possible. First instance civil cases are filed at the Court of First Instance of Arta or the Magistrate Court depending on claim value. Appeals go to the regional Court of Appeal.

Criminal proceedings may be initiated for negligent bodily injury or negligent homicide. Evidence gathered by the police and prosecutor is often relevant to your civil claim. You can request copies of the accident report and expert findings through your lawyer. You may also file a civil claim within the criminal case for a symbolic amount, while seeking full compensation through a separate civil action.

Deadlines are important. Tort claims in Greece are generally subject to a five year limitation period starting from the time you knew of the damage and the person liable, with an absolute long stop. Claims against insurers may be subject to shorter periods, sometimes as short as two years depending on the legal basis and circumstances. Procedural deadlines for filing, serving, and presenting evidence are strict under the Greek Code of Civil Procedure. Because prescription and procedural rules can be technical, prompt legal advice is recommended.

Immediate practical duties include reporting the accident to the police, seeking medical evaluation, notifying the relevant insurer, and preserving evidence. Emergency numbers in Greece are 112 for all emergencies, 100 for police, and 166 for ambulance services. In Arta, the Traffic Police Department handles road accidents, and the General Hospital of Arta provides emergency care and medical documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do right after a truck accident in Arta

Ensure safety, call 112 or 100 for police and 166 for an ambulance, and remain at the scene if safe. Get the truck registration, driver details, employer information, and insurance details. Take photos of positions, damage, skid marks, road signs, and your injuries. Identify witnesses and request their contact details. Ask the police for the incident number. Get medical evaluation immediately even if you feel fine. Inform your insurer and consult a lawyer before giving detailed statements to other insurers.

Who can I claim compensation from

Typically the claim is against the negligent driver, the vehicle owner or employer, and the compulsory liability insurer. If the vehicle was uninsured, unknown, or the insurer is insolvent, you may claim from the Greek Motor Auxiliary Fund. In multi-vehicle collisions, liability may be shared among several parties and their insurers.

What compensation can I recover

You can seek medical expenses, rehabilitation and assistive devices, travel to treatment, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, home help or nursing, vehicle repair or replacement, and moral damages for pain and suffering. Family members may claim moral damages in fatal cases. A lawyer will document each head of loss with receipts, payroll records, expert opinions, and medical reports.

How is fault determined in truck accidents

Fault is based on traffic law breaches and negligent behavior. Evidence includes the police report, scene photos, dashcam footage, tachograph data, mobile phone records, alcohol or drug tests, maintenance logs, and witness statements. Technical experts often reconstruct the collision using vehicle damage, road measurements, and braking data.

What if I was partly at fault

Greek law recognizes contributory negligence. Your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. Wearing a seat belt, obeying signals, and avoiding distraction help counter arguments of contributory negligence. Your lawyer will address any alleged contribution with facts and expert analysis.

Do I have to talk to the other party’s insurer

You should exchange basic information at the scene, but you are not required to give a recorded or signed statement to the other party’s insurer without advice. Refer calls to your lawyer. Early statements can be used to minimize your claim or dispute fault.

How long do I have to file a claim

Civil tort claims generally have a five year limitation in Greece, counted from when you knew of the damage and the liable party. Claims directly against an insurer can be subject to shorter periods depending on the legal basis and facts. Different deadlines may apply in criminal cases. Because deadlines can bar your claim, get legal advice as soon as possible after the accident.

What if the truck is foreign-registered

If the truck is insured within the EU or Green Card system, you can still pursue a claim in Greece. There are mechanisms to serve proceedings and to handle claims through claims representatives. A lawyer will locate the correct insurer and claims handler and address cross-border evidence and language issues.

Will a criminal case help my civil claim

Police and prosecutorial findings can be persuasive, and a conviction for negligence may support your civil case. However, civil courts reach their own conclusions based on the civil evidence standard. You can seek access to the criminal file and use expert reports, but you should still build a strong independent civil evidence package.

How long will my case take and will I have to go to court

Timelines vary. Straightforward cases with clear liability and complete medical records may settle within months. Disputed liability or serious injuries that require long recovery and expert evaluation can take longer. Many cases settle before trial. If a fair settlement is not offered, your lawyer will file suit in the competent Arta court and guide you through each procedural step.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Police - Traffic Police Department of Arta. Contact to obtain accident reports and information about the investigation. Emergency number 100. General emergency number 112.

National Ambulance Service EKAV. For emergency medical transport and records of pre-hospital care. Emergency number 166.

General Hospital of Arta. For emergency treatment, diagnostic imaging, and medical certificates that support your claim.

Greek Motor Auxiliary Fund for Motor Accidents. Handles claims arising from uninsured, unknown, or insolvent insurer cases.

Bank of Greece - Private Insurance Supervision. Supervisory authority for insurers where you can check insurer status or raise regulatory concerns.

Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Responsible for road transport policy, vehicle regulations, and road safety programs.

Arta Bar Association. Can help you identify local lawyers with experience in traffic and injury law.

Legal Aid under Law 3226 of 2004. Low income individuals may qualify for legal aid in civil and criminal matters. Ask the Arta courts for application details.

Next Steps

Get medical care immediately and follow your doctor’s instructions. Keep all discharge notes, prescriptions, imaging, and receipts. Medical documentation is central to your claim.

Report the accident to the police and request the incident number. Ask how and when you or your lawyer can obtain the official report and any technical findings.

Notify your own insurer and the other side’s insurer promptly. Provide basic facts without discussing fault or injuries in detail until you have legal advice.

Preserve evidence. Save photos, videos, dashcam footage, damaged clothing or gear, and repair estimates. Write a brief timeline while memories are fresh. Do not repair your vehicle before an expert inspection if liability is disputed.

Consult a lawyer who handles truck accident cases in Arta. Ask about experience with heavy vehicle claims, experts used, fee structure, and expected timelines. Bring all documents to the consultation.

Avoid social media posts about the accident or your injuries. These can be misinterpreted and used against you.

Track your losses. Keep a diary of pain, limitations, missed work, and out of pocket expenses. Store receipts and payroll records safely.

Discuss settlement strategy and litigation options with your lawyer. In many cases, a well documented claim package with medical and engineering opinions leads to a fair settlement. If not, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in the competent court in Arta and manage deadlines and hearings.

If you lost a loved one, ask your lawyer about wrongful death claims, funeral expenses, and moral damages for close relatives. Support services and counseling can be part of your recoverable damages when documented.

Time matters. Early legal guidance helps protect evidence, meet deadlines, and maximize your compensation.