Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Muttenz

About Truck Accident Law in Muttenz, Switzerland

Muttenz sits in the logistics corridor of Northwestern Switzerland near major motorways and freight hubs, so collisions involving heavy goods vehicles are unfortunately not rare. When a truck is involved, the legal and insurance landscape is more complex than a typical car crash because professional drivers, employers, vehicle owners, cargo loaders, and multiple insurers may become part of the case. Swiss law combines strict owner liability, mandatory motor liability insurance, workplace accident coverage for employees, and specific safety rules for heavy vehicles. Understanding how these pieces fit together helps you protect your rights and move your claim forward efficiently.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Truck accidents often involve serious injuries, high repair costs, and multiple parties. A lawyer can help when fault is disputed, you face pressure to accept a quick settlement, or you need to coordinate claims across several insurers such as the truck owner’s liability insurer, your own insurer, health insurance, and accident insurance. Legal help is especially valuable if you suffered long term disability, if a family member died, if a foreign registered vehicle is involved, or if you are a professional driver injured during work and must navigate UVG workplace accident coverage alongside a civil claim against the liable party. A lawyer can preserve critical evidence like tachograph data, negotiate with insurers, quantify damages correctly under Swiss practice, and meet strict deadlines.

Local Laws Overview

Key rules come from the Swiss Road Traffic Act SVG, the Swiss Code of Obligations OR, and cantonal procedures in Basel Landschaft. Vehicle owners are strictly liable for injuries and property damage caused by the operation of their vehicle under Article 58 SVG. This applies to trucks as well. The owner’s mandatory motor liability insurance responds to such claims. The insurer can be sued directly by the injured person under Article 65 SVG. Liability may be reduced or excluded if there is force majeure or significant contributory fault by the injured party or a third party. Not wearing a seat belt or risky behavior can reduce compensation.

Civil compensation follows the Code of Obligations. Recoverable damages can include medical expenses, loss of earnings, household assistance, property damage, and moral damages for pain and suffering under Articles 47 and 49 OR in serious cases. If a person dies, dependents can claim loss of support and moral damages. Claimants must mitigate their losses reasonably, for example by following medical advice and documenting expenses.

Professional drivers and other employees are usually covered by mandatory accident insurance UVG. UVG pays medical costs and daily allowances for loss of earnings, and in serious cases disability pensions. UVG may later seek recourse against the liable party’s motor insurer. Health insurance KVG can also be involved and may recourse for medical costs. These overlaps can be complex, which is why coordination is important.

Traffic violations and criminal aspects are handled under the Road Traffic Act and the Criminal Code. Reporting is mandatory when there are injuries. The police investigate and may secure evidence such as tachograph records. Switzerland maintains a general blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille. For professional and heavy vehicle drivers the limit is effectively zero tolerance at 0.1 per mille. Violations can affect fault assessments and insurance coverage.

Working and rest times for professional drivers are regulated by ARV1. Overweight loads, insecure cargo, and defective equipment can trigger employer or operator responsibility. In multi party cases, claims may also consider employer liability for auxiliaries under Article 55 OR and the duties of shippers or loaders to secure cargo safely.

Limitation periods matter. Tort claims generally expire 3 years after you know the damage and the liable person. The absolute limit is 10 years, extended to 20 years for personal injury and death for events occurring from 1 January 2020. Contractual and insurance notice duties can be shorter, so prompt notification is recommended.

If the truck is foreign registered, the claim usually still follows Swiss law because the accident occurred in Switzerland. The Green Card system, the Swiss National Bureau of Insurance, and the National Guarantee Fund help identify or substitute the foreign insurer when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Muttenz

Call emergency services if anyone is hurt, secure the scene if safe, and cooperate with police. Exchange details and take photos of vehicles, road layout, and cargo. Identify witnesses and note the truck’s company, license plate, and insurer. Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor. Notify your insurer promptly and avoid admitting fault. If possible, note whether a tachograph is installed and request that data be preserved.

Do I have to call the police

Yes if there are injuries, significant property damage, or disagreements about fault. In practice you should call the police for most truck accidents because official documentation, measurements, and scene diagrams are vital in later claims.

Who can be liable in a truck accident case

The vehicle owner has strict liability under the Road Traffic Act. The driver may have personal liability if grossly negligent. The employer can be responsible for employees under the Code of Obligations. Other parties like maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, or shippers can share liability if equipment defects or cargo issues contributed. Liability is often apportioned among several parties.

Can I claim directly against the truck’s insurer

Yes. Swiss law allows a direct claim against the motor liability insurer of the vehicle involved. You may also need to coordinate with your health insurance and accident insurance providers regarding medical costs and wage loss.

What compensation can I recover

You can seek medical and rehabilitation costs, travel and care expenses, loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity, household management losses, property damage, and moral damages in serious cases. In fatal accidents, dependents can claim funeral expenses, loss of support, and moral damages.

What if I was partly at fault

Your compensation may be reduced proportionally for contributory negligence. Examples include speeding, distraction, or not wearing a seat belt. Each case turns on the evidence and expert reconstruction.

How long do I have to bring a claim

Generally 3 years from when you know the damage and the liable party. The absolute limit is 10 years, or 20 years for personal injury and death for accidents from 2020 onward. Insurance policies also require prompt notice, so do not wait.

I am a professional driver injured on the job. What applies

Report the accident to your employer and the UVG accident insurer. UVG covers medical care and wage loss, and may provide disability benefits. If another party is liable, you can also bring a civil claim against their motor insurer. Coordination prevents double recovery and ensures recourse is handled correctly.

What if the truck is foreign registered or the driver left the scene

You can usually claim in Switzerland based on where the accident occurred. The Swiss National Bureau of Insurance and the National Guarantee Fund can help identify the foreign insurer or provide a substitute if the insurer is unknown or insolvent. For hit and run cases, report immediately to the police.

Should I accept the insurer’s first offer

Not without understanding your full damages and future medical and vocational needs. Early offers may not account for long term consequences. Consider obtaining legal advice and medical documentation before settling. Once you sign a settlement, reopening is difficult.

Additional Resources

Federal Roads Office ASTRA. Provides rules on road traffic, heavy vehicle regulations, and infrastructure updates.

Cantonal Police Basel Landschaft. For accident reports, evidence requests, and filing complaints.

Public Prosecutor Basel Landschaft. Handles criminal aspects of serious traffic cases.

Motor Vehicle Control Office Basel Landschaft. Vehicle inspections, administrative measures, and driver licensing issues.

Swiss National Bureau of Insurance and National Guarantee Fund. Coordination for foreign insurers and uninsured or unidentified vehicles.

SUVA and other UVG accident insurers. Information on workplace accident benefits and claims handling for employees.

Swiss Insurance Ombudsman. Independent assistance in disputes with private insurers.

Victim Support Basel Landschaft Opferhilfe. Counselling and practical support for victims of violent or serious incidents, including road crashes.

Swiss Council for Accident Prevention bfu. Guidance on road safety and accident prevention.

Cantonal conciliation authority for civil disputes. First step in many civil claims before court proceedings.

Next Steps

Prioritize medical care and follow treatment plans. Keep all medical records, receipts, and a diary of symptoms and limitations. Notify your own insurer and, if applicable, your employer and UVG accident insurer. Request the police report when available and ask that tachograph and telematics data be preserved. Do not sign waivers or settlements before you understand the full impact of your injuries.

Consult a lawyer experienced in truck accidents in Basel Landschaft. Bring your documents, including correspondence from insurers, medical reports, wage statements, and any photos or witness details. Ask about limitation periods, the best sequence for contacting insurers, and whether expert reconstruction or medical assessments are needed. A lawyer can calculate claim items under Swiss practice, negotiate with multiple insurers, and file proceedings with the conciliation authority or civil court if settlement is not achievable.

This guide is general information. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a qualified Swiss lawyer familiar with truck accidents in the Muttenz area.