Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Tétouan

About Truck Accident Law in Tétouan, Morocco

Truck accidents in Tétouan are governed by Moroccan national laws that apply across the country, together with local police and court procedures in the Tétouan area. Claims usually involve the Highway Code, the Civil Code of Obligations and Contracts for fault-based liability, and the Insurance Code for mandatory motor insurance. Because trucks are commercial vehicles, additional transport safety and professional driver rules often matter, including rules on vehicle maintenance, loading, driver rest times, and tachograph use. After a crash, police or the Royal Gendarmerie open an investigation and prepare an official report. Victims typically seek compensation for bodily injury, lost income, medical care, and property damage, either through the at-fault party and their insurer or, in some situations, through special guarantee mechanisms when insurance is missing.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer when liability is disputed, when multiple parties are involved, or when injuries are serious or long lasting. Truck cases are complex because responsibility can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance contractor, cargo loader, or even a municipality responsible for road hazards. Insurers may challenge fault, the extent of your injuries, or the link between the accident and your losses. A lawyer can secure and preserve technical evidence such as dashcam data, tachograph records, GPS traces, driver logs, and maintenance files, and can work with medical and engineering experts. Legal help is also useful if you are a professional driver injured on duty and must coordinate between a third party claim and the work accident compensation system. If the other vehicle is uninsured or fled the scene, a lawyer can guide you through alternative recovery options. Finally, strict time limits apply to notifying insurers and filing claims, so early legal advice helps protect your rights.

Local Laws Overview

Road traffic rules come from the Moroccan Highway Code, which sets speed limits, priority rules, alcohol and drug prohibitions, load limits, and obligations after a collision. Professional road transport is subject to additional safety and equipment requirements, including periodic inspections and the use of tachographs on certain heavy vehicles. Violations such as overloading, improper maintenance, or exceeding hours of service can affect civil and criminal liability.

Civil liability is generally fault-based under the Dahir forming the Obligations and Contracts Code. Drivers and owners can be responsible for harm caused by their vehicle. Employers are often responsible for the acts of their employees when committed in the course of employment. In serious crashes, prosecutors may also bring criminal charges such as unintentional injury or homicide, hit-and-run, or driving while impaired. A criminal case can run alongside a civil claim for compensation.

Insurance is mandatory for motor vehicles in Morocco. Victims usually have a direct claim against the at-fault driver and their liability insurer. In many cases, claims begin with an amicable settlement procedure with the insurer, supported by the police report, medical certificates, and repair estimates. Medical assessment by an independent expert is commonly used to evaluate temporary disability, permanent impairment, and future care needs. If settlement is not possible, cases are brought before the Court of First Instance in Tétouan, with possible appeal to the Court of Appeal.

Time limits are strict. Insurance policies often require prompt notice of an accident, frequently within a few days. Actions against insurers can have shorter limitation periods than general civil actions, and criminal deadlines are different again. Because the exact deadlines depend on the type of claim and the parties involved, you should verify applicable periods with a local lawyer as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Tétouan

Prioritize safety and medical help, call the police or Gendarmerie, and request an ambulance if needed. Exchange identification and insurance details, note license plates, and take photos of vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries. Identify witnesses and keep their contact details. Do not move vehicles unless safety requires it, and do not leave the scene before the authorities arrive, except for urgent medical reasons. Seek medical evaluation the same day even if you feel fine, and keep all records.

Do I need a police report to make a claim

A police report or gendarmerie report is highly important and often essential in truck accidents. It documents the scene, parties, and any violations, and insurers rely on it when assessing liability. If the collision was minor and a friendly accident report was completed, you should still notify the police if there are injuries or significant damage.

Who can be held liable besides the truck driver

Depending on the facts, liability may extend to the trucking company, the vehicle owner, the leasing company, a maintenance contractor, the entity that loaded the cargo, a shipper or freight broker, or a public authority responsible for road defects. Employer responsibility for acts of employees often applies when the driver was on duty.

How is compensation calculated in Morocco

Compensation typically covers medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, assistance at home, vehicle and property damage, and non-economic harm such as pain, suffering, and permanent disability. Medical expert reports help quantify injury-related losses. Settlement values depend on the severity of injuries, recovery time, degree of permanent impairment, age, occupation, and the strength of the evidence on liability.

What if the truck was uninsured or fled the scene

If the at-fault vehicle was uninsured, unidentified, or fled, you may still have options through legal mechanisms designed to protect road accident victims or through your own insurance coverage if applicable. The exact path depends on your situation. A lawyer can identify the correct procedure and required documents and can contact the authorities and regulator if insurer information is unavailable.

How long do I have to start a claim

Deadlines vary. You usually must notify your insurer quickly, often within a short period specified in your policy. Civil claims for damages and actions against insurers are subject to legal limitation periods that can be as short as a couple of years in some scenarios, while other tort claims may allow a longer time. Because the exact period depends on claim type and parties, get legal advice promptly to avoid missing a deadline.

Should I accept the first offer from an insurer

Not without understanding your full medical and financial losses. Early offers may come before your condition stabilizes and may not account for future care or loss of earning capacity. You are entitled to request a medical expert evaluation, provide additional evidence, and negotiate. A lawyer can assess whether the offer is fair and can handle negotiations.

Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault

Moroccan courts can consider contributory fault. If you share responsibility, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your fault. The determination depends on the evidence, including the police report and any expert analysis. Do not assume you have no claim before speaking with a lawyer.

What documents should I gather

Collect the police report number, contact and insurance details for all parties, photos and videos, witness contacts, medical certificates and prescriptions, hospital and pharmacy invoices, proof of lost income, employment attestations, vehicle repair estimates and invoices, and any available data like dashcam footage or tachograph extracts. Keep a diary of symptoms and appointments.

Will I have to go to court

Many cases resolve by amicable settlement with the insurer after medical evaluation. If liability is disputed or the offer is inadequate, your lawyer may file a case before the Court of First Instance in Tétouan. Even after filing, settlement is still possible. Whether you must appear personally depends on the stage of proceedings and the judge's requirements.

Additional Resources

National Road Safety Agency - NARSA. Provides road safety information, driver licensing services, and accident prevention materials relevant to heavy vehicles.

General Directorate of National Security - Tétouan Police Prefecture. Handles urban traffic accidents, on-site reports, and victim assistance procedures.

Royal Gendarmerie - Tétouan area. Handles accidents outside city limits, investigations, and official reports used in civil claims.

Ministry of Transport and Logistics - Road Transport Directorate. Issues regulations for professional drivers, vehicle inspections, and tachographs applicable to trucks.

Ministry of Equipment and Water - Directorate of Roads. Responsible for road infrastructure and can be relevant where road conditions contributed to an accident.

Autorité de Contrôle des Assurances et de la Prévoyance Sociale - ACAPS. Insurance market regulator that can provide guidance on insurance claim practices and complaints.

Court of First Instance of Tétouan. Civil court with jurisdiction over most personal injury and property damage claims arising from traffic accidents in the Tétouan area.

Labour Inspectorate - Tétouan. Useful for workers injured on duty in truck-related incidents, including coordination with the work accident compensation regime.

Local public hospitals and emergency services in Tétouan. Obtain immediate care and request medical certificates that will be needed for your claim.

Next Steps

Seek medical attention immediately and follow all treatment plans. Ask for medical certificates and keep every invoice. Notify your own insurer without delay and check your policy for notification deadlines, which are often just a few days. Do not discuss fault at the scene beyond what is required by the authorities, and avoid posting about the accident on social media.

Request the police or gendarmerie report reference number and the names of the reporting officers. Preserve evidence by saving photos, dashcam files, and any electronic data from vehicles. If you are a professional driver, inform your employer and request that the company preserve tachograph records, GPS logs, and maintenance files.

Consult a lawyer in Tétouan who handles truck and serious road accident cases. Bring your insurance policy, any correspondence, medical records, and expense proofs to the first meeting. Ask about strategy, potential damages, timelines, and costs. Fee arrangements in Morocco are by agreement and can include hourly, fixed, or success-based components as permitted by bar rules. Make sure you understand the fee agreement before you sign.

Depending on the case, your lawyer may start with an amicable claim to the insurer, coordinate an independent medical examination, and negotiate a settlement. If needed, they can file a lawsuit within the legal time limits and request court-appointed experts. Throughout the process, continue your medical care and keep records of any new expenses or work impact. Early action and thorough documentation are key to protecting your rights after a truck accident in Tétouan.