Accident as a passenger
Claiming damages for personal injury after an accident as a passenger
Suppose you're a passenger in a car accident. Are you entitled to compensation for your injuries, and if so, who is liable? As a passenger, you're almost always entitled to compensation for your injuries. As a passenger, you have extra protection in traffic.
If you, as a passenger, sustain injuries in a car accident, you are legally considered a "no-fault" passenger. After all, as a passenger, you had no control over the accident. According to the "No-Fault Third Party Compensation Scheme," you, as a no-fault passenger, can claim damages from the insurer of the vehicle you were traveling in. This insurer will then pay your damages. Once it is clear which insurer is responsible for the damages, the insurers will settle the damages among themselves.

Legal support throughout the Netherlands
As your expert partner for personal injury claims, we serve victims nationwide. With offices in Amsterdam and Utrecht, we offer nationwide coverage and will visit you at home if necessary. Our experience in successfully claiming personal injury damages makes us a leading name in the industry.
Hardt Advocaten is proud to hold the National Personal Injury Quality Mark, a prestigious recognition that emphasizes our commitment to quality and professionalism. This quality mark, awarded by the Dutch Personal Injury Council (De Letselschade Raad), reinforces our reputation as a reliable and expert entity within the personal injury sector.
Hardt Advocaten was founded with the goal of supporting victims of personal injury and providing the best possible legal help. With our in house lawyers, we can assist you from start to end.
Own fault as a passenger in an accident
As a passenger, in most cases, you are not at fault for the cause of the accident. However, you may bear some responsibility for the severity of your injuries. For example, if you were not wearing a seatbelt during the accident or if you knowingly got into a car with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In these situations, you, as a passenger, could have prevented some of your injuries. Therefore, you don't always receive full compensation in these situations. Instead of 100% compensation for your injuries, you might only receive 75%. This percentage, of course, depends on the circumstances of the accident.
Claiming personal injury damages as a passenger in an accident
If you were involved in an accident as a passenger, compensation for your injuries may consist of several components. You may receive compensation for expenses incurred and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering (non-pecuniary damages).
Reimbursements you can consider include:
- Compensation for lost income
- Reimbursement for travel expenses
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Compensation for household help required as a result of the accident
- Vergoeding voor verlies van zelfwerkzaamheid
- Compensation for pain, sorrow or reduced enjoyment of life
Besides these examples, there are many other things that can be compensated if you, as a passenger, have suffered personal injury. Any costs you would not have incurred without the accident may be eligible for compensation. Therefore, it's important that you record all expenses incurred after the accident and keep receipts and invoices. We can use these to help you assess and document the damage and claim compensation from the other party.
Personal legal assistance
Specializing in personal injury
Active throughout the Netherlands
Claiming compensation in the event of a traffic accident as a passenger
How to claim damages after a traffic accident as a passenger
The process of claiming compensation begins with establishing the facts of the accident and gathering evidence. This includes photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, police reports, and medical reports documenting your injuries. It's important to document in detail the nature and extent of your injuries and other damages, such as loss of income and emotional distress.
We offer professional legal support to ensure all relevant damages are claimed correctly and completely. This allows you to focus on your recovery.
Collecting evidence after a traffic accident as a passenger
Collecting evidence is a critical step in claiming compensation after a passenger accident. Immediately after the accident, it's important to gather as much evidence as possible. This includes photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to personal property. It's also crucial to gather the names and contact information of witnesses who can support your version of events.
Medical reports prepared by a doctor immediately after the accident will serve as evidence of your injuries and are invaluable in supporting your claim. We will help you gather evidence and use it to support your claim.
Payment of compensation
Once the evidence has been gathered, the other party has been found liable, and the claim has been filed, the other party's insurer will launch an investigation into the accident, and our personal injury lawyers will conduct discussions to recover appropriate compensation. Depending on the complexity of the case, this process can take some time. During this period, we will keep you updated on all developments.
If you have suffered personal injury, you may face additional (medical) costs. Therefore, we request interim advances to alleviate acute financial hardship during the personal injury claim process. The insurer will propose compensation. We advise you on making the right choices, ensuring you receive the compensation you are entitled to. If the outcome is unsatisfactory, we can, in consultation with you, take the case to court. In many cases, however, a settlement is reached without the need for a lawsuit.
Legal help with your recovery
Types of injuries after a passenger accident
Hardt Advocaten offers specialized assistance in a wide range of situations, from traffic accidents to workplace accidents. Our goal is to provide each client with tailored legal support, tailored to the specific circumstances of the accident. Recognizing the diverse challenges that personal injury cases present is the first step toward a targeted approach.
If you have been involved in an accident as a passenger, you may be left with various complaints. Examples of injuries include:
- Neck injury
- Whiplash
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Knee complaints
- Bone fractures
- Scars
- Mental complaints
For optimal recovery from personal injury after an accident, it's crucial to initiate appropriate medical treatments promptly to prevent further or permanent damage as much as possible. Medical treatments for personal injury include physiotherapy, rehabilitation programs, occupational therapy, and/or psychotherapy. We'll work with you to determine what you need to recover from your injury.
Claiming damages for traffic accidents, industrial accidents and other accidents
Traffic accidents represent a significant portion of personal injury cases. Whether you're involved as a driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or passenger, the consequences can be far-reaching. At Hardt Advocaten, we focus on claiming damages and providing the necessary support in the social services sector to smooth your path to recovery and improve the situation before the accident. With us, you are our priority.
Collecting evidence after a traffic accident
Collecting evidence is a critical step in claiming compensation after a car accident. Immediately after the accident, it's important to gather as much evidence as possible. This includes photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to personal property. It's also crucial to gather the names and contact information of witnesses who can support your version of events.
Medical reports prepared by a doctor immediately after the accident will serve as evidence of your injuries and are invaluable in supporting your claim. We will help you gather evidence and use it to support your claim.
Payment of compensation
Once the evidence has been gathered, the other party has been found liable, and the claim has been filed, the other party's insurer will launch an investigation into the accident, and our personal injury lawyers will discuss appropriate compensation. Depending on the complexity of the case, this process can take some time. During this period, we will keep you updated on all developments.
If you've suffered personal injury, you may face additional (medical) costs. That's why we request interim advances to alleviate acute financial hardship during the personal injury claim process. The insurer will propose compensation.
We advise you on making the right choices, ensuring you receive the compensation you're entitled to. If the outcome is unsatisfactory, we can, in consultation with you, take the case to court. In many cases, however, a settlement is reached without the need for a lawsuit.
Your options
We offer comprehensive legal support, aiming to restore the situation as much as possible to its pre-accident state. Our lawyers are dedicated to ensuring your damages are fully compensated by obtaining the compensation you are entitled to.
Would you like to know more, or have you been involved in a traffic accident as a passenger? Feel free to contact us to discuss your options, without obligation. You can reach us by phone at 030 2690063 or through our contact form. We'll help you move forward!
This is how we work
1
Advice on personal injury
Feel free to contact us to share your story with our personal injury lawyers. We'll invite you for an intake interview or visit you to hear your story.
2
Determining liability
We hold the at-fault party liable for your damages. If the at-fault party in a traffic accident, for example, is unknown, in some cases the damages will be compensated by another party.
3
Determine advance payment
If you've suffered damages, we'll ensure the other party pays you an advance on the compensation. This way, you don't have to wait for the case to be settled before receiving compensation.
4
Claiming damages and aftercare
Once our personal injury lawyer has clearly assessed the damages, they will submit them to the other party's insurer. Together with the insurer, they will determine your damages, and you will then receive compensation.




