It is peak holiday season and every year 130 million Europeans plan a holiday in another EU country.  Around 3/4 of holidaymakers will use a car or a motorbike whilst on holiday and it is likely that some of those road users will be unfortunate enough to be involved in a road traffic accident.  It is estimated that around 2% of road traffic accidents in the EU involve visitors from another EU country.

Very often these unlucky holidaymakers have no idea how to claim compensation especially if they are a victim of an accident in a country other than their own.  Time limits for making a claim differ from country to country and of course there is sometimes a bit of a language barrier.  The procedures for making claims also vary vastly from one country to the next.

This month the European Commission has launched a public consultation to help victims of cross-border road traffic accidents.  The Consultation is open until 19th November.  EU’s Justice Commissioner stated that “The European Commission wants to find out more so that we can offer effective solutions and make sure all victims have proper access to justice. European Citizens should feel at ease when using their car to go on holiday in another EU country”.