Hit by a car | Sparta Legal

You were hit by a car. It might have been just now, or perhaps a few days ago.
It was quite a shock, but life has gone on since then.

Yet the questions keep coming back.
Should you have done something differently? Is this your fault?
And what if the symptoms only get worse later on?

We speak to people in this situation every day.
Not because they want to “start a business” straight away, but because they want to know
what the sensible thing to do is right now — and what would be better to hold off on for a while.

In short
Take complaints seriously, record what happened and don’t wait too long to report them.
This will prevent you from missing out on opportunities later on.

What should you do immediately after a collision?

1. Take your symptoms seriously
Even if you can walk or think it’s not that bad.
Symptoms in the neck, back or head often only develop later.
If you don’t have this documented, you run the risk that symptoms will no longer be linked to the accident
at a later date.

2. Record what happened
Make a note of the driver’s details, take photos of the scene and ask for the contact details
of any witnesses. Not “for the insurance company”, but to avoid any disputes later on.

3. Report the accident
Reporting the accident does not mean that you are immediately making a claim.
Above all, it means that you prevent deadlines from expiring or evidence from being lost.

4. Don’t agree to anything too quickly
Do not sign any statements or agree to a quick settlement
until the symptoms have stabilised.

What does this mean for your situation?

Hit by a car whilst walking

Pedestrians are vulnerable road users.
In many cases, the driver has a high duty of care
and (part of) the damage is recoverable.

Lees meer over letselschade na een verkeersongeval

Aangereden als fietser

Cyclists also enjoy extra protection.
Even if you were not entirely blameless, you may be entitled to a claim
for a (partial) compensation.

Child hit by a car

For children stricter protection rules apply.
For children under the age of 14 years is damage almost always compensated.

But what if you are (partly) to blame?

Many people think they aren’t entitled to anything if they’ve made a mistake themselves.
That’s often not the case.

Even in cases of shared liability, you may still be entitled to compensation.
The assessment depends on the traffic situation,
your position as a road user and the driver’s behaviour.

What types of damage are eligible for compensation?

Medical expenses
Loss of income or delay in studies
Domestic help
Travel expenses
Compensation for pain and suffering (non-material damage)

What we often see going wrong
People wait too long because they think it will go away on its own.
If symptoms worsen later on, the evidence has often already disappeared
and it becomes more difficult to claim compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the driver drove off?
Even in that case, compensation may sometimes be possible,
depending on the circumstances and what has been agreed.

Do I have to pay for legal assistance myself?
In many cases, these costs are recovered from the liable party.

What if symptoms only develop later?
Symptoms that develop later may also be related to the accident.
It is important to record and report these.

Would you like to know what this situation means for you?
You don’t need to decide anything just yet.
A no-obligation assessment provides clarity
and helps you make informed choices.

Contact us without obligation

Consequences of a road traffic accident involving a pedestrian

(Chronic) pain symptoms
Incapacity for work
Dependence on crutches or a wheelchair
Home adaptations
Moving to suitable accommodation
Loss of income due to injury

Hit by a car: what should you do now?

Why do clients choose Spartalegal?

Are you unsure whether you are entitled to personal injury compensation?