You may sustain injuries or complaints as a result of an accident. If someone else is liable for the damage you have suffered, you are entitled to personal injury compensation. But holding someone liable and recovering personal injury claims is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. Because who is to blame in a collision and what personal injury amounts are reimbursed after a dog bite (Dutch: hondenbeet) You can read it in this blog.
What exactly is personal injury?
After an accident, there is a right to personal injury if someone else is liable, but what is personal injury actually? Personal injury is the damage that a victim sustains as a result of an accident. For example, damage as a result of whiplash after a chain collision (Dutch: kettingbotsing).
Personal injury consists of 2 types of damage. Firstly, material damage. This includes all damage items that can be valued in money. For example, wage damage because someone becomes incapacitated for work as a result of a collision or industrial accident. The damage is then the difference between the salary earned before the accident and the salary earned after the accident. But medical costs, travel costs and costs for household help are also examples of material damage items.
In addition to material damage, there is also immaterial damage, this damage is also called compensation for damages. It is compensation for the suffering that someone suffers as a result of an accident. This may include pain complaints, psychological complaints such as fear of driving or fear of dogs. But compensation for sadness, anger and frustration also falls under compensation.
Personal injury due to a collision
One of the most common causes of personal injury is a collision. This could be a car accident, a scooter accident or a bicycle accident. If someone else is to blame for the accident, you can claim compensation from this person or their insurance company. But what if the other party states that it is not he, but yourself, who are to blame for the accident and claims compensation from you?
If you have been hit by a car or cyclist, it is important that you complete a claim form. The burden of proof of guilt lies with you as a traffic victim. However, do you complete a damage collision form and have it signed by the other party? The circumstances of the accident will then be established.
Completing a claim form is not the only thing that is important. Always check if there are any witnesses to the collision. If this is the case, you can ask this person or persons to prepare a witness statement. This can also help you prove the circumstances of the accident.
Personal injury caused by a dog bite
In addition to traffic accidents, dog bites are also common. It is often a superficial dog bite with little injury. However, there have also been cases of serious injury from a dog bite. Common injuries include nerve damage or muscle damage, but amputation of limbs also occurs as a result of a dog bite.
The owner of the dog is liable for personal injury as a result of a dog bite. This can be a natural person, but also a legal entity, such as a kennel or pet shop. You can hold this person liable for your personal injury.
A collision or dog bite can therefore cause serious injuries. It is therefore important that you have enough information to hold the other party liable.
