Boost for accident victims

8.23.26am GMT Fri 28th Jan 2005

Chris Huhne welcomes moves to simplify claims

The European Parliament has approved legislation that will give victims of motor accidents the right to claim legal costs in their home countries when they have accidents in other EU states.

Under the current system, claimants have to deal with two different legal systems, leading to complications and extra costs when trying to claim back legal expenses.

A new deal struck by the Council of national ministers and the Parliament will mean victims are able to bring proceedings against the other party's insurance representatives directly in their home country, doing away with the need for two sets of lawyers and foreign legal proceedings.

The EU Commission has also agreed to look into making insurance companies provide automatic coverage for legal costs involved in accidents abroad.

The European Parliament has now passed the legislation with the new provisions. Local MEP Chris Huhne said, "Nobody who suffers a motor accident in the EU should have to face huge amounts of bureaucracy and be drawn into two different legal jurisdictions - one of which is entirely foreign to them."

"It is only reasonable that motorists should have a simple procedure for cross-border legal proceedings. This is a big step forward for freedom of movement in Europe."