Have you been hit by a car, scooter, bicycle or other vehicle? Then your life often comes to a brief standstill. Besides pain and shock, questions arise immediately: Who is liable? Am I entitled to compensation? What should I do now?
In this article, we explain clearly and step by step what your rights are if you have been hit and why it is important to seek legal advice quickly.

What does “hit” mean legally?

Legally, you are considered to have been hit when you, as a:

• pedestrian

• cyclist

• scooter rider

• motorist

• passenger

sustains injury from a collision with (usually) a motorized vehicle. In many cases there is a right to compensation, even if you are not sure who is at fault.

Hit as a pedestrian or cyclist: extra protection

Were you hit as a pedestrian or cyclist? Then the law offers extra protection.

• In a collision with a motor vehicle, the driver is almost always (partly) liable

• Even if you made a mistake yourself, you may still be entitled to compensation

• For children under 14, full liability almost always applies

👉 This is something insurers do not often tell you proactively.

What if the other party says you are at fault?

Many victims hear:

• “You crossed unexpectedly”

• “You should have paid better attention”

• “You are partly at fault yourself”

Even with shared fault there may be entitlement to (a large part of) the compensation. So fault means not automatically: no entitlement.

What damages can you be compensated for after a collision?

If you have been hit, your damages may consist of several components.

1. Medical expenses

• deductible

• physiotherapy

• medication

• future healthcare costs

2. Loss of income

• lost wages

• reduced ability to work

• loss of earning capacity (including the self-employed)

3. Other costs

• travel expenses

• household help

• informal care by family

• adaptations to the home or car

4. Pain and suffering compensation

Compensation for:

• pain

• grief

• anxiety

• loss of enjoyment of life

What should you do immediately if you have been hit by a car?

After a collision, it is important to act quickly and carefully:

1. Seek medical help, even if symptoms seem mild

2. Record details of the other party and witnesses

3. Take photos of the situation and the injury

4. Report the accident as soon as possible

5. Do not make final decisions towards the insurer

⚠️ Don’t agree to a settlement too quickly. This can have major consequences for your future.

Insurance company calling? Be careful

Insurers often get in touch quickly and sometimes make a “nice offer”. This seems helpful, but:

• future damages are often underestimated

• medical consequences are still uncertain

• a settlement agreement is usually final

Once signed, a settlement is almost never reversible.

Why hire a personal injury lawyer?

After a collision you are up against a professional insurer. A personal injury lawyer:

• establishes liability

• calculates all heads of damage (now and in the future)

• arranges advance payments

• conducts negotiations

• avoids pressure and mistakes

👉 The costs of legal assistance in personal injury cases are recovered from the liable party. Therefore, the assistance is free of charge for you.

When should you seek assistance?

Ideally:

• immediately after the collision

• as soon as you are injured

• as soon as an insurer contacts you

Waiting can lead to loss of evidence and lower compensation.

Conclusion: hit by a car – now what?

If you’ve been hit by a car, the following applies:
✔ you are often entitled to compensation
✔ even if you were (partly) at fault
✔ even with seemingly “minor” injuries
✔ legal assistance prevents underestimation

Are you unsure? Then that’s reason enough to have your situation assessed.