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In Germany, attorney fees are governed by the Lawyers’ Fees Act (Rechtsanwaltsvergütungsgesetz, RVG). Fees are generally based on the amount in dispute (Gegenstandswert). Court fees are often added in litigation. Before you instruct me, I will explain the costs in detail — you decide whether to proceed. If the outcome of the case is positive, costs are as a rule to be borne by the other side. If you have legal expenses insurance, the costs are covered from there, except for any excess (Selbstbeteiligung) you may have to pay. If you are not in a position to meet the costs yourself because of your financial situation, you may, where the statutory conditions are met, use Beratungshilfe as well as either Prozess- or Verfahrenskostenhilfe.

The pivot for claims under an insurance contract is always the applicable policy terms together with the agreed cover. The specific scope of cover follows from the insurance certificate. Both the certificate and the policy terms can look confusing at first glance. I review the full set of terms carefully and determine for your specific case whether a claim exists. If you no longer have the documents to hand, I will request them from the insurer for you — you need not worry about that. Claims against the insurer can also exist in the event of incorrect advice. If you have a claim, I will of course pursue it in a targeted manner.

Safety first: secure the scene, use hazard lights, place a warning triangle, call emergency services if people are injured, and provide first aid. Document the accident without delay. Photos of the vehicles as they came to rest can be invaluable later. Photograph all damage at the scene, not only to your vehicle — better one photo too many than too few. Involve the police. The police accident report can matter later. Note witnesses’ contact details. The police often record witnesses too, but a direct phone number or email can speed up contact. Do not admit fault or make unclear statements. Liability is often unclear at the scene; the legal assessment may differ even if you believe you were at fault. Notify your own insurer — even if you were not at fault. Have even apparently minor injuries examined and documented (e.g. whiplash). Involve a traffic law attorney early so that claims for damages or pain and suffering are asserted correctly.

Claims after a traffic accident can be varied and complex. To quantify vehicle damage, a professional damage report is usually required first. If you have not yet obtained one, I will gladly help you find a suitable expert. In non-fault accidents, the other party or their motor liability insurer bears the cost of the report. Caution: for very minor damage, commissioning a full expert report may not be appropriate and costs may not be covered. You should involve a traffic attorney as early as possible to avoid mistakes during the initial claims process. From the outset I will work through all options with you to pursue the damage in line with your preferences — for example, whether to claim on a fictitious basis (i.e. claim the necessary costs without repairing the vehicle) or to assert a specific claim after repair.

Legal expenses insurance often covers both in-court and out-of-court costs — meaning no financial risk for you and full support in the process. Whether your specific matter is covered depends on the scope of cover in your policy. Not every case is automatically insured; small details can matter. I handle all communication with your insurer to avoid misunderstandings and delays. Some policies include an excess that you must pay; in a successful outcome that share is often recoverable from the other side. The so-called quota privilege (Quotenvorrecht) can also mean that your excess is repaid in full even after a partial success.

The first contact is simple and straightforward. You get in touch via the contact form on the website, by email, or by phone. Please describe your matter as fully as possible and leave your contact details. The contact form and contact by email are useful because documents can be sent that way. The more information you give me, the better I can assess your matter legally. Important: the first contact does not create a client relationship. After a brief review of your matter I will get back to you promptly to arrange a conversation. In a first meeting we discuss your case and consider next steps. I will also explain costs transparently. Only after that do you decide whether to instruct me.

As a rule, appealing a traffic fine is almost always worthwhile. Many notices contain formal or substantive errors that can lead to a reduced fine or the notice being set aside entirely. To review your notice reliably, it is mandatory to inspect the official investigation file. I will file the corresponding application for file inspection. The prospects of success can then be assessed and the objection reasoned. In uncertain cases — borderline cases — it can make sense to check before filing the objection whether costs are covered by legal expenses insurance. That limits financial risk if the objection fails. It is important to act quickly after receiving a fine and to observe the appeal deadline. It is two weeks from service of the notice. If you miss the deadline, the fine becomes final and a later objection is only possible in very narrow circumstances. To avoid missing deadlines, it is advisable to involve an attorney promptly.

Most claims are subject to limitation: they cannot be asserted indefinitely. The standard limitation period in Germany is three years, starting at the end of the year in which the claim arose and the creditor obtained knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to the claim and of the debtor’s identity. Certain claims follow special rules — for example two years for defects under purchase contracts or five years for claims related to buildings. For particularly serious claims, such as damages for injury to life, limb, or health, the period can be up to thirty years. Under certain conditions limitation can be suspended or interrupted. Interruption may occur, for example, if the debtor acknowledges the debt or court measures are taken to enforce the claim. To determine whether a claim is still enforceable and to secure a claim before it becomes time-barred, involving an attorney is advisable.