Legal experts have welcomed new laws that make it easier for UK holidaymakers to claim damages after being involved in road traffic accidents abroad.

The level of compensation received will also increase and the process will be made simpler because English courts will be allowed to deal with any disputes following a road traffic accident in any member EU country.

The new EU Directive means that people no longer have to rely on local claims firms in a foreign country and can appoint a solicitor in the UK to handle what was previously a legal headache.

Martin Coyne, managing partner of Manchester law firm Ralli, said these changes are long overdue:

"This is great news for UK holidaymakers who enjoy motoring abroad. It means that there is a safety net if they are involved in a motor accident. In the past, too many people have been put off making claims for either personal injury damages or property damages because of the lengthy legal process in foreign jurisdictions.

"Now, a person living in England, who has been injured in a road traffic accident abroad in an EU country, can issue proceedings against the person responsible in an English court and will probably secure higher levels of compensation than they would have done before when relying on foreign courts.

"Many people have accidents abroad that go unreported. I expect these developments to open the floodgates and we will see more UK nationals coming forward."
www.ralli.co.uk 

26 November 2007