On Tuesday 4 July, MEPs adopted a legislative own-initiative report submitted by Pavel Svoboda (EPP, Czech Republic) suggesting that the European Commission propose rules on time limits applicable to claiming compensation for cross-border road accidents.
The legislative own-initiative report obtained overwhelming support from MEPs (558 votes in favour, 69 against, 73 abstentions). Based on the observation that member states apply different rules when claiming compensation for road accidents, the report asserts that the victims can find themselves prevented from “making a claim for compensation” when a person has an accident in a country where they do not reside.
MEPs did not add any amendments to Mr Svoboda’s report and are therefore proposing to set a deadline of at least four years in which compensation can be sought for physical injuries or damages to goods. They also suggest making this time-limit apply from the day when the victim is made aware of the extent of their injuries or damages suffered and have the relevant information about the identity of the person responsible and body responsible for compensation. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)