Damage caused by a pothole - who is liable?
A pothole rarely comes alone - and usually when you least expect it. A sudden bump on the road can cause serious damage to the vehicle: bent rims, cracked tyres, damaged suspension or even subsequent accidents. But who is liable? In principle, the local authority or the state can be held liable - but only [...]
Coercion in road traffic - information & report
Jostling, tailgating, abrupt braking or deliberately slowing down - many drivers are familiar with such dangerous situations. But what many don't realise: Certain types of behaviour in road traffic can not only be rude or inconsiderate, but can also be considered coercion under criminal law. The legal consequences are correspondingly serious: fines, a driving ban or even imprisonment are possible - depending on the severity of the [...]
Tram accident - what drivers should look out for
Whether in city traffic or at junctions, trams are a particular challenge for many road users. As they cannot swerve, have a long braking distance and almost always have priority according to road traffic regulations, drivers, cyclists or pedestrians often bear the brunt of the blame in the event of an accident - and therefore also the financial consequences. In this article you will learn how [...]
Accident with e-bike - 5 important information for you
An accident with an e-bike can quickly become expensive - both for the person responsible and for the injured party. Anyone travelling with an e-bike or S-pedelec must observe special legal regulations depending on the model - especially with regard to compulsory insurance and traffic regulations. If an accident occurs, similar liability principles apply as with a car. In [...]
Headphones while driving - forbidden or allowed?
Headphones, AirPods and the like have long been part of everyday life for many - even behind the wheel. Whether for navigation, phone calls or noise cancellation: the small devices are practical, but can quickly become a danger on the road. Wearing headphones while driving is generally permitted - as long as you are not distracted from the traffic. Who [...]
Accident without a driving licence - fines and consequences
An accident without a driving licence has serious consequences - even if you are not primarily to blame for the incident. While simply forgetting your driving licence is only punishable by a small fine, driving without a valid licence is considered a criminal offence. If this results in an accident, you may not only face heavy fines or imprisonment, but also considerable [...]
Winter tyres in summer - What are the penalties in the event of an accident?
Driving with winter tyres in summer is not prohibited, but can be expensive in an emergency. If there is an accident, there is a risk of trouble if you have the wrong tyres, especially if you are (partly) responsible: Your comprehensive insurance can reduce or completely refuse benefits - possibly with reference to gross negligence. In this article, we show why [...]
Taking the right of way and causing an accident - question of fault & consequences
If you give way to another road user and cause an accident as a result, you are usually at least mainly at fault - but you are not always solely responsible. Depending on the situation, traffic signs or driving style of the other party (e.g. excessive speed), the person authorised to give way may also be partially at fault or jointly liable. In this article you will learn which [...]
Drinking and driving? - What you need to know in the event of an accident
Anyone who causes an accident under the influence of alcohol can expect severe consequences: In addition to high fines, there is also the threat of points, driving licence disqualification, insurance recourse claims and even imprisonment. From 0.3 per mille, a fine can be imposed - from 1.1 per mille, you are considered to be completely unfit to drive - and your driving licence is usually taken away. In this guide you will learn [...]
Accident with company car - who has to pay?
If an accident occurs with the company car during a business trip, in most cases the employer or their insurance will pay - provided the accident was not caused by gross negligence or intent. Depending on the degree of fault, however, the employee may be held liable proportionately or even in full. We explain when which party pays, what role the [...]