{"id":8486,"date":"2022-03-10T10:59:16","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T09:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fairforce.one\/?p=8486"},"modified":"2025-06-05T10:59:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T08:59:24","slug":"unfall-wegen-oelspur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fairforce.one\/en\/ratgeber\/unfall-wegen-oelspur\/","title":{"rendered":"Accident due to oil spill - who has to pay?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A vehicle will not get far without engine and transmission oil. However, if the oil leaks due to a collision or a leak, caution is required. If the road is particularly slippery due to an oil slick, there is an increased risk of accidents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this guide, we therefore explain how to react correctly if you cause an accident due to an oil spill on the road and who has to pay for the damage and remove the oil spill.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why is an oil slick on the carriageway so dangerous?<\/h2>\n

Leaking oil makes the carriageway slippery. As a result, the tyres can no longer grip the road and the vehicle is difficult to control. An accident is inevitable, especially at high speeds. Technical defects or collisions can cause oil to escape while driving and drip onto the carriageway. It is therefore not uncommon for oil tracks to be several metres long. In addition, oil is not water-soluble and therefore cannot simply be washed away by the next rain. If a following driver drives at high speed through oil spill residues that have not been removed, there is a considerable risk of getting into an accident.<\/p>\n

In most cases, it is not the driver's fault that an oil spill accident occurs. That is why an accident resulting from an oil spill is also called an Subsequent accident<\/strong> called.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Note<\/strong>:
An oil slick on the road is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, as they can be seriously injured in a motorbike accident.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who is liable for accident damage caused by an oil spill?<\/h2>\n

If you are unable to avoid a collision with another vehicle due to an oil slick despite driving with foresight, the question arises: who is responsible for the fender bender and perhaps even the Compensation for pain and suffering<\/a> who is responsible? The driver involved in the accident or the person who caused the oil spill?<\/p>\n

According to Section 32 (1) of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), it is prohibited to cause traffic obstructions. This also includes causing an oil slick. If a subsequent accident then occurs due to the oil spill, the Causer of the oil spill<\/strong> also for the damage caused. Drivers of vehicles that have lost oil must also mark the corresponding oil lane so that further accidents can be avoided.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Do you want to maximise the payout after your accident?<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.<\/p>

Depending on the cause of the accident, customers receive an average of \u20ac4802<\/a><\/sup> Additional payment<\/strong><\/p>

Callback within 5 minutes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Can I be held partially responsible for an accident caused by an oil slick?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

However, there are also circumstances that can reduce the liability of the person responsible for the oil spill. In principle, the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident is not off the hook. In addition to the oil spill, all other circumstances that lead to such an accident are also relevant.<\/p>\n

For example, if you were driving too fast but could have recognised the oil slick at a reasonable speed, taken appropriate evasive action and prevented the accident due to the oil slick, the allocation of a Partial debt<\/strong> possible. However, the allocation of a partial debt is always a case-by-case decision.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who can clean up the oil spill and who has to pay for it?<\/h2>\n\n

If you notice that a vehicle is leaking oil or already has oil on the carriageway, you should set up a warning triangle as quickly as possible to warn other road users. Then inform the fire brigade. They will then cordon off the road and remove the oil spill. If the oil comes from your car, you should also inform the police. Oil binding agents are then used, as oil is not water-soluble. These binding agents then absorb the substance, form a compound and can be disposed of separately at the end. The driver of the vehicle that caused the oil spill must bear the costs for the time-consuming clean-up.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Do you want to know what you are entitled to after your accident?<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Use the free of charge and without obligation<\/strong> Initial assessment of fairforce.one<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What to do in the event of a hit-and-run?<\/h2>\n

If the person responsible for the oil spill is not on site or cannot be found, you should always contact the police. If the person responsible cannot be found, accident victims must pay for the damage themselves. If you have taken out fully comprehensive insurance, for example, this may cover the repair costs for your vehicle. However, you must expect your premiums to be increased. If the police are later able to identify the fugitive responsible for the oil spill, you can claim the costs incurred back from them - as well as the increase in your insurance premiums.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is the oil spill accident covered by liability insurance?<\/h2>\n

In the event of an accident due to an oil slick, it is essential to distinguish between two damage items:<\/p>\n

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  1. Repair costs for the vehicle involved in an accident due to an oil spill<\/li>\n
  2. Repair costs for the oiled vehicle<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Traces of oil always count as Liability claims<\/strong>. This means that the repair of the vehicle involved in the accident is paid for by the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident.<\/p>\n

    Of course, the oily vehicle must also be repaired. These costs are covered by fully comprehensive insurance, if this has been taken out.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    What should I do if my car leaves an oil slick?<\/h2>\n

    If you notice that your vehicle is leaving a trail of oil on the road, take action immediately:<\/p>\n

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    1. Switch on hazard warning lights<\/li>\n
    2. Pull over to the right-hand side of the road<\/li>\n
    3. Put on your safety waistcoat<\/li>\n
    4. Position the warning triangle at a distance<\/li>\n
    5. Police and fire brigade provide information<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Your liability insurance usually covers the costs of the police and fire brigade deployment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Important<\/div>