Compensation for accident victims
Personal Injury Claims in France
Personal injury claims in France require a clear understanding of your rights, careful preparation for the medical examination and a full assessment of the consequences of the accident.
Personal injury claims in France may involve several complex steps: notifying the insurer, attending a medical examination, determining when the medical condition has stabilised, assessing any lasting effects, discussing the claim with the insurer, applying for an interim payment or challenging a compensation offer.
The firm assists people injured in road traffic accidents and their families with compensation claims in Paris, the Paris region and throughout France.
After a personal injury accident, a first consultation provides an opportunity to review the documents available, the steps already taken and the possible next stages.
Have you suffered personal injury and would like to know what steps to take?
A first consultation with the firm provides an opportunity to review your circumstances, the available documents, the steps already taken and the initial precautions that may be useful.
Not sure where to start?
Whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist, the issues that need to be considered are not always the same after an accident. A first consultation can help identify the initial questions and the next steps in your case.
What is personal injury?
Personal injury refers to the physical, psychological, professional, family and financial consequences suffered by a person following an accident or another harmful event.
It may result from a road traffic accident, an accident in everyday life, an assault, a medical accident, a workplace accident or an event that has caused disability, lasting effects or the death of a family member.
A personal injury compensation claim requires the injured person’s circumstances to be considered as a whole: the circumstances of the accident, liability, insurance cover, the medical condition, the development of the injuries, the professional consequences and the impact on everyday life.
Why consult a lawyer after a personal injury accident?
After an accident, the injured person may have to deal with several parties: an insurer, a medical expert, a medical adviser, a social security body, a compensation fund, the responsible party or the other party’s lawyer.
A lawyer can help you deal with these different stages. The firm can analyse the circumstances of the accident, identify the possible claims, prepare for the medical examination , gather the necessary documents, apply for an interim payment, identify the losses that may be compensated, review a compensation offer or begin negotiations.
The firm can assist by:
- analysing the circumstances of the accident;
- communicating with the insurer;
- preparing for the medical examination;
- checking the different heads of loss;
- reviewing a compensation offer;
- negotiating or commencing legal proceedings where necessary.
Situations in which the firm can assist
Road Traffic Accidents
The firm assists people injured in road traffic accidents, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter users.
Assistance may cover notifying the insurer, corresponding with the insurer, preparing for the medical examination, assessing the losses, applying for an interim payment or reviewing a compensation offer.
Medical Examination
The medical examination is often the central stage of a personal injury claim. It is used to assess the injuries, any lasting effects, medical stabilisation and the consequences of the accident for the injured person’s personal, family and professional life.
This stage must be prepared carefully by gathering the medical records, a clear account of the symptoms and difficulties, supporting documents, information about care needs and evidence of any professional consequences.
Compensation Offers
An insurer may make a compensation offer after the medical examination or during discussions about the claim. Before accepting it, it is important to check whether all losses have been considered.
The firm can review the offer, identify losses that may have been omitted or undervalued and advise you on the possible next steps.
Family Members of Injured People
When an accident causes death or severe disability, family members may also suffer significant losses, including emotional harm, financial consequences, disruption to family life and the care provided to the injured person.
The firm can assist families in identifying the relevant steps and the losses that may be claimed.
The main heads of loss
Each claim must be assessed individually. Compensation may cover pain and suffering, temporary or permanent functional impairment, loss of earnings, impact on employment and career, unreimbursed medical expenses, care and assistance provided by another person, adaptation of the home or vehicle, scarring or disfigurement, loss of amenity, sexual impairment, losses suffered by family members and the financial consequences of a victim’s death.
- Pain and suffering
- Temporary or permanent functional impairment
- Loss of earnings
- Impact on employment and career
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Future healthcare costs
- Care and assistance provided by another person
- Adaptation of the home or vehicle
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of amenity
- Losses suffered by family members
- Financial consequences of a victim’s death
When should you contact a personal injury lawyer?
It is advisable to seek advice promptly when a medical examination has been arranged, when a compensation offer has been received, when the accident has caused time off work or loss of earnings, when the effects appear likely to be long-lasting, or when a family member has died or suffered a serious disability following an accident.
A lawyer can assist before the medical examination , during the out-of-court phase, when reviewing the compensation offer or in connection with legal proceedings.
Assistance in Paris and throughout France
Based in Paris, the firm assists injured people in the Paris region and throughout France.
Meetings can be arranged at the office, by telephone or by video call, depending on your circumstances, your health and the stage reached in your claim. Where appropriate, the firm can also assist in connection with medical examinations held outside Paris.
Legal Fees
Legal fees are discussed transparently from the first consultation.
A written fee agreement sets out the terms of the firm’s work. Depending on the nature of the case, the fees may include a fixed component and, where agreed, an additional success fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I contact a lawyer before the medical examination?
Yes, this is often advisable. The medical examination is an important stage because it is used to assess the injuries, any lasting effects and the consequences of the accident. Preparing in advance helps to gather the relevant documents and identify the points that must not be overlooked.
Should I accept the insurer’s compensation offer?
Before accepting an offer, it is important to check whether all heads of loss have been taken into account. An offer may appear satisfactory at first while leaving out some of the personal, professional or family consequences of the accident.
Does the firm only assist clients in Paris?
No. The firm is based in Paris but can assist injured people throughout France, including by telephone, by video call or in connection with medical examinations held outside Paris.
Which documents should I prepare for a first consultation?
If they are already available, you can prepare your correspondence with the insurer, medical certificates, hospital records, evidence of time off work, the notice of the medical examination, any compensation offer and supporting documents relating to loss of earnings or expenses. Further information is available on the first consultation page .
Does the first consultation require me to start legal proceedings?
No. The first consultation is used to identify your circumstances, the steps already taken and the points requiring attention. A strategy can then be defined according to the case: an out-of-court claim, negotiation, a further medical examination or legal proceedings where necessary.
Your situation deserves a clear answer
Have you been injured in an accident?
Do you have a medical examination scheduled, a compensation offer to review or questions about the next steps in your claim?
The firm can help you identify the initial issues, the documents that may be useful and the appropriate next steps.
Useful Resources
French Ministry of Justice — Personal Injury Compensation (French-language resource)
Indicative Court of Appeal Guidelines for Personal Injury Compensation (French-language PDF)
Justice.fr — Claiming Compensation for Harm Caused by Another Person (French-language resource)