Personal Injury and Auto Accident Claims in Kosovo: Steps to Protect Your Rights and Secure Compensation

Accidents can happen without warning. Collisions on Kosovo’s busy roads often leave victims facing high medical bills, lost income and prolonged recovery. When people search “personal injury lawyer near me” or “what to do after car accident,” they are seeking quick and reliable guidance. This article explains the steps you should take after a car crash in Kosovo, how compensation claims work and how Hoxha & Associates can help you obtain fair damages.

Mandatory Motor Liability Insurance in Kosovo

Kosovo law requires every vehicle to carry compulsory motor liability insurance. Law No. 04/L‑018 states that compensation for material and non‑material damage is handled according to the Law on Obligations. The policy covers damage caused to third parties but contains exclusions (e.g., drivers at fault, passengers who knowingly ride in a stolen vehicle or vehicles used in races).

The statute sets minimum insurance limits: €1 million per accident for bodily injuries and €200 000 for property damage. If a bus or a vehicle transporting hazardous goods causes an accident, the minimum limits double. When an accident is caused by an uninsured or unidentified vehicle, the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (BKS) pays compensation, but the victim must report property damage to the traffic police within 7 days and personal injury within 30 days, and file a claim with the BKS within 90 days.

Immediate Steps After a Car Accident

1. Ensure safety and call the police. Move to a safe area if possible and call the police and medical services. Local law requires you to notify the traffic police, particularly when there are injuries or disagreementsbks-ks.org.
2. Gather information. Exchange names, contact details, insurance information, licence plate numbers and collect statements from witnesses. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage and injuries. If the other vehicle is foreign, photograph the driver’s Green Card and vehicle documentsbks-ks.org.
3. Complete the European Accident Statement. This standard form helps all parties record the facts objectively. Filling it out is not an admission of guiltbks-ks.org.
4. Notify your insurer and the Kosovo Insurance Bureau. For accidents involving unidentified vehicles you must report the damage to the police within 7 days for property damage or 30 days for personal injury and submit a claim to the BKS within 90 days. Timely reporting preserves your right to compensation.

Filing an Insurance Claim

• Submit the claim in writing. Claims can be submitted directly, by mail, email or faxbqk-kos.org. The insurer uses a standard form entitled “Filing a Claim for Damage Compensation from Motor Liability Insurance.” If you submit via email or fax, the insurer must, within three days, ask you for original documentsbqk-kos.org.
• Prepare the necessary documents. For property damage claims, attach the police accident report, European Accident Statement, insurance policy, vehicle registration, ID card, notarial authorization (if you represent someone else), photographs of damage, proof of ownership and lost profit documents when the vehicle is used for businessbqk-kos.org. For personal injury claims, include medical records, bills, evidence of lost income and, if necessary, radiological reports and specialist examinationsbqk-kos.org. For fatal accidents, provide death certificates, marriage/birth certificates, proof of the deceased’s income and average burial costsbqk-kos.org.
• Insurer’s obligations. When the insurer receives your claim, it must check that the form is complete and signed, verify the description of events and may arrange a joint inspection of the damaged vehiclebqk-kos.org. If documents are missing, the insurer must notify you within three daysbqk-kos.org.

Understanding Compensation: Material vs. Non‑Material Damages

Material damages

Under the Law on Obligations, the responsible party must restore the situation that existed before the damage occurred. If restoration is impossible, they must pay money to cover the loss. Compensation includes both actual damage and lost profit, and is calculated using prices at the time of the court decision.

In cases of death or serious injury, compensation is usually awarded as a monthly pension (annuity) for the victim’s life or for a set period. The court aims to bring the injured party to the position they would have been in if the accident had not occurred. Courts may reduce compensation if the person responsible did not act intentionally or negligently and cannot afford full payment.

Non‑material damages

For physical pain, emotional suffering, disfigurement, restriction of life activities, damage to honour or reputation, the loss of a loved one or fear, the court may award a fair monetary compensation. The amount depends on the intensity and duration of suffering and the purpose of the compensation. Close relatives (spouse, children, parents and, in some cases, siblings or partners) may also receive compensation when a family member dies or suffers severe disability.

Appeals and Litigation

If an insurer denies your claim or offers inadequate compensation, you can file a complaint (appeal) with the insurer or the Kosovo Insurance Bureaubqk-kos.org. Should the insurer maintain its position or fail to respond, you may file a lawsuit. Courts apply the Law on Obligations to determine liability and compensation, and they consider evidence such as police reports, medical records and expert opinions. Legal representation is crucial in disputes over fault or the value of material and non‑material damages. Hoxha & Associates assists clients throughout the appeals process, drafts detailed requests and pursues litigation when necessary.

Why Choose Hoxha & Associates

Hoxha & Associates, based in Prizren, is a leading law firm in personal injury and auto accident cases. We have extensive experience with Kosovo’s compulsory motor liability framework and the Law on Obligations. Our services include:

• Emergency guidance: We advise clients immediately after accidents on preserving evidence and meeting reporting deadlines.
• Comprehensive claims: We prepare detailed compensation requests with all required documentation and negotiate with insurers to achieve full compensation.
• Appeals and litigation: When insurers deny claims or undervalue damages, we file appeals and represent clients in court, drawing on our knowledge of material and non‑material damage compensation principles.

Working with experienced attorneys increases your chance of success and speeds up the compensation process.

Conclusion

Car accidents are disruptive and traumatic, but Kosovo’s legal framework offers clear rights and procedures for victims. Compulsory motor liability insurance guarantees compensation for material and non‑material damages. To preserve your rights, act quickly: secure the scene, collect evidence, notify the police and insurers, and file claims within the statutory deadlines. When disputes arise or insurers undervalue your losses, Hoxha & Associates can guide you through appeals and court proceedings to obtain the compensation you deserve.