Legal expenses insurance provides important assistance in personal injury cases in Leiden. Discover what your insurance covers and when it is advisable to engage a specialised personal injury lawyer.
Coverage for personal injury cases
Many legal expenses insurances in Leiden cover personal injury under modules such as traffic, private or medical disputes.
Overview of modules
| Module | Coverage for personal injury | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic | Incidents on the road | Car accident, cycling collision |
| Private/Consumer | Personal accidents | Fall at an acquaintance's, dog bite incident |
| Medical | Errors in healthcare | Surgical error, incorrect diagnosis |
| Income | Problems with benefits | Dispute with UWV regarding disability |
Role of the legal expenses insurer
If your personal injury is covered, the insurer arranges the legal support in Leiden and surrounding areas.
What can you expect?
- Advice on your rights and chances of success
- Communication with the counterparty or insurer
- Negotiations for an appropriate compensation
- Litigation if necessary
- Reimbursement of costs for experts and court proceedings
Right to free choice of lawyer
In Leiden, in the event of a judicial or administrative procedure, you have the right to free choice of lawyer, in accordance with European regulations.
When does free choice apply?
Moments for free choice of lawyer
- Case at court via summons
- Procedure for partial disputes
- Objection to UWV decisions
- Case on appeal
- Mediation (under certain conditions)
Reimbursement of costs
With free choice of lawyer in Leiden, the insurer covers lawyer costs up to a fixed maximum, often between €25,000 and €50,000 per case.
Limitations of legal expenses insurance
Be aware of the limitations of legal expenses insurances, also in Leiden, to avoid surprises.
Common limitations
| Limitation | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting period | 3 months after policy start | No assistance for prior incidents |
| Minimum damage | Often €250-€500 | Minor cases excluded |
| Own contribution | €0-€250 per case | Partly self-funded |
| Maximum budget | Per case or annually | Complex cases may not be fully covered |
Legal expenses or personal injury expert?
In Leiden, for serious personal injury, a specialised lawyer can often achieve better outcomes than an insurer.
Comparison of options
| Feature | Legal expenses insurer | Personal injury expert |
|---|---|---|
| Costs to you | Only premium | Often no win no fee |
| Level of specialisation | General legal knowledge | Fully focused on personal injury |
| Experience with severe injury | Limited | Very extensive |
| Personal guidance | Varies | Always one point of contact |
| Results | Reasonable | Often better for severe injury |
When to choose a specialist in Leiden?
In some cases, it is advisable in Leiden to switch to a personal injury lawyer.
Reasons for switching
- Severe or permanent injury
- Difficult liability discussion
- High damage claims (> €25,000)
- Dissatisfaction with legal expenses
- Conflicting interests (insurer as counterparty)
Practical tips for Leiden
- Report personal injury immediately to your insurer
- Ask about your handler's expertise in personal injury
- Make use of free choice of lawyer in court cases
- For serious injury, request a second opinion from a specialist in Leiden
- Take into account limitation periods
Local support in Leiden
For legal assistance, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Leiden (Stationsweg 46) or submit cases to the Rechtbank Den Haag, Leiden location.