Have you been involved in a traffic accident in Japan? The attorneys at Verybest explain:
How can an attorney help if you have been involved in a traffic accident?
In traffic accident (交通事故 or “kotsu jiko”) cases in Japan, an attorney can act as a liaison with the other party’s insurance company (保険会社 or “hoken gaisha”) on your behalf.
If you hire an attorney at Verybest, you can avoid the stress of dealing with and avoid spending time negotiating (交渉 or “kosho”) with insurance companies, so that you can focus on your treatment (治療 or “chiryo”) and recovery.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident and are having trouble coping, or have a legal fees insurance policy (弁護士費用特約 or “bengoshi hiyo tokuyaku”), please first contact us at Verybest.
Does your insurance coverage in Japan include a legal fees insurance policy?
If your insurance coverage has a special clause for legal fees, you may be able to retain the services of an attorney for a traffic accident matter without any out-of-pocket costs.
If you do in fact have such a policy, please contact us immediately, as there are very significant advantages to legal representation, such as being able to expect an early resolution to the matter, and an increase to damages and compensation payable.
Has the traffic accident been properly reported as an accident resulting in injury (or death)?
If you have been injured in a traffic accident in Japan, you should report it as such so that the police can prepare an on-the-spot investigation report (実況見分調書 or “jikkyo kenbun chosho”).
Failing to do so and having the incident reported as merely property damage (物損事故 or “busson jiko”) could result in it being regarded as only a “minor accident” (軽微な事故 or “keibina jiko”), even if you are left with a permanent disability.
Has your doctor been informed about your condition in detail?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort as a result of the traffic accident you were involved in, you should report your symptoms and conditions to a doctor, and have the necessary tests (検査 or “kensa”) carried out.
If too much time lapses after the accident, even if abnormalities are confirmed by medical testing, the causal relationship between the injury and the traffic accident may not be recognized.
Have you had a certificate for loss of earnings prepared?
If you have been absent from work as a result of the traffic accident you were involved in, you should have your employer prepare a certificate for loss of earnings (休業損害証明書 or “kyugyo songai shomeisho”) so that you can file a claim for lost income.