Which law is applicable?

In general, the law of the country where the accident occurred, applies and regulates the responsibilities and compensation. In case of an accident in Iceland, the Icelandic Law would be applicable. This principle is valid irrespective of the nationality of the other driver and the country where the insurance company is located. However, if the accident only involves vehicles registered in another Member State (subject to additional conditions), the law of the registration state applies. For example: two cars registered in France have an accident in Iceland.


WHAT TO DO AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT?

  • Stay calm, don’t leave the scene. Secure the accident with the triangle.
  • Note the information about the adverse party mentioned on the green card (if non-icelandic): the full name and address of the driver (verify the driver’s identity!), insurance company, number of insurance policy and registration of the vehicle. If Icelandic do the same but there will not be a green card available. 
  • Note the identity and address of potential witnesses. Ask your witnesses for their business cards, so that you can easily reach them even at their workplace
  • Please carefully fill in the accident statement, which should be signed by the adverse party.
  • You don’t speak the language of the other driver? Don’t panic! The European Accident Statement is standardized, so that the information filled in into this document can be easily understood by your insurance company. Therefore, the box ‘observations’ of this document can be completed by the driver in his (her) own language. In the last resort, two European Accident Statements - in each driver’s language - can be completed and signed.
  • Only sign the report when you are sure that you understand the situation and you agree to the description. If this is not the case, do not cross any box. If the European Accident Statement is not properly filled in, you may actually be held responsible unjustly.
  • Read carefully the European Accident Statement before completing its middle column. Then check the boxes relevant to the circumstances of the accident. This is a very important section in order to clarify the responsibility of the drivers involved in the accident.
  • Above all, do not forget to mention the number of boxes you ticked at the bottom of the column. Otherwise the adverse party might cross other boxes after the event to your disadvantage
  • You are not allowed to compel the other driver to sign the document. In case he does not, gather the global information mentioned above. However, also in this case you can send the European Accident Statement to your insurer for information purposes. In case you were involved in an accident with several other vehicles, you should fill in a European accident statement with each of the parties involved.
  • Secure the evidences and make photos of the location of the accident and of the vehicles involved.

ATTENTION! In case of a hit-and-run offense, contact the police and Camper Iceland.

GOOD TO KNOW In some European Member states the police compulsorily completes an accident report even if there is only damage to property (vehicles). In Iceland you could receive a fine if you caused the accident. Filling out the accident form with the other party might make more sense. 


Text in courtesy of  the European Consumer Centre France