Bumper bashing more often escalates into road rage
Disputes over liability in minor car accidents are becoming more frequent, leading to delays in insurance settlements, according to Dutch legal aid insurer DAS. Drivers are increasingly refusing to admit fault, fearing financial consequences that could cost them thousands of euros, AD reports.
DAS handled 7,500 cases last year in which drivers disagreed about who was at fault in an accident—500 more than in 2023. “A collision is no longer just a collision. Things regularly escalate,” said Rembrandt Groenewegen, senior traffic and injury lawyer at DAS.
Drivers often refuse to complete accident reports or dispute the diagram of the crash. “They say, ‘I don’t agree with how the sketch is drawn,’” Groenewegen said. The primary reason? Money. “People realize they need their car and suddenly think, ‘This is going to cost me a lot.’”
Most vehicles in the Netherlands are covered only by WA (third-party liability) insurance, which does not cover damage to the insured’s own car. “If a driver is found responsible, they suffer twice—they don’t get compensation for their own damage, and their premium increases because their insurer has to cover the other party’s costs,” Groenewegen said.
Young drivers, in particular, may face financial trouble after an accident. “They buy a 30,000 euros Mercedes on a loan but opt for WA insurance to save money. Then, if they cause an accident with 15,000 euros in damages, panic sets in,” Groenewegen said. “Suddenly, they think, ‘What now?’”
Even in seemingly clear cases, such as rear-end collisions, disputes arise. “The driver who hits another from behind is typically responsible. But now, that driver often refuses to sign the damage report, saying they need time to process everything. Later, they claim, ‘The other driver reversed into me.’”
Intersections with traffic lights also lead to conflicts. “Our client says, ‘I had a green light.’ The other party claims the same. But that’s impossible.” In cases involving failure to yield, drivers often argue, “‘Yes, I didn’t give way, but the other driver was speeding.’”
Some disputes escalate into road rage. Groenewegen cited a recent incident involving a van and a passenger car. “They argued over right of way, even though there wasn’t any damage. The car driver threw an object at the van and then started driving aggressively in front of it.”
The van driver attempted to overtake, but the car intentionally collided with the van. “The van driver felt threatened and tried to leave, but the car chased him and rammed him multiple times. At one point, one of the drivers even had a screwdriver in hand,” Groenewegen said.
DAS advises drivers to document accidents carefully to avoid disputes. “Take photos of the scene, collect witness statements, and check for available camera footage,” Groenewegen said. “A signed accident report is legally binding, so read everything before signing.”
For additional protection, a dashcam can provide crucial evidence. “More and more trucking companies use them to avoid conflicts,” Groenewegen said.
