If you have been injured in a traffic accident, lost a family member, or had an insurance claim refused, a compensation lawyer in Antalya can help you claim what you are owed under Turkish law. Alkan Law Firm handles personal injury and accident claims against at-fault drivers, vehicle owners and insurance companies.
We work in English, German, Russian and Arabic as well as Turkish. Many of our clients are tourists, residents and property owners who were involved in an accident in or around Antalya, and some have already returned home.
How we can help
- Traffic accident claims for injury, death and vehicle damage
- Claims against compulsory traffic insurance and casco (comprehensive) insurers
- Loss of support claims for the dependants of a person who died
- Claims for loss of earning capacity based on a disability rating
- Moral damages for pain and suffering
- Applications to the Insurance Arbitration Commission (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)
- Claims to the Guarantee Account when the vehicle was uninsured or could not be identified
- Workplace accident and other personal injury claims
What you can claim after an accident
Turkish law separates compensation into two broad types.
- Material damages. Medical and treatment costs, care costs, lost earnings, loss of future earning capacity, loss of support for dependants, funeral costs, and vehicle repair and loss of value.
- Moral damages. A sum for physical and emotional suffering, set by the court according to the circumstances of the case.
Liability in traffic accidents is governed mainly by the Highway Traffic Law No. 2918. The driver, the registered keeper of the vehicle and the insurer can all be responsible. Compulsory traffic insurance covers material damages up to the policy limits; moral damages are generally claimed from the driver and the vehicle keeper rather than the traffic insurer.
Accidents involving tourists and rental cars
Accidents on holiday raise practical questions: who rented the car, who was driving, and which insurer covers it. The rental company is usually the registered keeper of the vehicle and may be responsible together with the driver. If you were driving a rental car and caused an accident, your own position under the rental agreement and the insurance policy needs checking too.
Leaving Turkey does not end your claim. Keep the accident report (kaza tespit tutanağı) or police report, hospital records and receipts, and let us know as soon as possible so we can secure evidence while it is still available.
Insurance companies and the Arbitration Commission
Before suing over a compulsory traffic insurance claim, you must first apply in writing to the insurer. If the insurer refuses, does not reply in time or offers too little, you can choose between going to court and applying to the Insurance Arbitration Commission. The Commission is often faster, and its procedure is mainly in writing, but there are rules about appeals and amounts that we will explain before you choose.
For some disputes with insurance companies, mediation may be a mandatory first step before a lawsuit. Whether it applies depends on the type of claim and the route you choose, and we check this at the outset.
How the process works
- Review. We look at the accident report, police file, medical records and insurance details, and identify who is liable.
- Medical evidence. If you were injured, a disability rating is usually needed from an authorised hospital or the Forensic Medicine Institute. We can challenge reports that understate your injury.
- Insurer application. We file the written application with the insurer and supporting documents.
- Arbitration or court. If the claim is not paid in full, we apply to the Arbitration Commission or file a lawsuit in Antalya, where an actuarial expert usually calculates the loss.
- Collection. Once there is an award or judgment, we collect the amount, through enforcement proceedings if necessary.
Strict limitation periods apply to accident and insurance claims, and they can be different depending on whether there is also a criminal case. Please contact us early rather than waiting for the insurer's final answer.
If you live abroad
You do not need to stay in Turkey for the case. You can give us a power of attorney at a Turkish consulate, or sign one before a notary in your country, have it apostilled and translated by a sworn translator in Turkey. Medical examinations for a disability rating may still require a short visit, and we will plan this with you. If the accident also led to criminal proceedings, see our criminal lawyer page. For collecting an award, see debt collection.
Fees
Fees are agreed in writing before work begins and cannot be below the minimum fee tariff of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. Contact us to discuss your claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation if I was a tourist when the accident happened?
Yes. Foreign nationals have the same right to compensation as Turkish citizens, and the claim can continue after you return home.
The insurance company made me an offer. Should I accept it?
Not before checking it. Early offers are often based on incomplete medical information, and signing a release can limit further claims. We can review the offer first.
What if the other vehicle had no insurance?
If the vehicle was uninsured or drove away and could not be identified, certain claims can be made to the Guarantee Account (Güvence Hesabı), as well as against the driver and keeper.
Can family members claim after a fatal accident?
Yes. People who were financially supported by the deceased can claim loss of support, and close relatives can claim moral damages. Funeral costs can also be claimed.
Is the Insurance Arbitration Commission better than court?
It is often quicker, but it is not right for every case. The choice depends on the amount, the evidence and the parties involved, so we discuss it with you before applying.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different; please consult a lawyer before taking any legal step. This page is published in accordance with the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the advertising ban for attorneys.