Kei Sumikawa | Sumikawa Law Office | Japan | English Speaking Lawyer

What to do in case of Car Accident in Japan

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If you get involved in a car accident in Japan, here’s what you should do at once.

CALL 110 (Police)
If somebody is injured, call 119 (Ambulance)
Confirm the other party’s name and address by license card.
If there is somebody who saw the accident, ask for his/her telephone number if you can.
Take photographs of the cars, road, and your injury.

Doing all these may be difficult depending on the situation. But at least you MUST call the police, because if you don’t, it may get difficult to claim damages afterwards. Also, if you are injured, you should ask the police officer to write “Jinshin” which means “accident causing injury” (not “Bukken” which means only “property damage”) on the accident certificate “Jiko Shomei Sho”.

After the accident, you will have to negotiate with the other party (or their insurance company). In many cases, it is advisable to consult an attorney (Bengoshi).

See the page about car accident.

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Risks of Using Bikes in Japan (Bicycle Accident)

Bicycle Bike Accident Japan Although bicycles are easy and convenient way to move, once you cause an accident, there is a danger that you inflict serious injury on somebody else.

If the other party gets injured heavily, there is a possibility that you will have to pay enormous damage reparation, just like when you caused a car accident.
There are cases where bicyclists are being claimed for more than 10 million yen from the victim, and these kinds of cases are not uncommon.

Even when a child causes an accident, the accident itself will not be justified.
And in most cases, children cannot pay the compensation money, so the parents will have to pay instead.

In any case, when you or your children are going to use bicycle in Japan, we recommend you to buy damage insurance which covers bicycle accident.

Legacy Division of a Foreigner in Japan

SONY DSC If a foreigner lives in Japan and has a domicile in Japan when he/she dies, there is a chance that the process of the legacy division (estate division) can be handled in Japanese court. Therefore, if all the heirs live in Japan and it is convenient to go through the process in Japan, then performing the process in Japanese court could be considered as well.

However, it will be necessary to examine the laws of the deceased person’s home country since the division of the estate itself will be judged in accordance with the laws of his/her home country.

Inheritance cases for foreigners may get complicated. If you need legal help, feel free to contact us for consultation.

Legacy Division in Japan (Inheritance)

Understanding Percentage of Fault in Car Accidents

When you find yourself in a car accident, negotiating with the other party’s insurance company becomes critical for several reasons:

Settlement Reduction Attempts:
The insurance company may try to minimize the settlement amount you receive.

Challenges in Fault Determination:
Even if you believe you are not at fault, insurers might argue otherwise, citing reasons such as the movement of your vehicle.

Challenges for Foreigners:
Foreigners may encounter additional challenges as insurance representatives may exploit their unfamiliarity with Japanese regulations to negotiate more favorable terms for themselves.

Fault Percentages Can Vary:
It’s important to note that assigning fault percentages, including scenarios where both vehicles are in motion, can result in a zero percent fault for the victim.

Given these complexities, especially for non-Japanese speakers:

Consulting an Attorney is Advisable:
Seek legal advice promptly after an accident to navigate fault percentages and protect your rights effectively.

Involving the Police:
Always call the police (110) to document the accident. Failing to do so could complicate future damage claims. However, the police are not experts in civil cases (claims for damages), so even if a police officer mentions the percentage of fault, it does not necessarily mean that it is correct (rather, note that there are many police officers who state the wrong thing).

See also:
Car Accident in Japan