In road traffic accident cases, the outcome is determined in the first few hours, not in court. The sequence of events, as recorded from your account. A statement given without a solicitor present. No ambulance was called. No witnesses were found. No CCTV footage was preserved. It is impossible to rectify any of this later — and the vehicle technical examination and the court will base their work precisely on this evidence.
You need a road traffic accident lawyer not when you receive a summons, but when it is still possible to document the scene and avoid saying anything you shouldn’t.
We handle all areas: from disputes with insurance companies to criminal defence under Article 286 of the Criminal Code.
+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice
Areas of practice
Fees
- Compensation for damages following a road traffic accident — recovery of the difference from the party at fault, compensation for non-pecuniary damage, medical treatment
- Resolution of insurance disputes — underpayment, refusal to pay, recourse
- Assessment of road traffic accident damages
Driver liability
- Lawyer specialising in Article 286 of the Criminal Code — Road traffic accidents involving casualties: criminal defence
- Lawyer specialising in Article 124 of the Code of Administrative Offences — Road traffic accidents without casualties
- Appeal against a report under Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences — driving whilst intoxicated
- Reinstatement of driving licence
Car
Which section applies to your case
This is the first thing you need to understand — everything depends on it.
| Situation | Section | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Road traffic accident with no injuries, but property damage | Section 124 of the Code of Administrative Offences | Fine. Time limit for imposing the penalty — 3 months from the date of the offence |
| Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or refusing a breathalyser test | Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences | Fine of 17,000 UAH and one year’s driving ban (first offence). Time limit for imposing the penalty — 1 year |
| Road traffic accident resulting in injuries or fatalities | Section 286 of the Criminal Code | Criminal liability, risk of imprisonment |
| Road traffic accident whilst under the influence resulting in injuries | Section 286-1 of the Criminal Code | Significantly harsher penalties |
Confusion here comes at a high price: people apply advice to cases under Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences that only works for Article 124 — and lose their case.
What to do at the scene of a road traffic accident
- Stop and do not leave the scene. Leaving the scene of a road traffic accident is a separate offence and will result in the loss of the right to an insurance payout.
- Call an ambulance if there are any casualties. Failure to provide assistance constitutes a separate criminal offence.
- Call the police — or complete a European accident statement if there are no casualties, both parties agree on who is at fault, and the damage is within the limit.
- Document the scene before moving the vehicle — take photos from different angles, note skid marks and the location of debris.
- Find witnesses and take their contact details immediately.
- Save the recordings — from your dashcam and, if possible, from nearby cameras. They will be overwritten in 3–7 days.
- Do not make any statements without a solicitor if there are any injured parties. You have the right not to incriminate yourself.
- Do not sign the accident diagram if you do not agree with it — or sign it with comments.
Three mistakes that cost the most
Signing the accident diagram ‘just to get on your way’. The expert will then calculate the trajectories based on that diagram.
Agreeing to the insurance settlement amount straight away. The insurer calculates the amount using its own methodology. An independent assessment almost always yields a higher figure, and the difference exceeding the limit is recovered from the party at fault.
Do not see a doctor. In a week’s time, there will be no way to prove that your back pain is due to the accident. And without medical documents, you cannot prove non-pecuniary damage.
Court fees and time limits
The minimum subsistence level for able-bodied persons in 2026 is 3,328 UAH.
- 665.60 UAH — appeal against a ruling in a case concerning an administrative offence;
- 1% of the claim value (from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH) — a claim for damages;
- free of charge — in cases concerning administrative offences, no court fee is payable for the hearing;
- 10 days — to appeal against a court ruling under Articles 124 and 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences;
- 3 years — limitation period for claims for compensation for damages (the limitation period does not apply to damages caused by injury or death).
When you do not need a solicitor
A minor road traffic accident, a European accident report form, the insurer has paid out sufficiently, and there are no casualties — you do not need a lawyer. We’ll put it plainly.
You need a road traffic accident lawyer when:
- there are casualties — this constitutes criminal proceedings;
- the insurer has refused or underestimated the payout;
- the damages exceed the insurer’s limit;
- you have been found at fault, but you disagree;
- a report has been drawn up under Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences;
- you are the victim and want proper compensation;
- the insurer has made a recourse claim against you.
Cost of services
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Consultation with analysis of road traffic accident documents | from 1,500 UAH |
| Legal opinion: assessment of the case’s prospects | from 5,000 UAH |
| Claim against the insurer, pre-litigation settlement | from 5,000 UAH |
| Preparation of a statement of claim and procedural documents | from 5,000 UAH |
| Participation in one court hearing | from 3,000 UAH |
| Court representation | from 10,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in civil cases | from 25,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in administrative cases | from 30,000 UAH |
| Lawyer’s participation in investigative proceedings | from 15,000 UAH |
| Comprehensive representation in a criminal case (Article 286 of the Criminal Code) | from 60,000 UAH |
| Support in enforcement proceedings | from 3,000 UAH |
Questions and answers (Traffic accident lawyer)
What should you do immediately after a traffic accident?
Do not leave the scene of the accident; call an ambulance (if there are casualties) and the police; document the scene before moving the vehicles; find witnesses; retain CCTV footage; do not make any statements without a lawyer.
When does a road traffic accident become a criminal case?
When there are casualties: moderate or serious bodily harm, or death (Article 286 of the Criminal Code). If only property is damaged, this falls under Article 124 of the Code of Administrative Offences and carries a fine.
The insurer has paid out less than the cost of the repairs. What should you do?
Commission an independent valuation and demand additional payment. Depreciation cannot be deducted under current regulations. The difference exceeding the insurer’s limit is recovered from the party at fault for the road traffic accident.
Does insurance cover non-pecuniary damage?
No. Compensation for non-pecuniary damage is claimed separately and only from the party at fault for the road traffic accident, through the courts.
How long do I have to appeal against the decision?
10 days from the date it was issued — under both Article 124 and Article 130 of the Code of Administrative Offences. The missed deadline may be extended if there are valid reasons.
Can I refuse to sign the accident diagram?
You can sign it with comments or refuse to sign, making your disagreement clear. The diagram will then form the basis for the expert’s calculations — so signing ‘just to get it over with’ is very risky.
I am a victim of a road traffic accident. Do I need a solicitor?
Yes, if you wish to receive full compensation: for medical treatment, loss of earnings and non-pecuniary damage. A civil claim is brought within the framework of the criminal proceedings — this is quicker and cheaper.
How much does it cost to file a claim for damages?
The court fee is 1 per cent of the claim value (ranging from 1,331.20 to 16,640 UAH for individuals in 2026). If the claim is successful, this is recovered from the defendant.
What documents should I bring to the consultation?
Documents relating to the road traffic accident (diagram, police report, certificate), insurance policy, correspondence with the insurer, valuation report, medical records, photos from the scene of the accident, and CCTV footage.
Contacting a road traffic accident lawyer at Svarog
Call us as soon as possible — in road traffic accident cases, time is working against you: CCTV footage gets overwritten, witnesses forget details, and any statement made without a solicitor remains on the record forever. We’ll tell you which section of the law applies to your case and what you need to do right now.
+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00