Traffic accidents
Traffic accidents in Hiroshima: what foreign residents should prepare
Key points
After a traffic accident, gather your medical treatment history, information about the people involved, communications with the insurance company, and any documents concerning compensation or settlement.
This article provides general information to help you prepare before speaking with a lawyer. It is not a legal assessment of an individual case and does not guarantee any outcome.
Lawyer: Ryo Kondo · Member of the Hiroshima Bar Association
Registration No. 68207
Updated:
Record the accident date and your treatment history
Write down the date, time, and location of the accident, the other party's information, whether the accident was reported to the police, and the date of your first medical visit.
If you still have pain or are continuing treatment, make a simple timeline of your treatment using the information you can confirm.
Keep records of communications with the insurance company
Keep letters and other documents from the insurance company, notes of what you were told by phone, and any settlement proposal so they can be reviewed later.
If you do not understand a document written in Japanese, have its contents explained before signing it.
Do not rush into accepting a settlement
Once you accept a settlement, the scope of what you may be able to claim afterward can be limited.
If you still have questions, have the circumstances reviewed before signing a settlement document.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this legal issue
What should I do if I have not yet signed the settlement agreement?
Keep every page of the proposed agreement, the amount offered, and the response deadline. If you are unsure whether it reflects your treatment or time away from work, seek advice before signing.
Can I seek advice if pain appeared several days after the accident?
Record when the symptoms began, when you visited a medical provider, and what you told the doctor. The connection with the accident requires an individual assessment, so organize the course of events from immediately after the accident.
How should I keep a record of phone calls with the insurance company?
Note the date and time, the representative's name, what was explained, and the next response deadline. Keep these notes together with any emails or documents sent by post.
Questions about consulting or retaining Ryo Kondo
Does sending the online intake form mean that Ryo Kondo has agreed to represent me?
No. The online intake form is an initial way for the lawyer to review your situation. Submitting it does not mean that the lawyer has accepted the matter or that a lawyer-client relationship has begun.
Will the information I share be kept confidential?
Lawyers have a legal duty to protect confidential information learned through their work. The handling of information submitted through the website is also described in the privacy policy.
How much does a legal consultation cost?
Submitting the online intake form is free. A legal consultation costs JPY 6,600 for 30 minutes. Fees and the proposed next steps for handling your case will be explained before you formally retain the lawyer. Interpreter fees have not yet been determined.
Can I attend a meeting if I am not confident using Japanese?
If you would like to communicate in a language other than Japanese, we will confirm the available options individually. The lawyer will review the facts with you and provide legal explanations and assessments.
Official information
Official information
Check online intake status
When online intake is open, the form asks what happened, who is involved, and whether there is a deadline. The intake page shows its current status.
Check online intake status