Carrier's Strict Liability in Zoetermeer
In Zoetermeer, as a public transport passenger, you benefit from extra protection through the strict liability of carriers such as EBS buses, RandstadRail trams or NS trains. Under this regime, the carrier is automatically liable for passenger injury or death during the journey. The carrier must prove the damage was not due to its fault, rather than you as the victim needing to prove fault. This rule applies to local public transport and private taxis, providing Zoetermeer residents with a strong position in accidents.
What does strict liability for carriers entail?
Under strict liability, the burden of proof shifts to the carrier, unlike standard liability where the victim must prove fault. This primarily covers bodily injury or death of passengers. Carriers in Zoetermeer, operating routes like trams to The Hague or buses through the polder, bear the risk of incidents unless they prove force majeure or the passenger's own fault.
Typical cases in Zoetermeer include falling in an EBS bus due to sudden braking or incidents at Zoetermeer station. This falls under personal injury law and simplifies claims for local residents. For more on public transport injuries, see our article on Public Transport Personal Injury Claims. For questions, contact Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer for free advice.
Legal basis
Strict liability of carriers is set out in the Dutch Civil Code (DCC), Book 8 on carriage agreements. Key is Article 8:571 DCC: "The carrier is liable for damage due to death or injury of the passenger, unless not attributable to its fault." Thus, the carrier must prove it was not at fault, such as in cases of extreme weather on Zoetermeer's roads.
For carriage of goods, Article 8:561 DCC applies, but passenger transport focuses on injury. Article 6:162 DCC on tort supplements this, but carriage rules prevail. The Public Transport Act 2014 (PTA) governs public transport operations in Zoetermeer via the Municipality of Zoetermeer, while liability remains a civil matter. EU Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 protects rail passengers in accidents on lines from Zoetermeer.
Liability covers from boarding to alighting, including waiting on Zoetermeer platforms. Local taxi companies receive similar protection.
Practical examples from Zoetermeer
Suppose you are on an EBS bus in Zoetermeer and the driver brakes abruptly for a cyclist on Rokkeveenseweg. You fall and injure your wrist. Under strict liability of carriers, you do not need to prove negligence; EBS must show it was unavoidable. Claim medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering.
Or a derailment of an NS train at Zoetermeer station: NS is liable unless technical force majeure is proven. Similar to prior RandstadRail tram incidents, where passengers received compensation including for psychological harm. The same principle applies to taxi accidents in the city.
Rights and obligations
Rights as a passenger in Zoetermeer
You are entitled to full compensation, such as:
- Medical costs: Bills from LangeLand Hospital and physiotherapy.
- Lost income: Income loss during recovery.
- Pain and suffering: For non-pecuniary damage, from €1,000 to €50,000.
- Additional costs: Household help or alternative transport.
Submit claims to the carrier or insurer. No strict 5-year limitation period (Art. 3:310 DCC), but gather evidence promptly. For disputes: District Court Zoetermeer or Het Juridisch Loket Zoetermeer.
Obligations of carriers
Carriers must:
- Ensure safety in line with PTA standards in Zoetermeer.
- Provide proof of innocence.
- Handle claims promptly and provide information.
They are insured, but gross negligence may lead to criminal proceedings via the District Court Zoetermeer.
Comparison of liability types
Overview in table:
| Type | Burden of proof | Application in Zoetermeer public transport | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strict liability | On carrier | Injury in EBS bus/tram | Fall due to braking |
| Fault-based liability | On victim | Only if own fault | Passenger ignores stop |
| Absolute liability | No proof required | Not applicable | - |
This shows how strict liability of carriers benefits passengers in Zoetermeer.
Veelgestelde vragen
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