Learn how to claim insurance compensation after an accident caused by a commercial vehicle in Turkey in 2026, including trucks, taxis, buses, delivery vehicles, permanent disability, property damage, employer liability and foreign victims’ rights.

Traffic accidents involving commercial vehicles can create significantly more complicated compensation claims than ordinary private-car accidents. Trucks, buses, taxis, delivery vans, company vehicles, shuttle buses and other commercially operated vehicles may involve not only the driver and compulsory traffic insurer but also the vehicle operator, registered owner, transport company, employer and additional liability insurers.

Commercial vehicle accidents can also cause severe losses because these vehicles are often larger, heavier and driven for long periods as part of business operations.

For an injured person, the key question is therefore:

Who pays compensation when a commercial vehicle causes a traffic accident in Turkey?

Depending on the circumstances, claims may potentially be pursued against the commercial vehicle’s compulsory motor liability insurer, driver, vehicle operator, owner, employer, transport company and other legally responsible persons.

For accidents occurring in 2026, updated compulsory traffic insurance limits and several new insurance-sector regulations must also be considered.

What Is Considered a Commercial Vehicle for Compensation Purposes?

Commercial vehicle accidents can involve many different types of vehicles.

Common examples include:

• trucks and heavy goods vehicles;
• taxis;
• buses and minibuses;
• delivery vans;
• cargo vehicles;
• company vehicles;
• shuttle vehicles;
• logistics vehicles;
• courier vehicles;
• construction-related vehicles; and
• vehicles operated as part of a business activity.

However, the fact that a vehicle is being used commercially does not automatically determine liability.

The legal analysis should establish who owned the vehicle, who operated it, who employed or engaged the driver, why the vehicle was being driven and which insurance policies were effective on the accident date.

Who Is Liable When a Commercial Vehicle Causes an Accident?

Several parties may potentially become relevant.

The most important are generally:

The Driver

The driver may bear liability where negligent driving caused or contributed to the collision.

The Vehicle Operator

Turkish traffic law places significant importance on the concept of the vehicle operator. The legally recognized operator may have liability arising from the operation of the motor vehicle.

The Vehicle Owner

Ownership and operator status are not always identical. The registration and actual operational relationship should therefore be examined.

The Employer or Commercial Company

Where the driver was performing employment or business duties, additional responsibility of the employer or company may need to be considered.

The Compulsory Traffic Insurer

The vehicle’s compulsory motor liability insurer may be responsible for covered losses within the applicable legal framework and insurance limits.

Additional Liability Insurers

Some commercial fleets maintain voluntary liability insurance providing coverage beyond compulsory traffic insurance.

Identifying all of these parties can be critical where the victim has suffered catastrophic injuries or substantial property damage.

Can You Claim Directly Against the Commercial Vehicle’s Traffic Insurance?

Potentially, yes.

Where a commercial vehicle causes a traffic accident, its compulsory traffic insurance can be one of the primary sources of compensation for qualifying third-party losses.

The current Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance General Conditions regulate the rights and obligations connected with insurance covering the legal liability imposed on motor vehicle operators. The applicable insurance limits are determined according to the accident date.

The claimant should therefore identify:

Vehicle Registration

Insurance Company

Policy Number

Policy Validity

Vehicle Operator

Driver

Commercial Company

The insurance policy should be verified rather than relying solely on information provided verbally by the driver.

What Are the 2026 Commercial Vehicle Traffic Insurance Limits?

The 2026 limits depend partly on the category of commercial vehicle.

For accidents occurring between 1 January and 31 December 2026, the general per-person and per-vehicle limits include:

Property Damage: TRY 400,000 per vehicle

Property Damage: TRY 800,000 per accident

Health Expenses: TRY 3,600,000 per person

Permanent Disability and Death: TRY 3,600,000 per person

Aggregate bodily injury limits differ according to vehicle category. For vehicles used to transport people, the 2026 accident-wide limit is TRY 18 million for health expenses and TRY 18 million for permanent disability and death. For vehicles used to transport goods, trailers and construction machinery, those aggregate limits are TRY 36 million respectively.

This distinction can become particularly important in accidents involving buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles with multiple victims.

Does TRY 3.6 Million Mean Every Injured Victim Receives That Amount?

No.

The TRY 3.6 million figure is an insurance coverage ceiling per person for the relevant bodily injury category.

It is not an automatic compensation amount.

For example, permanent disability compensation may depend on factors such as:

Victim’s Age

Income

Permanent Impairment

Working Capacity

Medical Causation

Fault

Applicable Actuarial Calculation

The actual legally established loss must therefore be calculated before the applicable insurance ceiling becomes relevant.

What Compensation Can an Injured Victim Claim?

Depending on the circumstances, a commercial vehicle accident may create claims involving:

Permanent Disability

Loss of Earning Capacity

Certain Income Losses

Medical and Treatment-Related Losses

Vehicle Repair Costs

Total Loss Compensation

Vehicle Diminished Value

Personal Property Damage

Moral Damages

Loss-of-Support Compensation After Death

However, these categories are not necessarily payable by the same insurer or responsible person.

A distinction must always be made between the victim’s total legally recoverable damage and the particular losses covered by compulsory traffic insurance.

How Is Permanent Disability Compensation Calculated?

Commercial vehicle collisions can cause serious injuries, particularly where a passenger car, pedestrian, cyclist or motorcycle is struck by a truck or bus.

Permanent injuries may include:

• spinal cord injuries;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• loss of limbs;
• nerve damage;
• severe fractures;
• loss of vision;
• neurological impairment; and
• permanent mobility restrictions.

A permanent disability claim requires appropriate medical evidence.

The calculation can then consider the victim’s age, income, permanent impairment, future working capacity and other legally relevant factors.

The 2026 compulsory traffic insurance limit for permanent disability and death is TRY 3.6 million per person, subject to applicable accident-wide limits.

Can the Victim Claim Loss of Earnings?

Potentially.

A commercial vehicle accident may leave the victim unable to work for weeks, months or permanently.

Income evidence can therefore become critical.

Useful documents may include:

Employment Contracts

Payslips

Social Security Records

Tax Returns

Bank Statements

Invoices

Company Accounts

Professional Contracts

A business owner or self-employed person may require different evidence from a salaried employee.

The claimant should also distinguish between economic losses covered by the insurer and additional damages potentially recoverable directly from responsible persons.

What If the Victim Can No Longer Perform Their Profession?

The financial consequences can be substantial.

Consider a surgeon who suffers permanent hand impairment, a construction worker who loses mobility or a professional driver who can no longer drive.

The relevant economic damage may extend far beyond the victim’s immediate absence from work.

A proper legal and actuarial assessment may need to examine the victim’s future earning capacity, particularly where the injury permanently affects the ability to perform the pre-accident profession.

What If a Commercial Truck Causes the Accident?

Truck accidents often involve particularly serious damage.

Because of their weight, braking distance and cargo, trucks can cause catastrophic injuries and multi-vehicle collisions.

A truck accident investigation should examine:

Driver Fault

Speed

Following Distance

Vehicle Maintenance

Brake Condition

Cargo Loading

Driver Working Conditions

Transport Company

Vehicle Operator

Insurance Policies

The legal investigation should not stop after identifying the individual driver.

Can the Trucking or Logistics Company Be Liable?

Potentially, depending on the circumstances.

Where a commercial driver was carrying out duties for a transport or logistics company, the legal relationship between the driver, company, vehicle owner and operator should be investigated.

This can be particularly important where the victim’s damages exceed compulsory insurance limits.

The existence of a corporate defendant may also become important when examining additional liability coverage and direct civil claims.

What If a Taxi Causes the Accident?

A person injured by a taxi may potentially pursue compensation according to the same fundamental traffic liability principles, although the commercial transportation relationship may introduce additional issues.

Potential claimants may include:

Other Drivers

Pedestrians

Motorcyclists

Cyclists

Taxi Passengers

Where the taxi passenger is injured because of the taxi driver’s fault, the passenger should not assume that travelling inside the responsible vehicle prevents an insurance claim.

Passenger injury rights must be analyzed separately from driver fault.

What If a Bus or Minibus Causes the Accident?

Bus and minibus accidents can result in many injured passengers and third parties.

In such cases, the investigation should identify:

Driver

Operator

Transport Company

Registered Owner

Compulsory Traffic Insurer

Other Applicable Insurance

The aggregate insurance limit is particularly important when several people are injured in the same accident.

For vehicles used to transport persons, the 2026 compulsory traffic insurance aggregate limit is TRY 18 million per accident for health expenses and TRY 18 million for permanent disability and death.

What If a Delivery Van Causes the Accident?

Delivery and courier vehicles are increasingly involved in urban traffic accidents.

The victim should determine whether the driver was:

An Employee

Independent Contractor

Subcontractor

Platform Worker

Company Representative

The commercial structure can affect which persons or companies should be included in the liability investigation.

Vehicle ownership alone may not reveal the entire legal relationship.

What If the Commercial Driver Was Speeding or Driving Too Long?

Evidence of unsafe commercial driving practices can become important.

Commercial drivers may face pressure to complete deliveries or routes quickly. Fatigue can also increase accident risk.

Relevant evidence may potentially include:

Tachograph Data

GPS Records

Company Route Records

Delivery Records

Vehicle Data

CCTV

Dashcam Footage

Witness Statements

These records can be particularly valuable in truck and bus accidents.

Can the Employer Be Responsible for the Driver’s Negligence?

Potentially.

Where an employee causes damage while performing work-related duties, employer responsibility may need to be considered under the applicable legal rules.

For example, suppose a delivery company employee negligently causes a collision while delivering goods.

The legal analysis should not automatically be limited to:

Driver + Traffic Insurer

It may also need to consider:

Employer

Vehicle Operator

Registered Owner

Additional Insurer

The exact liability structure depends on the facts.

What If the Commercial Vehicle Is Leased?

Commercial vehicles are frequently leased rather than directly owned by the business using them.

This can create questions concerning:

Registered Ownership

Long-Term Leasing

Operational Control

Operator Status

Employment

Insurance

The person whose name appears on the registration certificate is therefore not always the only party that matters.

The underlying leasing and operational documents may need to be reviewed.

What If the Accident Was Caused by Poor Vehicle Maintenance?

Commercial vehicle accidents can sometimes result from mechanical failures rather than ordinary driving mistakes.

Examples include:

Brake Failure

Tire Failure

Steering Problems

Lighting Defects

Trailer Connection Failure

Poor Maintenance

In these cases, evidence should be preserved before the vehicle is repaired or altered.

Potential responsibility may extend beyond the driver’s immediate conduct depending on the cause of the defect and the relationships among the operator, owner, maintenance provider and other parties.

What If Improper Cargo Loading Caused the Accident?

Improperly loaded commercial vehicles can create severe road hazards.

Cargo may shift, fall onto the road or destabilize the vehicle.

The investigation may need to examine:

Who Loaded the Cargo

Whether Weight Limits Were Exceeded

Whether Cargo Was Secured

Transport Documentation

Driver Inspection Obligations

Company Procedures

Potential liability may therefore involve parties beyond the individual driver.

Can Vehicle Damage Be Claimed?

Potentially, yes.

If a commercial vehicle damages another vehicle, potential property claims may include:

Repair Costs

Total Loss

Diminished Value

Towing and Certain Related Costs

The 2026 compulsory traffic insurance property-damage limit is TRY 400,000 per vehicle and TRY 800,000 per accident.

For high-value vehicles, this limit can be substantially below the total loss.

What If the Damaged Car Is Worth More Than TRY 400,000?

The compulsory insurer’s property-damage limit does not automatically represent the maximum amount for which legally responsible persons may be liable.

Suppose a commercial truck completely destroys a vehicle worth TRY 1.5 million.

If the applicable compulsory insurance payment is insufficient, potential additional recovery may need to be investigated against:

Driver

Vehicle Operator

Owner

Commercial Company

Employer

Additional Liability Insurer

The insurance ceiling and underlying civil liability are different concepts.

Can Additional Commercial Vehicle Insurance Cover the Difference?

Potentially.

Commercial companies and fleet operators may maintain voluntary motor liability coverage beyond compulsory traffic insurance.

SEDDK separately recognizes general conditions for voluntary motor vehicle liability insurance within its insurance legislation.

This additional coverage can become particularly important where an accident involves:

Luxury Vehicles

Multiple Vehicles

Serious Permanent Disability

Multiple Injured Persons

Fatalities

The claimant should therefore investigate all available policies.

What If the Commercial Vehicle Is Uninsured?

The victim should not automatically conclude that compensation is impossible.

Depending on the circumstances, the Turkish Insurance Guarantee Account may become relevant for qualifying bodily injury claims caused by uninsured vehicles.

Direct claims against the driver, operator, owner, employer or company may also need to be investigated.

Property damage and bodily injury should be analyzed separately because Guarantee Account protection is not identical for every category of loss.

What If the Commercial Driver Flees the Scene?

Evidence preservation becomes critical.

The victim should try to obtain:

• registration plate;
• partial plate information;
• company logo;
• vehicle color;
• truck or van markings;
• CCTV;
• dashcam footage;
• witness details; and
• direction of travel.

Commercial vehicles can sometimes be identified through company branding, delivery records or fleet information even where the driver initially leaves the scene.

What If Several Vehicles Are Involved?

A commercial vehicle may trigger a chain collision involving several vehicles.

The commercial driver does not automatically bear 100% responsibility for every subsequent impact.

The accident sequence should be reconstructed to determine whether other drivers also contributed through excessive speed, unsafe following distance or other negligence.

Where multiple drivers are responsible, several insurers and legally responsible persons may become involved.

Can Passengers Claim Against a Commercial Vehicle?

Potentially, yes.

Passengers injured because of the commercial vehicle driver’s negligence may have bodily injury claims.

This includes passengers travelling:

In Another Vehicle

In the Commercial Vehicle Itself

In a Taxi

On a Bus

In a Shuttle Vehicle

Driver fault should not automatically be attributed to an innocent passenger.

Can Pedestrians and Motorcyclists Claim Compensation?

Potentially, yes.

Pedestrians and motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable in collisions with trucks, buses and commercial vans.

Serious injury claims may involve permanent disability, future earning capacity and other substantial damages.

The 2026 per-person compulsory insurance ceiling for permanent disability and death is TRY 3.6 million, subject to applicable aggregate limits.

What Happens If the Victim Dies?

Fatal commercial vehicle accidents can create loss-of-support compensation claims.

Potential beneficiaries may include:

Spouse

Children

Parents

and other persons who can establish a legally relevant support relationship.

The calculation can consider the deceased person’s age, income, occupation, family structure and economic support.

Moral damages against responsible persons may also need separate consideration.

Can Foreigners Claim Compensation After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Turkey?

Potentially, yes.

Foreign nationality does not itself prevent a qualifying compensation claim arising from a traffic accident in Turkey.

Foreign claimants may include:

Tourists

Expatriates

International Students

Foreign Employees

Business Travellers

Foreign Investors

Diplomatic and Consular Personnel

The accident should be analyzed under the applicable Turkish liability and insurance framework.

Can a Foreign Tourist Continue the Claim After Leaving Turkey?

Potentially, yes.

A foreign victim does not necessarily need to remain in Turkey throughout the insurance or compensation proceedings.

Before leaving Turkey, the claimant should preserve:

Police Records

Accident Report

Vehicle Information

Commercial Company Details

Insurance Information

Hospital Records

Medical Imaging

Photographs

Witness Details

Income Documentation

An appropriately authorized Turkish lawyer may potentially continue the proceedings under a valid power of attorney.

Can Foreign Income Be Used in a Bodily Injury Claim?

Potentially, where income is relevant to the compensation calculation.

Foreign victims should preserve objective evidence such as:

Employment Contract

Payslips

Tax Returns

Bank Statements

Employer Confirmation

Business Records

Foreign medical and income documentation may require certified Turkish translation and other formalities depending on how it will be used.

What If the Insurance Company Offers Too Little?

A commercial vehicle accident victim should not accept an offer simply because it comes from a major insurer.

The calculation should be examined for:

Incorrect Fault

Incorrect Disability Assessment

Incorrect Income

Medical Causation Errors

Actuarial Errors

Coverage Limit Errors

Missing Damage Categories

For property damage, disputes may additionally involve repair cost, market value, diminished value and total-loss valuation.

Can You Apply to the Insurance Arbitration Commission?

Potentially, subject to applicable procedural requirements.

Insurance arbitration can be relevant where a qualifying dispute exists with a participating insurance institution.

Possible disputes include:

Rejected Claims

Underpaid Permanent Disability Compensation

Property Damage

Diminished Value

Total Loss Valuation

Coverage Disputes

Calculation Errors

The claimant should preserve the original application to the insurer and proof of its submission.

What Changed for Commercial Vehicle Insurance Claims in 2026?

Several important developments affect Turkey’s motor insurance environment in 2026.

SEDDK’s official 2026 compulsory traffic insurance limits provide TRY 400,000 per vehicle for property damage and TRY 3.6 million per person for health expenses and permanent disability/death. Importantly for commercial accidents, the aggregate bodily injury limit varies by vehicle category: passenger-transport vehicles have TRY 18 million accident-wide limits, while goods-transport vehicles, trailers and construction machinery have TRY 36 million accident-wide limits for each bodily injury category.

SEDDK published amendments to the Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance General Conditions on 12 June 2026, followed by Circular No. 2026/13 concerning beneficiaries’ contact numbers in compensation claims on 17 June 2026.

The 2026 regulatory framework also includes the Insurance Experts Appointment Regulation, issued on 19 February 2026, and Circular No. 2026/11 concerning report templates used by insurance experts in motor vehicle insurance.

In July 2026, SEDDK introduced Circular No. 2026/21 concerning the Alo 193 Insurance Claim Notification and Complaint Line and Circular No. 2026/22 concerning motor vehicle insurance damage applications through the Common Claim Notification Center.

These developments make it particularly important to use current 2026 procedures and limits when preparing a commercial vehicle accident claim.

What Documents Should Be Collected?

A strong commercial vehicle accident file may include:

• traffic accident report;
• police or gendarmerie records;
• commercial vehicle registration;
• insurance policy information;
• driver details;
• company and operator information;
• photographs;
• CCTV and dashcam footage;
• witness statements;
• tachograph or GPS evidence where relevant;
• medical records;
• permanent disability documentation;
• income evidence;
• repair documents; and
• expert reports.

Where company or employer liability is suspected, documents establishing the driver’s employment and purpose of the journey can also become important.

What Are the Biggest Mistakes After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

One of the biggest mistakes is treating the case exactly like an ordinary private-car accident.

A claimant may pursue only the driver’s compulsory insurer while overlooking the vehicle operator, employer, transport company or additional liability insurance.

Another mistake is assuming that the compulsory insurance limit represents the maximum legally recoverable compensation.

Commercial vehicle cases require a broader investigation because several persons, companies and insurance policies may potentially be involved.

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Vehicle Accident Compensation

1. Who pays compensation when a commercial vehicle causes an accident?

Depending on the circumstances, potential liability may involve the compulsory traffic insurer, driver, vehicle operator, registered owner, employer, commercial company and additional liability insurer.

2. What is the 2026 traffic insurance limit for permanent disability?

The 2026 compulsory traffic insurance limit for permanent disability and death is TRY 3.6 million per person, subject to applicable accident-wide limits.

3. Are commercial vehicle insurance limits higher than ordinary car limits?

The basic per-person bodily injury and per-vehicle property limits are the same, but aggregate accident limits can differ by vehicle category. In 2026, goods-transport vehicles, trailers and construction machinery have aggregate limits of TRY 36 million for health expenses and TRY 36 million for permanent disability/death.

4. Can the employer of the commercial driver be liable?

Potentially, depending on the employment relationship, purpose of the journey and applicable liability rules. Employer and company liability should be investigated separately from the driver’s personal responsibility.

5. What if a commercial truck destroys a car worth more than the insurance limit?

Potential claims for the uncompensated legally recoverable loss may need to be investigated against the driver, operator, owner, employer or additional liability insurer.

6. Can passengers claim compensation against a commercial vehicle’s insurance?

Potentially, yes. An innocent passenger injured because of the commercial vehicle’s operation may have qualifying bodily injury claims depending on the circumstances.

7. Can a foreign tourist claim compensation after being hit by a commercial vehicle in Turkey?

Potentially, yes. Foreign nationality does not itself prevent a qualifying traffic accident compensation claim.

8. Can a foreign victim continue the compensation case after leaving Turkey?

Potentially, yes. A foreign claimant may authorize a Turkish lawyer to pursue relevant proceedings subject to appropriate power-of-attorney and documentation requirements.

9. What if the commercial vehicle is uninsured?

The Turkish Insurance Guarantee Account may potentially become relevant for qualifying bodily injury claims. Direct claims against the driver, operator, owner and commercial company should also be investigated.

10. Can a low commercial vehicle insurance settlement be challenged?

Potentially, yes. Fault, permanent disability, income, medical causation, actuarial methodology, property valuation and insurance coverage can all be reviewed where compensation appears insufficient.

Legal Support for Commercial Vehicle Accident Compensation in Turkey

Commercial vehicle accidents often require a broader legal investigation than ordinary car accidents. Identifying the driver’s compulsory traffic insurer is only the beginning.

A properly prepared claim should examine the driver, vehicle operator, registered owner, employer, transport company, commercial relationship, compulsory traffic insurance and any additional liability coverage.

This becomes particularly important in serious truck, bus, taxi and delivery vehicle accidents where injuries are permanent or the total financial loss substantially exceeds compulsory insurance limits.

For accidents occurring in 2026, compulsory traffic insurance provides TRY 400,000 per vehicle for property damage and TRY 3.6 million per person for health expenses and permanent disability/death, with higher aggregate bodily injury limits applying to certain commercial vehicle categories.

Our law office provides professional legal assistance concerning commercial vehicle accident compensation, truck accident insurance claims, bus and taxi accidents, delivery vehicle collisions, permanent disability, fatal traffic accidents, employer and operator liability, Insurance Arbitration Commission proceedings and foreign accident victims in Turkey.

Fırat Fesih Kaya assists Turkish and foreign traffic accident victims with identifying all potentially responsible parties and insurers, reviewing fault assessments, evaluating permanent disability, calculating compensation and challenging rejected or underpaid insurance claims.

Foreign tourists, expatriates, international employees and business travellers injured by commercial vehicles in Turkey may also receive assistance with foreign medical records, overseas income evidence, powers of attorney and compensation proceedings continuing after they return home.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22
Mobile: +90 532 769 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
Address: Mevlana Boulevard No: 221, Yıldırım Tower No: 148, 06520 Balgat, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey

For professional legal support concerning insurance compensation after an accident caused by a commercial vehicle in Turkey in 2026, you may contact our law office for a case-specific assessment of liability, insurance coverage, permanent disability, property damage and available arbitration or litigation remedies.