Compensation for Loss of Financial Support in Fatal Traffic Accidents 

1) Legal Basis & Core Principle

• TCO Art. 53: Heads of damages in case of death (loss of support, funeral/transport expenses, etc.) and moral compensation.
• TCO Art. 72: Limitation—2 years from knowledge of damage and tortfeasor, 10 years absolute; if the act is a crime, the longer criminal limitation applies.
• Cassation practice: Anyone who was receiving or reasonably expected to receive economic support from the deceased may qualify as a claimant.

2) Eligible Claimants

• Spouse, children, parents, and—subject to proof—fiancé/cohabiting partner, possibly siblings/grandparents if actual support is shown.

3) Pecuniary Loss Calculation (Actuarial)

Courts rely on actuarial methods and mortality tables. Key variables:

• Deceased’s age, profession, income/earning capacity, career projections.
• Support period (spouse’s life expectancy; child’s educational horizon; parents’ expectancy).
• Household shares & personal consumption ratios.
• Valuation of domestic/unpaid labor when applicable.
• Social security survivors’ benefits generally do not extinguish civil compensation; set-off depends on case specifics.
• Fault/contributory negligence (seatbelt, speeding) may reduce recovery.
• Funeral/transport and other ancillary costs are claimable.

4) Non-Pecuniary (Moral) Damages

Awarded on equity considering gravity of incident, fault, parties’ circumstances; intended to alleviate emotional suffering.

5) Who Is Liable?

• Driver (fault),
• Operator/Owner (strict/enterprise liability),
• Compulsory traffic insurer (within policy limits),
• Guarantee Fund in exceptional uninsured cases.
  Liability is often joint and several.

6) Evidence & Procedure (10 Steps)

1. Identify the criminal file (statements, expert reconstruction, autopsy).
2. Civil status/kinship records; student/care-dependence documents.
3. Income/profession evidence (payroll, tax filings).
4. Witnesses to actual support.
5. Social security records (if any).
6. Funeral/transport receipts.
7. Insurer application with full dossier—await response/15 days.
8. Commission an actuarial report.
9. Sue insurer + driver/operator; amounts exceeding policy limits target tortfeasors.
10. Claim interest (default date depends on addressee/event).

7) Limitation & Interest Notes

• Limitation: TCO Art. 72 (2/10 years) or longer criminal limitation if applicable.
• Interest: Commonly from insurer default/application date against the insurer; potentially from accident dateagainst tortfeasors—strategy is fact-sensitive.

8) FAQs

Is a homemaker’s contribution valued? Yes—domestic services are monetized actuarially.
Can a fiancé/cohabitee claim? With proof of stable relationship and support, yes.
What if policy limits are insufficient? Sue driver/operator for the excess; assess Guarantee Fund eligibility.

Disclaimer: Informational only; not legal advice. For tailored assessment, seek professional counsel. Türeli & Ceylan provides end-to-end assistance from insurer application to enforcement.