Traffic accident? Get help from a lawyer

Questioner

Subject: traffic accident with fatal consequences for victim. Hello, This below describes 4 important seconds. I am a Dutch citizen living abroad. I work commercially in the Netherlands as a sales representative. While I was at work, I left my client, got into my car and drove away. I stopped at a T-junction to give way to the cars on my right, I saw that the motorbike that I had on my left stopped to give way to me. Then I drove on calmly, but then the motorbike rider screamed and started waving, of course my reaction, while I was looking at her, was to slow down, and then I heard a dull thud (this was almost simultaneous) on my right hand. I got out of the car, and there was a man lying on the ground, an old man. I immediately took a picture of the situation, which I later sent to the police, at their request. The motorcyclist immediately called the police emergency number. The police then searched my phones, took pictures and filmed my car, I blew and went to the police station, where I reported what had happened. I chose not to have a lawyer, which I was entitled to. After 2 hours the police gave me my driver's license back, and confirmed that it was a tragic accident. The police told me that the witness said 'if I hadn't waved and screamed, it might have ended differently'. The police also took pictures of the bicycle, which was still perfect, completely straight and without visible damage, this confirms that I did not hit him, but the cyclist hit me. The reconstruction, and especially the photo I took, makes a few things clear: We (the cyclist and I) did not see each other, the cyclist was hidden, by the cars that passed, and at the most important moment, I was distracted by the motorcyclist who started waving and shouting when I was riding up. Now I think this was towards the cyclist who steered towards me; we hit each other 1.5 meters from the right side of the road where he was cycling, 2-3 meters past the center of the road, just before the traffic signs with a ban on cyclists. It is clear that the cyclist steered towards me; we hit each other, with my car almost perpendicular to the road, in order to drive straight ahead. There are no skid marks visible on the road, because in the seconds that the motorcyclist screamed, I automatically braked and was already driving very slowly. The fact that there are no skid marks visible, despite the fact that I stopped immediately, confirms this. I had a rental car, and the rental company took care of everything. Fortunately, I had no problems with the victim's heirs, they understood that there was little I could do about it, their father could no longer see or hear very well and was very old. Sadly, he died later in hospital But now, exactly one year later, I have to appear in Nijmegen as a suspect. I am suspected of violating article 15 paragraph 1 of the traffic rules and traffic signs regulation 1990. Now I must also say that this T-junction is a very bad and dangerous junction, which can certainly cause someone like this cyclist to turn left too late, the street has no markings for cyclists, and suddenly there is a sign with no cyclists allowed, which obliges the cyclists to turn left, but this is after the junction, before the cyclist can continue straight ahead. This can be clearly seen on the internet. What I want to ask you: What should I prepare for? What can be claimed against me? Should I hire a lawyer? I have little time; the letter from the court was sent by regular mail and arrived late. Can you help me, provide important information? Thank you in advance.

Lawyer

You would be wise to consult a lawyer. If you contact me via the direct contact button in this answer, I can provide you with the contact details of a lawyer, specialized in traffic law, who can help you further.