DIRECT ACTIONS AGAINST INSURERS IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN AN EUROPEANISED PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW – WHAT PROTECTION FOR THE INJURED PARTIES?

Abstract

This article offers a discussion of the law applicable to cross-border traffic accidents, from the perspective of the protection of injured parties. The introduction of principles like direct actions against insurers by injured third parties (forum actoris), mostly because of CJEU’s liberal approach, puts into question the relationship between European private international law and national Member State rules of conflict-of-laws. This article aims to propose an answer to the question “Does the European private international law set of rules offer an adequate protection for the injured parties?” with the view of offering also a few recommendations for the reformation of the Rome II Regulation.