Legal Process Guide

Depreciation Lawsuit Process

Complete guide to the vehicle depreciation lawsuit process in Istanbul courts. Learn about each stage, timeline, and what to expect.

When Should You File a Lawsuit?

You should consider filing a depreciation lawsuit when:

Insurance company rejects your claim entirely
Insurance company offers insufficient compensation
Insurance company doesn't respond within 15 business days
You disagree with the fault rate determination

Important: You have 2 years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. After this period, your right to claim expires.

Lawsuit vs Arbitration: Which to Choose?

Insurance Arbitration

Duration: 4-6 months
Lower costs
Online process
40K TL limit for final decisions

Best for: Claims under 40,000 TL

Court Lawsuit

Duration: 6-12 months
No claim limit
Full appeal rights
Higher costs

Best for: Claims over 40,000 TL

Lawsuit Stages Step by Step

Stage 11-2 weeks

Preparing Lawsuit Petition

Your lawyer prepares the lawsuit petition with all evidence

Stage 21 day

Filing the Lawsuit

Petition and documents are submitted to court, fees are paid

Stage 32-4 weeks

Preliminary Proceedings

Court accepts the case and sends notification to defendant

Stage 42 weeks

Response Petition

Defendant (insurance company) submits response petition

Stage 54-8 weeks

Expert Examination

Court appoints expert, vehicle and documents are examined

Stage 62-4 weeks

Expert Report

Expert prepares report determining depreciation amount

Stage 74-8 weeks

Hearing and Decision

Court announces its decision at final hearing

Stage 82-4 weeks

Finalization of Decision

Decision becomes final after appeal period, collection begins

Total Estimated Duration: 6-12 months

Lawsuit Costs 2025

Cost Item	Amount
Court Fee (Harç)	Based on claim amount
Expert Fee	1.500 - 3.000 ₺
Notification Costs	200 - 500 ₺
Attorney Fees	10-25% of compensation

If you win the case, all costs are recovered from the opposing party.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a depreciation lawsuit take?

A depreciation lawsuit in Istanbul courts takes an average of 6-12 months. Simple cases may take 4-6 months, complex cases 12-18 months. Insurance Arbitration Commission can reduce this to 4-6 months.

How much are lawsuit costs?

Court fees vary based on compensation amount. Average is 2,000-5,000 TL. If you win the case, these costs are recovered from the opposing party.

Is arbitration application mandatory before lawsuit?

No, it's not mandatory, but Insurance Arbitration Commission is a faster and lower-cost alternative. It gives final decisions for claims up to 40,000 TL.

What happens if I lose the case?

If you lose, you may have to pay the other party's attorney fees and court costs. However, well-prepared cases have a success rate above 90%.

Do I need to attend hearings?

Usually not necessary. Your lawyer can represent you. However, in some cases, the court may want to take your statement.