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Research Report 04: Legal Commentary & Practical Matters ​

Overview ​

Compilation of legal commentary, doctrinal analysis, and practical administrative information relevant to the Stiskala v. Neumann case.

1. Kreuzungsräumer Doctrine — Commentary ​

Echter vs. Unechter Kreuzungsräumer ​

Status: VERIFIED — Well-documented in legal literature

The distinction between "genuine" and "sham" intersection clearers is extensively documented in:

  • zfs (Zeitschrift für Schadensrecht) 03/2023: [1] Comprehensive article analysing the current state of Kreuzungsräumer doctrine, including the interplay between § 11(1) StVO, § 37 StVO, and the case law developments at OLG and KG level.
  • AnwaltOnline: [2] Practice-oriented overview confirming the doctrinal categories and their practical implications for liability apportionment.

Key doctrinal points:

  • Echter Kreuzungsräumer: Crossed stop line on green, was within the intersection area (defined by projected kerb edges / Fluchtlinien) when forced to stop. Has a practical priority to clear but must exercise extreme caution.
  • Unechter Kreuzungsräumer: Crossed stop line on green but was held up before reaching the intersection area proper. Has no priority and commits a Rotlichtverstoß if proceeding after signal change.
  • The distinction is geographic (position relative to intersection boundaries) and temporal (when the signal changed relative to the vehicle's position).

2. Teilsignalisierung — The Centre Signal ​

What Is Teilsignalisierung? ​

Status: VERIFIED — RiLSA 2015 categories confirmed

Teilsignalisierung (partial signalisation) refers to intersections where not all movements are independently signal-controlled. The RiLSA 2015 [3] (Richtlinien für Lichtsignalanlagen / Guidelines for Traffic Signal Systems) defines three categories:

CategoryGermanDescription
UnsecuredUngesichertLeft-turn has no separate signal; must yield to oncoming traffic under § 9(3) StVO
Partially securedZeitweilig gesichertLeft-turn sometimes has a protected phase (own green), sometimes must yield
Fully securedGesichertLeft-turn always has a separate protected phase; oncoming traffic is always stopped

The Second Signal = "Diagonalgrün" ​

A second signal within the intersection for left-turners is sometimes referred to as providing "Diagonalgrün" — a diagonal green phase where the left-turner receives an independent green while conflicting movements are stopped. The function of the second signal depends entirely on the Signalzeitenplan (signal timing plan).

Critical point: Without the Signalzeitenplan, it is impossible to determine:

  1. Whether the centre signal operates as a full traffic light (red/yellow/green cycle) or as a repeater/warning beacon.
  2. Whether it provides a protected phase for left-turners.
  3. Whether it shows red when the Grenzstraße axis has green.

3. RiLSA 2015 — Signal Categories [3] [4] ​

Status: ✅ VERIFIED

The three RiLSA categories for left-turn signalisation are confirmed as described above. This is the authoritative technical standard used by traffic engineers in Germany and is referenced by courts when assessing signal-related liability disputes.

4. Kanzlei Lenné Warning on Verwarngeld [5] ​

Status: ✅ VERIFIED

The Kanzlei Lenné (specialist traffic law firm in Leverkusen) has published a specific warning that:

A paid Verwarngeld will be regularly treated by insurance companies as an admission of guilt [Schuldanerkenntnis]. Compensation claims can then often only be pursued through the courts.

This warning is published on the firm's website and is consistent with general insurance practice. While legally a Verwarnung payment is NOT a formal Schuldanerkenntnis (BGH, 10.01.1984), the practical insurance consequence is that HUK-COBURG will use it as evidence of fault acceptance.

Recommendation confirmed: Do not pay the €35 Verwarnung.

5. Intersection Location [6] [7] ​

Status: ✅ VERIFIED

The intersection of Grenzstraße and Friedrich-Ebert-Straße is located in Krefeld-Bockum (PLZ 47799), not in Kempen as might be suggested by the proximity of addresses. This is confirmed by the police jurisdiction (Polizeipräsidium Krefeld) and the postal code.

Relevance: Correct jurisdiction identification ensures that administrative requests (Signalzeitenplan, Akteneinsicht) are directed to the right authorities.

6. Signalzeitenplan — How to Obtain [8] ​

Responsible Authority ​

Status: VERIFIED

The Signalzeitenplan is maintained by:

Fachbereich 61 — Tiefbau (Civil Engineering Department) Stadt Krefeld Email: [email protected]

The request can be made:

  1. Informally: As a simple request for public infrastructure information. Many municipalities provide signal timing plans upon request without formal procedure.
  2. Formally: Under the IFG NRW (Informationsfreiheitsgesetz Nordrhein-Westfalen / Freedom of Information Act NRW), which grants every person the right to access official information held by public bodies in NRW.

Expected Timeline ​

  • Informal request: Typically 4–8 weeks for processing, depending on departmental workload.
  • Formal IFG NRW request: Same timeframe, but with a legal right to a response. If the authority does not respond within 1 month, a reminder and escalation are appropriate.

What to Request ​

  1. The Signalzeitenplan (signal timing diagram) for the intersection Grenzstraße / Friedrich-Ebert-Straße.
  2. Confirmation of whether the centre signal on Friedrich-Ebert-Straße is an independent signal or a repeater (Wiederholungssignal).
  3. The phase relationship between the Grenzstraße green phase and the centre signal state.
  4. Any available Signallagepläne (signal position plans) showing the physical location of all signal heads.

7. Akteneinsicht — File Inspection Procedure [9] ​

§ 49 OWiG [10] — Right of file inspection for the Betroffener (person affected by the Ordnungswidrigkeit).

Responsible Authority ​

Polizeipräsidium Krefeld, Direktion Verkehr [11] (Traffic Division of the Krefeld Police Headquarters)

Procedure ​

ItemDetail
Who can requestBetroffener directly, or a lawyer/representative with Vollmacht
Cost~EUR 12 for paper copies; free for digital/on-site inspection
VollmachtWritten power of attorney accepted for third-party requests
ScopeFull police file including: Verkehrsunfallanzeige, officer notes, witness statements, sketches, measurements, any photos/dashcam footage

What to Look For in the File ​

  1. Neumann's admission: Was "nicht nach rechts geschaut" documented in the officers' notes?
  2. Signal details: Did the officers note the state of the centre signal at the time of the accident?
  3. Sketch/measurements: Exact collision point, vehicle positions, distance from stop lines.
  4. Witness statements: What did officers Voß and Jennen record?

8. Fachanwalt Search Platforms [12] [13] [14] ​

Status: All VERIFIED and functional

PlatformURLDescription
fachanwalt.dehttps://www.fachanwalt.deDAV (German Bar Association) directory; searchable by specialty and location
verkehrsanwaelte.dehttps://www.verkehrsanwaelte.deSpecialist directory for Verkehrsrecht attorneys
golocal.dehttps://www.golocal.deGeneral professional directory with ratings and reviews

Search criteria for this case:

  • Fachanwalt für Verkehrsrecht
  • Location: Krefeld or Niederrhein region
  • Verify independence from HUK-COBURG (the firm should not regularly represent HUK-COBURG as defence counsel)

9. Key Deadlines ​

DeadlineLegal BasisTimeframeNotes
Verwarnung payment§ 56(2) OWiG [15]~1 week from receiptNon-payment = rejection; no negative consequence
Einspruch against Bußgeldbescheid§ 67(1) OWiG [16]2 weeks from serviceStrict deadline; must be in writing; failure = Bußgeldbescheid becomes final
Claim report to insurerAKB E.1.1 [17]1 week from eventContractual obligation; "unverzüglich" in practice ≈ 1 week
Insurer processing§ 14 VVG + BaFin standard~1 monthAfter this: advance payments, Ombudsmann, BaFin complaint
Verjährung (statute of limitations)§ 195, § 199 BGB3 years from end of year of knowledgeClaim must be filed before 31.12.2029 at the latest

Critical near-term deadline: The Verwarnung ~1 week window is the most time-sensitive item. The family should confirm non-payment immediately.

10. Practical Cost Estimates ​

ServiceApproximate CostNotes
Signalzeitenplan requestFree (informal) to ~EUR 50 (IFG formal)Depends on municipality
Akteneinsicht~EUR 12 (paper) / free (digital)Via § 49 OWiG
Independent Kfz-SachverständigerEUR 500–1,500Depends on damage extent
Fachanwalt initial consultationEUR 0–250Often free or capped at EUR 190 + VAT
Ombudsmann complaintFreeNo cost to consumer

Summary ​

All commentary sources and practical information have been verified. The key outstanding item remains the Signalzeitenplan, which is the single most critical piece of evidence in this case. All other practical steps (Akteneinsicht, Fachanwalt engagement, deadline management) are well-documented and procedurally straightforward.

Sources ​

  1. Haufe zfs 03/2023: Kreuzungsräumer – haufe.de
  2. AnwaltOnline: Kreuzungsräumer Haftungsfragen – anwaltonline.com
  3. FGSV: RiLSA 2015 – fgsv-verlag.de
  4. Wikipedia: Richtlinien für Lichtsignalanlagen – de.wikipedia.org
  5. Kanzlei Lenné: Verwarngeld nicht zahlen – anwalt-leverkusen.de
  6. Krefeld Stadtinfo: Grenzstraße – krefeld.staedte-info.net
  7. Krefeld Geoportal – krefeld.de
  8. Stadt Krefeld Fachbereich 61 – service.krefeld.de
  9. bussgeldkatalog.org: Akteneinsicht – bussgeldkatalog.org
  10. § 49 OWiG – dejure.org
  11. Polizeipräsidium Krefeld, Direktion Verkehr – krefeld.polizei.nrw
  12. fachanwalt.de — Krefeld – fachanwalt.de
  13. verkehrsanwaelte.de — Anwaltsuche – verkehrsanwaelte.de
  14. golocal.de — Krefeld – golocal.de
  15. § 56 OWiG – dejure.org
  16. § 67 OWiG – gesetze-im-internet.de
  17. HUK-COBURG Unfallhilfe – huk.de