Can a tourist or non-resident make a claim?

Yes—as long as there’s a connection to Ireland. Keep travel records, medical reports, and insurance details, and claim via IRB or MIBI.

What if the claimant was a minor when injured?

Under-18 claimants have extended limitation periods. A guardian or next friend must issue proceedings on their behalf.

Should I claim if injuries are minor or hard to prove?

Not always. Claims can incur costs. Consider if documentation exists, if damages exceed legal costs, and whether resources are stretched otherwise.

Car Accident Compensation Ireland (2025 Guide)

Q: How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Ireland?

In most cases, you have two years minus one day from the accident—or from when you knew you were injured. But special rules apply if you're under-18 or lacked capacity.

Q: Can I claim if the driver was uninsured or a hit-and-run?

Yes. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) may cover your claim if the driver was uninsured or untraceable once you’ve reported it to the Gardaí promptly.

Reviewed by a solicitor on 20 August 2025

Quick Answer: In Ireland, you generally have two years minus one day to start a car accident compensation claim, counted from the accident or when you became aware of the injury and fault. Filing with the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) pauses this time limit^[1].

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Car accident compensation in Ireland — Understanding car accident compensation in Ireland

Claim process timeline

Days 1–2: Report to Gardaí^[4]
Week 1: Seek medical attention^[7]
Weeks 1–4: Gather evidence (photos, witnesses, receipts)
Weeks 2–6: File with IRB to pause limitation period^[1]
Months 2–12: IRB assessment or court option

Compensation ranges (Examples)

Average IRB award: €18,967; Median: €13,000^[1]
Whiplash:
- Minor (~3 months): €500–€3,000
- Up to 1 year: €3,000–€12,000
- Long-term: €12,000–€35,000
Back injuries:
- Moderate: €12,000–€35,000
- Severe: €60,000–€140,000+
Fatal injury: up to €35,000 (Civil Liability Act)^[3]

Special cases you should know

Tourists & non-residents: Claims possible via IRB or MIBI if there's an Irish connection^[3].
Minors: Under-18 claimants get extended limitation periods; representatives must file^[5].
Helmet or roadworthiness issues: Failing safety standards may reduce awards under contributory negligence rules^[6].

Psychological injury payouts

Courts may award damages for PTSD, anxiety, or insomnia if diagnosed and linked to the accident. Include psychiatrist or psychologist reports for best outcomes^[7].

Professional drivers

Entitled to compensation for lost earnings, vehicle downtime, and future loss where applicable—support claims with payslips and employer confirmation letters^[6].

Rural reporting issues

Rural Gardaí may not attend promptly—use photos, dash-cam, or witnesses to support your claim^[4].

Financial impacts beyond damages

Claimable costs include car hire, childcare, rehab, travel for treatment—retain all receipts^[7].

Case snapshots

Limerick: Rear-end crash with uninsured driver—IRB claim successful in ~9 months.
Cork: Tourist cyclist with whiplash and dental injury—settled in under 8 months.
Dublin: Courier compensated for lost income and car downtime.
Galway: Hit-and-run supported by CCTV, claim via MIBI.

Medical reporting requirements

A medical report from your GP or hospital is essential. The IRB cannot assess claims without it. Keep all appointment notes and scans^[7].

Court award trends

While most cases settle via IRB, courts may grant higher awards for severe injuries, loss of career potential, or disputed liability cases^[8].

When not to claim

If injuries are minor, documentation is minimal, or costs outweigh estimated damages, it may be wiser not to proceed^[5].

Crash checklist

Report to Gardaí and record incident number^[4]
Seek medical attention immediately^[7]
Photograph scene and injuries
Retain medical and travel receipts
Take witness and scene information
Inform employer if work is affected

FAQs

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Ireland?

Two years minus one day generally, with exceptions for minors or delayed injury symptoms^[5].

Can I claim if the driver was uninsured or a hit-and-run?

Yes—MIBI may cover your claim after a Garda report^[3][4].

Can tourists or non-residents make a claim?

Yes, if there's an Irish connection. Keep relevant documentation^[3].

What if I was a minor when the accident happened?

Guardians or next friends must file. Minors benefit from extended timeframes^[5].

When is it not worth claiming?

When injuries are minor or poorly documented, the stress, cost, and time might outweigh the benefits^[5].

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📞 01 903 6408
📧 help@personalinjurysolicitorsdublin.info
📍 3rd Floor, Ormond Building, 31–36 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin D07

References

Injuries Resolution Board – injuries.ie
Judicial Council: Personal Injuries Guidelines – judicialcouncil.ie
Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) – mibi.ie
An Garda Síochána: Road collision guidance – garda.ie
Citizens Information: Limitation periods – citizensinformation.ie
Courts Service: Procedure overview – courts.ie
HSE: Medical reporting & injury documentation – hse.ie
Citizens Information: Court reports & trends – citizensinformation.ie

Gary Matthews Solicitors

Medical negligence solicitors, Dublin

We help people every day of the week (weekends and bank holidays included) that have either been injured or harmed as a result of an accident or have suffered from negligence or malpractice.

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