When to See a GP After a Car Accident in Ireland

This is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts. Consult a solicitor for advice on your situation.

See your GP or an out-of-hours GP service on the same day as the accident, or within 24-48 hours at most. A same-day medical record creates the strongest contemporaneous link between the collision and your injuries. That record directly feeds the mandatory Form B medical report [1] required for every Injuries Resolution Board (IRB, formerly PIAB) application in Ireland. Even if you feel fine at the scene, the body's adrenaline response commonly masks soft-tissue pain for 24-72 hours, so symptoms that emerge later still need a prompt GP visit with a clear explanation of when they started. Citizens Information (Updated 2025) [2] confirms that most injury claims begin at the IRB, and a valid application requires this medical evidence.

Contents

Best timing: Same day, or within 24-48 hours. A contemporaneous GP note carries the most evidential weight. IRB guidance on medical reports

Form B link: Your GP's clinical notes directly populate Section 2 of the mandatory IRB Form B. ¹

Out-of-hours: Evening/weekend crashes? D-Doc, SouthDoc, or NorthDoc provide urgent GP appointments. Free with medical card; ~€75-€90 private. Citizens Information

Cost recovery: GP visit fees (€45-€80 private) are claimable as special damages in your injury claim. Keep dated receipts. Citizens Information, GP costs

How soon should you see a GP after a car accident in Ireland?

Attend your GP on the same day as the collision, or within 24-48 hours at the latest. Irish courts place the highest evidential weight on medical notes recorded close to the event, a principle called the contemporaneous records doctrine. Citizens Information (Updated 2025) ² confirms that most personal injury claims begin at the IRB, and Form B requires your treating doctor's account of your condition "immediately after accident and in subsequent few days." A same-day GP note fills that box directly from clinical observation rather than retrospective recall.

The timing matters more than most guides suggest: a GP note dated the same day as a rear-end collision records fresh clinical findings: restricted neck rotation, localised tenderness, muscle guarding, that a note written ten days later simply can't capture with the same authority. Insurers know this, and they use the gap.

Why does GP timing matter for your injury claim?

Your first GP visit creates the medical foundation of your entire IRB application. The connection works through three specific mechanisms under the Irish personal injury system.

1. Causation evidence. Proving that the accident caused your injuries, not a pre-existing condition, a workplace incident, or normal wear, is the single most important evidential hurdle. A GP record made hours after the crash, describing symptoms consistent with the collision mechanism, establishes that link before any alternative explanation becomes plausible. The IRB's guidance on medical reports ³ requires the treating doctor to set out symptom history from the accident date.

2. Form B population. Since September 2023, a completed Form B medical report ¹ is a statutory prerequisite for an IRB application to be deemed complete. Section 2 of Form B asks the practitioner to record the "date first treatment sought" and a history of the condition in the days following the accident. An early GP visit gives the doctor direct clinical data for these fields. A late visit forces the doctor to rely on the patient's recollection, which carries less weight.

3. Guideline band placement. Compensation for pain and suffering in Ireland follows the Judicial Council's Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021) [4]. The GP's recorded prognosis: expected recovery timeline, referral needs, and residual symptoms, directly informs which guideline band applies. An early baseline examination gives the GP the comparative data to track whether recovery is progressing normally or trending toward chronic pain, which shifts the claim into a higher band.

4. Assessment speed. The IRB's 2024 Annual Report shows the average assessment takes 11.2 months. However, mediated motor claims (available since December 2024) resolve in roughly 3 months. Clean, early GP evidence with a clear prognosis makes mediation viable because the medical picture is established from the start. Claims with incomplete or late medical records are more likely to stall in the longer assessment track. Law Society Gazette, IRB 2024 Report (July 2025) [13].

What delayed symptoms should you watch for after a crash?

Adrenaline and cortisol flood the bloodstream after a collision, temporarily suppressing pain receptors and masking soft-tissue damage for 24-72 hours. Irish road traffic injury claims depend on timely medical documentation, making the post-crash window critical. The inflammatory cascade that produces visible symptoms: stiffness, swelling, restricted movement, takes time to peak. A detail that catches many claimants off guard: feeling fine at the scene is remarkably common, even with injuries that later prove significant.

Common delayed injury symptoms after a car accident and their typical onset windows

Injury type	Typical symptom onset	What to watch for
Whiplash (cervical strain)	24-72 hours	Neck stiffness, restricted rotation, headaches starting at skull base
Concussion / mild TBI	Hours to 7 days	Light sensitivity, dizziness, cognitive fog, persistent headache
Lower back / lumbar	Days to 2 weeks	Muscle spasms, radiating leg pain, difficulty with weight-bearing
Psychological (anxiety, PTSD)	Days to weeks	Sleep disruption, flashbacks, driving avoidance, panic

Source: HSE clinical guidance and common road traffic injury patterns. For detailed symptom tracking, see our delayed symptoms guide.

When symptoms appear days after the crash, see your GP promptly and explain exactly when each symptom started. The GP can then record that the onset timing is consistent with post-collision soft-tissue inflammation, which preserves the causation link despite the delay. Waiting to see whether pain "settles on its own" is the most common mistake, because it creates a gap that insurers will exploit.

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GP, A&E, or HSE Injury Unit: where to go

Your GP is the right first contact for most non-emergency car accident injuries in Ireland. A&E is for serious trauma, suspected spinal injuries, severe bleeding, chest or abdominal trauma, or loss of consciousness. For soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, back pain, or stiffness, a GP appointment produces a more detailed clinical record than a busy A&E triage note.

Where to seek medical attention after a car accident in Ireland

Facility	Go here for	Not suitable for
GP (recommended for most RTA injuries)	Whiplash, back/neck pain, delayed-onset stiffness, concussion monitoring, referrals for physio/MRI, Form B initiation	Severe fractures requiring surgery, life-threatening trauma
A&E / Emergency Department	Suspected spinal injury, severe bleeding, chest/abdominal trauma, loss of consciousness, neurological symptoms	Minor soft-tissue injuries (long waits, brief triage notes)
HSE Injury Unit	Limb fractures (collarbone to fingertips, knees to toes), minor scalds, minor facial injuries	Neck pain, back pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, pregnancy-related injuries

One aspect the official guidance doesn't cover: A&E discharge notes typically say "soft tissue injury, discharge with analgesia." While useful, that brief triage record often lacks the detail needed for Form B, the injury mechanism, specific clinical findings, and a prognosis. A follow-up GP visit within 1-2 days fills those gaps and creates a far more complete medical trail for IRB purposes.

What should you tell your GP after a car accident?

Be specific about every symptom, even ones that seem minor. Your GP can only record what you report. Sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety about driving are all clinically relevant and claimable, but only if they're in the notes.

Cover these points at your appointment:

1. Collision details: Date, time, type of impact (rear-end, side-impact, head-on), your position in the vehicle (driver, front passenger, rear seat), whether airbags deployed, and whether you were wearing a seatbelt.
2. Symptom onset: Exactly when each symptom started: at the scene, that evening, the next morning, or days later. Precision here directly supports the causation timeline.
3. Every symptom, not just the worst one: Neck stiffness, headaches, back pain, shoulder tension, sleep disruption, low mood, driving anxiety, difficulty concentrating. Report each separately.
4. Pre-existing conditions: Mention any prior neck, back, or joint issues. Being transparent strengthens credibility, your GP can distinguish aggravation of an existing condition from a new injury.
5. Impact on daily life: Can you work? Drive? Lift your children? Sleep through the night? These functional limitations affect guideline band placement.
6. Request the GP to record: Clinical findings (range of motion, tenderness, muscle guarding), a working diagnosis, and an initial prognosis with expected recovery timeline.
7. Current medications: If you take blood thinners, pain medication, anti-anxiety drugs, or anything else regularly, tell the GP. Existing medication affects clinical presentation and treatment decisions. The GP needs to distinguish pre-existing prescriptions from accident-related care in the notes.
8. Work impact and sick certification: If you can't work, ask the GP to issue a medical certificate (sick cert) specifying that you are unfit for work due to injuries sustained in the road traffic accident on [date]. A generic "unfit for work" cert is weaker for loss-of-earnings claims than one linking the absence directly to the collision. Loss of earnings is typically the largest special damage, so precision here matters.

What will the GP actually do during the examination?

A post-accident GP consultation typically takes 15-20 minutes and involves a structured physical examination, not just a conversation. The GP will usually check cervical spine range of motion (asking you to turn your head left, right, up, down), palpate the neck and back for tenderness and muscle spasm, test reflexes and sensation in the arms and legs to rule out nerve involvement, and note visible bruising or swelling. These observed clinical findings carry more evidential weight than your reported symptoms alone, because they're independent, objective, and recorded in real time. Form B specifically requires findings from examination, not just what the patient said.

What if you had back or neck problems before the accident?

Tell your GP about every pre-existing condition. Transparency protects your claim rather than weakening it. Under Irish law, the "eggshell skull" principle means the at-fault driver takes the victim as they find them. A pre-existing back condition that was manageable before the crash but becomes debilitating after it is compensable as aggravation. The key is documentation: your GP needs to record your baseline function before the accident (e.g. "patient had occasional lower back stiffness managed without medication") and your post-accident function (e.g. "now unable to sit for more than 20 minutes, requiring daily painkillers"). That contrast anchors the aggravation argument. Hiding a pre-existing condition creates a much bigger problem if it surfaces later during an independent medical examination.

How does your GP record become IRB evidence?

Every IRB application for a road traffic injury in Ireland requires a completed Form B medical report from your treating doctor. The ¹ demands specific clinical detail that your GP's contemporaneous notes directly supply.

Form B Section 2 asks the doctor to record: the date treatment was first sought; a history of the condition "immediately after accident and in subsequent few days"; the number of GP visits, specialist visits, and physiotherapy sessions to date; and a prognosis with estimated recovery timeline. ³ instructs practitioners to base these answers on clinical observation, not patient self-report alone.

The difference between assessment and acceptance often comes down to whether the Form B contains a clear prognosis. One claim stalled for months because the GP letter described symptoms but lacked any recovery estimate. A short GP update letter with an expected timeline unlocked the IRB assessment within weeks.

What does a strong GP record look like vs a weak one?

Comparison of weak and strong GP records for Irish injury claims

Element	Weak record	Strong record
Timing	"Pt seen re: RTA"	"Pt attended same day following rear-end collision at 14:30 on [date]"
Clinical findings	"Reports neck pain"	"C-spine ROM restricted to 30 degrees rotation L and R. Tenderness C4-C6 paraspinal. No neurological deficit."
Diagnosis	"Soft tissue injury"	"Cervical strain consistent with described rear-impact mechanism"
Treatment	"Paracetamol prescribed"	"Naproxen prescribed. Referred to physiotherapy. Review in 2 weeks."
Prognosis	(absent)	"Expected resolution 6-12 weeks. If symptoms persist beyond 8 weeks, MRI and orthopaedic referral indicated."

The strong record gives the IRB everything Form B Section 2 requires: contemporaneous timing, objective findings, a clear diagnosis linked to the mechanism, active treatment, and a prognosis with a recovery timeline. The weak record leaves the Form B half-empty and invites insurer challenges.

How your GP record shapes the independent medical examination

The IRB may arrange an independent medical examination (IME) by a doctor who has never treated you. The IME doctor reviews your GP records before the appointment and compares your current clinical state against the baseline your GP recorded after the accident. Detailed early GP notes showing restricted movement, localised tenderness, and a clear diagnosis give the IME examiner a concrete starting point. Thin or late GP notes leave the IME with little to compare against, which can result in a less favourable assessment. One detail that surprises clients: the IME report often carries more weight with the IRB than your own GP's Form B, because it comes from an independent source. The stronger your GP's initial record, the harder it is for the IME to contradict your account of the injury's origin and severity.

Cost and access: getting a same-day GP appointment in Ireland

A standard GP visit in Ireland costs between €45 and €80 for private patients, depending on the practice and location. ⁷ provides a general overview of GP services and costs. GP visits are free if you hold a medical card or a GP Visit Card, and under-8s and over-70s automatically qualify for a GP Visit Card without a means test. ⁸.

Weekend and evening crashes: GP out-of-hours cooperatives operate across Ireland, D-Doc and NorthDoc in Dublin, SouthDoc in Munster, WestDoc in the west. ⁹. Consultations are free for medical card holders; private fees typically run €75-€90. A contemporaneous out-of-hours GP note recorded the evening of a Saturday crash is always stronger than waiting until Monday to see your regular GP.

The timing matters more than cost: every GP visit fee is recoverable as a special damage in your injury claim, so the expense isn't lost. It's evidence you're building. IRB data shows special damages assessments have risen 26% since 2020 due to inflation, making documented medical expenses more significant than ever in overall claim value. Law Society Gazette, IRB 2024 data (July 2025) ¹³.

What if your GP can't see you today?

You do not need to see your registered GP. Any GP can create a valid contemporaneous record. Many Irish practices have closed books or limited same-day availability. If your own GP can't fit you in, call the practice and explain you've been in a road traffic accident and need an urgent same-day appointment. If that fails, attend a different GP practice as a private patient (most accept walk-ins for acute consultations), use the GP out-of-hours service if it's evening or weekend, or attend a walk-in urgent care clinic. The critical point is getting a dated medical record close to the accident. Your own GP can receive the notes later and take over ongoing care.

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What if you couldn't see a GP straight away?

A delayed GP visit does not automatically destroy your Irish injury claim, but it does require careful handling. The sections above cover the ideal scenario: a same-day GP visit that anchors your IRB application from the start. But life doesn't always cooperate. Weekend crashes, GP availability, adrenaline masking, or simply not realising you were hurt can all push that first appointment back. The sections below address what happens when timing isn't perfect: how the "date of knowledge" protects you, how insurers exploit delays, and how follow-up visits can rebuild your evidence trail.

Date of knowledge: how GP timing affects your claim deadline

The two-year limitation period for personal injury claims in Ireland runs from the "date of knowledge," not necessarily the accident date. Under Section 2 of the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991 [10], the clock starts when you first knew (or should have known) that you suffered a significant injury attributable to the accident.

Your first GP visit often crystallises the date of knowledge. When a doctor formally diagnoses delayed-onset neck pain as a soft-tissue injury consistent with the prior collision, that consultation anchors the statutory starting point. Insurers routinely dispute the date of knowledge where symptoms emerged gradually, arguing the claimant should have sought treatment earlier. An early, documented GP visit eliminates that ambiguity.

Irish law applies a two-year limitation period for personal injury, notably shorter than the three-year period in England and Wales. This distinction matters for anyone relying on UK-based online advice, which may suggest more time than Irish law allows. A valid IRB application pauses the clock under Section 50 of the PIAB Act, but only if the application is complete, which requires Form B. ².

For the full mechanics of the limitation period, see our time limits for car accident claims page. For the date of knowledge in medical negligence contexts, see date of knowledge explained.

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How insurers challenge a delayed GP visit

A gap between the accident and the first GP visit is the single most common pressure point insurers use to reduce settlement values in Ireland. Defence teams deploy two specific arguments when medical attention is delayed.

Causation challenge (novus actus interveniens). The insurer argues that an intervening event, such as lifting at work, playing sport, a slip at home, may have caused the symptoms instead of the crash. The longer the gap, the more plausible the alternative hypothesis becomes. Attending a GP within 24-48 hours collapses the window for alternative explanations.

Failure to mitigate. Under Section 34 of the Civil Liability Act 1961 [11], courts can reduce compensation where the claimant failed to take reasonable steps to limit their injury. Delaying medical treatment for a treatable soft-tissue injury that then becomes chronic gives the respondent statutory grounds to argue for a percentage reduction in general damages.

In practice, insurers routinely challenge claims where the first GP note is more than seven days post-accident. The challenge doesn't automatically defeat the claim, the primary negligence remains with the at-fault driver, but it provides ammunition to negotiate a lower settlement. A same-day GP record removes that ammunition entirely.

Follow-up GP visits and updated medical reports

The initial GP visit starts the medical trail for your Irish injury claim. Follow-up visits maintain it. Attend every scheduled appointment and request that your GP records symptom progression, treatment response, and any referrals (physiotherapy, consultant, MRI). Each follow-up note adds data that strengthens the prognosis section of Form B.

IRB assessments can take months. If your condition changes, symptoms worsen, new symptoms appear, recovery stalls, book a GP appointment and ask for an updated letter noting the change in prognosis. IRB information for the medical community (Updated 2025) [12] encourages practitioners to provide supplementary reports where clinical circumstances evolve.

Suggested follow-up visit schedule

Recommended GP follow-up timeline after a car accident in Ireland

When	Purpose	What to ask the GP to record
Week 1-2	First follow-up	Symptom progression since initial visit, treatment response, any new symptoms
Month 1-2	Progress review	Functional status (work, driving, daily tasks), referral outcomes, updated prognosis
Month 3-6	Prognosis assessment	Whether symptoms are resolving or trending toward chronic. This is critical for guideline band placement.
Pre-IRB submission	Form B preparation	Final consolidated report covering the full treatment history, current status, and recovery outlook

These are suggested intervals, not rigid rules. Follow your GP's clinical judgment on appointment timing. The key principle is maintaining a documented treatment trail with no unexplained gaps.

Keep a brief symptom diary between appointments: date, pain level, activities affected, sleep quality. Hand it to your GP at each visit so they can record the pattern objectively.

The GP referral chain: what your first visit sets in motion

Your first GP visit is not a one-off. It's the entry point to a referral pathway that builds your entire evidence file. Based on your presentation, the GP may refer you to: physiotherapy (the most common referral for soft-tissue injuries), an orthopaedic consultant (for suspected fractures or persistent joint issues), MRI or X-ray imaging (to confirm or rule out structural damage), a pain management specialist (for injuries not responding to initial treatment), or counselling and psychiatric services (for PTSD, driving phobia, or anxiety). Each referral generates additional medical evidence that feeds into your Form B and strengthens the IRB assessment. Each referral cost, from the €50 physio session to the €250 consultant fee, is a claimable special damage. The GP's initial notes often determine which referrals are appropriate and how quickly they happen. A detailed first record that identifies specific clinical concerns leads to faster, more targeted referrals. A vague record leads to delays.

GP visit preparation checklist

Bring this list to your appointment. Estimated time: 15-20 minutes with your GP. Tap each item as you prepare it.

0 of 9 items ready

1. ☐ Collision details: Date, time, location, type of impact, your seating position, seatbelt use, airbag deployment.
2. ☐ Symptom list: Every symptom (physical and psychological) with exact onset timing for each.
3. ☐ Medical history: Any pre-existing conditions (back, neck, joints, anxiety). Transparency strengthens credibility.
4. ☐ Daily impact: How the injury affects work, driving, childcare, sleep, exercise.
5. ☐ Photos: Visible injuries (bruising, swelling) photographed with date/time metadata.
6. ☐ Pharmacy receipts: Timestamped receipt if you bought painkillers before the appointment.
7. ☐ Ask GP to record: Clinical findings, working diagnosis, and initial prognosis with recovery timeline.
8. ☐ Request a receipt: GP visit fee is claimable as a special damage. Keep the dated receipt.
9. ☐ Book a follow-up: Schedule review appointment for 1-2 weeks to document symptom progression.

🖨️ Print this checklist ↺ Reset

Common Questions

What if I feel fine after the accident?

See your GP on the same day regardless. Adrenaline masks pain for 24-72 hours after a collision. Whiplash, concussion, and lower-back injuries frequently present with delayed onset. A same-day GP record protects your claim even if nothing shows up yet.

• Adrenaline suppresses pain receptors temporarily.
• Whiplash peaks at 24-72 hours post-impact.
• A "normal" GP note is still useful causation evidence.

Why it matters: Feeling fine doesn't mean uninjured. Early documentation protects later claims.

Next step: IRB medical report guidance (2025) • Delayed symptoms guide

Should I go to A&E or my GP after a car accident?

Go to your GP for most car accident injuries in Ireland. A&E is for serious trauma, suspected spinal injuries, severe bleeding, or loss of consciousness. For soft-tissue injuries like whiplash or back pain, your GP provides more detailed records and can initiate Form B for the IRB. HSE Injury Units do not treat neck or back pain.

• GP for most soft-tissue injuries.
• A&E for emergencies only.
• HSE Injury Units exclude neck/back pain.

Why it matters: The right facility produces the right medical evidence.

Next step: HSE Injury Unit criteria (2025) • Claims process guide

Is it too late to see a GP if I waited a few days?

No, a delayed GP visit is still far better than no visit at all. Explain when each symptom started and why you waited (felt fine initially, weekend, couldn't get appointment). The GP can note that delayed onset is consistent with soft-tissue injury patterns. The claim isn't lost, but same-day would have been stronger.

• Explain timing clearly to your GP.
• Delayed onset is medically recognised.
• Insurer may challenge, but can be countered.

Why it matters: Late is recoverable. Never seeing a GP is not.

Next step: Citizens Information, IRB (2025) • Time limits explained

How much does a GP visit cost after a car accident in Ireland?

Private GP visits cost €45-€80 in Ireland. Medical card and GP Visit Card holders attend free. Out-of-hours GP services (D-Doc, SouthDoc) charge approximately €75-€90 for private patients. All GP visit fees are claimable as special damages in your injury claim.

• Under-8s and over-70s: free GP visits.
• Medical card holders: free at any GMS GP.
• Keep dated receipts for every visit.

Why it matters: Cost shouldn't delay evidence collection, it's recoverable.

Next step: Citizens Information, GP costs (2025) • Compensation guide

Can I see a GP out of hours after a weekend or evening accident?

Yes, GP out-of-hours services operate across Ireland. D-Doc and NorthDoc (Dublin), SouthDoc (Munster), WestDoc (western counties), and others regionally. Services are free for medical card holders. A Saturday-evening out-of-hours GP note is significantly stronger than waiting until Monday.

• Call your local out-of-hours number.
• Bring your medical card or PPS number.
• Request a written record of the consultation.

Why it matters: Weekends and evenings are no reason for a 48-hour gap.

Next step: Citizens Information, out-of-hours GP (2025)

Do I need to see a doctor to make an injury claim in Ireland?

Yes. The IRB requires a Form B medical report from your treating doctor to deem your application complete. Without medical evidence, the claim cannot progress. No GP visit means no Form B, which means no valid IRB application.

• Form B is mandatory since September 2023.
• Only a complete application pauses the limitation clock.
• The GP is your treating doctor for Form B purposes.

Why it matters: Medical evidence isn't optional, it's a statutory requirement.

Next step: Form B (PDF) • Full claims process

Should I mention anxiety or PTSD symptoms at my first GP visit?

Yes, report every psychological symptom from your first visit. Anxiety, driving phobia, PTSD, sleep disruption, are compensable under the Personal Injuries Guidelines. Report them at your first GP visit so they're recorded from the outset. Your GP can refer you to counselling or a specialist, and the treatment trail supports the claim.

• Psychological injuries are fully claimable.
• Early recording anchors causation.
• GP can refer to CBT, EMDR, or psychiatric assessment.

Why it matters: Unreported psychological symptoms can't be claimed later without difficulty.

Next step: Psychological injury claims guide • Personal Injuries Guidelines (2021)

Are the rules different for children injured in a car accident?

Children should see a GP promptly after any collision, just like adults. The two-year limitation period for minors does not begin until their 18th birthday, but early medical documentation is still critical for establishing causation and tracking developmental impact. IRB motor claims data shows 36% of car passenger claims come from the 0-18 age group, and one in four of those children sustain psychological injuries. Law Society Gazette, IRB motor report (May 2025) [14].

• Limitation clock paused until age 18.
• A parent or guardian can bring a claim earlier.
• GP should record age-appropriate symptoms, school absence, and behavioural changes.
• 25% of child passengers sustain psychological injuries. Report sleep disruption, nightmares, or school avoidance to the GP.

Why it matters: Children may not articulate symptoms clearly. The GP record fills that gap, especially for psychological injuries that parents may initially attribute to general upset.

Next step: Citizens Information, IRB (2025) • Time limits guide • Psychological injury claims

Related questions people ask next

What medical report does the IRB need with my application?
The IRB requires a completed Form B medical report from your treating doctor. Your GP is typically the treating doctor for road traffic injuries. The form must include symptom history, clinical findings, treatment to date, and a prognosis. See our claims process guide for the full application steps.

Can I claim GP visit costs back as part of my compensation?
Yes. All medical expenses, including GP consultations, out-of-hours fees, prescription costs, and physiotherapy, are claimable as special damages. Keep every dated receipt. See our compensation guide for how special damages are calculated.

What if my symptoms get worse after the IRB assessment?
Book a follow-up GP appointment and request an updated medical letter noting the change in prognosis. Your solicitor can submit supplementary evidence to the IRB or factor the deterioration into court proceedings if the assessment was rejected. See our medical records guide.

References

1. IRB Form B Medical Assessment Form. injuries.ie. Accessed March 2026.
2. Citizens Information, Injuries Resolution Board. citizensinformation.ie. Updated 2025.
3. IRB Guidance on Medical Reports. injuries.ie. Updated 2025.
4. Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines. judicialcouncil.ie. 2021.
5. HSE, When to visit an Injury Unit. hse.ie. Updated 2025.
6. Law Society of Ireland, "Insult to injury" (Section 44 fees). lawsociety.ie. November 2025.
7. Citizens Information, GPs and private patients. citizensinformation.ie. Updated 2025.
8. Citizens Information, GP Visit Cards. citizensinformation.ie. Updated 2025.
9. Citizens Information, GP out-of-hours service. citizensinformation.ie. Updated 2025.
10. Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. irishstatutebook.ie.
11. Civil Liability Act 1961, Section 34. irishstatutebook.ie.
12. IRB, Information for the Medical Community. injuries.ie. Updated 2025.
13. Law Society Gazette, IRB 2024 Annual Report: claims stabilising, mediation resolving in 3 months. lawsociety.ie. July 2025.
14. Law Society Gazette, IRB motor claims report: child passenger and pedestrian data. lawsociety.ie. May 2025.
15. Revenue, How do you claim health expenses. revenue.ie. Updated 2025.
16. Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, Section 14 (Verifying affidavit). irishstatutebook.ie.

Additional resources

Injuries Resolution Board, Making a claim

Citizens Information, IRB overview & time limits

HSE, When to visit an Injury Unit

Citizens Information, GP out-of-hours service

Expand your knowledge

What to do immediately after a car accident in Ireland

The car accident claims process, step by step

Delayed symptoms after a car accident

Evidence checklist for your claim

How compensation is calculated in Ireland

Time limits for car accident claims

Keeping a symptom diary

Need help with your timeline? We can review your medical evidence, arrange the right reports, and start your IRB application within the time limit. Before work begins, we'll explain our legal costs and charging arrangements in writing, including likely outlays such as medical reports.

Call 01 903 6408 or request a callback.

In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

This is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts. Consult a solicitor for advice on your situation.