Car Accident Claims in Ireland
I have advised on road traffic injury claims across Ireland for over twenty years. Early reporting, prompt medical assessment and tidy evidence usually make the biggest difference to outcomes.
What is a car accident claim in Ireland?
Most motor injury cases begin with the Injuries Resolution Board, sometimes known as IRB. The Board uses the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines to value general damages. If settlement does not occur, an authorisation issues so court proceedings can start.
What is the time limit for car accident claims in Ireland?
- Under 18: Time usually runs from the 18th birthday unless a parent starts earlier.
- Incapacity: Paused until capacity returns.
- Hidden injuries: The date of knowledge can apply where symptoms emerged later.
How do I start a car accident claim step by step?
- Report to Gardaí and take a note of the Garda reference.
- Attend a medical assessment and keep receipts.
- Confirm the insurer and prepare your IRB papers.
- File with the IRB to pause the limitation period.
Claiming as a Passenger in a Car Accident in Ireland
If you're a passenger involved in a car crash—whether in a private vehicle, taxi, or public transport—you are typically considered an innocent party. That means your compensation claim can proceed against the at-fault driver's insurer, which may be the driver of the car you were in or another vehicle.
- Multiple vehicle collisions: Claims may be pursued against more than one driver if fault is unclear or shared.
- Uninsured or hit-and-run: If the at-fault driver is uninsured or unidentified, the claim can be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).
- Family member driving: You can still claim, but insurers may scrutinize liability more closely.
Medical assessment is essential, even for passengers who feel okay initially. Whiplash, back injuries, and shock are common but sometimes delayed in onset. Always attend a GP or A&E after the incident.
Passengers are rarely denied compensation unless they contributed to their injury—for example, by not wearing a seatbelt.
What if the driver is uninsured or untraced?
- Notify Gardaí: Keep the incident reference.
- Preserve evidence: CCTV often overwrites within days.
- Medical records: Link symptoms and timeline clearly.
- Respond on time: Keep copies of all correspondence.
How much compensation for a car accident in Ireland?
Figures depend on medical evidence, duration and impact, with general damages guided by the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines. Out of pocket losses are claimed separately as special damages.
| Injury example | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minor whiplash with full recovery under 1 year | About €8,200 | Short duration symptoms and brief time off work |
| Moderate back injury needing physiotherapy | €20,000 to €28,000 | Clinical findings and therapy length influence value |
| Serious shoulder injury with lasting pain | €45,000 to €60,000 | Function limits and future treatment are key factors |
| Psychological trauma after severe collision | €18,000 to €30,000 | Diagnosis, therapy and daily life impact matter |
| Pedestrian accident with moderate soft tissue injury | €15,000 to €35,000 | Crossing point, visibility and lasting symptoms affect value |
| Cyclist collision with soft tissue and dental damage | €10,000 to €18,000 | Dentistry costs and recovery time are key drivers |
What if I was partly at fault?
- Seatbelt: A reduction can apply where not wearing a seatbelt worsened injury.
- Speed: Excess speed can lead to a percentage deduction where it contributed to harm.
- Evidence: Garda reports, photos and expert opinions help apportion liability.
How long do car accident claims take?
- Faster cases: Clear liability and short recovery.
- Slower cases: Disputed facts or multiple injuries.
- Practical tip: Keep documents tidy and attend reviews on time.
Evidence checklist
- Dashcam or CCTV footage with dates and locations.
- Medical reports with clear causation and duration.
- Witness names and contact details.
- Receipts for medical care, travel and other outlays.
- Accident photos showing positions, damage and road layout.
Local notes for Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick
Dublin: Collisions on the M50 and city centre streets are often covered by public and private CCTV. Act quickly to request copies.
Cork: Patrick Street and South Link incidents sometimes have strong shopfront CCTV. Ask about retention windows.
Galway: Eyre Square and Headford Road routes can have multiple witnesses. Record details at the scene where safe.
Limerick: Dock Road and Childers Road claims benefit from early engineering photos due to layout and traffic patterns.
Visit Our Dublin Office
Gary Matthews Solicitors is conveniently located in Dublin city centre. We offer free consultations for car accident claims and operate on a No Win No Fee basis.
3rd Floor, Ormond Building
31-36 Ormond Quay Upper
Dublin D07, Ireland
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Key FAQs
References
This guide is general information for Ireland only. It is not legal advice. Get advice for your specific circumstances.
Related: motorbike accident claims process and Personal injury claims time limits in Ireland.
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.
Contact us at our Dublin office to get started with your claim today
