If you have been a victim of a car crash that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries you have received, the expenses you have incurred or for any income you have lost as result of the road traffic accident. The process by which you can obtain this financial compensation is a car accident claim.

Car accident claims are submitted to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), who then make a decision about compensation based on the evidence and information provided in the claim. In 2021, the PIAB received 21,140 car accident claims, which goes to show how important it is to present a well-structured and formatted claim. 

The best way of doing this is to seek out legal advice before making a claim. Our solicitors have years of experience assisting clients with successful car accident claims, and will make sure no stone is unturned in the pursuit of fair compensation for any injuries or financial losses you may have suffered.     

Learning to drive is a lengthy process which involves meticulously studying the rules of the road and taking hours of lessons from an instructor. The reason for this is to eliminate as much as possible the occurrence of car accidents caused by driver error. Unfortunately, even the safest and most dependable drivers can end up in car accidents due to the unpredictable nature of the roads.

The following are some of the most common car accident claims:

Unfortunately, not all drivers involved in car accidents hang around long enough to exchange information or check on the wellbeing of the people in the vehicle they have collided with. A hit and run incident involves a driver who is directly involved in an accident but deliberately leaves the scene without providing any contact details nor information of their insurance. 

If you have been involved in a motor collision, you are legally obliged to stop your car and remain at the scene of the accident for a reasonable time. The laws around this area are set out in Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

One of the areas of the road where accidents commonly occur are roundabouts. This is due to the fact that there are multiple points of entry and exit, and drivers are responsible for making decisions about when best to join a lane with oncoming traffic. 

Roundabout accidents occur when vehicles collide upon entering or while using a roundabout, and can cause knock-on accidents or further disruption because of the high volume of road users in a relatively small space.

When you think of car accidents, you might initially imagine injuries to people who are behind the wheel of the vehicles involved. However, some of the worst injuries in car accidents can actually occur to passengers, as they are often not paying as close attention to the road as the driver, and can’t brace for impact as a result. 

Studies have shown that front seat passengers are at increased risk of injury relative to drivers in actual road traffic accidents. Injured passengers are just as entitled to seek compensation for their own damages as the driver of the vehicle. If the driver at fault happens to be a close friend or family member, you can always claim against an insurance company rather than directly against the driver themselves.

In order to comply with the rules of the road and not pose any danger to other drivers, it’s important to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Side-impact collisions occur when cars merge into one another’s lane without taking due care, or by not yielding while entering a junction. 

Side-impact collisions can result in extensive damage to the bodywork or doors of a vehicle, as well as potentially causing crush injuries to passengers or drivers who have less protection than front or rear areas.

Not all road traffic accident claims involve extensive damage to vehicles. Minor road traffic accidents can still cause significant injury in some cases, as it doesn’t take much force to affect vulnerable parts of the body.  

Even if minimal damage has occurred to your vehicle, you may still be eligible to be compensated for other problems that may have arisen as a result of the collision. These may include emotional stress, physical injuries like whiplash or blurred vision, or time spent off work.

Some of the most destructive car accident claims involve head-on collisions, which is when two cars collide while coming from the opposite direction. Because the vehicles are travelling in different directions, the moment of impact can often be catastrophic, causing the front bumpers of the car to crumple dramatically.  

Furthermore, the engine of a car is usually placed in the front part of the vehicle, and the driver and front seat passenger are only protected by the windshield. This means there is the potential for irreparable damage to the most expensive parts of the vehicle, and more unfortunately, to the people in the vehicle themselves. 

Despite being a necessary action that every driver must engage in, car parking is actually not taught by driving instructors, or evaluated as part of the RSA driving test in Ireland. Car parking accidents are extremely common, as drivers attempt to park their car within tight spaces next to other vehicles.

Car parking accident claims can result from collisions with parked cars, backing out collisions, door dings, pedestrian accidents, property damage and other scenarios. Often, these incidents occur due to limited visibility, but the fact remains that this can constitute a negligent action nonetheless. 

Before taking the official driver’s test in Ireland, you must complete a minimum of 12 lessons with an approved driving instructor. During these lessons it’s common for learner drivers to make mistakes, which can sometimes lead to accidents. 

Driving instructor vehicles are configured to allow the instructor control over the vehicle even when the learner is driving. For this reason it is their responsibility to ensure accidents don’t happen, and they may be deemed negligent if they have failed in their duty to do so. 

Driving instructors who are not registered with the RSA as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) could face a fine of up to €2,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both, if convicted of providing lessons for reward.

The most common injuries caused by road traffic accidents can range in severity, from minor bruises and sprains to more serious conditions such as whiplash, broken bones, and head trauma. Soft tissue injuries, including muscle strains and ligament tears, are also frequently reported. 

It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention following an accident, as certain injuries may not be immediately apparent. Medical reports can also be crucial documents in a compensation claim, as they provide evidence to the nature of injuries suffered in the accident.

Regardless of the type of injury you have sustained, our dedicated solicitors will guide you through the car accident injury claim process. With experience dealing with everything from minor to major injuries, we can ensure that you receive the necessary medical care and financial support to aid your recovery.

As mentioned previously, whiplash is a common injury that occurs as a result of sudden, forceful movement of the neck and head. It typically happens during car accidents when the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop or experiences a collision. The rapid back-and-forth motion causes the neck to extend beyond its normal range, leading to strain and damage to the ligaments, muscles, and soft tissues in the neck.

Whiplash injuries are a prevalent consequence of car accidents that account for a significant proportion of injury claims arising from road traffic accidents in Ireland. The sudden impact of a collision, even at low speeds, can cause whiplash, and it is not uncommon for symptoms to manifest hours or even days after the accident. 

Neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and restricted movement are some of the common symptoms experienced by individuals affected by whiplash.

The effects of car accidents can be far reaching, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Financial compensation for personal injury claims resulting from car accidents aims to provide monetary relief for the damages and losses suffered by the injured party. 

While each case is unique, compensation generally falls into three main categories:

When it comes to car accidents, the physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be severe. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost wages can quickly accumulate, leaving you feeling burdened and unsure about the next steps. This is where the team of dedicated personal injury lawyers at O’Brien & Company Solicitors can help. 

With years of experience in handling car accident claims, we have the expertise and knowledge to fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you’re entitled to. Whether your injuries are psychological or physical, our solicitors can examine the legal underpinnings of the traffic accident you’ve experienced and make sure your needs are met.

At O’Brien & Company Solicitors, we firmly believe that every individual deserves justice and fair compensation after a car accident that wasn’t their fault. We are passionate about advocating for our clients and have a proven track record of successful claims. Your well-being is our top priority, and we will go above and beyond to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards claiming the compensation you’re entitled to, get in touch with us today. Our friendly Dublin based team is here to answer your questions, alleviate your concerns, and provide you with the support you need throughout the process. Don’t wait any longer; let us handle your car accident claim so that you can focus on rebuilding your life.