Road Traffic Accidents

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in road traffic accidents.  Although motor insurance provides compensation in cases of such accidents, you can also file a claim against the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) if you are injured by an uninsured driver.

In the event of Road Injury, what should I do?

While dealing with a car accident can be stressful and cause severe shock, there are some procedures to follow in order to ensure you can make a claim if you are injured. Report the accident to Gardai as soon as possible and wait for them to arrive at the scene so that they can get all the necessary details from those driving the vehicles involved.  In addition, it can be very helpful if you can take pictures of the damage to the cars or vehicles as well as the scene of the accident if you have the ability to do so.

Following the accident you should

• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other drivers.
• Call the Gardai immediately to report the incident. They may respond to an accident if it poses a risk to other road users or is serious. In the event that Gardaí do not attend the scene of the accident, you may need to file a formal report at your nearest Garda station.
• Be cautious about making statements indicating that you were responsible for the accident, such as "I was to blame".
• In the event of an accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.  It is important to keep in mind that some injuries do not appear immediately.
• If you are in an accident, remain at the scene until you have exchanged your registration number and insurance policy details with the other party or until the Gardaí indicate that you can leave.
• Obtain legal advice.

How do I proceed with a road traffic accident case

In order to begin your injury case, you need to consult a solicitor who can advise you on the process of making a claim.  The solicitor will review all information related to the events preceding the accident, the location of the accident, as well as the medical records they require sight of, in order to provide you with detailed advice regarding how you should proceed.