Expert guidance for drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and nationwide. Free consultation available 24/7.
Author: Gary Matthews, Solicitor (Law Society S8178) | Updated August 2025
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.
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.
Case Example: A rear-end collision on the N7 with short-lived neck and back symptoms settled after an IRB assessment within seven months. The client recovered treatment costs and a modest general damages figure reflecting fast recovery.
Time limit: Two years minus one day from the accident or the date you realised the injury was linked to it. The IRB filing pauses the clock.
Report to Garda 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
Case Example: A city centre cyclist in Cork with soft tissue injuries and dental damage gathered CCTV within three days. The evidence shortened disputes and supported a prompt offer aligned with the Guidelines.
Yes. Passengers injured in Irish road accidents often have a strong basis for compensation, regardless of which driver was at fault.
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.
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.
Uninsured or hit-and-run cases usually proceed through the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland. Report early and preserve CCTV or dashcam footage.
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 | €5,000 - €10,000 | Short duration symptoms and brief time off work |
| Moderate back injury needing physiotherapy | €20,000 - €30,000 | Clinical findings and therapy length influence value |
| Serious shoulder injury with lasting pain | €45,000 - €60,000 | Function limits and future treatment are key factors |
| Psychological trauma after severe collision | €18,000 - €30,000 | Diagnosis, therapy and daily life impact matter |
| Pedestrian accident with moderate soft tissue injury | €15,000 - €35,000 | Crossing point, visibility and lasting symptoms affect value |
| Cyclist collision with soft tissue and dental damage | €10,000 - €18,000 | Dentistry costs and recovery time are key drivers |
Case Example: A Limerick passenger with wrist sprain and short physiotherapy recovered treatment costs and a proportionate general damages figure after one medical review, avoiding court.
Your award is reduced by your share of responsibility. This is called contributory negligence.
Garda report and medicals, IRB assessment, acceptance or authorisation, then settlement or court. Timelines depend on liability and recovery.
Collisions on the M50 and city centre streets are often covered by public and private CCTV. Act quickly to request copies. Traffic in Dublin city centre is monitored extensively, making evidence gathering relatively straightforward.
Patrick Street and South Link incidents sometimes have strong shopfront CCTV. Ask about retention windows. Cork city center has good coverage from business premises.
Eyre Square and Headford Road routes can have multiple witnesses. Record details at the scene where safe. Galway's compact city center often means witnesses are easier to identify.
Dock Road and Childers Road claims benefit from early engineering photos due to layout and traffic patterns. These busy routes have complex intersections requiring careful documentation.
Decades of experience handling road traffic accident claims across Ireland gives us deep knowledge of how insurers operate.
Based in Dublin, we understand the specific challenges of road traffic claims in Irish cities and rural areas.
We offer No Win No Fee arrangements for eligible claims.
Available 24/7 to provide immediate advice after an accident. We understand evidence is time-sensitive.
We use the Judicial Council Guidelines and case precedents to ensure you receive full compensation.
Direct access to your solicitor throughout the process. No call centers or junior staff handling your case.
Important: This guide is general information for Ireland only. It is not legal advice. Get advice for your specific circumstances by calling us on 01 903 6407.
Free consultation available 24/7. No Win No Fee options available.
