What is a Road Traffic Accidents Claim?
A road traffic accident claim covers any collision on a public road involving cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, buses or taxis. Ireland operates a fault-based system backed by compulsory motor insurance, which means an injured party usually claims against the insurer of the driver who caused the collision.
Am I Entitled to Claim?
You can usually claim if another road user was negligent and that negligence caused your injury. Examples include a driver rear-ending you, running a red light, speeding, driving while distracted, failing to yield, or driving under the influence. Passengers in a vehicle whose driver was at fault also have a claim against that driver’s insurance.
Step-by-Step Process
Call Gardai
Report the collision. Get the Pulse ID. Exchange details with the other driver.
Get Medical Help
Attend A&E or your GP the same day. Follow up on any ongoing symptoms.
Contact Us
Free consultation. We gather details of the collision, your injuries, and your losses.
Evidence
We secure dash-cam and CCTV footage, medical records, witness statements, and Garda reports.
IRB Application
We submit your claim to the Injuries Resolution Board with all supporting documents.
Settlement
Most RTA claims settle after IRB assessment. If not, we issue court proceedings.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
The stronger the evidence, the more straightforward the claim. Where possible, gather the following:
- Photos of vehicle damage, the road layout, and visible injuries
- Dash-cam footage from your vehicle or nearby vehicles
- CCTV from shops, forecourts, or traffic cameras in the area
- Garda incident reference number (Pulse ID)
- Contact details of any passengers or independent witnesses
- Your vehicle repair invoices and any write-off valuation
- Medical records from A&E, your GP, and any specialist referrals
Compensation Ranges
Based on the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines 2021. Awards may also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs. Exact value depends on your specific injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually yes, but not always. Irish courts generally find that a driver who strikes another from behind has failed to maintain a safe following distance. However, the front driver can share fault in situations like sudden unexpected stops or reverse manoeuvres. We will review your specific circumstances.
Yes. You claim against their motor insurance, not against them personally. Their policy exists for exactly this purpose. The insurer handles the financial side and personal relationships rarely suffer.
The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) handles claims where the responsible driver is uninsured, untraced, or fled the scene. The process is longer than a standard claim but recovery is possible. We handle MIBI applications regularly.
Simple cases can resolve within 9 to 15 months through the IRB. Contested or serious injury cases can take 18 to 36 months. We keep you updated at every stage and never let claims drift.
No. The initial consultation at Keans is free. For personal injury cases we discuss all fees in writing before work begins. In contentious business, Irish law prevents solicitors from calculating fees as a percentage of your award or settlement.
Two years from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of the injury. Certain exceptions apply for minors and cases involving delayed discovery, but the two-year limit is the default. Miss it and your claim is statute barred, so contact a solicitor early.
Specific Claim Types
Explore the specific claim type most relevant to your situation.
Car Accident Claims
Rear-end collisions, junction crashes, and multi-vehicle incidents.
Read more →Motorcycle Accident Claims
SMIDSY collisions, lane-change accidents, rider-specific injuries.
Read more →Bicycle Accident Claims
Driver door strikes, left-hook collisions, cyclist injuries on Dublin streets.
Read more →Pedestrian Accident Claims
Crossing incidents, pavement encroachments, hit-and-run claims.
Read more →Bus Accident Claims
Claims against Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead, and private coach operators.
Read more →Taxi Accident Claims
Passenger injuries in taxis and ride-share vehicles.
Read more →Fatal Road Accident Claims
Dependency claims brought by family members following a road fatality.
Read more →