Road Traffic Accident Claims Northern Ireland

You can typically claim compensation for vehicle damage, vehicle recovery, replacement hire vehicle, vehicle depreciation, property damage, personal injuries, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to the accident. The amount of compensation you receive will be based on the severity of these factors.

After ensuring your safety and the safety of others involved, you should gather evidence, exchange information with the other driver(s), and seek medical attention. It's also important to report the accident to the police and your insurance company.

If you were the passenger of a vehicle which resulted in an injury, then you are able to claim for compensation. We understand that it can be a stressful time following a road traffic accident, the psychological, physical, and financial impact can be overwhelming.

The driver of a vehicle has a ‘duty of care’ to protect passengers and other road users whilst driving. Passengers are still eligible to claim for compensation even if they knew the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol and even if they knew the driver was ignoring road safety regulations.

Public transport drivers owe a duty of care to public users, and road users in general. If this duty of care was breached, the service user can claim for compensation.

Bus Service Accidents:

Buses are a very popular form of public transport. Users are not legally obliged to wear seatbelts on this vehicle, therefore the likelihood of injury is high. Common injuries on the bus include, overhead luggage falling and injuring service users, abrupt taking off and braking causing falls or whiplash.

Taxi Service Accidents:

If you believe that your taxi driver was driving recklessly and was the cause for your injury due to an accident, then you can claim for compensation. You could also make a claim if the accident were caused by a driver of the other vehicle.

If you were a victim of a road traffic accident which occurred on public transport and you are unsure what action to take, then we recommend you contact us at P.A. Duffy & Co.

‘Hit and Run’ incidents have become increasingly common in recent years, this may be because the driver of the vehicle is not insured, does not want to be held liable or they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

We understand that it can be a common presumption that you will not be able to make a claim if you do not know the identity of the party that caused the accident. However, this is not true, as you can claim via the ‘Motor Insurers Bureau’ by claiming compensation for a hit and run incident. This will ensure that the victim of the road accident’s emotional and physical hardship is being compensated for the anonymous driver’s negligence. It is important to report the matter to the police, take the details of any witnesses and seek medical attention if required.

The amount of road traffic accident compensation you may receive can vary widely and depends on several factors, including the specifics of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the jurisdiction where the accident occurred. It's important to understand that there is no fixed or predetermined amount for compensation, as each case is unique.

If you speak to us about your case, we will be able to give you an initial idea of the range of compensation that is generally awarded for the type of injury you have sustained.

We know that funding a road traffic accident claim might be a worry, so we offer a range of options. These include:

• Legal Aid

• Legal expenses cover

• After the Event insurance (ATE insurance)

• Private payment

We will be happy to discuss funding with you to find the best option for your circumstances.

The time limits for bringing a road traffic accident claim can vary between Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Here are the time limits for each jurisdiction:

Northern Ireland (NI):

In Northern Ireland, the time limit for bringing a road traffic accident claim is typically three years from the date of the accident. This three-year period is in line with the standard limitation period for personal injury claims in Northern Ireland. It's essential to file your claim within this time frame, or you may lose your right to seek compensation.

Republic of Ireland (ROI):

In the Republic of Ireland, the time limit for bringing a road traffic accident claim is also generally three years from the date of the accident. Like in Northern Ireland, this three-year period is consistent with the standard limitation period for personal injury claims in the ROI.

It's important to note that these time limits can be subject to some variations and exceptions depending on the specific circumstances of your case.