Road Traffic Accident Claims in Ireland: The Legal Process and Costs

Last updated 9 October 2026. General information only, not legal advice.

Every solicitor must set out their fees in a written “section 150 letter” before taking on your case. Fee arrangements for personal injury cases vary between firms and depend on the circumstances of the case — ask the solicitor to explain exactly what you will be charged if you win, lose or withdraw before you instruct them.

Road traffic injury claims in Ireland follow a legal process that is more structured (and slower) than most people expect. This 2026 guide explains what a road traffic claims solicitor in Ireland actually does, what it typically costs, and how the PIAB and court process works from start to finish.

Quick answer: Road traffic claims solicitors in Ireland help injured people pursue compensation through the Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB) and, where necessary, through the courts. Most cases settle through the Injuries Resolution Board within 9 to 12 months. Solicitors must set out their fees in a written section 150 letter before taking on your case. The Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021 set the bands of compensation for almost every injury type (the 2021 edition remained in force at the time of writing; a proposed 2025 revision was not approved by the Oireachtas).

What does a road traffic claims solicitor in Ireland do?

A road traffic claims solicitor (a solicitor practising in personal injury) takes you through the post-accident process step by step:

• Gathers the Garda abstract, witness statements, and medical evidence
• Obtains a medical report (or several) describing the nature and prognosis of your injury
• Submits an application to the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB)
• Negotiates a settlement, or — if liability is disputed or the IRB assessment is rejected — issues court proceedings
• Recovers special damages (out-of-pocket losses such as medical bills, loss of earnings, vehicle damage)

The 2026 process: Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB)

Since the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022, almost every personal injury claim in Ireland must first go through the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB). The IRB assesses the case on paper, without a court hearing. The steps are:

1. Application: You (or your solicitor) submit Form A and a medical report
2. Consent: The respondent (usually the insurer) has 90 days to consent to IRB assessment
3. Assessment: The IRB issues a written award based on the Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021
4. Acceptance or rejection: You have 28 days to accept the award. If you reject it, you receive an Authorisation to issue court proceedings

Most straightforward vehicle accident claims are resolved at IRB stage in 9–12 months. Cases involving complex injuries, disputed liability, or rejected assessments take longer and often run 18 months to 3 years through the courts.

What can you claim for after a vehicle accident?

Irish personal injury claims have two main components:

General damages

Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. The Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021 set bands for almost every injury type. Examples (subject to facts and the most recent guideline updates):

• Minor whiplash, resolved within 6 months: typically in the lower band
• Moderate soft tissue injury, recovery 1–2 years: mid-range band
• Serious back/neck injury with permanent symptoms: high-range band
• Catastrophic injuries (brain, spinal cord): separate category, generally six or seven figures

Special damages

Reimbursement for actual financial loss — medical and physiotherapy bills, prescription costs, travel to appointments, loss of earnings (past and future), care costs, and damage to the vehicle. These must be supported by receipts, payslips, or other evidence.

What does it cost to hire a road traffic claims solicitor in Ireland?

Every solicitor must set out their fees in a written “section 150 letter” before taking on your case. Fee arrangements for personal injury cases vary between firms and depend on the circumstances of the case — ask the solicitor to explain exactly what you will be charged if you win, lose or withdraw before you instruct them.

You should always read the section 150 Letter carefully — it sets out exactly what the solicitor will charge if you win, lose, or withdraw. If your case proceeds to a contested court hearing, the costs are typically recovered from the losing side, but you should understand the position if your case is unsuccessful.

Time limits — do not delay

The Statute of Limitations gives you 2 years from the date of the accident (or from the date you became aware of the injury) to issue an IRB application or court proceedings in most cases. This is a hard deadline. Special rules apply to claims involving children (the 2-year period runs from the child’s 18th birthday) and people without mental capacity.

Before you apply and after the award: costs and deadlines to know

The Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) deals with road traffic, workplace and public liability claims, but not medical negligence claims. Before you apply, notify the respondent in writing within one month of the accident, as failing to do so could affect your legal costs later.

• Application fee: €45 online, or €90 by post or email.
• Respondent’s fee: if the respondent consents to assessment, they pay €1,050.
• Your decision: you have 28 days from the assessment to accept or reject it, and no reply counts as a rejection.
• Respondent’s decision: they have 21 days, and no reply counts as acceptance.
• If both accept: the IRB issues an Order to Pay. If either rejects, it issues an Authorisation to go to court.

If the respondent does not consent to assessment within 90 days, the IRB also issues an Authorisation. For a claim against an uninsured or unknown driver, Citizens Information says to contact the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland before filing with the IRB. For more detail, see our guides on making a personal injury claim and the IRB process and whether you have a personal injury claim.

What happens if the other driver is uninsured or untraced?

If the driver who caused the accident was uninsured, drove off, or cannot be identified, your claim is made against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) under the MIBI Agreement. The process is similar to a normal claim but with additional reporting and evidence requirements — you must report the incident to the Gardaí within a specific time frame.

Common vehicle accident scenarios

Rear-end collision

Liability is usually clear — the driver behind is presumed responsible. The main dispute is typically the value of the injury, not who caused it.

Junction collision

Liability often depends on whether one driver failed to give way or ran a red light. Garda investigation, dashcam footage, and witness statements are critical.

Pedestrian or cyclist struck by a vehicle

These claims often involve serious injuries and higher compensation. Contributory negligence (e.g. crossing where it was not safe to do so) can reduce the award.

Passenger injured in a vehicle

Passengers can claim against the driver of the vehicle they were in, or the other driver, depending on fault. Family-member passengers can still claim against a relative-driver.

Settlement vs court hearing

The IRB assessment is the most common resolution. If the assessment is rejected (by either side), the case proceeds to the District, Circuit, or High Court depending on the value:

• District Court: up to €15,000
• Circuit Court: up to €60,000
• High Court: over €60,000

Most court-bound cases settle before trial — often “at the door of the court” on the day of the hearing. Going to a full hearing is the exception, not the rule.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a vehicle accident claim take in Ireland?

Straightforward Injuries Resolution Board claims typically resolve in 9–12 months. Disputed liability cases or claims that proceed to court take 18 months to 3 years.

Do I have to go to court for a car accident in Ireland?

Usually no. Most claims are resolved through the Injuries Resolution Board on paper, without any court appearance. Court proceedings are only needed if the IRB assessment is rejected by either side, or liability is disputed.

How much can I claim for whiplash in Ireland?

Under the Personal Injuries Guidelines 2021, whiplash awards are now significantly lower than pre-2021 figures. Minor whiplash resolving within months typically falls in the lower band, with moderate or longer-lasting injuries in higher bands. The exact figure depends on duration, severity, and medical evidence.

What if the other driver was not insured?

Your claim is made against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI). You must have reported the accident to the Gardaí. Your own insurer can usually help kick off the process.

Do I have to tell the other party about my claim before applying to the Injuries Resolution Board?

Citizens Information advises notifying the respondent in writing within one month of the accident. Failing to do so could affect your claim for legal costs if the case later goes to court.

How much does it cost to apply to the Injuries Resolution Board?

The claimant application fee is €45 online or €90 by post or email. If the respondent consents to assessment, they pay a fee of €1,050 to the Board. These figures are as published by Citizens Information, so check the current fees before you apply.

What happens if I reject the Injuries Resolution Board award?

You will receive an Authorisation allowing you to take your claim to court. Citizens Information notes that if you reject an award the respondent accepted and then win less in court, you will generally pay the respondent’s costs as well as your own, so get legal advice before deciding.

Speak to an Irish solicitor about your accident

If you have been injured in a road traffic accident in Ireland and want a clear explanation of your options — including time limits, the IRB process, and what your case may be worth under the 2021 Guidelines — OnlineLegalServices.ie gives no legal advice; you can join our no-fee solicitor service waiting list. OnlineLegalServices.ie is not a solicitor’s practice; to find a regulated solicitor, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory. See also our guide to probate fees in Ireland if you are dealing with the estate of someone who died as a result of an accident.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Every accident is different. For advice on your specific situation, please consult a qualified Irish solicitor. OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice.

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