Road Traffic Accidents
A road traffic accident occurs when a motor vehicle (car, van, bus, tax, tractor, motorcycle, or other vehicle) collides with another motor vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist or object.
If you have been involved in a road traffic accident or crash you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries that you have suffered arising from the accident.
If you have been injured following a road traffic accident you should contact us today to discuss whether you may have a claim.
What you need to do if you are involved in a car crash?
The majority of car accidents and crashed take place during short journeys such as travelling to and from work, or while dropping children to school. It is important to remain calm if you are involved in a road traffic accident. Here is a checklist that you should follow if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a crash.
- SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF NECESSARY
Obviously the most important thing following an accident is to make sure that nobody has been seriously injured. If you feel that medical attention is required then you should call an ambulance or request that somebody do so. Medical attention is not always required at the scene of the accident, however this does not mean that the accident has not caused a personal injury. Whiplash and soft tissue injuries may not flare up immediately, it may take a number of hours or even days before the full effect of the accident is felt. The psychological effects of the accident may also not be apparent for some time after the accident. If you develop symptoms after the accident you should contact your GP.
- PRESERVE THE SCENE IF POSSIBLE
If possible the vehicles involved in the accident should not be moved until the Gardai arrive. Preserving the scene can greatly assist in determining who is liable for the accident. If the vehicles have been moved the Gardai are generally not in a position to comment on who caused the accident unless one of the parties admits liability at he scene.
- TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEO OF ACCIDENT SCENE IF POSSIBLE
Again any photographic or video evidence can greatly assist in determining liability for the accident. It is always an advantage if the insurance company for the other driver admit liability at an early stage.
- CALL THE GARDAI
Do not take the other motorist at their word. The incident should at the very least be reported to the Gardai.
- DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT
It is an offence to leave the scene of an accident and could result in a prosecution by the Gardai.
- TAKE INSURANCE DETAILS FROM THE OTHER DRIVER
Getting the correct details from the other driver at the scene of the accident will be make starting the claims process much quicker. We will be in a position to make contact with the other driver(s) insurance company immediately after your initial consultation.
- GATHER AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE
Take details of the other driver(s) car registration number, insurance company and policy number.
Take details of the other driver(s) including name, address and contact number.
Get the names of Gardai attending at the scene and the name of the station they work in
Take the name, addresses and contact telephone numbers of any witnesses to the accident.
If possible, draw a rough sketch of the scene of the accident.
Take photographs of the positions of the vehicle and the scene if you have a camera or camera phone.
- DO NOT ADMIT LIABILITY AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT
Even if you think you may have been the cause of the accident, it may well be the case that you were only partially to blame, or even completely blameless. You should not admit liability for the accident as you may still be suffering from shock. You should also contact us before making a formal statement to the Gardai.
- CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT
You are obliged to contact your insurance company and notify them of the accident, even if it was completely the other drivers fault. If you fail to do so it may result in your policy being void
- CONTACT BOWEN & CO SOLICITORS
It is important that you contact us soon after your accident while the details are still fresh in your mind. We will take detailed instructions from you in relation to the accident and advise you as to the best course of action to take.
