1. Meeting To Discuss Your Case
To get a better understanding of your case and the injuries you’ve suffered, we’ll organise a consultation with you. We can do this over the phone, at our offices or even by video call.
Claiming FOR CAR ACCIDENTS
Unfortunately, road traffic accidents and specifically car accidents are very common and when they do happen, they can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. While some car accidents on the road are the results of environmental factors, the majority of cases are due to human error, whether it’s because of a lack of judgement or because of intoxication.
At Gibson & Associates, we have a huge amount of experience in securing compensation for clients involved in road traffic accidents. To find out how we can help you, complete an Online Enquiry now or call us on+353 (0)1 872 3143.
We can assist with most road traffic claims but we’ve included more detail below about the types of accidents that most are common on Irish roads:
Car Accidents
There are two things the law requires you to do if you are involved in a road traffic accident:
- Stop at the scene and exchange insurance details (If the offending party doesn’t stop, the car accident could be classed as a hit and run, which is a criminal offence.)
- Call the Gardaí, if necessary.
- Call for any medical assistance needed
After the accident, it’s important that you speak to a solicitor as soon as possible. This is because if someone else is to blame for any injuries you have incurred, you will be considered the innocent victim of personal injury*. This means that you will be entitled to take legal action, which, if successful, will ensure you are properly compensated for any injuries.
How to Claim Compensation for a Car Accident
To give your claim the best chance of success, it will help if you have been able to:
- Take pictures of the accident scene from all different angles, as this will help your car accident solicitor assess how events have unfolded
- Write down the details of the other person(s) involved in the car accident
- The time of the road accident
- The weather conditions
- Names and numbers of any emergency servicemen at the scene
- Any other important information such as if the other party were using indicators correctly, or if they were on their mobile phone at the time of the road accident.
It’s also important that you seek medical assistance for the road accident injury sustained, as well as recording any injuries suffered by other parties involved. This will help your solicitor link your accident to your injuries.
However, don’t panic if you haven’t been able to obtain this information – you will still be able make a claim. The most important thing to do is contact a solicitor as soon as possible with as much information as possible.
Bicycle Accidents
If you are a cyclist who has sustained a serious injury as a result of a road accident that wasn’t your fault, whether a negligent driver or a poorly maintained road surface caused it, there are many options available to you when it comes to claiming compensation.
I’m a Cyclist – Am I Eligible to Make an Injury* Claim?
When a motorist is injured, or their car is damaged in a road traffic accident, they are protected by insurance companies. Cyclists, on the other hand, rarely have the same legal protection and are often left to fend for themselves following a road accident that leaves them injured and in need of medical treatment.
However, if another party was responsible for your accident and subsequent injuries, you could be eligible to make a cycle claim. Compensation awarded in such cases can help you cover the cost of medical fees resulting from your injuries and repairs to your bike, accessories, as well as any loss of earnings resulting from a period spent out of work.
How Will My Cycle Claim be Handled?
Our solicitors will use all their expertise to ensure you receive the cycle compensation you deserve. We can help with situations in which:
- You have been injured by a vehicle that leaves the scene of the accident or is uninsured
- We will follow up your bicycle accident compensation claim with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
- You are injured due to an unidentified spillage,
- Your accident is caused by a pothole or a defective road surface
- We will pursue a claim against the Roads Service on your behalf – If the local authority responsible knew of the defect and did not repair it, or was not carrying out regular inspections of the road, you could be eligible make a successful cycle compensation claim.
Bus Accidents
Accidents on or with public transport can be extremely distressing. If you have been injured in a bus accident, either as:
- A passenger on a bus
- A driver involved in a road accident involving a bus
- A result of negligent behaviour on the part of a bus driver
– You may be able to claim financial compensation for any loss of earnings, medical fees or rehabilitation costs you have incurred as a result of your injuries.
Am I Eligible to Claim For An Accident
When passengers travel on public transport and suffer an injury, many do not realise that they may be eligible to claim compensation for their injuries.
Bus operators in Ireland have a duty of care to their passengers, and are therefore required to ensure their safety. If a bus operator fails in their duty, you may be able to make a claim in respect of a bus accident, regardless of the situation, which caused your injury. Common situations that cause injury include:
- Descending the stairs or waiting to alight when the bus driver was forced to slam on his or her brakes
- The bus you were travelling on had an accident with a third party vehicle
- Your bus driver pulled away from the bus stop too quickly and you fell,
- You sustained injuries which required hospital care or time off work
- Injuries caused because the bus on which you are travelling was involved in a road traffic accident with a third party vehicle
If you unsure whether or not you are eligible to make a bus accident claim, or you would simply like further professional advice, speak to our expert road traffic solicitors today. We will be able to advise you whether or not your accident with a bus occurred for negligent reasons – if you have been the innocent victim of a bus or bus car accident, we will pursue a compensation claim on your behalf.
Motorway Accident Claims
Motorway accidents are not only incredibly distressing but they can also be very expensive. The costs of medical bills, finances lost during a period spent out of work and damages to your vehicle can add up quickly, but if the accident wasn’t your fault you may be able to claim compensation.
At Gibson & Associates Solicitors, we help clients claim compensation for accidents caused by the negligent driving of others. This includes anyone who has been wrongfully injured during a motorway accident.
Preventing Motorway Accidents With Road Safety
Motorways can be dangerous places if road users fail to drive with the utmost care and attention. Because of the risks involved, the police make the following recommendations, designed to ensure you avoid becoming involved in, or causing, a motorway accident.
- Adjust your driving according to weather conditions, for instance slow down in heavy rain or fog, or icy roads
- Ensure there is at least a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front
- If you are feeling tired or unwell, pull into the next motorway service station and take a break
- Do not use a mobile phone, or distract yourself in any other way, for instance by playing music at an excessively loud volume or wearing headphones
- Obey the speed limit at all times
- Keep left, except when overtaking
Motorway Accident Injuries
Despite these guidelines, motorway accidents unfortunately happen all too often and due to the high speeds involved, when motorway accidents do occur, they are amongst the most serious. It is not uncommon for motorway accidents to lead to fatalities, or to injuries of a devastating nature. These can include:
- Bone fractures
- Brain/Head injuries – (see our guide on acquired brain injury here)
- Severe whiplash
- Spinal injuries
Injuries such as these have the potential to leave you unable to work or seriously debilitated for a lengthy period of time, resulting in a significant loss of earnings, not to mention a hefty medical bill. If this has happened to you, you need to speak to a solicitor about the options available, as you could be entitled to make an accident claim.
Irish Motorway Accidents – Am I Eligible to Claim Compensation?
According to recent statistics, driver error leads to as much as 90% of motorway accidents. Therefore it is very likely that your motorway accident was caused by another individual’s negligence. If so, you will be in a position to claim financial redress. A solicitor who deals in personal injury* claims will be able to offer you expert legal advice, recommending whether you are eligible to claim motorway accident compensation.
Pedestrian Accidents
If you have suffered a road accident as a pedestrian, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim. Many pedestrians do not realise that they are able to claim financial compensation for their injuries and sometimes feel that the accident may have been their fault, but accident claims are rarely that straightforward.
How Can You Be Involved In An Accident As A Pedestrian?
Pedestrian accidents are, sadly, commonplace. And because pedestrians have no form of protection, they are in an extremely vulnerable position when crossing or even walking alongside a road. Because of this, pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries, which, amongst others, can include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Head/Brain Injuries (see our guide on acquired brain injury here)
- Severe mental distress
- Temporary or permanent incapacitation
Who Is To Blame For A Pedestrian Accident?
If you or your loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you need to establish who was to blame.
Many pedestrians believe their actions in some way contributed towards the incident, however, it is important to remember that car drivers and other road users have a duty of care towards pedestrians, and must therefore drive in a safe and reasonable manner at all times. In addition, motorists must give pedestrians right of way. All too often road users fail to respect this obligation, causing a pedestrian to suffer harm.
Claiming Compensation For An Accident As A Pedestrian
If a driver fails to drive with due care and attention and you are consequently involved in an accident as a pedestrian, you need to seek expert legal assistance. This is because it is very likely that you will be legally entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you have wrongfully experienced. Even if you stepped out into the path of an oncoming vehicle, or the driver at fault fled from the scene, you may be eligible to claim compensation for the injuries you received.
A solicitor who specialises in personal injury* will be able to suggest whether you are able to claim for your pedestrian accident. If so, you could stand to receive financial compensation for your damages. Due to the often-devastating nature of pedestrian accident injuries, this financial redress will undoubtedly be needed and will help to cover the medical fees, rehabilitation costs and bills incurred during a period spent out of work
Taxi Accidents
If you have been injured in an accident with a taxi, it is important that you contact a solicitor to discuss a potential compensation claim. At Gibson & Associates Solicitors, we make successful taxi accident claims on behalf of innocent individuals who have suffered serious and debilitating injuries following a taxi-related accident.
What To Do When You Are Involved In An Accident With A Taxi
When you are involved in an accident with a taxi, it is a good idea to write down the following information:
- The name and address of the driver of your taxi
- The name and telephone number of the taxi company and the registration number of the taxi itself
- The name and address of all other drivers involved in the taxi accident and their vehicle registration number
- Photos of the scene
- The names and addresses of any witnesses to the taxi cab accident
Even if you are unable to collect these details, whether this is due to the severity of your injuries or other outside circumstances, do not worry. The most important thing to do is to speak to a solicitor about your accident with a taxi as soon as possible.
Compensation For Your Taxi Cab Accident
After gaining a broad outline of your case, a good solicitor will be able to suggest whether you are able to make an accident claim. Unless you were in some way responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, you will be eligible to make a compensation claim. This will compensate you for any loss of earnings, medical fees and rehabilitation costs incurred as a direct result of your taxi accident.
How will my Road Traffic Accident be Handled At Gibson & Associates?
At Gibson & Associates, we make sure our clients receive the maximum amount of financial compensation for injuries suffered in any type of road accident. Our experienced solicitors will conduct a full investigation of your case and represent you throughout the claims process, ensuring the party at fault is identified and an appropriate amount of financial compensation is awarded.
Our experienced and dedicated team will be delighted to advice you with any type of road accident claim. It’s easy to get in touch – just complete an Online Enquiry or call us on+353 (0)1 872 3143 and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement
what our clients say…
I received an excellent service from Oliver and his administrative staff, especially Clodagh O’Donnell. It was my pleasure to do business with you all. Many thanks.
Martin Burke, Finglas, Dublin 11
Gibson & Associates acted for me in the purchase of my first home. I found the service offered to be first class and would highly recommend this firm to my friends and colleagues.
Tony Gillespie, Strabane, Co. Tyrone
I would have no hesitation in recommending Gibson & Associates Solicitors to any person who needs a good professional team to represent them on any legal matter. The team was courteous at all times.
Leigh Howard, Dublin
I would recommend Gibson & Associates Solicitors to my family and friends. My solicitor kept me updated regularly and was courteous and professional at all times.
Kim Nolan, Dublin
OUR EXPERTISE
Gibson & Associates is one of Ireland’s leading Personal Injury Solicitors. No matter your situation, our team will use their experience to make sure that you benefit from the best possible outcome.
OUR ETHOS
We put our personal injury clients at the heart of everything we do and work tirelessly to get the best results.
We treat clients and each other the way we’d like to be treated and for us “good enough” just isn’t good enough!
WE’RE FAST & RESPONSIVE
When you make contact with our personal injury legal team, you’ll hear back from us within 3 hours or less – that’s our promise.
WE USE CLEAR, SIMPLE LANGUAGE
We don’t impress with “legalese” and jargon. We use clear, plain language to handle your personal injury case.
WE GIVE YOU A DEDICATED POINT OF CONTACT
The personnel responsible for your personal injury case will never change. You’ll be assigned a dedicated point of contact who will take charge of your case from start to finish.
OUR TRANSPARENCY
At Gibson & Associates, we’re clear about our personal injury processes and transparent when it comes to costs. Before progressing any case, we offer a no-obligation consultation with our client care team and will provide you with practical options. Integrity and transparency are core to how we work with all of our clients and means we’ll always treat your case as if it was our own.
