Driver suffers multiple injuries in head on collision with oncoming vehicle

Case summary

Incident

Anna was driving to work one morning when an oncoming vehicle veered across the road into her path. Anna brought her car to a stop, but the other vehicle continued towards her, resulting in a head on collision. Both cars were significantly damaged, and the airbags deployed. Anna felt trapped and panicked before she managed to get out of her car.

She was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she was diagnosed with two fractures in her right hand, an injury to her left wrist and a fracture near her left elbow. She also sustained injuries to her ribs and bruising to her chest, abdomen and pelvis. Anna’s right hand and wrist were supported in a splint for five weeks, while her left elbow was treated with a sling for two weeks.

Anna worked as a Garda and was unable to work for five weeks following the accident. When she returned, she remained on light duties for a further six weeks.

Anna developed post-traumatic stress disorder following the accident. She experienced repeated flashbacks, poor sleep and nightmares, and felt anxious when driving or travelling as a passenger.  She attended ten sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy, which helped her symptoms. Although her condition gradually improved, she continued to experience flashbacks and remained highly alert to danger.

Anna loved going to the gym, but her injuries made certain exercises painful and also affected the more physical aspects of her work as a Garda.

Every road user bears the responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing of other road users. Unfortunately, on the day of the accident the defendant failed to remain on their side of the road, resulting in a collision with Anna’s car, Anna suffered physical and psychological injuries.

Case settlement:

The case was submitted to the Injuries Board for assessment, however after reviewing the details, the Injuries Board declined to assess the case, so Anna’s solicitor, Ruth Foy, instigated Court Proceedings.

The case was settled on the 7^th of October 2024 for the sum of €25,000. This was a great result for our client. We are proud of all the work put in by Ruth Foy and her team to achieve this outcome.

*Note: Client name changed for GDPR reasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I make a car accident claim?

   Following a car crash or other road traffic accident, your first port of call is to check to see if you, any passengers and anybody else involved in the accident need medical attention and to call an ambulance, where necessary, to ensure that medical attention is gotten as soon as possible.

   It is important that, if you have suffered a personal injury that you book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible after the road traffic accident, even if you are involved in a minor road traffic accident, regardless of how minor you think the injuries are, in some cases these minor injuries can develop into a more serious threat to your health. In worst case scenarios, fatal road accidents can occur.

2. What information will my solicitor need to make a claim?

   In order for your solicitor to proceed with a personal injury claim for you they will need the following information:

   • Details of the person who caused the accident.
   • Names, addresses and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
   • Where available, photographs of the location of the accident, paying particular attention to the item or area where the accident happened.
   • Name of Gardaí/police and station where the accident was reported – names of any Gardaí who attended the scene of the accident (where applicable).
   • Medical records detailing any injuries/treatment following the accident.
   • Details of any costs incurred following the accident (keep your receipts).
   • Details of any loss of earnings and details of any future loss of earnings if you are to be out of work for a long period of time.
   • Cost of medical treatment – details of future medical treatment needed.

3. How to calculate the value of my claim?

   The Injuries Board Book of Quantum provides us with general guidelines as to how much compensation may be awarded in a personal injury claim and is used by the Injuries Board when they are assessing a personal injury claim. This book was compiled by examining sample cases from over 51,000 closed personal injury cases from 2013 and 2014 and is based on actual court figures. It shows us what personal injury compensation amounts were awarded in the past and help give an estimate as to how much compensation could be awarded based on a person’s specific injuries.