Road Traffic Accidents*

At HOMS Assist we know that after the stress of being in an accident making a claim can feel like a daunting prospect. This is why we make it our top priority to ensure that all of our clients feel supported, informed and confident at each step when making a road traffic accident claim.  We have a dedicated experienced team offering all the support and assistance you need along with answers to all of your questions.

Six things you should do after being involved in a road traffic accident:-

1. Notify the Gardai immediately;
2. Call emergency services;
3. Swap and share your insurance details. Obtain as much information about the other party as possible.  Inform your own insurance company of the incident;
4. Take photographs of the accident scene if possible;
5. Gather the names and contact details of any witnesses; and
6. Contact HOMS Assist who will offer you advice on what to do next.

Vehicle Damage - Why you should contact HOMS Assist?

At HOMS Assist we have a dedicated team specifically to deal with vehicle damage claims.

Having an accident is an unexpected traumatic experience. Our mission at HOMS Assist is to provide a stress-free service to our clients in the fastest possible time. 

• We have a dedicated and experienced team to offer you support and take away the stress of dealing with insurance companies.
• Our team will immediately begin work on your claim on your instructions.
• We will arrange to have your vehicle inspected to ascertain the damage and obtain an estimate from your chosen repairer.
• We will arrange car hire if required.
• We will keep you informed about your claim’s progress.
• We will negotiate with the third-party insurance companies.
• We will obtain the best possible settlement in the fastest possible time.

HOMS Assist has offices in Dublin, Limerick and Cork.

Getting your vehicle repaired

Injury - Why you should contact HOMS Assist?

If you are involved in a road traffic accident you should immediately assess your own health and seek assistance, both for yourself and for others who were involved in the accident.

If you have suffered a personal injury in a road traffic accident you may be brought to a hospital or attend with your doctor. Your medical attendant will examine you and diagnose your condition. No doubt you will be in shock initially and it will take some time to get over the upset and trauma of the incident. Your treating doctor will refer you for further treatment if required; you may need X-rays, scans or physiotherapy treatment. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, pain medication may be prescribed and you may need to attend your GP on a number of occasions for treatment. You may be referred for physiotherapy and, if your symptoms do not settle, you may be referred by your GP for review to a medical consultant.

Children under the age of 18 should be closely monitored if they are involved in a road traffic accident and should be taken to their GP for a precautionary review to rule out any serious injuries or trauma.

If ongoing medical examinations or referrals are recommended by your GP, you should keep all receipts for out of pocket expenses and keep a diary of attendances at various medical practitioners. In addition, you should keep receipts for all general expenses, such as medication, heat packs, specialist pillows or any other treatments and aids that you require in the aftermath of the accident. You should also keep a record of the trips you take, the distance travelled and the number of trips. A claim for travelling expenses can be included as part of your case.

Types of injuries related to road traffic accidents

Some injuries can be pin pointed as the ones most frequently associated with road traffic accidents. While this is not an exhaustive list, and other types of injuries can also lead to legal claims, these are the road traffic accident injuries which are most common.

Whiplash

Whiplash and Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) often arise in road traffic accidents. Whiplash can develop over time following a road traffic accident and can have lasting and serious effects, including (but not limited to) chronic pain. It is called ‘whiplash’ as it involves the sudden jolting of the neck forwards (hyperflexion) or backwards (hyperextension), much like the cracking of a whip.  Even low-speed accidents in car parks can jolt the body in such a way and cause soft tissue damage.  Typical symptoms of whiplash (also called ‘neck sprain’ or ‘neck strain’) include headaches, neck pain and stiffness. Symptoms of whiplash usually come on within 24 hours of the accident. It is very important to get an immediate diagnosis to aid in treatment and your medical attendant will be able to rule out other injuries such as tissue damage or fractured bones.

Soft tissue damage injuries

It is not unusual for road traffic accident victims to suffer soft tissue injuries. These include damage of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Some types of soft tissue injuries include bruises (contusions), muscle strain, joint and ligament sprains. Damage to tissue can lead to other symptoms such as swelling, stiffness and soreness. Often in road traffic accidents the suddenness of the impact, whether at high or low velocity, may cause soft tissue injuries such as ligament or tendon tears, or disc damage.

Soft tissue damages are described at three levels, mild, moderate or severe:-

• A mild soft tissue injury may result in discomfort and a minor tissue tear and can clear up in a few weeks or months. It does not leave any long-term implications.
• Moderate soft tissue damage will involve more long-term pain and swelling and could take months to resolve.
• A severe soft tissue injury can cause severe pain over a long time period which may not fully resolve for months or years depending on their severity.

For further advice on personal injury* claims and the process involved in bringing a claim contact HOMS Assist today .

Damages

There are two types of damages for personal injury claims which are related to road accidents:-

General damages

General damage compensation is related to the pain and suffering and/or physical and emotional injuries, stress and trauma obtained following the injury received as a result of a road traffic accident.

Special damages

Special damages compensation refers to your out of pocket expenses incurred as a result of the road traffic injury. These include hospital and doctors’ fees, car damage claim, loss of earnings, travel expenses, treatment costs for physiotherapy or any other treatment, travel expenses, X-rays, scans etc.

When assessing damages, the court may take into account the effect the injury has had on your day-to-day life, your loss of current and future earnings, medical costs to date and into the future, psychological injuries, the future costs of any aids and appliances that you may need, house adaptations etc.  Expert reports are usually put before the court for consideration in these cases.

Statute of limitations (personal injury claim time limit)

The legal time limits or statutory time period within which to bring an injury claim depend on the type of accident. Generally, the claim for compensation has to be made within two years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge of the accident. 

At HOMS Assist we have over fifty years’ experience in personal injury claims,  Injuries Board applications and the overall court process . You can contact one of our experienced advisors who will be happy to assist you. We will discuss your situation with you and give you appropriate advice tailored to your own unique circumstances.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement