As busy mums know, much of the day can be spent behind the wheel, whether it’s doing the school run, the grocery shop or driving to work. The Injuries Board, the state body that assesses personal injury claims and makes awards relating to motor, employer and public liability accidents, is reminding drivers to take care and slow down to help reduce the number of road accidents.
75% of all personal injury awards relate to injuries sustained in road traffic accidents. The most common injuries from motor accidents include soft tissue injuries (neck and back), and orthopaedic related injuries (fractures etc).
Friday is the most dangerous day of the week for road accidents, perhaps due to the large numbers of people travelling home after a long week at work or school. Unsurprisingly, the brighter weather and longer days make May the safest month on Irish roads. Meanwhile, Donegal, Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Limerick recorded the highest number of claims resulting in road fatalities.
The Injuries Board reminds drivers to always be aware of risks such as speed and driver fatigue, and urges motorists, particularly on long journeys, to take plenty of breaks and arrive safely.
If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered an accident that was caused by another party, and you intend to make a claim as a result of your injury/injuries, then you can submit this claim directly to the Board for a refundable €45 fee. The Injuries Board can be contacted on Lo-Call helpline 1890 829 121 between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday, by logging on to www.injuriesboard.ie, by post at InjuriesBoard.ie, P.O. Box 8, Clonakilty, Co Cork, or on the Board’s new smartphone app.
