There was a 15% rise in motor liability claims among pedestrians last year, while motorcyclists account for just 2% of personal injury claims but represent one in ten fatal claims.
Those are among the findings from the Injuries Resolution Board’s latest report, which reviews motor liability accidents and claims in Ireland between 2019 and 2024.
According to study, pedestrians experience a five-fold higher risk of fatality in road traffic accidents and – along with motorcyclists – are the most vulnerable road users.
Based on the data, other high-risk groups include younger adults (aged 20-24), who make up 6% of the population but double the proportion of fatal incidents (13%), and adults over 65, who represent 15% of the population but accounted for one in four fatal incidents between 2019 and 2024.
The report found that over the six-year period more than 70,000 claims relating to road traffic accidents were submitted to the Board, and that over €284 million was saved in avoided legal fees by claims being resolved through the process rather than through litigation.
It said there was a 4% increase in motor claims on last year, but that overall motor claims are down 30% from 2019 – despite a return to pre-pandemic traffic volumes.
Over €500,000 awarded for fatal or serious incidents
Between 2022 and 2024, the Board awarded over €500,000 for fatal or serious incidents resulting from head-on motor vehicle collisions, while from 2019 to 2024 over €370m was awarded for injuries sustained by car drivers, followed by car passengers (€160m), pedestrians (€55m), cyclists (€53m), and motorcyclists (€24m).
Also among the findings was that neck and back injuries were the most common injuries sustained in 58% of motor liability awards in 2024, while psychiatric damage injuries accounted for 16% of awards, with car passengers being the most affected group.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said the Injuries Resolution Board “is uniquely placed to report on personal injuries in the State and in so doing provide valuable insights for claimants, policy makers and the insurance market.”
He added that it “brings into sharp focus the tragic accidents occurring on our roads and delivers useful information to assist with road safety, hopefully leading to a reduction in future accidents.”
‘Increased vulnerability of specific groups’
Head of Research and Policy at the Injuries Resolution Board Dr Lauren Swan said: “The findings highlight the increased vulnerability of specific groups on our roads, such as older adults aged over 65 years, who have seen a 38% rise in road traffic accident claims over the past two years.
“The data also underscores the elevated risk of serious and fatal injuries faced by pedestrians and motorcyclists, with both groups experiencing a fivefold higher rate of fatal injury claims. It is hoped that today’s report will inform the development of targeted road safety strategies aimed at better protecting these vulnerable groups.”
Injuries Resolution Board CEO Rosalind Carroll said the report “shows the impacts motor accidents are having on children and young adults, with 36% of claims from car passengers coming from the youngest age group (0-18) with one in four sustaining psychological injuries in road traffic accidents”.
Litigation adding significant costs
In response to the publication of the report, Insurance Ireland have released a statement noting that the Injuries Resolution Board has awarded over €700m in compensation for injuries sustained in almost 40,000 motor accidents over six years.
Insurance Ireland say that “there were significant savings in legal fees by going this route, rated than opting for expensive litigation”.
The statement continues, saying: “The trend of settling personal injury claims through the expensive litigated route continues to add significant cost, despite the fact that it doesn’t add to the levels of awards the claimant receives via either the Injuries Resolution Board process or directly settling claims with insurers.”
“According to the Central Bank’s National Claims Information Database report on Employers’ and Public Liability for 2023, published on 19 March this year, just 5% of overall personal injury claims costs were settled in 2023 through the Injuries Resolution Board and a further 5% were settled directly with insurers, either before or after the IRB.”
Insurance Ireland concluded their statement by saying that this underlines the role of the Injuries Resolution Board, and that the need to increase the number of settlements without the need for unnecessary litigation “is critically important for consumers and businesses alike.”
