Moving Vehicle Accident Claims*

A sudden knock from a moving vehicle can change more than just your footing. One minute you are walking down the street or crossing a quiet estate road, and the next you are picking yourself up, trying to work out what just happened. These incidents leave more than bruises. They leave questions. Who was at fault? What should I do now? Is it worth making a claim?

Get legal advice

Two workers in hi-vis helping an injured colleague lying on a building site

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we meet people every day who never expected to be in this position. People who were simply going about their business walking the dog, cycling to work, unloading the boot at the shops when a careless driver turned their day upside down. And it is often the quietest people who hesitate to speak up, worried about being seen as a troublemaker.

You are not the one who caused this. You are the one who was hit. That matters.

We are based here in Clare, and we know how these things play out in real life, not just in the courtroom but in the GP waiting room, the physio clinic and the long walk from the front door to the gate. We keep things simple, respectful and honest, and we will help you get what you need without making a fuss.

If you have been injured by a moving vehicle, reach out to Crimmins Howard Solicitors today.

What Counts as a Moving Vehicle Accident in Ireland?

A moving vehicle accident is any incident where a person is struck, knocked, or injured by a vehicle that is in motion. These accidents are not limited to drivers alone. Pedestrians, cyclists, scooter users, delivery workers, and even passengers getting in or out of parked vehicles can all be affected.

What makes these accidents different is that the injured person is often vulnerable and exposed. They may be walking on a footpath, crossing at a pedestrian light, cycling alongside traffic, or simply standing in a car park when the incident occurs. In many cases, the victim has little or no time to react.

Common scenarios include:

A pedestrian hit while crossing the road
A cyclist clipped by a car while overtaking
A person struck while unloading groceries from their boot
A delivery driver knocked by a reversing van in a laneway
A child injured by a vehicle in a school drop-off zone
A worker injured by a moving forklift or vehicle on private property

These accidents can take place on public roads, housing estates, in supermarket car parks, private driveways or even construction sites. Whether the vehicle is a car, lorry, van, agricultural machine, or scooter, the result for the injured person can be serious and long-lasting.

It is also worth noting that not every moving vehicle incident involves a collision at high speed. Many people are injured by slow-moving vehicles, such as a car reversing without warning or a vehicle pulling away from a kerb while someone is still nearby.

If you were struck by a moving vehicle and believe it was caused by driver inattention, unsafe speed, poor visibility, or any other preventable factor, you may be entitled to make a legal claim. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we can help you understand your rights and take practical steps forward.

Who Is Responsible for a Moving Vehicle Accident?

Determining who is legally responsible after a moving vehicle accident is not always straightforward. In most cases, the driver of the vehicle that caused the injury will be at fault. However, there are situations where responsibility may be shared or where other parties may also be involved.

When the Driver Is at Fault

Drivers in Ireland have a legal duty to be alert, drive carefully, and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and others who may be on or near the road. If a driver is speeding, distracted, under the influence, or fails to check mirrors or blind spots, they can be held responsible for any injuries caused.

Some common examples include:

A driver fails to yield at a pedestrian crossing
A motorist reverses out of a driveway without checking behind
A car overtakes a cyclist too closely
A van drives through an estate road too fast and strikes a person stepping out from between parked cars

Even if the impact happens at low speed, the driver may still be liable.

When More Than One Party Is at Fault

Sometimes, the injured person may also have contributed to the accident. For example, a pedestrian may have crossed the road without using a proper crossing or stepped off the footpath suddenly. In such cases, the concept of contributory negligence applies.

This means:

The injured person may still bring a claim
Compensation may be reduced based on their share of responsibility

An experienced solicitor will assess the facts and ensure that your side of the story is properly understood and presented.

Other Potentially Liable Parties

If a road was poorly maintained, the local authority may be partly at fault
If the accident happened on private property, the landowner may be responsible for safe traffic management
If the driver was operating a company vehicle, their employer may also hold legal responsibility

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we will examine the full picture, gather evidence, and identify all possible sources of liability. You do not need to know who is at fault before speaking with us. We will help you get clarity and move forward.

What to Do If You Have Been Hit by a Vehicle

Being hit by a moving vehicle is a frightening experience, whether it happens suddenly or during an ordinary routine. Once the immediate shock wears off, it is important to take a few key steps to protect both your health and any future claim you may wish to bring.

Here is what we recommend:

Get medical attention straight away: Even if your injuries seem minor, go to your GP or local hospital. Some symptoms take hours or days to appear. A medical record created early on will support your case and make sure nothing is missed.
Report the incident to Gardaí: If the Gardaí did not attend the scene, you should still make a report. This creates an official record and may be needed later for insurance or legal purposes.
Record the vehicle registration and driver details: If you are able, take down the vehicle’s number plate and ask for the driver’s name, contact details, and insurance information.
Take photos of the scene: Include pictures of the road, any injuries, damage to personal items (such as clothing, bags or phones), and anything else that may help explain what happened.
Speak to witnesses: If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number. Their account may confirm details later if there is any disagreement.
Keep all receipts and track your time off work: Medical bills, prescription costs, transport expenses and lost wages may all be included in your claim. A simple notebook or phone log is a good way to track these.
Do not speak with the insurer until you have legal advice: The driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly. You are not obliged to answer their questions directly. A solicitor can guide you on how to respond and avoid saying anything that might be used against you.

Crimmins Howard Solicitors is here to help from the very first step. Even if you are unsure about whether to claim, we can talk it through with you and offer clear, practical guidance.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Moving Vehicle Collisions

Moving vehicle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, even at low speeds. Unlike collisions between vehicles, where both parties may be protected by seatbelts and airbags, pedestrians and cyclists are completely exposed. Even a light impact can lead to serious consequences.

The type of injury often depends on how the accident occurred, the size and speed of the vehicle, and the person’s age or physical condition. In many cases, injuries appear minor at first but worsen over the following days.

Common injuries include:

Broken bones, especially in the wrists, arms, legs or hips
Soft tissue damage such as whiplash, sprains and bruising
Head injuries, including concussion
Spinal or back pain
Cuts, abrasions and damage to the face or teeth
Psychological trauma, including anxiety or fear of traffic

Children, older adults and people with reduced mobility are especially vulnerable in these incidents. Even a short recovery period can interrupt work, study, family responsibilities or quality of life.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms after being hit by a vehicle, medical advice should be your first step. Crimmins Howard Solicitors can then help you understand if a legal claim is appropriate and how to move forward.

What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Left the Scene?

If you were injured by a driver who did not have insurance or who fled the scene without stopping, you may still be able to bring a valid claim. In these situations, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) may cover your losses.

The MIBI is a body that exists to protect people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers. It acts as a safety net, ensuring that innocent victims are not left without support simply because the driver failed to take responsibility.

You may have a valid MIBI claim if:

The vehicle that struck you left the scene and was never identified
The driver admitted fault but did not have insurance
The number plate was known but the owner denied involvement
The vehicle was foreign-registered and cannot be traced

To protect your right to claim through the MIBI, you should:

Report the incident to the Gardaí as soon as possible
Note any details you remember, such as the make, colour or partial registration of the vehicle
Keep records of all medical visits, expenses and missed work
Contact a solicitor early to ensure the correct paperwork is submitted within time

These claims can be more complex than standard road traffic accident claims. The sooner the process begins, the easier it is to gather evidence and comply with strict deadlines. In some cases, you may need to act within months rather than years.

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we are familiar with the MIBI process and have helped many people across Clare and the west of Ireland recover compensation in cases where the driver was uninsured or untraceable. We will take the stress off your shoulders and make sure your case is properly prepared from the start.

Compensation: What You May Be Entitled To

If you have been injured in a moving vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation that reflects not just the pain you experienced, but the full impact the injury has had on your life. In Ireland, compensation is usually divided into two parts: general damages and special damages.

General Damages

This is compensation for the physical and emotional suffering caused by the accident. It takes into account:

The nature and severity of the injury
The recovery time and whether the injury is permanent
The effect on your quality of life
Any psychological impact, such as fear of driving or walking near traffic

For example, someone who suffers a broken leg that requires surgery and ongoing physiotherapy will receive a higher award than someone with minor bruising that heals in a week or two.

Special Damages

These cover the financial costs and losses directly linked to the injury. They can include:

GP and hospital bills not covered by the public system
Prescription costs and physiotherapy
Lost earnings if you had to take time off work
Travel to medical appointments
Help at home during recovery, including childcare or transport
Damaged clothing, glasses, phones or other personal property

It is important to keep all receipts and records. Even small expenses can add up and should not be overlooked.

Future Costs and Ongoing Care

If your injury has long-term consequences, such as ongoing pain, a permanent disability or the need for future treatment, your claim can include these expected costs. We work with medical professionals to ensure future needs are properly assessed and valued.

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we make sure your claim reflects the real impact the injury has had on your life. Our approach is detailed, fair and focused on your long-term wellbeing.

Time Limits for Making a Claim

If you have been injured by a moving vehicle, it is important to know that there is a time limit for starting a claim. In Ireland, the general rule is that you have two years from the date of the accident to begin the legal process. This time limit is set out in the Statute of Limitations. It applies to most personal injury claims and runs from either the date of the accident or the date you first became aware that the injury was serious enough to take legal action.

For many people, the injury is obvious straight away, and the two-year clock begins immediately. But in some cases, you may not realise the full extent of the harm until weeks or even months later. In such situations, the time limit may begin from that later point, which is sometimes called the date of knowledge.

Children who are injured in moving vehicle accidents have more time. If the injured person is under 18, the two-year time limit does not start until they turn 18. A parent or guardian can bring a claim on their behalf before then, but if no action is taken, the child can bring the claim themselves any time up to their 20th birthday.

While you may technically have two years, it is never a good idea to leave things too late. Gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses, getting medical records, and preparing documents can take time. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to build a strong case.

At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we help you understand exactly how much time you have left and what steps need to be taken right away. If you are unsure whether it is too late, speak to us as soon as possible. You may still have options.

Contact Crimmins Howard Solicitors Solicitors Today

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a moving vehicle, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. We are here to guide you with honesty, care and expertise. Reach out today for clear advice and strong local support.