When the driver who injured you leaves the scene and cannot be traced, the claim is made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) instead of an insurer. This page sets out the steps, the evidence and the time limits.
A hit and run claim is a personal injury claim where the driver who caused the crash left without giving their details.
If the driver is never identified, the claim is made to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), which compensates people injured by untraced and uninsured vehicles. If the Gardaí later trace the driver, the claim is made against that driver and their insurer instead.
Driving off is a breach of section 106 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Where someone is hurt, the driver must stop, offer assistance, stay for a reasonable time and give their details.
An untraced driver must be reported to the Gardaí, and the MIBI obtains the Garda report when it investigates the claim.
Report it as soon as you can, with the time, the place, a description of the vehicle and any part of the registration you saw. The Gardaí may trace the car through CCTV or witnesses, which changes who the claim is against.
Hit and run victims are often pedestrians and cyclists. The MIBI route is the same whether you were on foot, on a bike or in another vehicle.
The MIBI's time limit for notifying a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. See the MIBI's guidance on unidentified vehicles, and read how the Injuries Resolution Board works.
Damage to your car is different. Where the vehicle is not identified by a valid registration, the MIBI does not pay for vehicle or property damage unless the injuries needed an inpatient hospital stay of five days or more.
Contact us through our enquiry form, phone, or email. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain what to expect next. There’s no upfront fee to begin your claim.
Your case will be carefully reviewed by our legal team.
We assess the strength of your claim, advise on the documentation needed, and guide you through key steps such as attending an independent medical examination and preparing the information required for the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Once you decide to move forward, we take care of everything. This includes gathering evidence, contacting the other party or their insurer, submitting your claim to the IRB, managing settlement discussions, and handling any court proceedings if needed.
Paul Kearney founded the practice and leads its personal injury work in Ireland. He is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Read Paul's profile.
We prepare your application to the Injuries Resolution Board, including the medical evidence, and advise you on any assessment before you decide whether to accept it.
You can meet us at any of our four offices, or deal with us by phone, email or video, wherever you live in Ireland.
There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we set out in writing how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. No Win No Fee explained.
Yes. Where the driver remains untraced, the claim is made to the MIBI, which compensates people injured by unidentified vehicles. The injury claim is then assessed in the usual way.
Yes. An untraced driver must be reported to the Gardaí, and the MIBI relies on the Garda report when it investigates. Report it as soon as possible and keep the Garda's name or number and the incident reference.
The claim then proceeds against that driver and their insurer. If it turns out they had no insurance, the MIBI stays involved. See our page on claims against uninsured drivers.
The MIBI requires personal injury claims to be notified within two years of the accident, and asks for the claim form as soon as possible after it. The general two-year limit under the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991 also applies.
Yes. The MIBI compensates people who suffered personal injury in road traffic accidents caused by an unidentified vehicle, whether they were walking, cycling or in another vehicle.
Usually not, if the vehicle was never identified. The exception is where the injuries needed an inpatient hospital stay of five days or more. If your own policy covers accidental damage, your insurer may pay for the repair.
Yes. Contact the MIBI first, then apply to the Injuries Resolution Board, which assesses the injury claim.
Dashcam footage, CCTV from nearby premises, any part of the registration, the make and colour of the car, paint marks on your vehicle or bike, and witness details. Photographs of your injuries over the following days also help.
Road traffic claims are run by Paul Kearney, who founded the firm and is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland, with trainee solicitor John Deeney. We can help you put together the Garda report details and the MIBI claim form.
No. There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we give you clear written terms explaining how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. Read No Win No Fee explained.
Regulated by the Law Society of Ireland
Kearney Law handles only personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Letterkenny. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to talk to a solicitor about your claim, or request a case review.
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
