Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head being jolted backwards and forwards, most often when a car is hit from behind. This page explains how whiplash claims are assessed in Ireland and the evidence that matters.
A whiplash injury claim is a personal injury claim for a soft tissue injury to the neck caused by someone else's negligence, usually another driver.
Whiplash happens when the head is thrown backwards and forwards faster than the neck muscles can control. The muscles, ligaments and tendons of the neck are stretched beyond their normal range.
Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain across the shoulders and upper back, dizziness and pins and needles in the arms.
They often appear hours or a day after the crash, so a GP visit on the day the pain starts is the first piece of evidence.
The Guidelines grade minor neck injuries by how long it takes to make a substantial recovery: within six months, within a year, or within two years.
Within each band, the level depends on how severe the injury was at first, how long the symptoms lasted, and any continuing symptoms such as headaches or dizziness.
More serious neck injuries, with lasting damage, fall into higher bands. Our article on whiplash settlements explains more.
The Injuries Resolution Board application needs a medical report from the doctor who treated you. Read how the Injuries Resolution Board works, and what to expect from a whiplash claim.
Keep receipts for each of these, and ask your physiotherapist for a written summary when treatment ends. Read how compensation for whiplash and back pain is worked out.
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.
Often within hours, and sometimes the next day or two. Stiffness and headaches the morning after are common. See your GP when they start so the link to the crash is recorded.
Yes. There is no minimum speed or level of vehicle damage for a claim, and the Guidelines assess the injury, not the car. See low-impact collision claims.
General damages are set by the Personal Injuries Guidelines, which grade minor neck injuries by how long recovery takes. Earnings, treatment costs and travel are claimed in addition. Read what you need to know about whiplash settlements.
Yes. The Injuries Resolution Board application must include a medical report from the doctor who treated you. The Board may also ask you to attend a medical examination it arranges.
Tell your GP and keep attending treatment. Recovery time decides which band of the Guidelines applies, so up-to-date medical records matter more than an early estimate.
You can still bring a claim, but if not wearing one made the injury worse, compensation is reduced in proportion under section 34 of the Civil Liability Act 1961.
The insurer of the driver who caused the crash. If that driver was uninsured or drove off, the claim goes to the MIBI; see claims against uninsured drivers.
Two years from the date of the crash, or from the date you knew about the injury if later, under the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. You must also write to the driver at fault within one month.
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]
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Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
