• Vastly experienced road traffic accident solicitors
• Pursuing road accident claims in Northern Ireland since 1993
• Totally independent legal advice — no referrals from insurers
• Free initial consultation to discuss your claim
• Simple and straightforward claims process

Every day there are an average of 14 road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland in which somebody is injured. While RTAs are a very common occurrence on our roads, they remain hugely disruptive and potentially life-changing if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in one.

Your first thought when it comes to dealing with that upheaval will probably be to claim via your insurance company. It’s important to keep in mind that your insurer will want to meet its obligations to you with the minimum expenditure on its part. If you instead get free legal advice from one of our solicitors, we can advise you on how best to claim the full amount of money to which you are entitled.

Our team of road traffic accident solicitors have a wide range of expertise and can help you with claims relating to:

• Car Accident Claims
• Motorcycle Accident Claims
• Bicycle Accident Claims
• E-Scooter Accident Claims
• Hit & Run Accident Claims
• Uninsured Driver Accident Claims
• Pedestrian Accident Claims
• Public Transport Accident Claims

Some 6,872 sustained minor injuries, 859 people were seriously injured and 45 people were killed on Northern Ireland’s roads in the year up to March 2022. If you’ve sustained an injury in a road traffic accident, we can help you.

Here are some of the road traffic accident injuries for which our solicitors regularly secure payouts.

• Whiplash – Whiplash injuries are often sustained when your body is thrown forward and then jolts backwards due to the impact of a road traffic accident.
• Burns & Cuts – Broken glass, fires from fuel spills and collisions with parts of the car may result in burns and cuts being sustained.
• Broken Bones – Impact with another vehicle or object may lead to breaks and fractures.
• Limb Loss & Amputation – The most serious breaks and crushing of limbs might mean they have to be amputated.
• Head & Brain Injuries – Heavy impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, objects that come through the windscreen or any other head trauma can inflict head and brain injuries.
• Spinal Injuries & Paralysis – Any collision that causes damage to the neck or spine might cause a spinal injury or, in the most serious cases, paralysis.
• Fatal Accident – The worst road traffic accidents may result in fatalities, often because of serious head injuries, internal bleeding or spinal cord injuries.

Anybody who is injured in a road traffic accident through no fault of their own can make a road traffic accident claim. This includes drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians and anyone else caught up in an accident they didn’t cause.

We’ve already acknowledged that being involved in a road traffic accident is a major cause of disruption. That’s why we designed our road accident claims process in a way that avoids adding to the upheaval and instead helps you to get the money you deserve in a simple and straightforward way.

Here’s what to expect.

Step 1: Contact Reid Black
The all-important first step is to get in touch so we can offer you initial legal advice on your road traffic accident claim. This is completely free and given with no obligation to continue with your claim.

Step 2: Gathering Information
The next step is to gather as much evidence as possible about the accident. We will gather police reports, medical reports, eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage — anything that confirms how the accident happened.

Step 3: Medical Assessment
We’ll arrange for you to be assessed by an independent medical professional so that we know the full extent of your injuries. We want to be sure of the immediate and long-term impact of your injuries before we make your claim.

Step 4: Compensation Negotiations
It is then time to negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer to agree on the right compensation amount for your injuries. We will draw upon our vast experience of similar claims to secure the maximum payout to which you’re entitled.

Step 5: Compensation Payout
Once the settlement figure is agreed, we will continue to act on your behalf to ensure the money reaches you promptly.

You normally have three years after a road traffic accident in Northern Ireland in which to make your claim. This time limit might be extended in some cases, such as if your injuries prevent you from claiming during the three-year period.

Vehicle Repair & Replacement. You have up to six years to claim for repairs to your vehicle or vehicle hire charges you incurred because of damage caused to your vehicle in the accident

Children Involved in Road Traffic Accidents. If you were aged under 18 at the time of the accident, you have until your 21st birthday to make a claim.

Road Traffic Accidents Abroad. The time limit for claiming for a road traffic accident abroad depends on the country in which it happens. For example, in Spain the time limit is one year but in France the limit is 10 years.

Disabled or Mentally Incapable. There is no time limit for making a claim while a disability or mental incapacity is preventing you from doing so.

The compensation you are entitled to will depend on a range of factors, including the type, seriousness and longevity of your injuries; the physical and mental impact of your injuries; the financial hardship and inconvenience caused by your injuries; and the cost of damage to your vehicle or personal property.

Your road traffic accident compensation will be divided into two types of damages:

General Damages. Compensation for the direct impact of the road traffic accident, such as the injuries you’ve sustained and the level of pain you’re suffering.

Special Damages. Compensation for the financial impact of the accident, such as loss of earnings, damage to your vehicle, medical fees and travel expenses.

We’ve been helping the victims of road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland to secure the compensation they deserve since 1993. Our solicitors will bring all of that knowledge and experience to your claim so that you can get a payout that reflects the impact the accident has had on your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ll take all of the hassle out of claiming the compensation you deserve. Take the first step by getting in touch and we will handle the rest for you.