PSNI Releases 2023-2024 Road Traffic Accident Statistics: A review of Injuries and Fatalities in Northern Ireland

The provisional road traffic collision figures for 2023-2024 have been released, revealing a concerning 7,833 recorded injuries resulting from 4,977 road traffic accidents. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) continue to account for the majority of personal injuries reported annually in Northern Ireland.

 

Road Traffic Statistics in Northern Ireland 2023-24

 

Provisional figures for road traffic collisions in Northern Ireland for 2023-2024 have been released, offering important insights into the latest trends surrounding road traffic accidents.  The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) has broken down the data by age, gender, and month, revealing key patterns in fatalities.

During this period, 39 drivers tragically lost their lives in fatal road traffic accidents, while 8 pedestrians were killed, with a higher risk for males aged 25-64. In a surprising statistic, only one pedal cyclist died from injuries in a road traffic accident. A total of 68 people lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads in 2024, a slight decrease from 71 in the previous year.

The report highlights a concerning increase in drink driving which is further supported by the BBC article which confirmed that an alarming 132 motorists were arrested for drunk driving between December 1st and 15th, 2024. 

For those injured in a road traffic accident, many seek to pursue a personal injury claim if they were not at fault. Whether involving passengers, pedestrians, or no-fault drivers, road traffic accidents are common, and many individuals turn to personal injury solicitors to guide them through the process of compensation claims and protect their financial interests.

 

Can You Make a Personal Injury Claim for Car Accidents in the UK and Northern Ireland?

 

At Lacey Solicitors, our advice to anyone involved in a collision is to speak with a solicitor who specialises in road traffic accidents. A specialist solicitor can offer valuable assistance, ensuring peace of mind when dealing with any damage caused, injuries suffered, or financial losses incurred. They will provide expert guidance throughout the claims process, helping you navigate complex legal procedures and maximize your compensation entitlement.

After a road traffic accident in Northern Ireland, you can make a compensation claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company. In most cases, the at-fault party will cover any legal costs, allowing you to pursue your claim with minimal financial burden.

 

Can I claim Personal Injury even if the Accident was My Fault?

 

Even if you are largely at fault for a road traffic accident in the UK or Northern Ireland, you may still be able to make a personal injury claim under the principle of “contributory negligence.” This legal concept allows you to seek a percentage of damages from the other party if they share some of the responsibility for the accident.

For example, if you were making a right-hand turn and failed to check your mirrors, not noticing a vehicle overtaking you at the time, it could be argued that your actions contributed to the collision. However, it may also be argued that the other driver overtook you when it was unsafe to do so, which could share some of the liability.

Contributory negligence can reduce the amount of compensation you are entitled to, depending on the degree of fault attributed to each party. It’s important to consult with a specialist road traffic accident solicitor to evaluate your case, as they can help you navigate the complexities of contributory negligence and ensure that your rights are protected.

 

How much Compensation can you get for a Personal Injury after a Car Accident?

 

The amount of compensation you could receive for personal injury after a road traffic accident (RTA) can vary, and it’s impossible to accurately predict without a detailed assessment. Even advanced road traffic accident compensation calculators can only provide rough estimates, as each case is unique and depends on various factors such as the severity of the injury, the impact on your daily life and any medical treatment.

To get a clearer idea of your potential award, it’s essential to consult with a specialist personal injury solicitor. An experienced road traffic accident solicitor will offer valuable insights into the strengths of your compensation claim and guide you through the process, increasing your chances of success.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you deserve the best possible representation. Contact Lacey Solicitors Belfast using our online form to discuss your case and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

 

 

 

 

 

How to Make a Personal Injury Claim in Northern Ireland?

From Belfast to Bangor, people in Northern Ireland are involved in incidents that aren’t their fault and are injured as a result. But how do you make a claim for compensation if it happens to you?

If you have been involved in an accident in which you became injured and it wasn’t your fault, seeking compensation could provide you with the financial support to help you recover and move forward after an injury.  Reporting the incident could even prevent that accident from happening to someone else. At Lacey Solicitors Belfast, our lawyers specialise in Insurance and Injury and could help you achieve the maximum possible compensation after a slip and fall, medical treatment gone wrong, or an accident at work.

How do you Make a Personal Injury Claim in Northern Ireland?

If you live in Belfast, Antrim, or anywhere else in NI, the process for bringing a compensation claim after an accident is always the same. The first thing you will need is an accident lawyer capable of representing your interests.

Lacey Solicitors have a proven record of commitment to a high quality service.  Whether we are dealing with a significant fatal accident, to a minor whiplash injury, our approach is always the same and which is why our clients recommend us.  We invest in technology that can speed up your appointment times, court dates and meetings etc.  This frees up our solicitors to speak with you personally and speak with our opposition directly.

After you have chosen a personal injury solicitor, you can begin the process of making your claim for compensation.

Making Your Claim for Compensation

To begin your claim for compensation, our personal injury solicitors will arrange a discussion with you to take as much detail as possible.  Some of the details that we might need is;

The date of the accident.

The location of the accident.

Employment details if it was an accident at work.

Registration numbers if it was a road traffic accident.

Your detailed recollection of how the incident occurred.

The names of all parties involved.

Any witness details

The treatment sought by you.

Once we have this information, we can determine if we think you have a case. If so, we will put together a claim summary for your perusal. Once you sign this and return it to us, we can create a Letter of Claim.

What is a Letter of Claim?

A Letter of Claim is a document which summarises the details of the accident and delivers these details to the person/company (or their insurance company) who you believe to be at fault. It will outline what happened, how it affected you, and notify the third party of your intent to bring a compensation claim.

After this letter is sent, the third party has a short timeframe to acknowledge the claim. There is a protocol in Northern Ireland that suggests they are then allowed a few months to fully investigate the matter.   They should later indicate whether they accept liability or deny liability. 

Do you Have to go to Court for Personal Injury Claims in Belfast?

While taking your case to court is an excellent way to establish the other party’s fault, it is not the only way to receive compensation.  

Legal fees are higher if a case proceeds to Court.  At Lacey Solicitors Belfast, we believe that bringing a case to court should be the last resort.  We will, throughout all stages of your case try to discuss the matter with our opposition to try and settle the case without going to court.  

Our belief is that settling a case before court, saves time, money and stress for all parties.  

We only bring cases to court for two reasons;

  1. Liability for the accident is in dispute.
  2. We cannot reach an agreement with the otherside on a settlement figure

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You

At Lacey Solicitors, we pride ourselves in our ability to provide assistance to clients across all of Northern Ireland.  With the latest technologies you no longer need to have a solicitor on your doorstep and we can arrange an appointment at a location suitable to you.  In some circumstances our solicitors can even come directly to you.   We recommend using injury lawyers for injury claims.  Our experience in Insurance and Injury Law allows us to make a claim on your behalf against the at fault insurance company.  Whether you are in Enniskillen or Lisburn, the Lacey Solicitors team are here to help.

Enquire Now to Begin Your Personal Injury Claim with Lacey Solicitors.

What Are The Most Common Personal Injury Claims In Northern Ireland?

Those who suffer from a personal injury that was not their fault can bring a claim for compensation against those responsible. But what are the most common personal injury claims in Northern Ireland? Lacey Solicitors deal with all types of injury claim but this article focuses on the most common.

Whilst injuries and accidents occur often in life, a great number of these accidents are entirely avoidable. If you have had an accident in Northern Ireland that was preventable and not your fault, and you suffered an injury, then you could bring a claim for compensation. But what are the most common types of personal injury claims?

Whether you were involved in a rear end accident in Belfast or fell from a height while working in Ballymena, if the accident was not your fault, a solicitor can assist you in making a claim for compensation. These accidents often result in medical costs, travel costs, and loss of income and specialist personal injury solicitors can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Bringing a personal injury claim against the at fault party is best tackled with the help of a professional.  Lacey Solicitors have 15 years of experience in handling claims through providing excellence in legal advice. Allow us to help you make a claim for compensation to recover your losses after an accident.

What are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Claim?

There are several types of personal injury claims which take place in Northern Ireland every year. The most common concentration of claims take place in Belfast. Road traffic accidents make up the greatest number of compensation claims each year with around 7000 claims brought annually.   

Second to road traffic accidents as the most common type of personal injury in NI comes workplace injuries. There are approaching 2,000 personal injury claims each year over accidents at work. Workplace injuries might include tripping, falling, injuries from using machinery, repetitive strain injuries, and other negligence claims.

What Types of Personal Injury can you Claim Compensation for?

Compensation can be awarded for any physical injury.  

Some of the most common physical injuries seen by our office in Belfast are:

  • Repetitive Strain Injuries from office workers using the wrong PPE and equipment.
  • Back injuries from accidents or lifting incorrectly, improper training, or bad seating.
  • Slips, trips, falls, and falls from height are extremely common claims seen by this office where the circumstances range from uncleaned spills, uneven pavements and hazards blocking the way.
  • Soft tissue, muscular, and tendon injuries.
  • Hearing loss and tinnitus due to occupational noise levels.
  • Burns and scarring.
  • Whiplash injuries.
  • Serious injuries – including brain injury, spinal cord trauma, amputations, asbestos related illnesses, electrical injuries, or broken bones.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take in Northern Ireland?

We use our best endeavours to progress your matter as quickly and efficiently as possible.  It is difficult at the beginning of a case to accurately forecast how long a legal matter will take to complete. 

Often, our pace is dependent on the level of cooperation from all other parties involved.  Most uncomplicated injury matters take around six to twelve months to complete.    More complicated matters may take longer to reach settlement. The timescale involved will depend on how soon we obtain an admission of liability from the third party’s insurance company and how soon your medical evidence can be completed.

You will usually have three years from the date of knowledge of your injury to bring your claim for compensation as outlined by the  Limitation Order here which governs time limits for making various claims.  

Our advice is always to speak to a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims as soon as possible.

Professional Help for Personal Injury Claims in Northern Ireland

Lacey Solicitors are experienced in guiding people through the personal injury compensation claim process. Contact us today should you wish to discuss whether we can help you make a claim and recover your losses after an accident.