Compensation for road accidents up 2pc to €157m according to the Irish Independent reporter

Paul Melia and on Twitter

[figures from Injuries Board, injuriesboard.ie]

ONE-in-four compensation payments to victims of road traffic accidents last year were made to drivers under 35 years of age.

The Injuries Board said that €157m was paid out in 2012, a 2pc increase on 2011, and that inexperienced drivers were the most likely to suffer a serious injury.

The injuries board said Friday was the most dangerous day of the week for road accidents that resulted in death or personal injury claims, with most accidents happening in November.

Some 7,622 awards were made by the injuries board last year, with three-in-four claims arising from traffic accidents.

Of those, 104 arose following crashes were someone was killed, taken by a friend or family member.

"Last year saw a 10pc reduction in the number of claims we received for fatal road accidents but the 104 fatal claims we did receive is 104 too many," injuries board chief executive Patricia Byron said.

"Our award trends indicate that the winter months are the most dangerous on our roads and we are urging all road users to be extra vigilant at this time."

InjuriesBoard.ie, formerly known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, is an independent statutory body that deals with all personal injury claims, apart from medical negligence.

InjuriesBoard.ie, until recently known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, is an independent statutory body that deals with all personal injury claims, apart from medical negligence.

The injuries board provides an independent assessment of personal injury claims for compensation following road traffic, workplace or public liability accidents.

Where the person responsible for the accident does not consent to going through the system, injured parties have access to the courts.

Figures from its annual report show:

* A total of 10,136 awards for personal injury claims were made last year, with compensation totalling €218m.

* Some 75pc were for road traffic injuries, with the remainder split between workplace (8pc) and accidents in public places (17pc).

* Most injuries in motor accidents involve soft tissue injuries to the back and neck, and orthopaedic related injuries including fractures.

* More women (51pc) than men (49pc) received compensation.

* The average award for a motor accident was €20,631, up slightly from €20,438 in 2011. The average award for women was slightly higher at €21,103, while men received an average award of €20,133.

* The highest award made in 2012 in respect of a motor claim was just under €700,000.

The figures show that road users over 55 years of age are the safest, comprising just 4pc of awards. The 25-34 age group accounted for over one-in-four (26.8pc), while 35-44-year-olds represented a further one in five (20.7pc).

Sunday was the least dangerous day, the research found.

Irish Independent