Three-quarters of cases assessed by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) during the first half of this year were for whiplash-type injuries. 

The PIAB this morning published whiplash injury data which shows that drivers with whiplash account for 79% of all vehicle-related cases, with the remainder for other types of injuries.

Injured passengers claiming for whiplash-type injuries represent 69% of the total for motor vehicle cases.

The average whiplash award was €18,581 in general damages (pain and suffering), as well as €1,456 in special damages (medical expenses, loss of earnings, and other costs).

The figures have been assembled after analysis of 4,500 awards by PIAB, the State body that assesses personal injury compensation claims.

The Personal Injuries Commission (PIC), in its first report, urged the board to collate the figures on whiplash injuries.

Equal split

The data shows that the awards were split almost equally between men and women.

In 55% of whiplash cases, claimants received a total award of between €10,000 and €20,000.

In 88% of whiplash cases, meanwhile, the claimant received a sum under €30,000.

The average total award for injuries not classified as whiplash was higher than the whiplash average of €27,386, which is to be expected, given that they generally involve more serious injuries, such as fractures and broken limbs.

Average total

The average total award for all road accidents scrutinised was €20,472 in general damages and €2,326 in special damages.

The nascent Judicial Council, expected to be formed shortly, will be asked to compile guidelines for personal injury awards, which will replace the Book of Quantum currently published by the board.