MAN AWARDED €364,000 COMPENSATION FOR BRAIN INJURY SUFFERED IN A DRINK DRIVING CAR CRASH WAS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY NEGLIGENT
Michael Tevlin, a 35 year old man was awarded a sum of €364,000.00 by the High Court in what the Court described as a ‘truly horrific’ accident. However, the original award which had been made to Mr Tevlin, was €660,000 but it was reduced by 45% as he was found to be negligent to this extent for getting into a car with a man with whom he had been drinking with and because he was not wearing a seat belt. The accident claimed the lives of three people including a pregnant woman.The driver of the vehicle in which Mr Tevlin was a passenger was later jailed for dangerous driving.
The Motor Insurer’s Bureau of Ireland were a named defendant in the action. The Motor Insurer’s Bureau compensates victims of uninsured drivers and had fought the case in full but, had been ordered to pay the sum of €364,000 to Mr Tevlin for his injuries. A stay as been put on the order pending an appeal by the Motor Insurer’s Bureau but, Mr Justice Cross stated a sum of €150,000 was to be paid to Mr Devlin in the meantime. The Motor Insurer’s Bureau of Ireland is a statutory body to which all insurance companies operating in Ireland have to contribute. It was set up specifically for the purposes of compensating victims of accidents where they have sustained personal injury or property loss and where the guilty party was not insured.
CLAIMS AGAINST UNINSURED DRIVERS
In recent years there has been evidence that more and more drivers are not renewing the insurance on their vehicles. In the High Court alone in 2014 in excess of 250 cases had been brought against the Motor Insurer’s Bureau of Ireland. These included cases where there was no insurance at all on a vehicle or the driving of the vehicle was not covered by insurance (usually in circumstances whereby somebody else other than the named person on the insurance drives the vehicle).
- At Carmody Moran we have helped many clients who have found themselves the victims of negligent driving of uninsured vehicles.
We have obtained for them the appropriate and just compensation which they are deserving of by bringing actions against not only the drivers of the vehicle (and in some cases the owner of the vehicle as well) but also against the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland.
The bringing of claims against the Bureau is under the MIBI Agreement and strict rules apply in relation to taking of such proceedings with can often catch out the unwary.
Contact us at 01-8272888 and our expert panel of solicitors are well placed to advise in relation to such matters.
Frequently Asked Questions on Personal Injury & Driving without Insurance from our Solicitors in Dublin & Ireland
What compensation was awarded to Michael Tevlin in his brain injury case?
Michael Tevlin was awarded €364,000 by the High Court for the brain injury he sustained in a drink-driving car crash. Although the initial award was €660,000, it was reduced by 45% because he was found to be partially negligent for getting into the car with a driver he had been drinking with and for not wearing a seatbelt.
Why was Michael Tevlin's compensation reduced by 45%?
Michael Tevlin’s compensation was reduced by 45% because the court found that he was partially negligent for his own safety. He had entered the vehicle with a driver who had been drinking and was not wearing a seatbelt, contributing to the extent of his injuries.
What role does the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) play in compensating victims of uninsured drivers?
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) is a statutory body that compensates victims of accidents involving uninsured drivers. In this case, MIBI was a named defendant and ordered to pay €364,000 to Michael Tevlin for his injuries. The MIBI compensates individuals for personal injury or property loss when the responsible party does not have insurance.
How common are claims against uninsured drivers in Ireland?
In recent years, there has been an increase in claims against uninsured drivers in Ireland. In 2014 alone, over 250 cases were brought against the MIBI in the High Court. These cases typically involve either no insurance on the vehicle or situations where the driver of the vehicle was not covered by insurance, such as someone driving a car they are not insured to drive.
How can Carmody Moran Solicitors help with claims against uninsured drivers?
At Carmody Moran Solicitors, we have extensive experience helping victims of accidents involving uninsured drivers. Our legal team is highly knowledgeable about the MIBI Agreement, which governs claims against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland. We ensure that clients receive the compensation they deserve, navigating the strict rules and deadlines associated with these types of claims. For assistance with uninsured driver claims, contact us at 01 8272888.
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Anthony Carmody is a qualified solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in leading Dublin law firms. Anthony has specialised in the area of defending personal injury claims representing Insurance companies and Local Authorities, as well as undertaking claimant cases.