Drive down payouts for fake injuries

MOTORISTS will join the AA in condemning solicitors who are allegedly “enabling” inflated personal injury claims.

It is also not surprising that in a survey 5,000 drivers most believed payouts are too high.

The reality is Ireland is the whiplash capital of the world where huge sums are being awarded to people with questionable injuries.

Indeed the compensation costs motorists millions of euro each year.

It is often the case that even those involved in minor accidents are pushing for payouts.

It is getting to the stage where the first stop after a shunt is the solicitor’s office rather than the emergency department.

As well as the huge amount of claims, the awards being made for injuries here is much greater than in the UK and the rest of Europe.

As it is obligatory for every vehicle to be covered by insurance, drivers feel they have been held to ransom.

Car owners are in no doubt they are being exploited with the help of lawyers and soaring premiums would suggest they are correct.

Payouts have contributed to the spiralling cost of cover making it almost impossible for many drivers to pay the premiums.

What is urgently needed is a comprehensive overhaul of the entire insurance industry and much tougher action taken against those who claim for spurious injuries.