Young girl awarded €20,000 after car rear-ended

A young girl from Donegal has been awarded €20,000 after being left traumatised following a road traffic accident.

The girl was accompanied by her mother to Letterkenny Circuit Court, where damages were approved.

The incident occurred at Linsford, Buncrana in September, 2020.

The court heard that another party, who shunted into the back of the vehicle in which the plaintiff was travelling, reversed and drove off after the impact.

At the time, the girl was being taken to see the ducks at Buncrana and the court heard that the girl, who was 12 at the time of the accident, suffered stress and anxiety in the immediate aftermath.

She continued to complain of pain in her back for a time and she felt nauseous.

Barrister for the girl, Mr Ivan Toner, told the court that her sleep was disrupted and she had ‘frightening thoughts’ about what could have  happened. Mr Toner said the girl blamed herself as she had wanted to see the ducks in Buncrana.

“She was afraid to sleep on her own after the accident,” Mr Toner said. “If she saw a white van, she was anxious and afraid that something will happen.

“She had vivid images and sounds from the accident. She became scared of the road now and she avoids talking about the accident.”

The symptoms continued for a lengthy period, but the court heard that the girl no longer has issues sleeping and is comfortable traveling on the road again.

The girl was assessed for her injuries and was diagnosed as having suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and negative thoughts persistently reappeared.

Mr Toner said the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) recommended the offer.

Judge John Aylmer said it was clear that the girl and her mother were anxious to dispose of the case. Judge Aylmer approved the offer and directed that the monies be lodged within three weeks.