If your loved one has passed away due to a road traffic accident, you may be entitled to claim compensation for the emotional and financial impact of their loss. There are no upfront fees.
A road traffic fatality claim allows you to seek compensation for the death of a loved one caused by someone else's negligence or fault in a road traffic accident.
No matter if the accident involved a car, motorbike, pedestrian, or bicycle, we can help you hold the responsible party accountable. Compensation can cover funeral costs, loss of financial support, emotional distress, and the long-term effects the loss has on your family.

Road traffic fatalities can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
Even if the circumstances surrounding the death seem clear, we can help you understand your rights and explain what the family can claim for.
If your loved one has died in a road traffic accident, you may be entitled to claim for:
You pay nothing to start your claim and nothing while it runs.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims, from first advice through to court if it comes to that.
If your claim succeeds, the other side pays your legal costs and you keep 100% of your compensation.
Our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed.
We'll look at what happened and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There's no pressure to go ahead.
Road traffic claims are run by Paul Kearney, a solicitor advocate and former barrister, with trainee solicitor John Deeney.
We help clients across Northern Ireland, in person or by phone, email or video.



A road traffic fatality claim allows the family or dependants of a deceased person to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one, if the death was caused by someone else's negligence or fault in a road traffic accident.
The compensation amount depends on factors like funeral expenses, loss of financial dependency, loss of emotional support, and the long-term financial impact on the family. We'll provide a clearer estimate once we review your case.
In Northern Ireland, you usually have three years from the date of death, or from when you first knew the death was linked to someone's fault, if that is later. It's best to get advice early, while the evidence is fresh.
You'll need evidence such as medical records, police reports, accident reports, witness statements, funeral expenses, and any relevant documentation.
Yes, funeral and burial costs can be claimed as part of your road traffic fatality claim.
If the fatality was caused by poor road conditions or inadequate road maintenance, we can help you pursue a claim against the responsible authority.
Yes. Even if the deceased was partially responsible for the accident, you can still claim compensation under the principle of contributory negligence.
Yes, if you were financially dependent on the deceased, you can claim compensation for lost income, pensions, and other financial support that the deceased would have provided.
If the responsible party is uninsured, we can help you pursue a claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) or other legal avenues.
Grief itself is recognised through the fixed bereavement damages, available to a spouse or civil partner, or the parents of an unmarried child under 18. A relative who develops a recognised psychiatric illness may have a separate claim in limited circumstances, for example after witnessing the accident.
Every claim is different. Claims after a death can take longer, especially where there is an inquest or an HSENI or police investigation.
We will thoroughly investigate the accident, challenge any defense, and use the evidence to prove that the responsible party was at fault.
If the fatality occurred within the last three years, you may still be eligible to file a claim. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Funeral costs, the financial support and services the family has lost, bereavement damages where they apply, and the person's own losses before they died.
Most claims settle without going to court. If yours does go to court, we represent you.
Yes. If the fatality was caused by the negligence of another party, such as a careless driver, you may be entitled to compensation.
Only in limited circumstances. A relative who suffers a recognised psychiatric illness, for example after witnessing the accident or its immediate aftermath, may have a claim of their own. Grief alone is covered by bereavement damages.
We gather the evidence, such as police reports and witness statements, to show who was at fault.
You can contact us by phone, email, or online form. We will offer a free consultation and guide you through the process of making your claim.
We only handle personal injury and clinical negligence claims. There are no upfront fees, our legal insurance covers the costs if your claim doesn't succeed, and if it succeeds you keep 100% of your compensation.
Kearney Law Group Ltd is a solicitors' practice regulated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Registered in Northern Ireland, company number NI663222. Registered office: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR.
Kearney Law Group only handles personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry, Craigavon and Bangor. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to arrange your free first conversation.
Belfast: Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JH
02890 912 938
Derry: Bishop Street Chambers, 26–28 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6PR
02871 362 299
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm