Caroline Bogue, a car crash passenger from Belturbet, County Cavan, has obtained a settlement of over €5 million in a High Court settlement after an uninsured car in which she was travelling as a passenger crashed into a tree, resulting in severe injuries. She suffered brain damage and will require assistance for the rest of her life.
The accident happened on May 1st, 2003, when Caroline Bogue was 17 years old.
The case was taken against the car driver Declan Bogue, the owner of the car Ciaran Bogue, and the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland. Liability was denied in the case on the grounds that Caroline Bogue was aware that car was uninsured and was allegedly taken without the permission of the owner. The settlement was made without any party admitting liability.
Mr Justice John Quirke said that the case highlighted the necessity for a new system of staged payments in personal injuries cases.