Road Injury & Car Accident Lawyer

There are so many different injuries that can call for compensation, way beyond just car accidents. Here are the different road accidents that you might be able to claim for…

*It’s important to note that only parties who are not at fault can claim compensation for these accidents.

Depending on the type of accident you’re in, there are so many different injuries you might sustain. 

Here are some of the most common injuries from car accidents:

• Whiplash injuries, particularly to the neck and back
• Other neck and back injuries, including spinal injuries
• Brain injuries
• Head or face injuries
• Chest injuries, including broken ribs
• Internal injuries or organ damage to the kidneys, liver, or spleen
• Arm, elbow and wrist injuries
• Burns and scarring
• PTSD and other psychological injuries like trauma from the accident

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is the mandatory insurance we all take on as part of our vehicle registration. It provides financial coverage for claims that are made as a result of road accidents. This is a really essential component of Australia’s road safety. It aims to protect all road users. This means that the not-at-fault claimant and the at-fault party are protected.

If you are injured in a car accident, you can claim compensation for any loss that comes as a result of your accident. 

Just some of the examples of where you can claim compensation are:

• Loss of income (both in the past and projected future losses)
• Rehabilitation expenses — physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, acupuncture
• Medical treatments & expenses — GP, hospital, surgery, X-rays & scans, and therapy expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Travel costs
• Care and assistance (both paid and from loved ones)
• Maintenance costs as a result of injury — cleaning, gardening, and home maintenance

This is very much a case-by-case figure.

Let’s take the loss of income claim, for example. If two different people both claimed compensation for only a loss of income for the same period of time, but one person is on a $50,000 salary and the other a $150,000 salary — that figure is going to look very different. 

In the same way, the same injury can have very different outcomes for two different people.

So, factors like age, career, income, and pre-existing medical conditions will play a large part in the amount of compensation claimed.

There are strict time limits on how long after your accident you can claim compensation. You have three years to make your claim. However, you should note that you will need to notify the at-fault party of your intent to claim within nine months of the accident or one month of seeking legal advice.

The process of claiming compensation following your accident will look a little bit different depending on your specific circumstances. The car accident lawyers at vbr Lawyers make the process easy. 

Talk with a lawyer

Get started by chatting with our car accident lawyers. These initial chats take around 30 minutes, but we’ll offer you all the time you need. Our goal is to find out exactly what happened and what steps you’ve taken so far.

Get a letter of advice

You’ll receive a letter of advice within a few days of this chat. Your lawyer will create a list of recommendations for what you should do next. It’s our goal to make sure this is really easy to understand. If you haven’t already, the first thing we’ll recommend is to seek medical advice.

Start the process

Once you’re happy to go ahead, we’ll get the claim process started. This process looks different for everyone, but we’ll start by notifying the at-fault party and any other relevant parties — like CTP insurers or WorkCover if relevant.

It can be really beneficial for your motor vehicle accident claim to begin collecting evidence immediately. Basically, any step you take following the accident should be recorded, and so should all details from the accident.

Accident details

Following the accident, you should create a record of all of the details. Any images of the damage and vehicles involved should be collected. Record the time, the location and any other key details — like the weather and details of the other parties involved in the accident.

All vehicle information

Collect any other parties’ make, model, and number plate details. You should also ask for the licence details and insurance information if possible.  

Police report

If possible, getting a copy of the police report (if the police were involved) can be really beneficial. If you’re not able to, your car accident lawyer may be able to.

Any medical records or receipts

Medical records and receipts can be important for your car accident claim. Keep a record of all documents and receipts following your accident. GP visits, hospital visits, any kind of rehabilitation or therapy, X-rays and scans, or consultations with other health professionals should be recorded. If relevant, any photos of your injuries may be helpful.

All insurance correspondence

Keep a log of all correspondence you have with your insurer or any other insurance companies that become involved in the claim. 

Any documentation of damage

Take photos of any damage to your vehicle, bicycle, or property from all angles. Any mechanical or panel repair cost estimates or receipts should be recorded.

Proof of lost income

Record any lost income with any proof you have. This might be missed work opportunities, time off to recover, or time off for appointments. You might need to collect payslips from the current period and up to six months before the accident to compare.

Proof of relevant expenses

As well as medical expenses, collect evidence of all additional expenses for your motor vehicle accident claim. This might include expenses for things like towing, rental cars, transport, or any other expenses that are relevant to your claim.

We take a different approach to your compensation claim. Here’s how we’re different.