Motor vehicle accidents can happen unexpectedly and through no fault of your own. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to seek the right legal advice to ensure you understand your rights to compensation and gain full access to your entitlements.
Am I Eligible to Make a Claim?
In NSW, compensation is available to drivers, passengers and pedestrians who have been injured in accidents involving cars, motorbikes, forklifts, bicycles and other vehicles. If you’ve been injured, you can make a claim through the at-fault driver’s compulsory third party (CTP) Policy. This is done by lodging the relevant claim form with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). While you are able to lodge the claim form yourself, the claims process can be stressful. In order to access your full entitlements, you will need to gather enough medical evidence to support your claim and be aware of other potential entitlements arising from different legislative schemes. For these reasons, it is helpful to get advice from one of our specialist compensation lawyers. At Ticli Blaxland Lawyers, our specialist motor accident compensation lawyers are committed to simplifying the claims process by lodging all paperwork on your behalf and obtaining the relevant medical evidence, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
What Can I Claim?
Under the NSW compulsory third party compensation scheme, you may be able to claim compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, travel expenses and pain and suffering. Your eligibility will depend on your circumstances, so it’s important to discuss how the accident has affected you with one of our motor accident compensation experts. At Ticli Blaxland Lawyers, we have a team who specialises in motor accident claims and is available to listen and give obligation-free advice on your entitlements.
What Should I do If I’m Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
Before making a motor vehicle compensation claim, there are steps you can take to facilitate an easier, hassle-free claims process. These include:
- Acquiring the details and registration plate of the vehicle at fault.
- Reporting the accident to police within 28 days of the accident.
- Obtaining an Event Number from the police.
- Printing the Certificate of Capacity/Certificate of Fitness and ask your treating General Practitioner to complete the Certificate. The form can be retrieved from here.
- Retaining evidence of lost income, such as payslips.
- Retaining receipts for medical and pharmaceutical expenses.
In NSW, strict time limits apply for making a motor vehicle compensation claim. If you have missed work as a result of the accident, your claim must be lodged within 28 days of the accident in order to be eligible for reimbursement of lost wages since the accident. If you lodge your claim outside of this period, you will not be reimbursed for wage loss predating lodgement of your claim. However, you will still have to lodge your application form within 3 months of the date of accident.
To minimise delay, it’s important you speak to one of our specialist motor accident compensation lawyers who will support you through your claims process. Contact Antonela, today.