Posted on 23 Apr 2026
I’ve been Injured in a Road Accident – What do I do now?
By Slater and Gordon
There have been 1,326 road deaths in the past 12 months as of March 2026. Unfortunately, the death toll has risen every year, for the past 5 years. It can be extremely overwhelming if you or a family member, have been involved in a road accident. Whether you’re a driver, rider, passenger or pedestrian it’s important to know what you need to do next.
First and foremost, we want you (or your loved one) to be feeling well and on the way to recovery. Secondly, it’s important that you’re informed and have an idea of what you have the right to do from here. As you’re likely in unfamiliar territory and unsure what to do next, we have brought together the information below to help you gain your bearings.
Car accident claims and compensation
If you have been injured, you might be wondering about insurance and compensation.
It’s important to understand from the start that, in cases such as these, there is a relevant statutory body or insurer in your State responsible for most claims and compensation related to Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance claims.
What are the State and Territory Road Accident Authorities?
- Victoria: Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
- New South Wales: State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
- Queensland: Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC)
- Canberra: Department of Treasury
- Adelaide: CTP Insurance Regulator
- Tasmania: Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB)
- Western Australia: Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA)
- Northern Territory: Territory Insurance Office (TIO)
What does CTP insurance cover if I'm injured
CTP insurance covers a whole range of medical treatments, services, equipment, expenses, and loss of earnings associated with or resulting from your accident. (It doesn’t cover damage to the vehicle itself or to your property.
Here are few examples of what you may be able to claim under CTP insurance:
Hospital room fees
Surgery fees
Rehabilitation costs
Physiotherapy costs
Crutches, bandages, replacement broken glasses, pillows, braces and splints
Medication
Travel
This is just a small selection and there are policies associated with everything that CTP insurance covers. Exactly what you may be entitled to and the process for claiming this compensation varies by State. It’s important that you get advice on this, as well as the many rules and laws surrounding road injuries, before making a motor vehicle accident claim.
What are the first things to do after a car accident injury?
If you’ve only just been injured or you’re still recovering, you should absolutely listen to the medical professionals you’re in contact with - that’s the doctors, the nurses, the physios, and the rehab staff. It’s also important that your doctor and any other medical professionals clearly and accurately report on your injuries. These medical reports may be requested as a part of your claim.
Filing a police report is an important part of your claim. Although it can feel overwhelming, the police are there to help you and ensure everyone’s safety. When you file a police report, you’ll receive a Police Incident Number which you’ll need as a part of your claim.
After an accident, you may have other questions that medical professionals and the police may not be able to help you with.
If you have questions like:
“When will they pay and are fees covered in the meantime?”
“How will I make a living now that I’m injured?”
“How much of my pre-injury earnings am I entitled to?”
“Are there rules for how much my CTP insurance will compensate me for lost earnings per week?”
If you need help answering any of the questions above, speaking with a legal professional may help you get the clarity you need.
We are the original No Win, No Fee* lawyers. This means that if you don’t win you don’t pay the fees for the work we do on your case.
*For full T&Cs on No Win - No Fee, click here.
When should you get a lawyer for a car accident injury?
The short answer is, the earlier the better. The quicker you can get legal advice and assistance, the more comfortable you’ll be making any important decisions and claims.
Find out where you stand for free in 2 – 3 minutes
If you or a family member have been injured in any kind of road accident, you might be entitled to a range of compensation benefits. Answer a few simple questions to find out where you stand and, if eligible, book an obligation free initial appointment with one of our caring and experienced lawyers.
The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.