If you’ve been hurt in a road accident, you may be entitled to compensation benefits. Road accidents can be life-changing and the steps you need to take afterwards can seem overwhelming. That’s why at Slater and Gordon, we’re dedicated in supporting you through the process so you can concentrate on your recovery.
Road accidents can lead to many types of physical or psychological injuries. We have extensive experience in helping clients with a wide range of injuries access their benefits and compensation from each states authority, including clients who have sustained injuries such as:
A brain injury
Spinal cord injuries
Fractures
Whiplash
Soft tissue injuries
Nervous shock/psychological injuries
Scarring
We are the original No Win, No Fee* Motor vehicle accident lawyers
This means that if you don’t win, you don’t pay the fees for the work we do on your case.
Understanding what you can claim for and when
You may make a claim in a range of circumstances, including:
You’ve been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident, no matter the cause
You were involved in a truck accident
A child or dependent of yours has been injured on the road
If you were a pedestrian or cyclist involved in a road accident
You were injured on public transport
You maybe lodge a common law claim to seek additional compensation if another party’s negligence caused the accident.
You’ve suffered psychological trauma as a result of an immediate family member being fatally injured on the road
You’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident whilst working, including on the road or off-road (e.g. in a tractor, quad bike or forklift accident).
One of the most important things to do right now is to understand your options by seeking legal advice as soon as possible. In most cases, a claim for compensation must be lodged within 12 months of the accident. Get in touch with us as soon as you can and we can help you with your next steps.
Click here to learn how to make a claim
Do I need a lawyer for a claim?
After a motor vehicle accident, your medical expenses and lost wages are typically covered if you submit the required states authority forms. However, this doesn’t include compensation for other areas such as pain, suffering or future financial losses that you may be entitled to. Seeking legal advice early on can help ensure you’re fully compensated for what you’re entitled to under the law, helping secure your long-term recovery.
Claims process can be complex, and having an experienced lawyer on your side can help make a significant difference to the amount of compensation you receive and the time taken to receive it.
A lawyer can help you file your claim, and negotiate the best possible outcome for you, including compensation for pain and suffering, loss of income, and future medical expenses which may not be covered by a standard claim. If your claim is denied or disputed, legal representation will help to challenge the decision and safeguard your interests.
Slater and Gordon offer a No Win, No Fee* arrangement for motor vehicle accident claims to ensure expert legal advice is accessible to all. Put simply this means that if you don’t win, you don’t pay Slater and Gordon for the work we do on your case. You may still be liable for third party costs and disbursements.
Understand more about why I need a TAC claim lawyer.
Find out what to do if your payments have been stopped or claim rejected.
Find out if you have a claim in just 3 minutes
Use our free Online Claim Check to find out if you have a claim.
Entitlements
Even if you were at fault in the accident, you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses and care
- Weekly payments for loss of income
- Lump sum impairment benefits
- Other expenses such as rehabilitation equipment and medical aids, and home and vehicle modifications
What’s the difference between a statutory claim and a common law claim?
A standard claim typically provides benefits for anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident, regardless of who was at fault. Each states authority covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and support services, but it generally doesn’t compensate individuals for pain and suffering or long-term financial losses.
In contrast, a common law claim allows you to seek additional compensation if another party’s negligence caused the accident. Common law claims generally provide more substantial compensation, including damages for pain and suffering and loss of future earnings.
Motor vehicle accident lawyers are recommended for both types of claims. The claims process can be overwhelming on your own, particularly when considering the strict deadlines and extensive paperwork. Additionally, a lawyer can help negotiate the best possible compensation on your behalf and streamline the process to help get you a quick result.
If you pursue a common law claim, a lawyer is strongly recommended as they will handle paperwork, lodge court documents on your behalf, explain the legislation as it applies to your case, and negotiate with insurers and opposing legal counsel during mediation. In the unlikely event your claim proceeds to trial, a lawyer will represent your best interests in court and help ensure the highest likelihood of a successful verdict.
Examples of common law claims
Common law claims require proving the other party was at fault for the accident, so engaging a lawyer is essential. These claims require litigation but are most often settled out of court between your legal representation and insurance companies.
These payouts are often significantly higher than each states statutory claim and can safeguard you against unforeseen future medical expenses or ongoing care.
Some examples of common law claim payouts include:
- 21-year-old man sustained serious injuries after a collision in a small suburban street, leading to an out-of-court settlement of $908,236.
- Person acquired brain injury, resulting in common law damages for pain and suffering and economic loss totaling $660,000.
- A pedestrian was hit by a car and sustained catastrophic injuries requiring a hip replacement. They received $200,000 in common law damages for pain and suffering, along with an impairment benefit of $22,370.
How we can help
Our motor vehicle accident lawyers are among the most experienced in the country, supported by a nationwide network to ensure you have the right lawyer for your jurisdiction and circumstances.
Whether you decide to pursue a statutory claim or a common law claim, our legal experts can guide you through the process from start to finish. With years of experience assisting injured motorists, we’re well-positioned to advise you on what you can and cannot claim, helping you understand what’s possible and what information is required to support your case.
If court proceedings become necessary, our lawyers will help you navigate the legal process with minimal disruption to your recovery.
To see if you’re eligible for a claim, try our free online claim check. If you have a claim, a lawyer of your choosing can help you take the next step towards recovery.
We understand that there may be circumstances where you may not be able to travel. We have offices nationwide. We’ll make sure we can get to you.
We've been representing injured people for over 85 years. We are efficient, know the system and are confident we can help you. The legal team looking after your claim will include your lawyer, legal assistants and some of the most highly trained support staff in the industry.
We understand that seeking compensation is only one aspect of your journey after a life-changing accident. We know you need support, and we help provide it where you need it.
Hear Cheryl's story
Step through the process
Every case is different. But here is an outline of some of the steps you might go through when making or disputing a claim
We know that making a claim can seem daunting and it’s hard to know where to start. We can give you the information and guidance you need to assess your options, and help make the process less stressful. In this appointment, we’ll answer any questions and help you decide on the best course of action for you.
You'll need to make a claim with the insurance company or government agency that manages these types of claims in your state.
Once you choose Slater and Gordon, we’ll begin gathering evidence on the accident to prepare your case.
So we can get a better understanding of your injury and the impact it has on your life you might need to get an independent medical examination to assess your injury. We’ll arrange these appointments for you.
We’ll help support you at every step of your journey to get you the compensation you deserve. While it’s very rare for cases to proceed all the way to court you can be confident of the best legal representation including a specialist barrister when it’s required.
Filing a police report after a motor vehicle accident
After a motor vehicle accident, you should seek medical attention and if required contact emergency services, this includes speaking to the police and filing a police report.
Filing a police report is a vital part of your claim after a motor vehicle accident. By making a police report, you are protecting your legal rights and entitlements.
Depending on which State or Territory you live in, you will need to lodge a claims notice with your compulsory third party (CTP) insurer. Sometimes, the police will attend the scene of the accident, but if they haven’t, you must report your motor vehicle accident to the police before you can lodge your claim.
Meet the team
When you work with us, you’ll have your own team of legal experts looking after your case. Experienced and always working for your success, they will work closely with you to achieve the best outcome possible.
