Car Accidents and Car Crash Overview

The recent release of NSW Roads and Traffic Authority preliminary statistics shows that in the last twelve months 409 people were killed and 23,246 people injured in car accidents on NSW roads.

These statistics drive home that you, a loved one, or a friend, will be involved in a car accident at some point in your life. The resulting injuries range from minor to debilitating! This is why it is important to understand how the motor accidents statutory scheme works in New South Wales, what you are required to do and what compensation you are entitled to receive.

The first important point to remember is that, it is not just people involved in car accidents that are able to receive compensation for an injury sustained on our roads. The motor accident scheme provides compensation for passengers in cars, motorbike riders and pillion passengers, pedestrians and bike riders.

The second point to remember is, that the motor vehicle accident compensation scheme has tight deadlines for making a claim for compensation, with certain requirements that need to be met to be eligible to receive compensation. This includes notifying the police of the accident within 28 days and lodging a claim form for personal injury compensation within six months of the date of the accident.

The third point to be aware of is that even if you were partly at fault for the accident, or involved in a blameless accident, you will still have an entitlement to receive motor vehicle accident compensation. Partly at fault can mean, that you weren’t wearing a seatbelt and a blameless accident can be one where, the accident was caused by an unavoidable collision with an animal on the road.

The fourth point to be aware of is that, motor accidents compensation is divided into a number of areas in which you can receive compensation including:

• Reimbursement of your medical, hospital and rehabilitation expenses.
• Reimbursement and compensation for any past and future attendant care expenses.
• Compensation for any past or future economic loss such as loss of wages or superannuation contributions.
• Lump sum compensation payments if you have suffered a permanent impairment.
• Lump sum compensation payments for pain and suffering.
• Payment of your legal fees.

The final point to remember is that, obtaining expert legal advice on your motor accident claim for compensation, is easier than you think. Our expert legal team is available over the phone or face to face to advise you on your entitlements to compensation.