We’ve covered some simple tips for staying safe on the roads here before on the site, but the sad reality is that even careful drivers can end up involved in motor accidents through no fault of their own. Though Australia performs increasingly well in international road safety comparisons, dangerous roads are commonplace and serious accidents regularly occur throughout New South Wales.
Based on our decades of experience as car accident lawyers, we’ve put together a quick overall guide to the main do’s and don’ts of making motor vehicle accident claims. The information below will steer you in the right direction for claims in general, but we also strongly encourage you to reach out for direct assistance from our team of personal injury solicitors if you’ve recently been involved in a crash.
What Not to Do When Making a Motor Accident Injury Claim
The immediate aftermath of a car accident is a troubling time for all concerned, and it’s crucial that you don’t inadvertently act against your own best long-term interests. Let’s start with what not to do:
- Don’t try to be your own doctor: It’s not always clear what the long-term health implications of an accident might be – whiplash injuries are a classic case in point here. Regardless of how minor you consider your injuries, make sure you are fully checked out and research your claim entitlements via an Accident Notification Form fully.
- Don’t leave things too late: Motor vehicle accidents need to be reported to the police within 28 days in NSW or you risk complications further down the line when making a claim.
- Don’t try and do it all yourself: The claims process is increasingly streamlined, but that doesn’t mean you should try and navigate its potential complexities yourself – particularly at a time where you may still be grappling with the after-effects of the accident itself. Professional advice from a compensation solicitor gives your claim the best possible chance of success.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s move on to what you should do.
What to Do When Making a Motor Accident Injury Claim
If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident, there are a number of practical details you need to take care of quickly once you are out of immediate danger:
- Do report the accident: As mentioned above, look to do this within 28 days if at all possible.
- Do get the Green Slips: Identify the Green Slip (CTP) policies of all vehicles involved. These can be obtained from the Motor Accidents Authority if you know the relevant number plates.
- Do submit a personal injury claim form: These can be downloaded from the Motor Accidents Authority website and should be submitted to the relevant Green Slip insurer.
When preparing to meet with your solicitor to fill out the injury claim form, make sure you’re fully armed with all relevant details for your case. This includes as much information on the accident itself as possible, along with subsequent details of police reports, medical treatment and bills, and any loss of income suffered in the interim.
Getting your life back on track following a car accident is often a significant undertaking and you need to devote as many resources as possible to the recovery process. In this context, having a professional motor vehicle accident claims lawyer in your corner with deep experience of dealing with similar cases is a common sense step to take. We can help you navigate the process of making a claim with confidence and help you achieve the best possible outcome.
As with all our personal injury claims, we work on a strict no-win, no-fee basis and are happy to advise on all aspects of your potential claim during a free consultation. Contact us today to discuss next steps.
