If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident and you believe that the other party was responsible for the incident, then you can file an injury compensation claim and receive monetary damages.
Your personal injury claim may include personal injuries that you suffered, your subsequent pain and suffering, the damage to your vehicle and other expenses, such as lost wages or car rental fees, which you feel were a direct result of the accident.
In addition to contacting your auto insurance company and the police, you will also need to contact the other party’s auto insurance company so that you can file a claim.
The other party’s auto insurance company may offer you a monetary amount to settle the claim, and that amount may not be fair, so it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer who can inform you of your rights before you sign any forms.
Some facts about injury compensation regarding a motor vehicle accident:
• There is a statute of limitation, so it is important to immediately file the claim.
• Any amount over $5,000 can not be settled in a small claims court. Instead, you will need to be represented by an accident lawyer.
• Most accident lawyers do not receive payment until the case is settled and you receive monetary damages.
• Your injury claim as a result of the car accident may include expenses related to your medical treatment, your rehabilitation, or your loss of income due to an inability to work.
• Most car accident victims seek “compensatory damages,” which are damages meant to put you back into the same position you were before the car crash.
There are two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are the loss of money as a result of the car accident. Non-economic damages typically cover the pain and suffering as a result of the car crash.
• Some injury compensation claims may also include punitive damages, particularly if the accident was the result of the other driver’s recklessness or irresponsibility.
For many, there is nothing more enjoyable than a ride on a motorbike. The freedom and feeling of riding on a motorbike is certainly why they are such a popular form of transportation for many Australians.
However, along with the excitement and freedom come unique circumstances and dangers like a motorbike accident. The first obvious danger of riding a motorbike is that you are exposed to other motorists, many of whom are unaware of the existence of the motorbike or do not share the road with the motorbike.
With this in mind, it is important to understand that you may be entitled to compensation should you become the victim of a traffic accident while riding a motorbike. Although laws vary according to where you live, it is important to recognize the motorbike laws and how they impact you.
Some of the dangers involved with motorbikes on the road include:
- Being unable to be seen by other motorists. Motorbikes are more likely to be obscured by other vehicles, especially at intersections, where the majority of motorbike and motor vehicle accidents take place.
- Road hazards that are a nuisance to standard vehicles may be dangerous to motorbikes. Just some of the road hazards which may affect motorbike riders include pot holes, debris on the roads or uneven pavement, just to name a few.
- Riding a motorbike takes more skill than driving a standard vehicle. Because of the physical coordination and skill involved in riding a motorbike, the likelihood of a motorbike-related accident is higher than that of a standard vehicle. Some motorbike riders may also not recognize or appreciate the unique dangers and limitations of motorbikes, and may therefore drive at an unsafe speed or take unnecessary risks.
Motor accident injury claims are necessary after a car accident in which the victim suffers personal injury such as whiplash, physical injury or brain injury. If you are a car accident victim, then having a lawyer lodge a successful motor accident injury claim on your behalf is an effective way of ensuring that you receive an appropriate level of compensation.
A common injury in car accidents is whiplash with high proportion of car accident claims resulting from this type of injury. Whiplash injury is when damage occurs to soft-tissue and bone in the neck, caused by the abrupt stop in a car accident. The term whiplash refers to the way the head ‘whips’ forward and back very quickly. This rapid movement can cause injury that results in restricted movement, muscle strain, swelling, tenderness and headaches.
Chronic whiplash can result in cranial nerve and brainstem disturbance. Common symptoms of whiplash injury include neck, shoulder and back pain and stiffness. In the worst cases of whiplash injury cases, the damage to the brain stem can be more severe. Whiplash can be the cause of headaches, dizziness, numbness and loss of sensation in the arms, hands and fingers, lethargy, blurred vision, concentration problems and even short term memory loss. Whiplash treatment requires physiotherapy and medical treatment in order for the injured party to make a full and speedy recovery from the car accident injury.
Seeking compensation for a car accident resulting in whiplash injury can be difficult. Negotiating personal injury claims and compensation requires expert knowledge from a specialist lawyer experienced in motor accident injury claims. Compensation can be essential with expensive treatments such as physiotherapy and specialist treatment. If you’re in a situation where you can’t work, loss of income due to injury could cause hardship for you and your family. When lodging a motor accident injury claim, it is helpful to understand the claim process and what compensation you’re entitled to receive.
Hiring a specialist lawyer with experience in motor accident injury cases is a good idea if you want to be sure your case will get the outcome you desire. A personal injury lawyer facilitate gathering evidence, collecting witness statements, police reports and advising what you need for your claim. A lawyer is a valuable source of information and can ensure your claim is successful and you receive the compensation to which you’re entitled.
Lodging a motor accident injury claim is essential to ensure you receive the compensation to pay for your recovery following a car accident. If you suffer a whiplash or brain injury, seek help from a lawyer to ensure you get your full entitlement for personal injury and are compensated appropriately as the victim of a car accident.
If you were involved in a car accident and suffered an injury, would you know what to do? If you don’t, you could be wasting precious time and destroying your chances of being compensated for your injuries.
The following checklist will guide you in the right direction if you sustain a car accident injury:
- Report the accident to the police while you are still on the scene, so that a police report of the incident can be taken.
- Immediately get medical attention for your car accident injury, either from a doctor or emergency room. Failure to do this could result in a loss of rights regarding your car accident injury.
- Immediately contact you auto insurance company to report the incident.
- Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle as soon as possible, before the car has been fixed.
- Take pictures of your injuries immediately following the incident, as well.
- Keep accurate records of any and all medical treatment you received in relation to your car accident injury.
- Keep accurate records of any lost wages, as well, as the money lost in wages can often be recovered as part of your law suit. Any out-of-pocket expenses should also be recorded.
- Do not make any statements should the other party’s insurance company contact you. It is imperative to obtain legal advice before talking to any insurance representative, as this could seriously impact your ability to obtain compensation for your car accident injury.

