Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and you do not know what to do, you are not alone. Many people are unsure exactly how to proceed in claiming compensation for injuries and disabilities caused by motor vehicle accidents. The procedures and steps required can be confusing and it is difficult to know how much you may be entitled to.

Eligibility

The type of compensation you are eligible for depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. Injuries that result in long-term disability might make it easier for you to claim compensation for future losses that you might not have suffered if you were not injured. On the other hand, if your injuries were relatively minor and left no permanent injuries, it might be more difficult to claim compensation for future losses. There is no general rule to apply and each case must be examined on a case by case basis.

Time limit

If you want to claim, you must institute proceedings to claim or complete claim negotiations within three years of the accident date. You must also complete a formal Injury Claim Form within 6 months of the injury. If you could miss the 6-month deadline for the Injury Claim Form, you will have to explain why if you still want to claim.

Entitlements

As above, the amount of compensation you may be entitled to depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. Claims must now be considered against its Injury Scale Value. This consideration is complex and is best done by an experienced solicitor. That being said, there are a variety of items that you might be compensated for. These include:

• medical expenses;
• loss of income;
• pain and suffering;
• care expenses; and
• assistance close relatives might provide you.

If you would like to discuss any of the above further, we at Straits Lawyers can help. Simply email us at info@straitslawyers.com or call at 08 8410 9069.

Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice and Straits Lawyers will not be legally responsible for any actions you take based on this article.