How can I claim compensation after a motor vehicle or work accident?

Have you been injured in a car or work accident in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or in Queensland? Thousands of Queenslanders are injured in motor vehicle and workplace accidents every year, with many failing to follow the right steps and receiving significantly less accident compensation than they may be legally due.

No matter how seemingly minor or major your accident on the road or at work, it is imperative that you follow the right steps and commence your claim for motor vehicle or work accident compensation as soon as possible. This is also very important, as strict time limits apply to compensation claims in Queensland, especially work accident claims.

Been injured in a car accident?

While not all motor vehicle accidents are alike, what you do immediately following an accident on the road can determine, to a great extent, the outcome of your claim for motor vehicle accident compensation. With that in mind, the following four steps are critically important;

1. Check the condition of everyone involved and call for an ambulance immediately if anyone appears to be injured.
2. Regardless of whether anyone has been injured, call the police and ask for a police officer to record the accident and prepare a police report. A police report is required to accurately assess who is at fault for the accident.
3. Write down the name, driver license number, vehicle registration, insurance information, home address, mobile and email address of all the drivers involved.
4. See a doctor after the accident, even if there isn’t any pain and there aren’t any visible injuries. Some injuries, like whiplash, aren’t immediately noticeable, but any injuries and symptoms of the accident must be recorded by a medical practitioner.

As you most likely have a smartphone, take a video and as many photos of the accident scene as you can. Include all the vehicles involved in the accident, evidence such as skid marks, debris, road markings and the location of road signs. You should also try to take photos of the road conditions and weather, especially if these factors played a role in the accident.

While the more information you are able to record about the accident the better, it is not advisable to take statements from witnesses who appear to be supporting the other driver/s involved. Their statements could be used against you during the claim or at a later date.

Been injured at work?

If you have been injured in an accident at work, immediately seek first aid and then report your injuries to your employer or supervisor. If your injuries are serious, you may also need to notify WHSQ. Many of the steps outline above for motor vehicle accident claims apply to workers compensation claims, though the process is slightly different.

1. Check the condition of all involved, seek medical treatment on site if possible and call an ambulance if needed.
2. Report the accident and all injuries to your employer or supervisor.
3. Seek medical attention from a medical practitioner and report your injuries.

You should also contact a work accident solicitor and speak with them about the accident and your injuries. As with all personal injury claims, starting the claim process as soon as possible helps to protect your claim, and ensures you meet the time limit requirements.

Seeking medical attention

Regardless of whether you are currently experiencing much pain or discomfort from your motor vehicle or work accident, seek medical treatment immediately and inform the doctor that you were involved in a car, motorbike or work accident. They will ask you for details on the accident and it is very important that you report all of your injuries and explain the accident to them in detail. Failing to seek medical treatment and report your injuries after being involved in an accident can cause major problems with your claim for compensation.

If you have been injured in the accident, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion from another medical practitioner. You may choose to do this because your symptoms do not seem to be going anyway, the doctor has not investigated them sufficiently, or just to be on the safe side. The success of your car, truck or work accident claim depends heavily on having a comprehensive medical record which details your injuries, how they relate to the accident, and the impact they have had on your life, daily activities and employment.

It is also advisable to keep a journal which details any pain and symptoms that you experience, along with medications taken and treatments undertaken.

Seek legal assistance

Contacting a personal injury solicitor, either a motor accident or work accident solicitor, as soon as you can after the accident is also essential, as strict time limits apply to claims for compensation in Queensland. Should you contact Accident Law at our Brisbane or Gold Coast offices, we will immediately take the required steps to lodge your claim for motor vehicle or work accident compensation.

Along with protecting your personal injury claim, having one of our accredited lawyers or solicitors start the car or work accident injury claim process as soon as possible will assist with your medical treatment expenses. Once our solicitors have lodged the claim on your behalf, the insurer is obligated to meet your reasonable treatment and rehabilitation costs.

If you have any questions about claiming compensation after a motor vehicle or work accident and what our solicitors and lawyers will do on your behalf, please call us on 1800 958 498 or complete our contact form at the footer of every page, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.