Sydney Car Accident Lawyer

Over 150 road deaths occurred in Australia in 2015, according to the state’s Road Safety Commission. Many more suffer catastrophic injuries that require extended hospitalization and rehabilitation. If you suffered injuries in an Australia car accident, and the accident was another driver’s fault, you are eligible to collect compensation to cover the costs of your recovery, lost wages and more. Contact a Sydney car accident lawyer at Carroll & O’Dea today to explore your options.

Australia requires all drivers to carry compulsory third party (CTP) insurance. This policy pays for costs associated with the death or injury of other people if the policyholder causes a crash.

In order to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages, you must show the other driver was at fault or mostly at fault for the crash. This requires proving:

The other driver owed you a duty of care.
The driver breached this duty of care, causing the crash.
You suffered injuries, financial losses or other damages.
These damages occurred because of the accident.

Talking the case over with a Sydney car accident attorney and getting legal advice based on the details of your own injuries and financial losses is the best way to determine how much you can expect to receive to cover your damages. In general, these payouts may cover:

Medical care
Rehabilitation
Lost wages
Property damage
Non-pecuniary damages such as pain and suffering (limited by law)

Experienced Sydney Car Accident Attorney

Every car accident case in Australia begins with reporting your accident to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). You need to complete a Notice of Intention to Make Claim Form and a Medical Authority. If you have a Sydney car accident lawyer prior to filing this form, the law firm manages this step. Most lawyers also ask clients to keep a file of notes about the accident, a journal about their medical treatment, and other information about the accident.

Filing a report leads to a review and a settlement offer typically follows. Never accept a settlement without legal advice based on your case. Settling too soon or for too little is a common mistake in this type of case.

If a fair settlement is not possible or if your claim is denied, your Sydney auto accident lawyer could recommend filing a court action to recover compensation for your damages. A common law claim requires providing proof that the other driver’s negligent acts caused your injuries. The information your lawyer recommended you keep is often crucial in these cases.

In general, you have three years from the date of an accident to file a court case, if this becomes necessary. However, a number of factors can affect this limit. It is key to get legal advice immediately after an accident to ensure you remain within this time limit.

Trusted Sydney Auto Accident Lawyer

If you suffered severe injuries in an Australia car accident, you need a law firm with experience working with the ICA to negotiate fair settlements for clients. Carroll O’Dea Lawyers can ensure you receive fair treatment and recover damages to the extent allowed under law.

To schedule an initial consultation or to discuss the circumstances of your auto accident, contact a Sydney auto accident attorney at Carroll & O’Dea to determine if you have a claim.