LAWYERS
ROAD ACCIDENT
INJURIES
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02 MAURICE BLACKBURN
YOU’RE
WORTH
FIGHTING
FOR.
If you are hurt, injured, or are facing an unfair
situation, you and your family shouldn’t have
to suffer. That’s why we never stand back when
bad things happen to good people.
At Maurice Blackburn we believe that the law
should serve everyone. Who you are or where
you’re from, it doesn’t matter. You’re worth
fighting for.
Maurice Blackburn was born from one man’s
belief in making a difference to people’s lives.
Nearly 100 years on these values remain a
powerful influence on everything we do.
We exist to fight for your rights. For what you
deserve. When life isn’t fair we’ll help you to
fight for everything you’re entitled to.
If you’ve suffered as the result of a road accident, you’ll
understand the stress, pain and tragedy accidents can cause.
Unfortunately, the experience can often be made even worse
afterwards when dealing with insurance companies.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by the negligent
driving of a motor car, motorcycle or truck you may be able
to claim compensation through the relevant third party
insurance companies or the nominal defendant.
It’s important to get advice from experts
Part of the difficulty in dealing with insurance companies and state authorities is that the law relating to motor vehicle accident claims can be complicated. Our experts try to make the process easier for you by providing straight-forward legal advice.
No matter who you are up against, Maurice Blackburn will fight to protect you.
What type of accidents are covered?
Insurance companies cover a number of negligent motor vehicle related incidents, including:
• a driver injured in an accident where the other vehicle was at fault
• a passenger injured in an accident with another vehicle
• a passenger injured in a single vehicle accident
• a pedestrian hit by a vehicle
• a cyclist hit by a vehicle or hitting an opening door of a vehicle
• a motorcyclist hit by a vehicle, and • a driver or passenger in a single vehicle
accident caused by a defect in the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to run out of control.
The patience shown, the
expertise that shone through and
the ongoing support given was
tremendous.
—
04
MAURICE BLACKBURN
What payments am I entitled to?
Depending on the nature of your injuries you are typically entitled to:
• General Damages (damages for pain and suffering and loss of amenity)
• past and future income loss
• past and future medical and therapeutic expenses
• past and future domestic assistance expenses, and
• interest on General Damages and lost income.
Maurice Blackburn exist to
fight for your rights. For what
you deserve. When life isn’t
fair we’ll help you to fight for
MAURICE BLACKBURN
6
What expenses are covered?
Medical and related expenses will usually be covered, including:
• approved medical and hospital expenses • approved rehabilitation expenses,
including any aid, treatment, counselling, appliance, apparatus or other service • travelling expenses related to medical and
rehabilitation appointments
• pharmacy expenses incurred because of the transport accident, and
• counselling expenses, where the accident caused death or severe injury.
Procedure
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident within the ACT caused by the negligence of another motorist to be eligible for early payment of treatment expenses you must lodge a complying motor accident notification form together with a motor accident medical report and a police report with the relevant insurer ordinarily within 30 working days of the injury. There are other time limits that you must comply with including lodging a complying motor accident claim form ordinarily within 9 months of the accident or within one month of instructing a solicitor about seeking personal injury damages.
Failure to follow the time limits may result in you being disentitled to proceed with your claim.
Generally any court proceedings must be commenced within three years of the injury.
Will it cost anything to find out whether I can make a claim?
No. We are happy to advise you on your situation during a free first consultation. Call Maurice Blackburn on 1800 810 812 to make an appointment.
Protecting your rights is our business
At Maurice Blackburn, we are committed to getting a fair outcome for our clients so you can get on with your life without disadvantage.
Our expert road accident lawyers provide a free first consultation and will fight to ensure you receive the best possible outcome, because we recognise that the compensation you receive is vital to ensuring quality of life for you and your family. If you would like to make an appointment please call 1800 810 812.
From the very beginning, we fought for the rights of ordinary people. We continue this tradition today.
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Visiting offices
Call us or visit the website for more details:
Fyshwick
your rights, get in touch and we can assess what you need or arrange for a meeting with one of our lawyers. For most practice areas, your first consultation is free.
1800 810 812
(business hours)mauriceblackburn.com.au
Feel free to drop into our Canberra office:
Canberra
(02) 6120 5000 Melbourne Building 82 Alinga Street Canberra ACT 2601
Maurice Blackburn is a leading Australian law firm certified to the international ISO 9001:2008 quality standard. Information correct at 1 April 2014. This brochure is a general guide to dealing with Road Accident Injury claims and is not a substitute for professional advice in this area. Maurice Blackburn is proud to be carbon neutral (see our website for details). This brochure is printed on ecoStar Silk. Made with 100% certified post consumer waste fibre, it is produced with a carbon neutral manufacturing process and has been made in a facility that operates under the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. MB4184_ACTRA 05/14
