Smith’s Lawyers Blog
Latest articles and news
News, insights and resources for Queensland road safety, work safety and dealing with unexpected set backs in life. Browse our latest articles or select a category of interest below.
![An empty road in Australia](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/669520808450e72a69dd5c4a_Where%20are%20the%20Self-Driving%20Cars%20The%20Reality%20Behind%20the%20Hype.jpg)
Where are the Self-Driving Cars? The Reality Behind the Hype
Has the self-driving car revolution stalled? Let's investigate.
![A diver looking frustrated whilst on the mobile after hitting a female cyclist with his car](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/66951d817140a4ee50230c71_Why%20Do%20Some%20Drivers%20Really%20Hate%20Cyclists.jpg)
Why Do Some Drivers Really Hate Cyclists?
Cycling often sparks tension between cyclists and drivers, but is this really the truth?
![Apple's airpods o awithblue backscreen](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/66951a19e3c72a32fbfe6813_Could%20Apple%E2%80%99s%20Rumoured%20AI%20Camera%20Enabled%20AirPods%20Enhance%20Road%20Safety.jpg)
Could Apple’s Rumoured AI Camera Enabled AirPods Enhance Road Safety?
Discover how Apple's upcoming iOS 18 AI features for its AirPods could revolutionize road safety.
![A man drinking a coffee in a self-driving car in Australia](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/667f9ae6e81b8af0a210e5d5_ethics%20of%20self%20driving%20cars%20in%20accidents%20.jpg)
The Ethics of Self-Driving Cars: Who's Responsible in an Accident?
Who is liable in self-driving car accidents? We explore the ethical challenges in Australia.
![A car parked badly between two other vehicles](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/668b5c8f7ea77d21107a5920_Australian%20driver%20stereotypes.jpg)
Common Driver Stereotypes vs. Reality in Australia
Driver stereotypes: Is there any truth behind the perceptions we give Australia drivers?
![A human and robotic hand reach out to touch](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/665dd21bb79c4e0fa2bc9717_The%20Role%20of%20AI%20and%20Robotics%20in%20Enhancing%20or%20Threatening%20Workplace%20Safety.jpg)
The Role of AI and Robotics in Enhancing or Threatening Workplace Safety
AI and Robotics in the Workplace: Safety Solutions or New Risks?
![Two women riding their electric scooters in Australia](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/665dcf98f53e4353b4701a0a_Are%20Electric%20Scooters%20a%20Menace.jpg)
Are Electric Scooters a Menace or a Modern Transport Solution?
Exploring the Rise of Electric Scooters: Transport Solution or Safety Hazard? Dive into the debate
![Man looking stressed at his finances staring at laptop screen following a personal injury](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/665d5d5348eab7fd923c1600_financial-stress-injury-recovery.jpg)
The Impact of Financial Stress on Injury Recovery
Uncover the hidden impact of financial stress on injury recovery. Solutions inside!
![Quad bikes on Australian farms](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/6641bb356cbab7e0347fe56e_new%20quad%20bike%20laws%20in%20Queensland%20Australia.png)
Quad Bike Safety: Is Change Really Happening on Queensland Farms?
New safety rules for quad bike safety aim to save lives on Queensland farms.
![Subcontractor](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/61834c95c0989552edf7e929_Blog%20Thumbnail.png)
Workplace
Subcontractors and Insurance: What You Need to Know
Are subcontractors responsible for their own workers' compensation insurance? Read on to find out.
![Celebrating teachers on World Teachers Day](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/6163c07de2648a58c71bb695_iStock-827810804%20Resized.jpg)
Workplace
Teachers and their rights at work in Queensland
Did you know about 70% of teachers claim to have experienced bullying and abuse from students?
![understanding workplace psychological injury and stress claims](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/6175ecbc070daaa31b57ad32_Untitled%20design%20(1).png)
Workplace
Understanding workplace psychological injury & stress claims in Queensland
Psychological injury or stress claims can be considered as workplace injuries.
![Covid-19 declared work injury for frontline workers](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/616774455873033da2e5b521_iStock-1303392283%20thumb.jpg)
Workplace
Should COVID-19 be declared a workplace injury for frontline workers?
Should COVID-19 be declared a workplace injury for frontline workers?
![Construction worker advocates for workplace health and safety for Safe Work Month](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0112d4a6a43_608895f1d10a36b41e7b257b_iStock-1054724872%2520resized.jpeg)
Workplace
Safe work is everyone's responsibility
Every two days in Australia, someone will die from a work-related injury or illness.
![Man with broken leg on couch](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d000ac4a6a13_60b473ef2cf1f878f69c298a_iStock-1302928101resized3.jpeg)
Workplace
Why you should always use your own doctor after a work injury
Doctors are key decision-makers in your claim journey, so make sure they're on your side.
![Lady with a hard hat wiping oil off hands](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d046e04a6bf0_611616c70160aa7f209a6279_21.jpeg)
Workplace
The importance of keeping tradies safe on the job
Tradies represent more than half of Australia's serious workers' comp claims each year.
![Worker driving a truck](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0b2464a6a4d_6088a1e5ade9f13f44448ed5_iStock-1174655301%2520resized.jpeg)
Workplace
Worker fatalities: your rights when the worst happens
When a loved one leaves for work, we expect them to come home afterwards. Sometimes, they don't.
![Woman working at computer from home](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d072be4a6a31_60739c381116080a94acd3d4_iStock-1217351259%2520resized.jpeg)
Workplace
Working from home safety tips
Many people are still choosing to work from home during the pandemic. Read our tips to work safe.
![Man in rental with leaking roof](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0c01b4a6bee_60ed068d013ff3f295734566_iStock-1227193130%2520resized.jpeg)
Public Place
What to do if you're injured in your rental home
It's more important now than ever to know your rights as a tenant, especially safety at home.
![Person riding electric scooter](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0393f4a69f1_5cb6ab2757179af6217e883e_Lime_Thumb.jpeg)
Public Place
When E-Scooters Crash, Who Is To Blame?
How safe are electric scooters, and who gets the blame when something goes wrong?
![Image of client](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d089ae4a67b4_5b0f702f3e70f889e41eeb0c_Renae-Mann-Family-Statement-1.jpeg)
Legal Interest
Family statement regarding coronial inquest into death of Renae Jean Mann
Family statement regarding coronial inquest into death of Renae Jean Mann
![Smartwatch technology](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d056a94a69c6_5b0f702f3e70f8137b1eec05_pexels-photo%2520(3).jpeg)
Legal Interest
How Wearable Technology is Making It’s Way into the Courtroom
How Wearable Technology is Making It’s Way into the Courtroom
![Older man holding knee in pain](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0058d4a69b4_602daeba0044e8b4811d8ce5_TPD%2520blogresized.jpeg)
TPD Insurance
Understanding TPD insurance claims
Have you seen TPD premiums being deducted from your super, but don't know what it is? Read this.
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![Women taking a phone call while driving](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0c3164a6bed_60fdfa5313fbf380034e3041_3.jpeg)
Car & Road
Leave the phone alone: Distracted driving, a growing problem
Driving distracted has resulted in hundreds of Queensland fatalities over the past five years.
![Dash cam](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d03dd34a685a_5ca54b92c67eb884c6aae2f4_mandatory-dashcams-thumbnail.jpeg)
Car & Road
Survey finds 70% of Qld drivers want dash cams to be mandatory
Support for mandatory dash cams is strong. Could it soon be compulsory to have one in your car?
![Man cycling in Brisbane streets](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d05ee74a68f0_60a605a565cdf4debeec818c_iStock-504877260resized.jpeg)
Car & Road
Roads are getting safer, so why are cyclist deaths increasing?
Cyclists were the only road user to see an increase in road deaths in the past decade.
![Car crash at night](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d007c14a6698_60a1cd787bd25f41b662e91e_iStock-958704476resized.jpeg)
Car & Road
National Road Safety Week: The reality of Australia's road toll
Each year about 1,200 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured.
![Road signs](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d03e1e4a67cb_5e5c739892f6ea61eb4cee24_aussie-road-rules.jpeg)
Car & Road
10 of the most forgotten road rules in Queensland
We all know that speeding and drink driving are bad, but what about these Queensland road rules?
![Tired, fatigued driver](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d056494a6780_605c06c3244c4d5b3c38de7a_iStock-1305330894.jpeg)
Car & Road
Wake up: Queensland drivers ignoring fatigue advice
50 per cent of drivers are still ignoring the advice to take a break every 2 hours on long trips.
![Taking photos of car accident](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0060e4a68b8_603ddb41fbde4fe41b50f316_Car%2520accident%2520resized1.jpeg)
Car & Road
Practical tips for after a road accident
Car accidents are stressful and difficult at the best of times. If you’re injured in one, read on.
![Our founder Greg Smith](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d06ff04a6723_6023155e71a1c1d9ff853fc3_IMG_1039resize1.jpeg)
Car & Road
Crash left him battered and bruised: Greg's been there too
Our founder Greg personally understands the feelings of confusion & loss after a major incident
![Speed camera on highway](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d077bf4a677c_5df072b1f229f4dd71aa213d_speed-camera-small.jpeg)
Car & Road
Do Speed Cameras Really Save Lives? An Investigation
Speed cameras: Life savers, revenue raisers, or your nemesis? Let's look at the facts.
![Two people nervous sitting down](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d071904a670a_5b0f702f3e70f81ba11eeb0d_Partners-Guide-Pain-1.jpeg)
General
Chronic pain: survival guide for partners and family
Those who care for people living with chronic pain play a vital role in effective pain management.
![Person taking photo of people from car](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d00fb14a6bef_60ed0f370902e742a4bbdaaa_Untitled%2520design%2520(10).jpeg)
General
Everything you need to know about insurance surveillance
How far can insurance investigators go? What is legal? What should you do if you're being watched?
![Media release](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0bfe84a685b_6088aa522f191ec2788a742c_Media%2520release.png)
General
Media release: Law firm calls for more action on worker fatalities
We encourage employers and employees to take a proactive stance on improving workplace safety.
![People comforting each other](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0468f4a686a_5dae8d862ac078521f094fe3_Mental%2520Health_Thumb.jpeg)
General
Why it's important to protect your mental health after injury
After an injury, it's important to recover physically — as is taking care of your mental health.
![Man meditating at sunset](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d06dc94a65c2_5b0f702f3e70f864ea1eecc5_pexels-photo-267967.jpeg)
General
5 Free Apps to Help with Anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD)
Here are some apps to help your mental health after an incident or accident.
![Person at computer with antler headband](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0d89e4a6a4b_5dfafbcd7cdd9c3305ac7b75_working-christmas-small.jpeg)
General
Not Everybody Gets a Break: Working Through the Holidays
If you’re one of those who keeps working through the holiday season, be careful.
![Tradies sitting at a worksite](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0f46d4a6986_5d9d8a9e4979e9e8f4b732fb_Tradie_Thumb.jpeg)
General
The Ultimate A-Z Tradie Dictionary
Tradies have their own special language, so it's only fitting they have their own dictionary.
![Construction workers in hi-vis](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d0095f4a6659_5cc03a17721fcdb5732ca265_Young%2520Workers_Thumb.jpeg)
General
A Safety Guide For Young Workers In Trade
Read our tips on how young workers can safely navigate their way around a new workplace.
![Cyclists riding in sunset](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/611f74ebbfd5d0b20c4a61a6/611f74ebbfd5d049e04a6958_5ca19b4af4f1245eb9b22e2e_5%2520Things%2520Australia%2520Can%2520Learn%2520From%2520Other%2520Countries%2527%2520Cycling_Thumb.jpeg)
General
5 Things Australia Can Learn From Other Countries' Cycling Culture
When it comes to cycling infrastructure and culture, why is Australia falling so far behind?
If it's time to talk, we're here to help. Get free advice direct from our solicitors today.
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