Motor Vehicle and
Car Accident Lawyers
Expert motor vehicle and car accident injury compensation lawyers for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Queensland. 100% risk-free promise. Get expert advice now.
Injured in a road or car accident in Queensland?
If you have been injured in a car or motor vehicle accident due to someone else's negligence then you may be entitled to compensation for the impact of your injuries. If you’d like to discuss your rights to claiming compensation with one of our expert Queensland road and car accident injury lawyers, call Smith’s Lawyers for a free and no obligation initial consultation on 1800 960 482 or chat online with our experts now.
Here’s why 94% of our clients happily refer our services to friends and family
We’re with you every step
We know that navigating the system can be overwhelming and complex. Our team will take the time to explain every step to you, so you feel empowered to move forward.
We genuinely care
At Smith's Lawyers, you'll never feel like a number to us. Each of our expert staff is committed to helping you through this challenging period in your life.
No Win. No Fee. No Catch®
Our ‘No Win. No Fee. No Catch’® promise provides access to risk-free compensation. What differentiates our promise is that many other law firms require you to pay the other side’s legal fees and expenses if your case loses in court. Unless we win your case, you won’t pay us or anyone else a cent.
Our results speak for themselves
In 25 years, we've never had a single client out of pocket. Last financial year, we recovered over $28 million in compensation for our clients. We get the results our clients deserve.
We keep it simple
Contact us
Reaching out to a lawyer can be tough, but our promise to you is more than just a listening ear and expert advice.
Tell us your story
At a location that's convenient to you, we’ll take the time to understand your situation and provide you the best advice.
Discuss your options
We offer free advice, 7 days a week. We'll give you all the information you need, so you know where you stand.
Some of our more common questions about Car and Road Injury compensation
How long after a car accident can you claim injury compensation?
Yes, strict time limits apply. The limit is 3 years from the date of the accident for most claims unless you were under 18 when the injury occurred. Some exceptions apply, we recommend seeking legal advice as soon as possible.
Who pays for motor vehicle injury compensation?
Compensation is paid by the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurer of the vehicle at fault. The claim is not made directly against the driver at fault, meaning the driver will not be out of pocket, nor will they have to find a lawyer to represent them. The CTP Insurer will deal with everything.
For example, if you were injured as a passenger due to the fault of your partner who was driving then you could bring a claim with no adverse implications on them.
Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?
If you are uninjured and are simply seeking property damage costs to pay for vehicle repairs then you probably won’t need a lawyer if you or the at-fault party have suitable insurance. However, if you or someone in your vehicle was injured then you should seek legal advice.
You can download a notice of accident claim form from MAIC (Motor Accident Insurance Commission) and then lodge a claim with the compulsory third party insurer of the at-fault party.
However, without the ability to take the insurer as far as court, it is typically very difficult to directly negotiate an offer that will adequately compensate you for your loss of income, medical expenses and pain and suffering. An expert motor and car accident lawyer can help negotiate a suitable settlement.
How much compensation can you claim for car accident injuries?
The amount of compensation that can be claimed for a car or motor vehicle accident is calculated based on many factors such as the severity of your injuries, loss of income (past and projected future loss), loss of superannuation, surgery/medical expenses, your age plus pain and suffering.
Many minor car injuries such as less severe whiplash claims often settle for tens of thousands of dollars while severe motor vehicle injury claims such as those causing spinal cord injuries could be six or seven figure settlements.
An assessment of your situation is needed before any projections can be given. Settlements reflect the long term impact on your life so it’s worth remembering that large settlements are associated with long term or life altering injuries.
When to call a lawyer after a car accident?
The first priority after a car accident should be the safety of those on the scene. If someone is injured then you should call emergency services for paramedic and police assistance. If the police do not attend then you should report the incident to them and your insurer.
Calling a lawyer isn’t something you need to do immediately after an accident but if injured it is best not to wait too long before seeking advice.
Starting a claim earlier can make it easier to gather reliable evidence and witness statements to prove liability and negligence of the at-fault party. It can also ensure no time limits are missed such as lodging a notice of accident claim form.
What if I wasn't driving?
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident such as a car crash then it’s likely you will face medical expenses such as physio, occupational therapy, medication and possibly for surgery. Medical costs that can be covered by Medicare will be done that way and you may be eligible for some claims via your private health fund policy if you have one.
We can assist in making an insurance claim to get other out of pocket expenses paid by the CTP insurer of the at-fault party without you having to wait for the full compensation payout to settle.
When a settlement payout is made then the insurer's offer will factor in money already received for treatment to date as well as projected future costs.
