Gold Coast roads are busier than ever and with busy roads comes higher possibilities of motor vehicle accidents occurring. Given that cars are a common method of transport and we travel in them quite regularly, the threat of being involved in an accident is ever-present.
One of the factors which may be most confronting about motor vehicle accidents is that you are sitting in your car, enjoying a conversation or listening to music, and all of a sudden you are being violently struck or shunted off the road out of nowhere. The sheer unexpectedness, and the shock of car accidents is part of what makes them so confronting.
Need to talk to a no win no fee car accident lawyer on the Gold Coast? When you’re ready to talk, talk to us – at home, at our offices, or at a location convenient to you – without pressure or jargon. If it’s time to talk, we’re here to help you make a personal injury compensation claim to get you back on your feet sooner.
How do I know if I have a car accident compensation claim?
If you have had a motor vehicle accident on Gold Coast roads, your injuries may inhibit your ability to work for long periods of time. You may also have mounting unexpected medical bills that are putting financial pressure on yourself and your family. If you are experiencing any of these hardships due to your injuries then you may be able to make a car accident compensation claim.
There are some common accident types which tend to lead to injuries including:
Rear-Enders
Rear-end accidents often result when distracted drivers fail to pay attention to the road or the surroundings and driving conditions. Also a common error drivers make is following too closely to the vehicle in front of them, when you don’t maintain enough space from the vehicle in front, the rear driver may lack the time and space to brake and avoid a crash if everyone ahead stops suddenly.
Head-On crashes
Head-on crashes are among the most dangerous kinds of car accidents, this is due to the fact that both vehicles are moving toward each other, therefore the force of impact is amplified. Due to the nature of head-on collisions, they usually result in severe injuries or death over other types of car accidents.
Side-impact accidents
Side-impact accidents occur when a vehicle moving in one direction strikes another vehicle on the side of the other vehicle, forming a “T” shape when they meet. These types of side-impact crashes are especially dangerous for passengers in the vehicle that is struck in the side.
Sideswipes
When two or more vehicles are travelling side by side each other, and one vehicle strikes the side of the other car, this is known as a sideswipe accident. These types of crashes usually occur when a driver doesn’t check their blind spots correctly before merging or changing lanes. Sideswipe accidents are dangerous because the impact can cause one or both vehicles to lose control and travel off the road or into other lanes of traffic. The vehicles may in turn hit objects, cars, cyclists, or people on the side of the road.
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Common car accident injury types
The following list of car accident injuries is not an exhaustive list, and everyone will experience pain and injuries in different ways. No matter the type of injuries you sustain of the severity of your car accident it is extremely important that you get yourself checked over by a medical professional and have your injuries assessed. During your consultation, ensure that you let your doctor know the circumstances in which you sustained your injuries.
The most common injury resulting from car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash can happen in minor or serious accidents, especially in rear-end crashes where impact is unexpected, the force can be very brutal. When another vehicle hits your car, your head tends to jerk backwards from the impact. The sudden backward and forward movements can cause strain on the muscles and tendons of the upper back and neck. You may experience neck pain, blurred vision, tingling, headache, or generalised pain in your back, neck or shoulder areas after an accident. The onset of pain may be delayed, and medical attention should be sought immediately after the accident.
The force of impact during a car accident can cause the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the lower back to overstretch or tear. Sprains and strains usually lead to acute lower back pain, tightness and muscle spasms. Other common injuries involving the back include bulging discs (when a disc shifts out of place and bulges into the spinal canal), annular tears and herniated discs.
As mentioned above, whiplash is generally the most commonly associated neck injury, however it is not the only neck injury that can be sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Neck injury after a car accident often involves a lot more than pain and stiffness and at times neck injuries can present themselves days or weeks after your accident. The majority of neck pain and injuries resulting from a car accident is caused by the whipping motion of your head that is caused by the force of impact.
The force of some car accidents can see you and your passengers come away with broken legs, ribs, arms, ankles, and wrists. Severity can range from simple breaks that require a cast to the other end of the spectrum where you may suffer serious breaks or compound fractures that may require surgery to repair.
There are a number of internal organs that can be damaged during a car crash including the liver, spleen, kidneys and the brain. Signs and symptoms can include confusion, slurred speech, weakness, light headedness and low blood pressure.
During car crashes there is the high potential that you and your passengers may take a severe blow to the head. If this occurs the brain may move inside the skull; this movement can cause brain damage. Concussion is a common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and can lead to everything from short-term memory loss to long-term personality change. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can happen when the head strikes the headrest, steering wheel, or window, however a concussion can also occur without any impact to the head, purely from inertia.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after a highly traumatic event. Many people assume that only military personal suffer from PTSD. In reality, however, any time someone witnesses or suffers through a life-threatening event, including a car accident, he or she may suffer from symptoms of PTSD afterward. In some cases, and for some people, a car accident can have lasting and troubling side effects. PTSD can present itself by:
- Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks and nightmares
- Being anxious, irritable, being easily startled and/or having trouble sleeping
- Avoiding anything that reminds you of the event
- Feeling numb or cut off
It’s common to experience physical effects such as whiplash and other physical injuries as outlined above when you have been involved in a car accident. You may also experience other side effects which are psychological. No matter the injury, you should not ignore the signs and symptoms of something not being quite right after a car accident. It is important to seek medical attention no matter the severity.
What do car accident compensation claims cover?
Out of pocket medical expenses, now and into the future
You are able to claim for medical expenses directly relating to your injuries, including pharmaceutical expenses and rehabilitation aids and appointments.
Wage losses, past and future earnings
After a motor vehicle accident, your injuries may prevent you from working due to the need to recover, you are entitled to claim for income you have lost during this time. You are also able to claim for potential future economic loss. You are also able to recover super contributions that you have lost or might lose in the future as a result of your injuries.
If your injuries have resulted in a permanent disability – you may lose even more of your ability to earn money in the future – through no fault of your own.
Ongoing pain and suffering
If you are suffering with pain after your car accident and you will likely endure pain and suffering in the future as a result of your injuries, including any permanent disability you may suffer, you may be able to claim for the loss of your quality of life. This is sometimes referred to as General Damages.
Housekeeping, caregiving and attendant care costs
If your injuries are substantial, you may require assistance to do everyday tasks that were not an issue for you prior to your accident. The help and assistance you receive should be documented – even if you don’t pay for the help. You may be able to claim domestic assistance through your compensation claim.
The Motor vehicle accident claims process
Step 1: Get checked out by your doctor
Getting checked over by a medical professional isn’t always a one-time process, as you may start to feel pain days after the crash. When you do go and see your doctor, ensure you let them know the circumstances in which you sustained your injuries. Also, ensure you keep all medical records pertaining to your car accident claim and injuries.
Step 2: Report your accident
It’s always a good idea to file a police report as this will be needed for your initial claim form.
Step 3: Reach out to a car accident compensation lawyer
There’s no harm in seeking legal advice early on after you have suffered car accident injuries. You will need to know the full extent of your injury before you settle a car accident claim though. You generally have 9 months from the car accident to lodge a motor vehicle claim. Other strict time limits apply so it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible so that your rights are fully protected.
How our Gold Coast Motor Vehicle accident lawyers can help you bring a claim
It costs nothing to gain legal advice when it comes to motor vehicle accident compensation claims and our team of experience lawyers on the Gold Coast can help you bring a claim for compensation. The legislation surrounding personal injury law is not easy to understand, you may not meet the necessary time limitations to make a claim and the court system in general can be very confusing to the legally untrained.
It’s really helpful to have an experienced and understanding personal injury law expert by your side who can help you navigate your way through the system and explain the evidence you will need to complete your claim for compensation. Having the team at Gold Coast Smith’s Lawyers on your side will ensure that you receive all the compensation you're entitled to under the relevant compensation scheme.
Engaging a car accident lawyer means you can be sure your claim meets all legal requirements and all strict time limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get expert advice today
To check your compensation entitlements, request a free case review with our expert car accident lawyers. We can explain your options to road accident injury claims so you are clear on your rights during this difficult time.
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Disclaimer: This information is designed for general information in relation to Queensland compensation law. It does not constitute legal advice. We strongly recommend you seek legal advice in regards to your specific situation. For help understanding your rights, please call 1800 960 482 or request a free case review to talk to one of our lawyers today.