Bike and Motorbike Accident Lawyers
If you have sustained injuries as a cyclist or motorbike rider from an accident on or after 1 December 2017 involving a motor vehicle you can claim compensation under the Compulsory Third Party Scheme (CTP).
Regardless of who was at fault in the accident (you or the driver of the motor vehicle) compensation for your injuries is awardable for 6 months from the date of the accident. If the driver of the motor vehicle was at fault, you may receive compensation beyond 6 months unless your injuries are assessed as soft-tissue or minor injury. In this case, you may also make a claim for modified common law damages which may enable you to receive lump sum payment.
What does bike/motorbike accident compensation cover?
You may receive benefits like income support payments, medical expenses and the like if you were injured as a cyclist or motorbike rider in an accident that occurred on or after 1 December 2017 involving a motor vehicle depending on certain conditions.
For your injuries sustained from the accident, you may receive weekly payments for lost earnings. These payments will come to an end after 6 months if you were wholly or mostly at fault in the accident or your injuries are assessed as a minor injury. The CTP insurer may pay for your medical expenses as well, which may extend 6 months if your injuries are not assessed as minor.
How to claim compensation for bike or motorbike accidents?
For bike or motorbike accidents that occurred on or after 1 December 2017, you should first report the accident to the police and obtain an event number. Then make a claim within 3 months by completing an Application for Personal Injury Benefits and getting your doctor to complete a Medical Certificate. You should then submit both documents to the CTP insurer. This should ideally be done within 28 days so that you can receive benefits from the date of the accident.
Can you make a claim for modified common law damages?
As a cyclist or motorbike rider, if you were not the party most at fault and your injuries are not minor, you will also be entitled to make a claim for modified common law damages which deal with any economic loss, both past and future including superannuation, that you suffered as a result of the injuries sustained in an accident involving a motor vehicle. You may also be able to claim lump sum compensation for pain and suffering and the like if your injuries are assessed as being greater than 10% whole person impairment.
What is minor or soft tissue injury?
Soft tissue injuries are typically those in muscles, tendons, and ligaments but do not include injury to nerves or a complete or partial rupture of tendons, ligaments, menisci or cartilage. Whiplash injury is the most common type to be classified as soft tissue injury and therefore minor injury in the context of claims for bike or motorbike accidents compensation. Minor psychiatric or psychological injuries, on the other hand, include adjustment disorder and acute stress disorder. People diagnosed with minor injury as a result of a car accident are entitled to weekly income support, medical expenses, and domestic and personal care services, for 26 weeks from the date of the accident.
An experienced bike or motorbike accident lawyer can guide you through the process of making a claim for compensation after the accident, providing you with detailed information about your rights and CTP benefits. You can also gain advice on whether your case qualifies for making a claim for modified common law damages.
Our expert lawyers work on a no win no fee basis, which means you do not have to pay our legal fees unless we achieve your claim for compensation.
You do not have to be in Sydney to make a compensation claim after a bike or motorbike accident. Regardless of where you are located or where the accident occurred, our lawyers specialized in bike and motorbike accidents and conveniently located in Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool and Wollongong can help you.
The benefits you may receive as a result of your compensation claim will depend on factors such as the degree of your fault in the accident or the severity of your injury. The maximum amount awardable for a motor vehicle accident as compensation in 2017 was $521,000.
If you were injured in a bike or motorbike accident, you can consult a lawyer at any point in your claim process. However, it is important to see a lawyer as soon as possible if you are confused about your entitlements and how to claim them.
No win no fee bike or motorbike accident lawyers
The process of claiming compensation can be so stressful that it can elevate your existing suffering from your personal injury. Financial concerns, on the other hand, arising out of legal payments can be another factor of stress as well. A competent lawyer working on a no win no fee basis will remove both the legal and financial burdens for you. No win no fee means you will pay for legal fees only if your claim is achieved and lets you focus on the success of your claim and nothing else.