Car Accident Lawyers NSW
Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of injury in New South Wales, both in daily life and in work-related settings. These injury compensation claims are brought against CTP insurance – the insurance every motorist in Australia is legally required to hold, sometimes referred to as a “Green Slip.”
Do you have an entitlement to compensation?
If you or a family member has been injured in a vehicle accident, it’s always worth getting legal advice to find out whether you’re entitled to compensation. Entitlements can include weekly payments, medical and treatment costs, pain and suffering and loss of earning capacity.
Acting early matters
There are time limits that apply to CTP claims, so it’s best to get advice early. Getting the right information for your specific situation can make all the difference to both the process and the outcome.
Getting help
Whitelaw McDonald represents injured Australians across NSW, with over 40 years in business and a 99% success rate. Free advice is available.
- Car Injury Lawyers Sydney
- Car Injury Lawyers Newcastle
- Car Injury Lawyers Central Coast
- Car Injury Lawyers Coffs Harbour
- Car Injury Lawyers Grafton
- Car Injury Lawyers Tamworth
- Car Injury Lawyers Wollongong
- Car Injury Lawyers Port Macquarie
We service NSW-wide, so feel free to get in touch wherever you are located.
Get Free Advice
At Whitelaw McDonald, we believe everyone deserves to know where they stand. Have a quick confidential, no-obligation chat with our legal team at no cost.
There is no payment or commitment needed to speak with our experts.
Am I eligible to make a car accident claim in NSW?
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in NSW, you can generally make a claim regardless of who was at fault. You may be eligible if you were:
- A driver – including if you were partly or wholly at fault
- A passenger in any vehicle involved
- A pedestrian or cyclist hit by a vehicle
- A motorcyclist
- The family member of someone seriously or fatally injured
Every registered vehicle in NSW carries Compulsory Third Party (CTP) “Green Slip” insurance, and that’s what your claim is made against. It doesn’t matter if the at-fault driver was uninsured, unidentified, or fled the scene – you can still make a claim, including through the Nominal Defendant scheme in hit-and-run or uninsured vehicle cases.
If you’re not sure whether you have a claim, that’s exactly what your free case assessment with one of our team members is for – we’ll tell you plainly, one way or the other.
What compensation can I claim after a car accident?
Under the NSW CTP scheme, everyone injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to statutory benefits for the first 52 weeks after the accident, regardless of fault. These cover:
- Weekly income payments – for lost earnings while you’re unable to work
- Medical and treatment expenses – doctors, physiotherapy, hospital care, and rehabilitation.
If you were mostly at fault, or your injuries are classed as minor (“threshold”), these statutory benefits generally stop at 52 weeks.
If you weren’t mostly at fault and your injuries are more than minor, your statutory benefits can continue beyond 52 weeks, and you may also be entitled to make a common law damages claim – a lump sum that can cover:
- Pain and suffering (non-economic loss)
- Past and future loss of income and earning capacity
In addition, related medical expenses could also be payable on an ongoing basis.
What you’re entitled to depends heavily on how your injuries are classified and who was responsible. Our lawyers can give you a realistic picture of your position after an initial assessment free of charge.
“Huge thanks to Matthew Berenger, Kelly and Makayla for all your assistance and support during my MVA claim. It was a tough, long road for me, but changing solicitors to Whitelaw McDonald, and specifically Matthew on recommendation, was definitely the smartest move I have ever made. Matthew and his team were not only professional and knowledgeable, but patient and understanding in an emotional and difficult time, such as an insurance matter. Matthew’s clear expertise in this field is without question, outstanding, and he was instrumental in securing for me a settlement far beyond my expectations. So, thank you Matthew and the team, and Whitelaw McDonald more broadly. I could not have done this without you. I am so grateful and highly recommend their services.”
— Rebecca
Not Sure if You Have a Claim?
Not a problem – get in touch with our team, or use our free claim check tool.
Our Car Accident Injury Lawyers
Craig Stewart
Associate Director – Accredited Specialist Personal Injury
Mario Bechelli
Senior Associate – Personal Injury Law
Time limits after a car accident
Motor vehicle accident claims in NSW run on strict timeframes, and missing them can cost you money you’re otherwise entitled to.
- Report to police within 28 days
- Notify the CTP insurer within 28 days if you want your statutory benefits backdated to the day after the accident. You can still lodge later, but you may lose entitlement to backdated weekly payments.
- Lodge your claim within 3 months of the accident at the latest – after that, you’ll need to provide a full and satisfactory explanation for the delay, and the insurer may refuse to accept it.
The earlier you get advice, the more of your entitlement you protect. If it has already been some time after your accident, don’t assume it’s too late – get in touch and we’ll advise you.
Not sure who was at fault? You may still be able to claim.
If your situation doesn’t sound like a “typical” car accident, don’t assume that rules you out. Get in touch and we’ll tell you whether you have a claim.
Fault isn’t always obvious straight after an accident, and sometimes it’s not clear who was responsible – or the accident happened without any clear “at-fault” party at all, like a single-vehicle accident caused by road conditions. You don’t need to have fault determined before you contact us.
Everyone injured in a motor vehicle accident in NSW is entitled to statutory benefits for the first 52 weeks regardless of fault, while the question of liability is worked through. If fault is disputed or unclear, our team will help you navigate the law on who was responsible.
What kind of car accidents do we help with?
No two accidents are the same, and you don’t need a straightforward case to have a claim. We regularly help people who were injured:
- As the driver or a passenger in a collision with another vehicle
- As a motorcycle, scooter, eBike or other rider in a collision with another vehicle
- As a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a car, ute, truck or motorcycle
- In a single-vehicle accident – for example, losing control on a wet road or hitting a stationary object
- On a country road, the highway, or in stop-start city traffic
- As a passenger in a rideshare, taxi, or someone else’s car
- In an accident involving a work vehicle, whether or not it happened during work hours
What our clients say
“Thank you to the team at Whitelaw McDonald Lawyers for the great assistance with my personal injury claim. The service from Katina and Barry was excellent and resulted in my claim being quickly closed out. Thank you.”
— Gerard M.
“Very capable firm with a knowledgeable team.”
— Naomi S.
“Every step of the process was handled efficiently and with great attention to detail, making the experience completely seamless. Her communication was excellent — always responsive, clear, and proactive in keeping me informed. I truly felt like everything was taken case of, and I had complete confidence in her work throughout.
If you’re looking for a solicitor who is reliable and genuinely cares about getting things done right, look no further.”
— Kiani D.
Get in touch today
You don’t need to have all the answers before you call us. Whether you’re not sure if you have a claim, you’re partway through a claim already and want a second opinion, or your claim has been disputed, get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, yes – drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists injured in a motor vehicle accident in NSW can claim, regardless of who was at fault. Family members of someone seriously or fatally injured may also have a claim. Get in touch for a free assessment of your specific situation.
Everyone injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to statutory benefits for the first 52 weeks, covering lost income, medical expenses, and care costs, regardless of fault. If you weren’t mostly at fault and your injuries are more than minor, you may also be entitled to a common law damages claim covering pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity.
Yes. You generally need to report the accident to police within 28 days, notify the CTP insurer within 28 days to have your statutory benefits backdated, and lodge your formal claim within 3 months. After 3 months, you’ll need to explain the delay to the insurer, so it’s best to get advice as early as possible.
Yes. Everyone is entitled to statutory benefits for the first 52 weeks regardless of fault. Whether you can also make a common law damages claim depends on the degree of fault and the severity of your injuries – we can assess this for you.
You can still make a claim. NSW’s Nominal Defendant scheme covers accidents involving uninsured or unidentified vehicles, including hit-and-run accidents. We can guide you through this process.
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists injured by a motor vehicle in NSW are covered under the same CTP scheme as drivers and passengers, and are entitled to statutory benefits and, where appropriate, a common law claim.
Yes, in all cases. You need to report the accident to NSW Police within 28 days and obtain a police event number, which is required for your CTP claim.
We act on a No Win, No Fee basis for motor vehicle accident claims. You don’t pay us unless we win your claim. We’ll explain exactly how costs work for your situation during your free initial consultation.
It depends on the complexity of your injuries and whether liability is disputed. Straightforward statutory benefits claims can be resolved within months; common law damages claims involving more serious injuries typically take longer, and most are resolved through negotiation rather than court.
This is something to discuss with us directly and as early as possible – the position depends on your specific claim type and settlement terms. Keep your treating doctors and our team updated on your condition throughout the process.
Personal injury lawyers can assist by overseeing the following:
- Explaining the CTP scheme in plain English, so you understand your rights and obligations from day one
- Identifying the at-fault driver and the correct CTP insurer for your claim
- Preparing and lodging your claim forms accurately, so nothing holds up your payments
- Claiming medical, treatment, and rehabilitation expenses on your behalf
- Pursuing weekly income payments and, where appropriate, a common law damages claim
- Handling all communication with the insurer, so you’re not fighting that battle on your own
- Advising on next steps if your claim is disputed or delayed
