Car Accident Lawyers NSW
NSW-wide, with local offices.
40+ Years of Winning Cases and a 99% Success Rate.
A free, no‑obligation first conversation.
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.
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.
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.
What compensation can I claim after a car accident?
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Weekly income payments
For lost earnings while you’re unable to work
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Medical and treatment expenses
Doctors, physiotherapy, hospital care, and rehabilitation
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Pain and suffering (non-economic loss)
Compensation for the physical and emotional impact of your injury, in eligible claims
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Past and future loss of income and earning capacity
Income you’ve lost so far, and the impact on your ability to earn in the future, in eligible claims
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 – this covers weekly income payments and medical treatment expenses. 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) and past and future loss of income.
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.
We help with:
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Cars
Crashes, accidents, collisions, including blameless
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Motorcycles
Collisions, accidents, lane-splitting incidents, slides
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Trucks
Collisions, rollovers, heavy vehicle accidents
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Passengers
Injured as a passenger in a car, truck, bus or motorcycle
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Pedestrians
Struck by a car, truck or motorcycle
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Cyclists & e-Bikes
Riders struck by a car, truck or motorcycle
“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
How It Works
What happens when you contact us:
1
Get in touch
Fill out a form, call our office or fill out our free claim check – it takes a few minutes and there’s no cost or obligation.
2
Talk to a local lawyer
We’ll arrange an obligation-free consultation with one of our compensation lawyers to understand your situation and explain your options clearly.
3
We handle the rest
If you decide to proceed, your lawyer will manage your claim from start to finish – dealing with insurers, gathering evidence, and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
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.
Our Car Accident Injury Lawyers
Matthew Berenger
Principal Director – Accredited Specialist Personal Injury.
Matt has particular expertise in vehicle accident claims, workers compensation claims, slip and falls, and other personal injury claims, including where an insurer has knocked back or reduced a claim. He has been described by clients as being highly knowledgeable on less straightforward cases, thorough, and transparent throughout the process.
Kelly Keane
Associate Director – Accredited Specialist Personal Injury.
Kelly has particular interest in institutional abuse cases, medical negligence, family provisions claims, workers compensation and motor accident claims. She is especially passionate about helping people who were or are in a vulnerable position, fighting on their behalf so that they can move forward with their lives.
Craig Stewart
Associate Director – Accredited Specialist Personal Injury.
Craig has special interest in motor vehicle accident claims, workers compensation claims, slip and fall claims, and wills, probate and estate litigation. Craig has over 25 years practicing in personal injury. He has successfully assisted thousands of clients in securing outcomes ranging from minor settlements to multi-million dollar compensation claims. Craig believes that even if a claim is small it is still important.
Mario Bechelli
Senior Associate – Personal Injury Law.
Mario has particular interest in personal injury law such as workers compensation and motor vehicle accident claims, as well as complex will and estate matters. He has over 40 years’ experience in personal injury, and has conducted claims in the Supreme Court, Personal Injury Commission and the District Court, and has been successful in obtaining substantial compensation for his clients.
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.
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Within 28 days
Report to police within 28 days
Make sure you get a police event number. You’ll need it for your claim.
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Within 28 days
Notify the CTP insurer within 28 days
Do this 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.
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Within 3 months
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.
These are general time limits. Individual circumstances can change the outcome, so it’s best to get advice as early as you can.
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.
Not Sure if You Have a Claim?
Not a problem – get in touch with our team, or use our free claim check tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to make a car accident compensation claim in NSW?
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.
What compensation can I claim after a car accident?
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.
Is there a time limit for making a car accident claim in NSW?
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.
Can I still claim if I was partly at fault for the accident?
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.
What happens if the at-fault driver is uninsured or can’t be identified?
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.
Can pedestrians or cyclists claim compensation after being hit by a car?
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.
Do I have to report the accident to police to make a 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.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
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.
How long does a car accident compensation claim take?
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.
What if my injuries get worse after my claim is settled?
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.
How does a car accident claims lawyer help with my claim?
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
