Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Check

No Win, No Fee
New South Wales Wide
40+ Years

A vehicle accident is a traumatic event that can have lasting effects. Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of injury, both in daily life and in work-related settings. These 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 Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and wider NSW, with over 40 years in business and a 99% success rate. Free advice is available.

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.

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 – you’ll need a police event number for your claim, even for a minor accident.
  • 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 you’re reading this some time after your accident, don’t assume it’s too late – get in touch and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.

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


“Well done on my behalf can’t believe I have received such a large amount. So Barry, a very big thank you.”

— Douglas


“Just a short note to thank you so much for my WorkCover matter. I can’t thank you enough. I have used Whitelaw McDonald for my separation from the NSW Police, marriage, purchase of the house and this.”

— Andrew


“Thank you for the kindness in helping Ken with his compensation case. We are very grateful that everything went through so quickly. You really look after your clients.”

— Ken and Kay

Strict time limits apply to this claim. You must contact us as soon as possible. We will guide you through the process. You can then focus on your recovery. Call us today to discuss your accident. Our Newcastle number is (02) 4941 8999. Call us in Central Coast at (02) 4343 7000.

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.