Understanding your rights after a bus accident: Every day, thousands of people in New South Wales rely on buses as their primary mode of transportation. While buses are generally considered safe, accidents can and do happen. In the event of a bus accident, navigating the complex world of Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims becomes essential.
Bus Accident in Campsie NSW
In Campsie, a busy suburb of Sydney’s south-west, a routine day turned into a scene of chaos and despair as two buses collided. The aftermath of the collision left more than a dozen individuals, including a child, requiring immediate medical attention.
The details surrounding the accident remain unclear, with authorities unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the collision at this time.
Navigating CTP Insurance in NSW
CTP insurance is mandatory for all registered vehicles in NSW, including buses. Its primary purpose is to provide compensation for people injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents.
Unlike other types of insurance, CTP insurance does not cover property damage; it solely focuses on compensating individuals for injury or death resulting from an accident.
Understing the CTP Claims Process After a Bus Accident
If you’re involved in a bus accident in NSW and sustain injuries, you may be eligible to make a CTP claim. Here’s a basic overview of the process:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health and well-being take precedence. If you sustain injuries in a bus accident, seek medical assistance without delay. Not only is this vital for your recovery, but it also creates a medical record of your injuries, crucial for your CTP claim.
Lodge a CTP Claim
Fill out and lodge the Application for Personal Injury Benefits and arrange for your doctor to complete the Certificate of Capacity to submit to the CTP insurer of the bus at fault.
Time Limits
There are strict time limitations for lodging CTP claims in NSW.
Should the accident result in a loss of income or wages due to injuries, you must lodge your claim within 28 days from the accident date. This ensures that compensation for lost wages is retroactively applied from the date of the accident.
If you have not suffered any loss of earnings, you must lodge your claim within three months from the accident date.
It’s essential to act promptly and seek legal advice if you’re unsure about the timeframes involved.
Your Statutory Benefit Entitlements After Being Injured in A Bus Accident
If you make a claim against the CTP insurer of the bus at fault you are entitled to benefits for:
- Payment for appropriate and necessary medical treatment related to your accident-induced injuries, including but not limited to, doctor’s fees, specialist fees, counselling, physiotherapy, medications (whether prescribed or over-the-counter), along with transportation costs incurred while accessing such treatments.
- Payment for home care and assistance necessitated by injuries from your accident, such as nursing care, cleaning services, and gardening assistance.
- Costs associated with caring for your dependents should you require such assistance due to your accident-induced injuries, for instance, childcare services.
- Income support for wages or earnings lost due to the injuries sustained in the accident.
Assessment of the Claim
The insurer will assess your claim, which may involve obtaining additional medical evidence or conducting investigations into the circumstances of the accident.
Insurers may dispute the extent of your injuries or the amount of compensation you’re entitled to if you are eligible to make a lump sum claim. Seeking legal advice can help you navigate these disputes effectively.
Engaging a Bus Injury Lawyer
Being involved in a bus accident is a traumatic experience. Understanding your rights after a bus accident is essential.
Navigating the CTP claims process can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with injuries and recovery. A lawyer with expertise in this field can navigate the complexities of a CTP claim, ensuring you meet all legal requirements and deadlines, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being.
If you need assistance with your CTP claim, seeking legal advice from a personal injury lawyer with experience in CTP claims is critical. A lawyer can guide you through the process, advocate on your behalf, and ensure your rights are protected.
Why choose Stacks Goudkamp If You Have Been Injured In A Bus Accident
By choosing Stacks Goudkamp you can be assured you will be in the best of hands. You can be confident that your personal injury lawyer will have the knowledge and the experience and the personality and character to do their very best for you to ensure that your claim is successful and that the process is as stress free for you as possible.
Contact Karina Goodall at Stacks Goudkamp on (02) 4058 3925 to get immediate support in accessing your entitlements.
Written by Karina Goodall
Karina Goodall is a Practice Group Leader and Director at Stacks Goudkamp specialising in motor vehicle accident claims and superannuation and TPD claims.
