Car Accident Lawyer Liverpool

CTP stands for Compulsory Third Party insurance. It's built into your car registration, and every registered vehicle in NSW has it. If you're injured in a car accident, CTP is what pays for your medical treatment, lost income, and compensation.

Here's how the process works in practice:

1. Report the accident to police within 28 days if anyone is injured or damage exceeds $3,000. Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
2. Lodge a claim with the at-fault vehicle's CTP insurer (the Green Slip insurer). If you're not sure which insurer to contact, call CTP Assist on 1300 656 919.
3. Access statutory benefits straight away. You can get medical expenses covered and weekly income support before anyone determines who was at fault.
4. Negotiate lump sum compensation once your injuries stabilise. This covers everything from pain and suffering to future income loss and care needs.

What CTP covers:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses.
• Lost income (weekly payments and lump sum).
• Pain and suffering compensation.
• Domestic assistance.
• Future care needs.

What CTP doesn't cover:

• Vehicle damage (that's your comprehensive insurance).
• Property inside your car.

The CTP scheme is governed by the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 and regulated by SIRA (State Insurance Regulatory Authority). We handle the entire process from lodgement to settlement.

It depends on how badly you're hurt and how the injury affects your life. Here are realistic ranges based on what we see across Liverpool and Western Sydney:

• Minor injuries (soft tissue, whiplash resolving within 6 months): $5,000 to $30,000.
• Moderate injuries (fractures, ongoing soft tissue symptoms): $30,000 to $150,000.
• Serious injuries (multiple fractures, disc injuries, PTSD): $150,000 to $500,000.
• Catastrophic injuries (brain injury, spinal cord damage, amputation): $500,000 to $5 million+.
• Fatal accidents (dependency claims by family): $300,000 to $1.5 million+.

These are guides, not guarantees. The main things that drive the number:

Your injury severity. Permanent disability, ongoing pain, and reduced mobility all push compensation higher. Injuries that resolve completely within weeks sit at the lower end.

Your lost earnings. A 35-year-old tradesperson who can't return to physical work faces decades of lost income. That's worth significantly more than a few weeks off.

Your age. Younger people with longer working lives ahead receive more for lost earning capacity.

Fault. If you share some responsibility, your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault.

The "minor injury" classification. If the insurer calls your injury "minor," you're limited to statutory benefits. No lump sum compensation. We challenge this when it's wrong.

We'll give you an honest assessment of what your claim is likely worth during a free consultation. No inflated expectations.

No Win No Fee means exactly what it says: if we don't win your case, you don't pay us. It's that straightforward.

Here's how it works in practice:

1. You pay nothing upfront. We cover all costs while your claim runs, including our legal fees, medical reports, expert assessments, and court filing fees.

1. If your claim is unsuccessful, you owe us nothing. We absorb every cost. This is why we only take on cases we genuinely believe will succeed.

1. If your claim succeeds, our fee comes from your compensation. NSW law caps legal fees at approximately 20% (plus GST) of your damages. We explain this upfront in writing before you sign anything.

1. No surprises and no hidden charges. The fee arrangement is agreed before we start.

What this means for you:

• Same legal firepower as the insurer's legal team, without paying a cent upfront.
• Zero financial risk. If we lose, you lose nothing.
• Our interests are completely aligned with yours. We only get paid when you do.

Call us on 1300 011 149 for a free consultation. We'll tell you honestly whether your case has merit and explain exactly how the fee arrangement works for your situation.

You have three years from the date of your car accident to start court proceedings for lump sum compensation. The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 sets this deadline, and no court can extend it. Miss it and you lose your right to claim, no matter how serious your injuries are.

But there are earlier deadlines you need to know about:

• Statutory benefits (weekly income, medical expenses) require lodging a claim within 3 months of the accident.
• Police report should be made within 28 days if anyone is injured.

Why acting early matters:

Evidence disappears fast. Witness memories fade. CCTV footage gets deleted after 30 to 90 days. Skid marks wash away. Dashcam footage gets overwritten. The insurer starts building their case immediately, so you should too.

Starting medical treatment straight away also helps your claim. It creates documentation from day one, making it much harder for the insurer to argue your injuries aren't real or aren't related to the accident.

Exceptions to the three-year limit:

• Children. The clock doesn't start until they turn 18.
• Late-developing injuries. If you didn't know about your injury until later, the three years may run from when you discovered it.

If you're anywhere near the deadline, call us immediately on 1300 011 149. We can take urgent action to protect your rights.

Yes. You can still claim compensation. Your payout reduces by your percentage of fault, but you don't lose your rights entirely.

How it works:

• 20% at fault = 20% reduction. On a $200,000 claim, you'd receive $160,000.
• 30% at fault = 30% reduction. You'd receive $140,000.
• 50% at fault = 50% reduction. You'd receive $100,000.

If your fault exceeds 61%, you lose the right to claim pain and suffering damages. But statutory benefits (medical expenses, weekly income) are still available regardless of fault.

The problem with motorcycle claims:

Insurers routinely inflate your fault percentage using rider stereotypes, not evidence. They'll cite legal lane-filtering as "risky behaviour." They'll say you were "going too fast" without proof. They'll argue you should have seen the car that didn't see you.

What counts as actual fault:

• Speeding and being unable to stop in time.
• Running a red light or failing to signal.
• Using your phone while riding.
• Riding in conditions where it was unsafe to continue.

What doesn't count as fault (despite what insurers argue):

• Lane-filtering legally at 30 km/h or under.
• Riding a motorcycle (yes, they try this one).
• Riding at night or in rain (drivers must watch for motorcycles regardless).
• Riding a sports bike or high-performance motorcycle.

We've reduced insurer-claimed 50% fault down to 10-15% through evidence and advocacy. The difference is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

The more evidence you have, the harder it is for the insurer to dispute your claim. Here's what matters and when to gather it.

At the accident scene (if you're physically able):

• Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and skid marks.
• The other driver's name, licence number, registration, and insurer.
• Names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
• Dashcam footage (save it immediately, as it can overwrite).
• Your police event number.

Medical evidence:

• Emergency department records from Liverpool Hospital or your treating hospital.
• GP notes and specialist reports about your injuries.
• X-rays, CT scans, and MRI results.
• Treatment records (physio, psychology, rehab).
• Medication records and receipts.

Income loss evidence:

• Payslips for 12 months before the accident.
• Tax returns (especially if self-employed).
• A letter from your employer confirming time off and lost wages.
• Evidence of lost overtime, bonuses, or promotions.

Ongoing documentation:

• A diary of your symptoms and how they affect daily life.
• Photos of visible injuries as they heal (or don't).
• Receipts for every accident-related expense.

What if you didn't collect anything at the scene?

Don't panic. We can get police reports, request traffic camera footage, hire accident reconstruction experts, and track down witnesses. But earlier evidence is always stronger. Start gathering what you can now.

This is one of the most important classifications in the NSW CTP scheme, and insurers use it to limit what they pay you.

Under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, a "minor injury" is a soft tissue injury (sprains, strains, bruises) or minor psychological injury. The key test: it isn't expected to cause permanent impairment.

If the insurer classifies your injury as minor:

• You get statutory benefits (medical expenses, some income support).
• You can't claim lump sum compensation for pain and suffering.
• Your benefits have a limited duration.

If your injury exceeds the minor threshold:

• Full access to common law damages.
• Compensation for pain and suffering.
• Full income loss recovery (past and future).
• No arbitrary caps.

Injuries that commonly exceed the threshold:

• Fractures.
• Disc bulges with ongoing symptoms.
• Nerve damage.
• PTSD or major depression.
• Any injury requiring surgery.

The problem: insurers often classify injuries as "minor" even when they're not. Whiplash that's still causing daily pain six months later isn't minor. A disc bulge that prevents you from working isn't minor. Depression that stops you leaving the house isn't minor.

How we challenge it:

We gather specialist medical evidence showing your injury causes permanent impairment. We document every symptom and its impact on your daily life. And we present this evidence to the insurer or, if needed, to the court.

If your insurer has classified your injury as minor and you disagree, call us on 1300 011 149 for an honest assessment.

Yes, and passenger claims are often the strongest type of car accident claim. The reason is simple: passengers are never at fault for causing the accident. No contributory negligence applies, so you can claim full compensation without any deductions.

Who pays your claim?

• If another vehicle caused the accident, their CTP insurer pays.
• If your driver was at fault, their CTP insurer pays.
• If both drivers share fault, you still claim full compensation.
• In a single-vehicle accident, that vehicle's CTP insurer pays.

A common concern: "But the driver is my family member."

Your claim is against the insurance company, not your relative. They face no personal financial liability. Making a claim doesn't affect their insurance premiums or their driving record. The CTP scheme is designed for exactly this situation.

Children as passengers:

Children have the same compensation rights as adults. Parents or guardians lodge claims on their behalf, and the three-year limitation period doesn't start until the child turns 18.

Rideshare passengers (Uber, DiDi, Ola):

You have the same rights as any other passenger. The rideshare platform's CTP insurance covers you while you're being transported. We identify the correct insurer and manage everything.

If you were a passenger in any vehicle and got hurt, you almost certainly have a claim. Call 1300 011 149 for a free assessment.

Yes. Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries we see, especially from rear-end collisions. It happens when your head snaps forward and back rapidly, damaging the muscles, ligaments, and discs in your neck. Symptoms often don't appear until 24 to 72 hours after the crash.

Common symptoms:

• Neck pain and stiffness.
• Headaches (often starting at the base of your skull).
• Shoulder and upper back pain.
• Reduced range of motion.
• Dizziness and fatigue.

Compensation depends on severity:

• Mild whiplash (resolves within weeks): $5,000 to $15,000. Statutory benefits cover treatment and short-term income loss.
• Moderate whiplash (symptoms persist beyond 6 months): $15,000 to $100,000. If it causes permanent impairment, you may exceed the "minor injury" threshold and claim pain and suffering.
• Severe whiplash (disc injuries, nerve damage, cervical instability): $100,000+. These cases attract full common law damages.

The "minor injury" trap:

Insurers love classifying whiplash as a minor injury to limit your payout. But whiplash that doesn't resolve, causes disc problems, or leads to chronic pain isn't minor. We challenge these classifications with specialist medical evidence.

What helps your claim:

• See a doctor immediately, even if symptoms seem mild.
• Follow your prescribed treatment plan.
• Keep a symptom diary.
• Get a specialist assessment if symptoms continue beyond a few weeks.

Yes. Mental health injuries from car accidents are real. Courts recognise them. And they're fully compensable under the CTP scheme.

Many of our clients develop serious conditions after a crash, even when their physical injuries heal. These aren't signs of weakness. They're legitimate injuries that deserve compensation.

Conditions that qualify:

• PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance of driving or roads.
• Depression. Persistent low mood, loss of interest in life, and withdrawal.
• Anxiety disorders. Constant worry, panic attacks, and driving phobia.
• Adjustment disorder. Emotional distress from dealing with injury and changed life.

What you need for a claim:

A formal diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Being upset is normal, but a legal claim needs a clinical diagnosis. We arrange assessments as part of your claim.

How it affects your payout:

Psychological injuries form part of your overall claim. Severe PTSD or ongoing depression can add a lot to your total, especially if it stops you working or living your normal life.

The minor injury question:

Diagnosed conditions like PTSD typically exceed the minor injury threshold. That means full common law damages, including pain and suffering. Insurers sometimes try to classify these injuries as minor. We fight that.

You can still claim. The NSW Government runs a scheme called the Nominal Defendant specifically for this situation.

The Nominal Defendant covers claims when:

• The at-fault driver had no CTP insurance (unregistered vehicle).
• The driver fled the scene (hit and run).
• The at-fault vehicle can't be identified.
• The vehicle was stolen.

Your compensation rights are identical to claiming against an insured driver. You can claim medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs. The Nominal Defendant has the same resources as any large insurer.

What you need to do:

1. Report to police immediately. This is critical for unidentified vehicles.
2. Lodge your claim within three years.
3. Provide whatever evidence you have (witness statements, dashcam footage, photos, CCTV from nearby businesses).
4. Show you made reasonable efforts to identify the at-fault vehicle.

For hit-and-run claims:

The key requirement is proving you made reasonable efforts to identify the vehicle. Note down whatever you remember (colour, make, partial plate) and ask nearby shops or residents about security camera footage.

These claims can be more complex than standard CTP claims because of the evidence gap. That's exactly why you need a lawyer experienced with Nominal Defendant cases.

Yes, and your rights are strong. As a rideshare passenger, you have the same CTP claim rights as passengers in any other vehicle.

Your rights as a rideshare passenger:

You bear zero blame for the accident. No contributory negligence applies. You get full compensation no matter who caused the crash. The platform's CTP insurance covers you while you're being transported.

Who pays:

• If the rideshare driver caused it, the platform's CTP insurance pays.
• If another vehicle caused it, that vehicle's CTP insurer pays.
• If the at-fault vehicle was uninsured or fled, claim through the Nominal Defendant.

If you're a rideshare driver:

It's different. Most platforms call drivers independent contractors. That limits workers comp eligibility. CTP benefits are still available, but weekly payment calculations for self-employed income need specialist assessment with your tax returns and business records.

What to do after a rideshare accident:

• Screenshot your trip details from the app straight away.
• Exchange information with all drivers involved.
• Report to police if anyone is injured.
• Don't give recorded statements to any insurer before talking to a lawyer.

We identify the correct CTP insurer and manage the whole claim.

Yes. And work vehicle accidents often mean higher total payouts than standard car crashes. That's because you may have multiple claims running at once.

Stream 1: CTP claim

Lodge with the at-fault vehicle's CTP insurer. You get statutory benefits: medical expenses plus weekly payments at 95% of pre-accident earnings for weeks 1 to 13, then 80% for weeks 14 to 26.

Stream 2: Employer liability claim

Did your employer contribute to the accident? Poor vehicle maintenance, unsafe scheduling, pressure to drive tired, or lack of training? If so, you can pursue a separate claim against their public liability insurance. This sits alongside your CTP claim, not instead of it.

Stream 3: Workers compensation

Employed drivers can also access workers comp for wage replacement during recovery. Your workers comp and CTP claims run side by side. We coordinate both to get you the most without double-dipping.

Self-employed drivers:

Tradies, owner-operators, and delivery contractors still get CTP benefits. The difference is how weekly payments are worked out. Your business income loss needs specialist assessment using tax returns and business records, not payslips.

Why this matters:

A CTP claim alone might get you $200,000. Adding an employer liability claim could push the total to $350,000. We always check whether extra claims are available.

No. Talk to a lawyer first. Every time.

After your accident, the CTP insurer will call you quickly. They'll sound friendly and helpful. But their job is to minimise what they pay you, and every word you say can be used to do that.

What goes wrong when you talk to insurers alone:

• "I'm feeling okay" becomes evidence your injuries are minor, even though you were just being polite or adrenaline was masking your pain.
• "I should have braked earlier" becomes a contributory negligence argument that reduces your payout.
• Downplaying symptoms. People naturally minimise pain when talking to strangers. Insurers rely on this.
• Accepting a minor injury classification. Without legal advice, you might not know you can dispute it.
• Missing parts of your claim. You probably don't know everything you're entitled to.

What to say when the insurer calls:

"I'm still receiving medical treatment and I've engaged a solicitor. Please direct all future communication to my lawyer."

That's it. Nothing else. Then call us immediately on 1300 011 149. We handle all insurer communications from that point. Every call, every letter, every request.

The insurer has a legal team protecting their interests. You should have one protecting yours.

Most CTP claims settle within 8 to 18 months from lodgement. But the timeline depends on your specific situation.

What affects how long it takes:

Injury severity. Minor injuries that heal within a few months settle faster (4 to 8 months). Serious injuries needing ongoing treatment take longer (12 to 24+ months). Your claim shouldn't settle until you've reached "maximum medical improvement," meaning your condition has stabilised enough to assess the long-term impact.

Liability disputes. If fault is clear, things move quickly. If the insurer argues you share blame, investigation takes longer.

Minor injury disputes. If the insurer classifies your injury as "minor" and you challenge it, that adds time. But it's almost always worth it because the difference in compensation is substantial.

Typical timeline:

• Weeks 1 to 4: Lodge claim, insurer acknowledges.
• Months 2 to 6: Medical treatment, evidence gathering, statutory benefits flowing.
• Months 4 to 12: Negotiation with insurer.
• Months 8 to 18: Settlement reached.

If court proceedings are required:

Some claims need litigation. This adds 6 to 12 months, though many cases settle shortly after proceedings are filed because the insurer knows you're serious.

Don't rush. Insurers make early low offers hoping you'll accept before understanding your full entitlements. We make sure you don't settle until the complete picture of your injuries and losses is clear.