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Introduction to CTP insurance
Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance provides coverage for drivers in Brisbane, providing financial protection in the event of accidents causing injury or death to other people. At Maurice Blackburn, we have extensive experience handling CTP insurance claims, ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
What is CTP insurance?
CTP insurance is a mandatory, fault-based policy for all registered vehicles in Australia, designed to cover compensation claims if you are in an accident. This insurance does not cover damage to vehicles or property. CTP insurance can provide compensation for reasonable medical expenses and support for injured people who were not at fault.
Importance of CTP insurance in Brisbane
CTP insurance is crucial for all drivers in Brisbane, protecting individuals from financial distress following an accident. For example, if an at-fault driver struck a pedestrian in a pedestrian crossing, insurance will cover extensive hospital bills and rehabilitation costs for the injured person.
Without CTP, the driver could have faced a huge debt. CTP insurance ensures that victims receive the necessary medical care without either party bearing the financial burden.
Examples
A motorist hits a cyclist: If the cyclist suffers severe injuries and requires multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, CTP insurance covers all these medical costs, preventing the cyclist from facing financial hardship and allowing them to focus on recovery.
A pedestrian is struck by a car: The pedestrian cannot work for several months due to their injuries. Experienced lawyers can help negotiate with CTP insurance providers to offer income support for victims. CTP insurance includes lump sum compensation for loss of income due to a motor vehicle accident.
Road injury free claim check
If you or someone close to you was injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to make a CTP claim.
No win, no fee* CTP claims
Our 'no win, no fee'* policy means that if we don’t win, you don’t have to pay our legal fees.
How to make a CTP claim in Brisbane
Report the accident
Inform the police. This is crucial because the police report serves as an official record of the accident. If the police do not attend the scene, it’s important to file a report at a police station.
Seek medical attention
It’s important you see a doctor for your injuries as soon as possible – even if you think your injuries are minor. This will also help provide documented evidence of your injuries.
Lodge your claim
Submit the claim form with all required documentation. Our experienced team of CTP Brisbane lawyers can help ensure your rights are protected by completing the form accurately to avoid it being rejected by the insurer.
Claim assessment
Your insurer will assess the claim and decide.
Compensation
If your CTP insurance claim is approved, you will be able to claim upfront payment of medical treatment, and possibly receive compensation for your injuries. It’s important to note that, even if your claim isn’t approved, you can seek legal advice to understand what options are available to you. At Maurice Blackburn, our initial consultations are free – and our no win, no fee lawyers can help look after your Brisbane CTP claim without an upfront fee.
Collecting important information
If possible, gather the following information:
Incident details (date, time, location): Document the exact details of the accident, including when and where it happened. If there were any witnesses, make sure you get their contact information and any photos or dashcam footage they might have.
Other party’s information (name, contact details, insurance): Gather the contact and insurance details of all parties involved in the accident.
Medical certificates and statements: Obtain detailed medical reports and certificates that describe the injuries, and the treatment required.
Supporting evidence: Collect dash cam footage, witness statements, and any other evidence that can support your claim.
Documentation required for filing a claim
- Essential documentation
- Supporting documentation
Completed claim form:
Fill out the claim form provided by your insurer.
Police report number:
Include the reference number from the police report.
Medical certificates:
Provide medical certificates detailing the injuries and treatment.
Proof of identity:
Ensure you have valid identification documents.
Witness statements:
Statements from witnesses can verify your account of the accident.
Photographs of the accident scene:
Visual evidence of the scene can be crucial. If you can and it’s safe to do so, take photos of the intersection or road where the accident happened.
Receipts for medical expenses:
Keep all receipts for medical treatments and related expenses.
Dash cam footage:
If available, dash cam recordings can provide clear evidence of the accident.
Navigating vehicle accidents: post-accident actions, insurance coverage, and engaging with CTP insurers
Immediate actions to take post-accident
- Ensure safety: Move to a safe location if possible. Prioritise safety to prevent further accidents.
- Call emergency services: Contact police and ambulance if needed. Immediate medical attention can be critical.
- Exchange information: Collect names, contact details, and insurance information of the other party. This information is necessary for filing a claim.
- Document the accident scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damages, and any visible injuries. Visual evidence can support your claim.
- Seek medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical check-up. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Reporting the accident to the authorities
Report the accident to the police within 24 hours. Be prepared to provide:
- Accident details (location, time, circumstances): Give a detailed account of how the accident occurred.
- Involved parties’ information: Provide details of all parties involved in the accident.
- Any injuries sustained: Report all injuries, no matter how minor they seem.
- Witness information: Include contact details of any witnesses.
What does CTP insurance cover?
CTP insurance covers:
- Medical and hospital expenses: All reasonable and related medical treatments for the injured person, if they were not at fault (or partly at fault) in the accident.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs: Related rehabilitation required for recovery. This is designed to cover expenses like physiotherapy or ongoing counselling as part of your recovery.
- Income support for lost wages: Financial support for those unable to work due to their injuries.
- Compensation for pain and suffering: compensation for the personal impact of the accident on your enjoyment of life.
What is excluded from CTP coverage?
CTP insurance does not cover:
- Property damage: Any damage to vehicles, buildings, or other property is not covered. This also includes any personal items like phones or laptops.
- Vehicle repairs: Costs for repairing your vehicle are not covered by CTP insurance.
- Injuries to the at-fault driver: If you are responsible for the accident, your injuries are not covered.
Finding the other party’s vehicle's CTP insurer
To find the other party’s CTP insurer:
- Contact your insurer for assistance: Your insurer can sometimes help locate the other party’s insurance information.
- Seek legal advice: Although you can lodge your own CTP claim, facing the insurer’s legal team alone can be extremely daunting. Our expert CTP lawyers have looked after thousands of successful CTP insurance claims and can help identify vehicles and insurers to get achieve the best possible outcome.
Contacting the CTP insurer
When contacting the insurer:
- Provide clear and accurate details of the accident
- Keep records of all communications: Document all interactions with the insurer for future reference.
- Be aware of the timeframes for reporting and claiming: Understand the deadlines for reporting the accident and filing a claim.
- Remember: with experienced lawyers by your side, they deal with the insurer for you – with the knowledge and experience that can help you achieve a positive result.
Your legal rights and seeking advice
When to seek legal help
Seek legal help if:
- All victims of motor vehicle accidents should seek legal advice to learn about your rights and entitlements. Experienced lawyers can help in a range of ways:
- Your claim is denied: Our expert team can help if your claim is not approved and advise of your options.
- You’re unsure of the claim process: We do these cases all the time and can help you navigate the process and advise you along the way.
- You need help negotiating with insurers: We know how the system works, and what makes a successful claim.
- Other parties involve legal representation: If the other party engages a lawyer, getting your own legal advice can help you have a better understanding of the process. Maurice Blackburn has a history of successful CTP claims, ensuring clients receive fair compensation. We offer free initial consultations and work on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Contact us for a free consultation
To understand your legal options, complete our online free claim check and find out if you have a claim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, but the process differs across different states, including varying time limits for claims. Maurice Blackburn has offices and expert road injury teams all over Australia and can help advise you on your legal options – no matter where you live.
Strict timelines apply to CTP claims. These timelines can vary across different states and territories. If you are unable to identify the other vehicle, your claim needs to be submitted within three months of the accident. For other cases, you need to lodge your claim within nine months. Claims can be rejected if they don’t meet timeframes, so it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to understand your options.
Yes. As one example, it can be common for victims to be fearful of driving after being involved in a road accident. You need to provide medical evidence of psychological injuries that caused by the accident.
Compensation is calculated based on:
- Severity of injuries
- Impact on daily life and ability to work
- Medical expenses and future care needs
- Pain and suffering
- Medical evidence is required to prove this.
If denied, you can request a review of the claim and provide additional evidence if needed. An experienced CTP lawyer can help review of your claim and provide advice on disputing a denied claim.
At Maurice Blackburn, we are committed to helping you navigate the CTP claim process. Our team has a proven track record of successful outcomes and client satisfaction. Contact us today for a free initial consultation, so we can help look after your CTP insurance claim and secure the compensation you deserve.
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