What Costs And Expenses Can I Recover After An Accident?

In order for you to take the time you need to heal after an accident, it is in your best interest to understand what costs you can claim so that the legal side of things can be put to rest.

In this article, we are going to explore what expenses you can recover after an accident and how you can set the process in motion.

Who will pay out my claims?

Every car owner is legally required to obtain CTP insurance before they can drive their car on Australian roads. Compulsory third party insurance expires when your vehicle’s registration expires and if you don’t renew it you could be held liable for damages or injuries to other drivers if you are involved in an accident.

Not only could you be sued for all of the medical bills that the other party accumulates as a result of the accident, but you could also receive a hefty fine for driving an unregistered vehicle. On the other hand, if you are up to date with your car registration then your CTP insurer will be able to cover you against personal injuries and payout to the other party involved.

Of course, the whole process does get a little more complex when it comes to determining how much cover you get. It is also important to note that pedestrians, drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bus passengers, and even cyclists that are injured on the road or even partly at fault, can make a claim.

Generally speaking, you can settle claims in the following manner:

  • By claiming from the responsible party’s CTP insurance provider to cover the necessary medical costs and economic losses.
  • By claiming from your own comprehensive insurance which usually covers damage costs to your own car and the other party’s car, as well as legal costs and theft risk.
  • By making use of third party property cover which will insure other people’s cars from damage but not your own.
  • By making use of third party fire and theft cover which only covers your own vehicle.
  • By paying out of your own pocket if you were largely at fault and you don’t have any insurance.

How Do I Prove My Claim?

Your CTP insurance provider and car insurer will assess the accident to see who was at fault and if you were taking the necessary safety precautions in order to determine if your claim can be substantiated. Once the assessment has been completed you will also need to prove the validity of your claim by providing supporting documents to your insurance provider.

These documents may include:

  • Financial records of the rehabilitation and medical attention you received.
  • A medical report shortly after the accident that describes your injuries in detail, the immediate treatment you received, the prescribed treatment going forward and a detailed update on all subsequent visits to your physician.
  • If necessary, police declarations that were lodged by all the parties that were part of the accident.
  • Evidence in the form of financial records that show a decline in income or reports on your inability to do your job effectively, whether it’s only temporarily or permanently.
  • Records that deem future medical assistance necessary.
  • Psychological assessments affirming a stress-induced disorder as a direct result of the accident.

Costs You Can Claim From A CTP Insurer

Your CTP insurer does not cover you against material losses like damage to your vehicle, theft or legal liability. However, they do cover the individual when it comes to things like rehabilitation, medical costs and compensation if you are unable to work.

General costs and expenses you can expect to recover after an accident from your CTP insurer will include:

  • Costs relating to pain and suffering which includes compensation for loss of amenities of life.
  • The cost of travelling to and from your medical appointments.
  • Any therapy services including rehabilitation, podiatry, optometry, osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic and psychology.
  • Income lost due to the inability to work like you could before the accident.
  • Household services that help to support you while you recover.
  • Repair or replacement of medical equipment or aids like hearing aids, dentures or glasses.
  • Dental services to repair any dental damage caused by the accident.
  • Ambulance and hospital services if you needed emergency care because of the accident.
  • Any medical test following the crash, including or x-ray expenses and prescribed medication.
  • Medical equipment prescribed by your physician and nursing services.

Costs You Can Claim From A Car Insurer

Depending on the type of cover you have, you can receive cover against wear and tear, theft, fire, collisions and weather-related damage.

If you have comprehensive cover you can claim vehicle damage expenses whilst also covering the vehicle damage of the other party. This means you won’t have to pay out of pocket once you have settled your claim.

Third party property cover is usually intended for individuals that don’t have high-value cars and who are more concerned with damaging more expensive vehicles during an accident. This type of cover only pays for damage done to another vehicle to ensure that you won’t be held liable for those costs.

Third party fire and theft cover offers the same protection of third party property policies and gives you additional fire and theft protection for your own car. However, keep in mind that the more extensive cover packages usually go hand-in-hand with a higher monthly premium.

Although comprehensive cover is ideal, you also have to take your budget into consideration. However, be sure to follow the required road rules and regulations so you can get a higher CTP or car insurance claim approved when you need it.

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