After a car accident in Dawes Point: where to start

Generally, the NSW CTP scheme applies where the crash happened in NSW. If it happened in another state or territory, that place's own scheme usually applies instead, though the details can be complicated, so say where it happened. The date matters too. Accidents from 1 December 2017 fall under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, and earlier ones under the 1999 Act.

Yes. Treatment and the medical evidence it creates are central to most claims. We can point you to doctors experienced with CTP claims for diagnosis and the Certificate of Fitness, and to physiotherapy, psychology or exercise physiology. The insurer generally pays for treatment that is reasonable and necessary within the benefit periods, and it decides each request.

In many cases, yes. If you're in hospital or finding it hard to manage, a partner, parent or adult child can start the conversation for you. We may need your consent before discussing your details, and the insurer will have its own rules about who it can speak to. For a child's claim, a parent or guardian usually acts for them.

Three main kinds. Doctors experienced with CTP claims, for diagnosis and the Certificate of Fitness. Allied health, such as physiotherapy, psychology and exercise physiology, for treatment and recovery. And an independent lawyer experienced in CTP claims when the case calls for one, for example a refused claim, a threshold dispute or a damages claim. Many people only need the first two.

The sooner the better. The insurer generally needs your claim within 28 days for weekly payments to be back-paid to the day after the accident. Claims made later, up to 3 months after the accident, are still possible, but payments may then start from the claim date. Common law damages claims generally have to be made within 3 years. Your own dates may differ, so check them early.

Not at first, in most cases. If the crash is also a work injury, you generally need to claim workers compensation through your employer's insurer first. That is a different scheme from CTP, and CTP statutory benefits are generally not payable where workers compensation is available. You may still be able to claim damages from the at-fault driver's CTP insurer, so get advice. Commuting crashes depend on the facts. Tell us about the trip and we can point you to the right help.

Most insurer decisions can be reviewed. You can generally ask for an internal review within 28 days of receiving the decision, and the insurer usually has 14 days to respond, or longer for some matters. If you still disagree, you can apply to the Personal Injury Commission. A refused claim is one of the situations where an independent CTP lawyer is often worth talking to.

No. One CTP scheme covers the whole state, so the same rules, time limits and benefits apply whether the crash was on George Street or on a highway near Dubbo. What matters is when and where it happened and which vehicles were involved, because that decides which insurer handles the claim. You can deal with it from home, and our claim check works the same way for any NSW crash, by phone and online.