Personal injury lawyer Gilgandra

'Personal injury' covers harm to your body or mind caused by an event, as opposed to damage to property. After a motor accident in NSW, the claim goes to a CTP insurer, and most injured people can claim statutory benefits whoever was at fault. Injuries at work sit under a separate workers compensation scheme with its own rules, and we can point you to the right help if that is you.

It's common to feel worse a few weeks after a crash than on the day itself. Adrenaline wears off, and stiffness or pain can build. Other problems, such as numbness, dizziness or trouble concentrating, may take time to show. Mention each new symptom to your GP at the next visit rather than waiting to see if it passes, and put the date in your diary.

Medical records are the backbone of an injury claim. In NSW CTP claims your doctor completes a Certificate of Fitness, which records your injuries and your capacity for work. Keep each one, check it lists all your injuries, and arrange your next visit before the current certificate runs out. If something is missing, raise it with your doctor rather than the insurer.

If you decide you need a lawyer, look for experience with NSW motor accident claims in particular. Personal injury covers many schemes, and the CTP rules on benefits, thresholds and deadlines are a world of their own. Ask how much of the lawyer's current work is motor accident claims, and how far those claims usually go. A clear, specific answer is a good sign.

Notice how a lawyer treats you before you sign anything. Did they listen to your account, or jump to conclusions? Did they explain what they don't know yet? Did they mention that some claims don't need a lawyer at all? Early signs like these tell you a lot about the working relationship ahead.

The effect of an injury on your life is a large part of any claim, and it's often the least recorded. Time off shows up in payslips. What doesn't show up is the lifting you now avoid, the shifts you swapped, the sport you stopped, or the help you need with children or shopping. Note these as they happen, with dates, in plain words.

Don't forget the costs of being injured. Medicines, taxis or parking for treatment, a pillow or brace your physio suggested: keep the receipts, even small ones, in one place. The insurer generally pays for treatment and care that is reasonable and necessary, and receipts are how you show what you've spent along the way.

Expect to be asked what happened, in your own words, and what has happened since. The lawyer is listening for the things that shape a claim: the date, whether someone else caused the crash, how serious the injury looks and whether the insurer has already decided anything. If you don't know an answer, say so. A guess causes more trouble later than a gap does.

• When and where did it happen?
• Have you lodged a claim yet, and on what date?
• How is the injury affecting your work and home life?
• Have you signed anything about the accident?

Get in touch when something changes: a new symptom, a letter from the insurer, a return to work that isn't working, or an offer you're unsure about. Those are the points where advice tends to matter. Many people simply want someone to confirm they're on track, which is a good reason too. We'll tell you honestly if you don't need a lawyer.