Injured on a road near St Ives? Here's what to do

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.

You tell us what happened, when, and where your claim is up to: whether you've lodged, what the insurer has said and how your treatment is going. We check the time limits that apply and whether anything is in dispute. Then we explain your options and point you to the help that fits, whether that's doctors and allied health, an independent CTP lawyer or simply the next form.

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.

No, and you don't need one. The claim check happens by phone and online, so people in St Ives get the same help as anyone else in NSW without travelling. If an independent CTP lawyer would help with your claim, the lawyer you speak with can generally work with you by phone, email and video as well.

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.

Not from us. The claim check is free whatever you decide. If you choose to work with an independent CTP lawyer, legal costs in CTP claims are regulated, and for some disputes they can't be recovered at all. Many motor accident lawyers offer no win, no fee arrangements. Ask for a written costs disclosure before you agree to anything.

No. Our claim check is by phone and online, and if the check shows a lawyer would help, many motor accident lawyers are set up to work by phone and video. If you'd rather meet in person, say so when you're referred. Most early steps, like getting a Certificate of Fitness from a GP and lodging the claim through Service NSW, can be done close to home or online.