Ringwood Car Accident Solicitor - VIC Compensation Claim Lawyer

LAWYER HELPLINE: ☎ 1800 224 077

Should you be involved in a road traffic accident in Ringwood, then the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), which is set up by the government of Victoria and funded by the registration fees paid on vehicles in Victoria, can help you.

If you make a claim to the TAC and your claim is successful then there are a variety of different payments and benefits to which you may be entitled, depending on your injuries and circumstances. The TAC will be willing in many cases to pay the reasonable costs of medical expenses, rehabilitation, income support, travel, household and other benefits that you may need as a result of your injuries.

Of course every situation is different, and so the benefits and payments that you receive will be based on your own circumstances as well as what treatment you require, and treatments will be paid dependent on their contribution to your recovery.

If you would like obligation-free legal advice or No Win No Fee legal representation, contact our Ringwood Car Accident Solicitors. Our lawyers are experts at handling transport accident compensation claims. Do not delay in seeking legal advice as time limits apply.

What accidents are covered?

The range of accidents covered is wide and varied, and not just restricted to Ringwood car accidents, but also includes accidents involving trams, trains, bikes, motorbikes and even pedestrians. As long as the accident can be deemed as a road traffic accident, then you will be able to access compensation.

What types of compensation are available?

Compensation payments and benefits are available for a wide range of services following a Ringwood car accident, including :-

Medical Expenses
- Ambulance Services – The TAC can pay for ambulance transport, for example from the scene of the accident to the hospital, or from one hospital to another.
  Hospital Services – The TAC can pay for treatment at a wide range of public, private and rehabilitation hospitals.
  Medical & Nursing Services – Typically this includes visits to a doctor, whether a specialist doctor or your own doctor, as well as nursing services, for example home visits, after being discharged from hospital.
  Pharmacy Items – should your treatment require drugs prescribed by a doctor, then the TAC will be able to cover the costs of these drugs.
  Therapy Services – many people require physical or psychological therapy after an accident, and the TAC can help fund these treatments if they contribute to your recovery.
  Should your teeth or aids such as glasses or hearing aids be damaged in an accident, then the TAC can pay for such items to be restored, repaired or replaced, depending on which is most appropriate for the situation.
Income Benefits
- If you are unable to return to work and require rehabilitation or a return to work program as a result of your accident, then the TAC may be able to pay income support until such time as you can return to work. They may also be able to pay for reasonable costs associated with disability and rehabilitation services incurred while you are in treatment and recovery.
  Should you lose the capacity to work, then earning capacity benefit may be payable from the TAC for those for whom their injuries are too great to allow them to work.
Travelling Expenses
- Reimbursements can be made by the TAC for transport costs incurred to travelling to and from treatment-related appointments and related expenditure. These can be made for trips made by public transport or by private car, and also for some students for travelling to and from school.
Household Support Services
- If you are no longer able to do the household tasks in order to keep your house clean and tidy as a result of your operation, then the TAC may be able to pay for a cleaner to support you in some of these tasks. Examples of these tasks include cleaning, dusting, gardening and vacuuming. This support will usually be available for a limited period of time.
Childcare
- If your injury from the accident has made childcare difficult, and particularly with regard to childcare during appointments for treatment and rehabilitation, then the TAC may be able to fund a carer who can look after your children while receiving treatment from your injuries.
Death Benefits
- Should you die as a result of your accident, then the TAC can make certain payments to your family in order to help them through this difficult time. Funds are often available to help with burial or cremation costs, counselling services for family members, and even financial support for dependents. This will depend on the financial circumstances of the family.

What if the accident was my fault?

Benefits are available from the TAC even if a Ringwood car accident was your fault, although exactly what benefits are available to you will be different in these circumstances. You would still be entitled to medical expenses, loss of wages and compensation for your injuries, but the whole range of benefits would not be available to you.

If you were not in fault for the accident, then depending on the severity of your injuries you may be eligible to apply for Common law compensation. Of course, if the accident was your fault then you would not be able to apply for this compensation.

As benefits and payments are available whether or not you are at fault for an accident, it is worth you applying to the TAC in any case.

How long do I have to lodge a claim with the TAC?

Although in exceptional circumstances claims can be made within 3 years of the accident, this is unusual and claims should be made within 12 months of the date of the accident.

Are there any other time limits I should be aware of?

There are two other time limits of which you should be aware. Should the TAC decide against your claim then you have 12 months from the date of the TAC decision to appeal.

If you have suffered a permanent injury then you have 6 years from the date of the accident to claim impairment benefits. This 6 year period is the same for making claims for Common law compensation.

Time limits are only extended in exceptional circumstances.

How can a solicitor help me in dealing with the TAC?

Obtaining legal advice is not necessary but is beneficial in dealing with the TAC, to ensure that you get the most out of your entitlements as well as the complicated legal regulations involved. Legal advice is most definitely advised if appealing against a decision from the TAC.