Bendigo Car Accident Solicitor - Victoria Compensation Claim Lawyer

LAWYER HELPLINE: ☎ 1800 224 077

Our personal injury solicitors in VIC are experts at handling Transport Accident Commission (TAC) claims. If you would like free legal advice on how to claim compensation for injuries sustained in a Bendigo road accident, call our free helpline or complete the online contact form.

Being involved in a road accident is often a traumatic incident that involves many changes to your life in the short term. Fortunately, if you are involved in an accident in Bendigo, then you will be entitled to make a claim for compensation to an organisation called the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) which is run by the Victorian government. This company was set up to provide compensation to people injured by transport accidents within the state.

There are various type of payments that are available, should your compensation claim be successful, including a variety of payments related to medical, disability, rehabilitation, income support, household and travel support that may be needed as a result of injuries caused by an accident.

Every Bendigo car accident case will be looked at by the TAC individually, and levels and types of payments will be determined by the specific situation of the individual, judged by how that service contributes to your recovery.

What is covered in VIC?

You may be pleased to know that the scheme does not just cover those who have been injured during an accident in a car as a driver. The scheme covers a wide range of transport injuries, including motorbikes, trucks, bicycles and even pedestrians and car passengers. Compensation is available across a wide range of transport accidents.

What types of compensation are available?

Compensation for a Bendigo car accident claim comes in a variety of different forms including :

Medical Expenses
The TAC will be able to pay for transport from the scene of an accident to the hospital and even from hospital to hospital where such transport is needed for treatment.

Payments for treatment are also available for public, private and rehabilitation hospitals as and when needed, as well as for visits to a specialist doctor or your own family doctor. This also covers home nursing visits after being discharged from hospital.

Where prescription drugs are needed, payments can be made for medicine prescribed by a doctor and provided at a pharmacy.

Where therapy is needed due to injuries, whether physical or psychological, payments can be made to cover necessary treatment.

The TAC may also pay for dental treatment where damage was caused in the accident and restoration is possible, and also for the replacement or repair of hearing aids and glasses.
Income Benefits
If as a result of your accident you are unable to return to work in the short term then then TAC can pay you income support, which is a temporary support to help you before you return to work. They can also pay for disability and rehabilitation services that help you back to work.

If through the accident you lose the capacity to work, then loss of earning capacity benefits may be available to you.
Travelling Expenses
For eligible students travelling to school or where there is a cost related to travelling to treatment services as a result of your accident, payments may be made for use of public transport or the use of a private car. In rare cases payments for taxi may also be made, although this is exceptional.
Household Support Services
If the accident has made it difficult or impossible for you to look after your house, either in the short term or the long term, the TAC may make payments for a limited period to enable someone to come to your house and help you with such household tasks as vacuuming, gardening and cleaning that are necessary to maintain your home.
Childcare
If you were responsible for childcare prior to your accident, then childcare support may be provided for those times when you need to attend treatment for your injuries and need childcare support in order to help you attend those appointments.
Death Benefits
In the case of a death as a result of a Bendigo accident, the TAC is able to provide support with the cost of a burial or a cremation, financial support for dependents and even counselling services when necessary. Such payments will be dependent on your circumstances.

If the accident was my fault

Even if it is found that the accident was your fault, then you will find that there are certain benefits that you are entitled to from the TAC. In particular these include compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and various medical expenses, and are known as “No-Fault” benefits.

If the accident in Bendigo was not your fault then you may be entitled to make a claim for Common Law compensation, although you will not be able to make a claim for such compensation if the accident was your fault.

Common Law compensation covers damages for loss of earnings, as well as pain and suffering.

When do I need to claim?

You are advised to claim for a Bendigo car accident as soon as possible, but in most cases a claim must be made within 12 months of the accident and in rare cases 3 years.

What other time limits are there?

There are other time limits involved with TAC claims of which you should be aware. The first time limit involves occasions where the TAC makes decisions which are not in the claimants favour. In these cases a decision from the TAC must be challenged within 12 months from the date of the initial decision, and it is advisable to take legal advice.

If you have suffered a permanent injury, in which case impairment benefits may be payable, a claim for these benefits must be made within 6 years of the date of the accident. The 6 year time limit is also relevant for making claims for Common Law compensation.

How a Bendigo solicitor can help me?

As when dealing with any insurer, securing the services of a solicitor may be helpful, as a solicitor will be aware of any legal jargon with regards to the TAC, as well as your legal entitlements and making sure that your best interests are put forward at every stage.

A solicitor is also particularly helpful when appealing decisions that have been made by the TAC, and they can advise with regards to grounds for challenging a decision.

Call our free legal helpline to find out how we can help you claim maximum entitlements under the law. Our car accident lawyers offer No Win No Fee legal representation in most cases.