Getting into a car accident in NSW can lead to lost income, medical costs, irreversible disabilities, and additional expenses.
As of July 2024, there are already 364 lives lost due to road crashes in NSW. Moreover, a total of 10,555 hospitalisations were recorded from the past year (2023).
These numbers indicate that there is an increase in risky driving behaviours, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, and other serious traffic violations.
This article will focus on dealing with car insurance companies and other essential information relating to car accident NSW.
READ: NSW Car Accident Law
What Is the Green Slip?
In New South Wales, if you want to register your vehicle, you must have a Green Slip or Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP).
This is a personal injury insurance policy that the government requires before you can register your vehicle. This will insure the drivers involved for the costs of a person’s injuries in the event of a car accident NSW.
What’s the coverage of this policy? This scheme covers the cost of injuries caused by your car to:
- You, if the accident happened in NSW; or
- Anyone else, if the accident happened anywhere in Australia.
However, if a car accident NSW took place outside the state, the coverage will depend upon the law of the place where the accident happened. There’s a different set of rules of inter-state accidents (non-NSW). Here’s a summary of the rules:
| Your Situation | Compensation Available |
| If the State or Territory is a fault-based CTP/ motor accident injury scheme and you were not the driver or rider at-fault in the accident | You can claim for compensation under the State or Territory’s CTP scheme |
| If the State or Territory is a fault-based CTP/ motor accident injury scheme and you were the driver or rider at-fault in the accident | You cannot claim compensation. Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have fault-based CTP schemes. |
| If the State or Territory is a no-fault CTP/ motor accident injury scheme | You can claim some compensation under the State or Territory’s CTP scheme even if you were at-fault in the accident. Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and the Northern Territory offer varying benefits for at-fault drivers or riders, depending on the circumstances of the accident. |
For more information about the Green Slip, check out Transport for NSW’s website.
Car Accident NSW: Green Slip Coverage
NSW government legally requires its drivers to get a Green Slip. But what’s in it for you? If you have a personal injury insurance policy, here’s what it will cover:
- Your medical expenses
- Lost income, in case you need time off from work
- Ridesharing services
- Other people’s medical expenses (passengers and pedestrians involved in the accident)
However, the CTP insurance (or green slip) does not cover vehicle and property damage.
Additionally, you can claim up to 6 or 12 months depending on the date of accident of the following particulars:
- a percentage of your pre-injury weekly income if you need time off work
- reasonable and necessary treatment and rehabilitation expenses
- commercial attendant care, if you require assistance around the home while you recover.
Also, there’s an upside if you’re not at fault. You can claim beyond the 6 or 12-month period. If severely injured, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Care & Support Scheme.
Where to Get a Green Slip?
You can buy a green slip from a licenced insurer in NSW or through agents, outlets, and online platforms. As of now, there are six licenced insurers that are allowed to provide Green Slips:
How to Make a CTP Claim?
In making a CTP claim, the first thing that you must do is to know the insurer of the vehicle that you think is most at fault. What you need to do is to enter your details and the circumstances in the accident into CTP Connect, an online tool.
This online tool will automatically send your details to the right insurer. The insurer will then contact you after evaluation. Another option would be to directly call CTP Assist on 1300 656 919 or email ctpassist@sira.nsw.gov.au.
Now, let’s proceed to the process of making a CTP Claim for a car accident NSW:
- Check if you are eligible to make a claim. You must be a driver (either a regular driver or a truck driver), pedestrian, cyclist, rider or passenger involved in the accident.
- Take note that you should exchange details with the other driver during the accident, such as car description, plate numbers, identification, etc.
- Submit a police report immediately.
- Seek medical treatment.
- Fill out a claim form and submit it to the CTP insurer of the other party.
If you require legal assistance when making a claim, don’t hesitate to contact traffic law attorneys. Seeking legal advice will answer your questions in complex cases.
Car Accident NSW: FAQs in Making a Claim
- I’m not sure who’s at fault in the accident, how should I deal with this?‘
A: Call the NSW State Insurance Regulation Authority (SIRA) (CTP Assist – 1300 656 919) for assistance in determining who is at fault.
- The vehicle that caused the accident was an unidentified or uninsured vehicle, can I still make a claim?
A: Yes, although the vehicle at fault was uninsured or unidentified, you can still make a claim. Just call CTP Assist.
- Will I get reimbursement after I get treatment?
A: Yes, make sure to include the receipts or expenses when making a claim. The claim consultant will assess your claim and reimburse you for expenses and treatment that you’re eligible for.
- Can I claim it on someone else’s behalf?
A: Yes, if you’re assisting the other driver who was injured, you can make a claim on his or her behalf. Just contact your insurer to make the necessary arrangements in helping someone make a claim.
- Can I claim for car damage?
A: Only personal injuries are covered by CTP insurance. You must have a car insurance to make a claim for damage to your vehicle.
JB Solicitors Can Assist You
Experiencing a car accident NSW can turn your life around in the blink of an eye. Moreover, complex legal processes might also be involved. Our lawyers at JB Solicitors are experts in traffic law and can surely help you in whatever legal matter you have.
We offer the following legal services:
- Legal advice for all involved parties
- Court representation
- Drafting legal documents with a police officer or officers
- Assistance in legal processes and emergency services
If you want to know more about the legal processes after a car accident NSW, schedule a consultation with us right away.
