Public transport is a popular choice of transportation for many Australians due to the saving of costs, reduction of environmental damage, and elimination of vehicle insurance coverage fees. As of March 2023, 54.6% of Australians used public transport to work, home, school, or leisure.Â
But public transport also comes at a risk. Due to the increasing congestion, buses, trains, ferries, and light rail trams could cause or be involved in accidents, causing harm and injuries to the passengers.
If you’ve been involved in a public transport accident, we understand it can cause you stress and anxiety. However, Alliance Compensation and Litigation Lawyers will take care of your needs and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately is crucial for your health, safety, and any future compensation claim. Follow these key steps:
Conduct a small physical examination to establish whether you’ve sustained any injuries
Involve the relevant authorities and keep a copy of the police report
Collect as much evidence as you can by taking pictures and videos of the accident scene. Note down the vehicle’s registration details. If possible, speak to any willing witnesses.
Seek medical attention for your injuries and keep copies of all medical records, such as doctor’s notes and receipts.
You’ll need to fill out a personal injury benefits application form to get properly compensated.
Public transport accident claims are paid through a Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurer. Submit a CTP claim to ensure you get timely compensation.
Going through this entire process by yourself can be overwhelming. A public transport accident lawyer will help take the pressure off your shoulders and negotiate proper compensation.
Once the claim has been submitted, the insurer will contact you for any further information and assess your claim, which can take up to 4 weeks. If the insurer considers that you are eligible for compensation then benefits must be paid within 28 days of the decision.
At Alliance Compensation & Litigation Lawyers, our team of experienced public transport accident attorneys is committed to guiding you through the legal process with expertise and empathy. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
There are different types of public transport accidents that can result in injuries and even fatalities. They include:
Bus accidents may occur when a bus collides with another moving or stationary vehicle. They may also happen due to mechanical faults, poor road conditions, bad weather, or driver negligence. Keep in mind that bust accidents don’t only happen in transit. For example, a passenger can be let off at a pothole.
Train accidents are rare but still occur once in a while when a train collides with another train, car, or person. They’re often a result of mechanical failure, negligence, or fatigue. They may also occur inside the train due to sudden braking.
Ferry accidents include collisions with other boats, fire outbreaks, and even capsizing. Ferry passengers can also get injured from falling or getting thrown around during bad sea conditions.
Tram and light rail accidents are often caused by damaged tracks, high speeds at junctions or corners, or collisions with other trams, cars, or people. Poor driving and faulty junctions are other causes of tram and light rail accidents.
If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for compensation, make sure to give us a call for a free claims assessment on (02) 8764 1776.
It’s important to understand what are the different types of compensation you are eligible for if you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident. Below is a list of things that you can expect to claim:
Income support via weekly payments:
If you’ve lost income due to your motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible for weekly payments to help cover the loss of earnings during your recovery period.
Medical Expenses
This compensation covers the cost of medical treatment, including hospital fees, rehabilitation costs, and any ongoing healthcare needs resulting from the accident.
Pain and suffering:
If you’ve experienced significant pain and suffering due to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
Commercial care & domestic assistance:
If your injuries require you to seek commercial care services or assistance with domestic tasks you can no longer perform, this compensation helps cover these additional expenses.
Permanent impairment:
In cases where the accident results in permanent physical or mental impairment, you may be entitled to an additional lump sum payment.
It’s important to note that if your injury is considered a threshold injury, you are only entitled to benefits for up to 12 months (excluding lump sum payment). If your injury is above the threshold then the duration you receive these benefits are extended.
CTP claims are generally the common path to claiming compensation for a public transport accident. Depending on the extent of your injuries, the CTP insurer may also pay you personal injury benefits and lump sums.
However, keep in mind that there are also other options available. They include:
Workers’ compensation: if you’re travelling to and from work and you’re involved in a public transport accident, you may be eligible for a workers’ compensation claim (journey claims). If it was a result of driver negligence, your claim may include a lump sum claim.
Public Liability claims: if you’ve been injured due to slips and falls either waiting for public transport or on public transport you can file a claim against the relevant transport authority’s public liability insurer.
TPD claim: If you’re unable to work again after the accident, you can file a Temporary and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim to receive lump sum compensation in your super fund.
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We understand that dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re more than just your lawyers; we’re your personal advocates for getting your life back on track. Our team has more than 14 years of experience in the motor vehicle accident space and has helped thousands of everyday Aussies with their claims.Â
Our team includes accredited specialists in motor vehicle accident law, ensuring you receive top-tier, expert legal advice.
With our 'No Win, No Fee' policy, you can have peace of mind knowing that our services are risk-free and focused on your success.
Understanding your situation, we offer the convenience of coming to you, making legal support accessible no matter your circumstances.
This compensation covers the cost of medical treatment, including hospital fees, rehabilitation costs, and any ongoing healthcare needs resulting from the accident.
Typically the time limit for motor vehicle-related accidents to submit a claim is 28 days from the date of the accident. If you’ve submitted your claim late, then it is still okay so long as you can explain to the insurer the reason. For example, maybe you never knew what the process was or your injuries started to aggravate, etcÂ
Despite this, it’s always beneficial to submit your claim as soon as possible, and work with trusted lawyers who can help you through this process to ensure that it is smooth. However, if your injuries are non-minor i.e. there is permanent impairment present then making a common law damages claim will have a limit of 3 years.
The CTP Insurer of the public transport operator will be making compensation payments to those who are injured in the accident.
If you disagree with the CTP insurers’ decision related to your claim you can request an internal review with the insurer. This request must be completed within 28 days of receiving your decision from the insurer.Â
In such cases where you also disagree with the post-internal review decision then you can also make an application to the personal injury commission to get a further independent review.Â
Our expert Car Accident lawyers can assist you with these processes.
According to the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, for the first 52 weeks, it doesn’t matter who caused the accident. This means that those drivers who are most at fault are still eligible to receive compensation for the first 52 weeks.Â
Once the 52 weeks have passed, then statutory benefits to the driver will cease. This ensures that everyone involved in the car accident is supported. So if you are at fault, be sure to still reach out to us to lodge a claim as you may still be eligible for benefits.
Being involved in a Public Transport accident can be a very stressful period in your life. The last thing you want to worry about when you’re travelling around using public transport is being injured and unable to return to your normal course of life for a long period of time. In such case, hiring a Public Transport Accident lawyer can prove to be a wise move to reduce the burden and allow you to gain confidence that your claim will be looked after.Â
The benefits of working with a Public Transport Accident Lawyer don’t just end once you’ve submitted the claim. We will also provide you with support and represent you in cases the decisions made by the CTP insurer are not favourable for you. We’ll also investigate deeply into your claim, assisting you with assessing your injuries to understand the maximum compensation available to you.Â
We also ensure that no stones are left unturned, as we also look into opportunities where permanent impairment is present which can also result in an additional lump sum payment alongside your usual statutory benefits through common law damages. This will provide you with more support along your journey to recovery.
In the event that you disagree with the insurer’s decision about your compensation, we’ll represent you through mediation and litigation to ensure that we give you a fighting chance to receive the compensation that is rightfully yours.Â
Finally, here at Alliance Compensation & Litigation Lawyers, we operate on a No-Win-No-Fee structure, meaning if you are not successful in your claim you don’t pay a single cent. In cases where the claim is worth less than $75K, upon a successful claim, the CTP insurer will cover 100% of the cost.
Complete our form and our specialist Public Transport accident injury lawyers will reach out to discuss your claim. Alternatively call (02) 8764 1776 for free claim advice.
Contact us or submit your online claim below.