Transport is a necessity in life but unfortunately sometimes it comes with risks. If you’ve been injured on Queensland roads, there can be a lot to navigate while you try to focus on healing. One of those challenges is figuring out what to do if you are unable to work after a car accident. In this article we explain the compensation you may be entitled to when it comes to lost income.
The most common car accident injuries
In Australia, the most common type of car accident injuries are to the trunk (thorax, abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, and pelvis) and head and neck. No matter what type of injury you have, if the recovery process is slow, you will likely suffer from income loss. This could range from being unable to work at all to only being able to work part time.
Am I entitled to income compensation after a car accident?
If you can’t work after a car accident, it can result in financial strain, instability, and stress. This can be worsened if you have medical and health expenses such as surgery, physiotherapy, medications or other services to take care of. These factors will all be considered and assessed by your lawyer and the court when you pursue a claim. Unless you’ve been injured driving during work, or on your way to or from work (in which case you should qualify to apply for workers’ compensation, and therefore an entitlement to have part of your wages paid) you have no immediate claim to payment of the lost wages.
During the compensation claim process, your lawyer will determine both how much money you have lost in income and what you are likely to lose into the future. That means, you will be covered for future income loss if your recovery will be for an extended period. These sums are regrettably only able to be paid as part of your final settlement.
What other factors will impact my injury claim?
In addition to lost income, medical expenses will be considered when your lawyer and the court are assessing your damages. These can include:
- How much money you have spent on medical services and rehabilitation, pharmaceuticals, treatment, etc.
- How much pain you have suffered, or are likely to suffer, and the effects of your injuries on your life. Keep in mind this is calculated under the Civil Liability Act and Regulation and may not be as much as you were hoping.
- Assistance from other people during your recovery.
- Any refunds you will have to pay to Medicare, Centrelink, hospitals, WorkCover, etc.
- Any future costs you may have for treatment, medications, surgery, etc.
What steps should I take if I can’t work after a car accident?
The most important thing is to prioritise seeking the medical assistance you need. This is for your general wellbeing first and foremost but is also an important factor for your claim. When you are able to, we’d recommend talking to a lawyer to see whether your claim has a good chance of success. At Gouldson, we provide this assessment for free and you can choose whether or not to pursue a claim once we’ve determined if you have a strong case.
To achieve the best results for your injury claim, our lawyers will request information from you such as past taxation and employment information, details of your medical treatment or rehabilitation, and notification if there is a change in your employment or medical circumstances. We may also deal with organisations on your behalf such as Medicare, Centrelink, WorkCover or your doctors.
Of course, during your compensation claim process our lawyers walk you through each step. We make it easy to understand and give you clarity on the path you will take when making your claim.
If you recently suffered a car accident injury that is preventing you from working, get in touch with us for a free case review.