Did you have a car crash in WA? Are you looking for information on what to do after a car accident in Western Australia? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you were injured or not, it’s important that you take appropriate action following any car accidents in WA.
If you have had a car accident, follow these essential steps to after a car accident to help protecting your legal rights and ensure fair treatment after an unfortunate incident resulted in your losses or injuries.
So let’s get started on what steps can be taken after a car crash in WA! Here’s what to do if someone hits your car in Western Australia.
Types of motor vehicle accidents that can result in personal injury
In Western Australia, various motor vehicle accidents can result in personal injury, including rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and incidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists. These accidents can lead to a range of injuries, from minor to severe. Many not-at-fault victims of a motor vehicle accident are entitled to seek compensation through personal injury claims.
Common causes of motor vehicle accidents
Common causes of motor vehicle accidents include distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone while driving, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and aggressive driving behaviours like tailgating or unsafe lane changes. Additionally, poor weather conditions, vehicle malfunctions, and inexperience among young or new drivers can also contribute to accidents on the road.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident
Stop the Car Immediately
You should stop the car immediately in a safe manner. Ideally, you should park the car at the crash site to preserve the crash scene, crash features and road features.
However, it is not always possible to stop the car in the precise location without causing a traffic crash hazard or blocking traffic. If this is the case, please move your car to a safe location close to where the incident occurred and turn on your hazard lights while waiting for the tow truck company, the emergency services, or the WA police to arrive.
If possible, use appropriate traffic signs to signal traffic crash sites so that it is easily identifiable by the tow trucks and alert other drivers to stay away from the crash site.
Check For Injuries Sustained After a Car Crash
It’s important to assess if anyone has been injured and, if so, seek medical assistance immediately.
At this point, it doesn’t matter who is negligent. The main focus is ensuring all parties involved are receiving appropriate medical treatment as early as possible without unnecessary delays.
Please note – it is not uncommon to experience delayed symptoms after motor vehicle accidents on WA roads.
Serious injuries after a car accident
If you, other drivers, passengers, or bystanders are suffering from serious bodily harm, please contact the emergency services or visit the nearest hospital.
Please note – you need to report the accident to the WA police whenever someone is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in WA. Sometimes, the police may request you to attend the police station. If this is the case, please be cooperative.
Whiplash injuries after a car accident
Whiplash injuries are common injuries after a car accident. These occur when your neck goes back and forward again, injuring the neck and shoulders. You should check to see whether anyone in the vehicle is suffering from these symptoms and if so, you should take them to get medical attention.
A whiplash injury claim is one of Western Australia’s most common motor vehicle accident claims. Don’t let your whiplash injury go untreated. This article provides a comprehensive guide on whiplash injury claims in WA.
Other common injuries after a car accident
Keen injuries are also a common type of bodily harm after a car accident. Again, seek medical attention immediately if you notice any more serious injury symptoms.
Other common car accident injuries include broken bones, abrasions, cuts, bruises and lacerations.
The Role of Insurance in motor accident personal injury claims
In Western Australia, the Insurance Commission manages Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, which covers personal injury claims from motor accidents. This mandatory insurance allows victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and other related costs caused by the not-at-fault motor vehicle accident in WA.
Get the details of the other drivers involved
After motor vehicle accidents in WA, you need to collect appropriate personal details of involved parties and the cars involved. When you report a crash in WA, you will need the following information:
- contact details of other drivers, including their names, addresses, phone numbers and license plate numbers.
- registration number of vehicles involved
If possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene and any other evidence to help you prove your case if necessary. When you are taking the photographs, it is important to include the following:
- street names where the car accident occurred
- road features that may be relevant to the car accident, such as road alignment
- evidence of vehicle damage to your vehicle or other vehicles
- evidence of visible injuries of yourself or other parties (if permission is granted by the other party)
Contact your car insurance provider for motor vehicle damage claims after car accidents
If you have car insurance in Western Australia and want to claim compensation for damaged property, contacting your car insurance company immediately after a crash is important. They will be able to guide you on what steps you need to take to claim compensation for damaged property.
Please note – if the total value of property damage to all involved parties is more than $3,000. You must report a crash!
Preparing for a personal injury claim for motor vehicle accident injuries
If you choose to pursue a personal injury compensation claim. The relevant insurer is the Insurance Commission of Western Australia, the compulsory third-party insurer in WA.
You can download the Intention to Make Claim Form from the Insurance Commission of Western Australia website to make a claim.
While completing the compensation claim form, you will be asked to provide the details of the other people involved in the accident, so you should get these details from the other drivers involved. If you have any witnesses of the accident, please collect any witnesses’ details like their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Time limits for making a motor accident personal injury claim
In Western Australia, there is a strict time limit for filing a motor accident personal injury claim. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to initiate legal proceedings. However, for children under 18, the time limit will depend on the children’s age at the time of the injury.
This article explains more about how long after a car accident you can claim and the associated time limits.
Report the crash to the police
Do I need to report an accident in WA?
If the motor vehicle-related incident resulted in bodily harm and the total property damage of all parties involved is more than $3,000. Then, you are legally required to report the accident, and regardless you want to make a claim or not.
You report a crash by calling the WA police or using the online crash report tool.
Read this article for more on crash reporting in WA.
Seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer
If someone hits your car in Western Australia and you suffer injury, you should seek advice from a personal injury lawyer. A good lawyer who is experienced in the field and can help you navigate the compensation claims process or other financial damages.
We hope this blog post has provided helpful insight into what to do if someone hits your car in Western Australia.
Foyle Legal helps you to understand your legal rights!
If you have made a motor injury claim in Western Australia, contact Foyle Legal for your obligation-free claim review.
Foyle Legal is one of the best rated personal injury law firms in Perth, Western Australia. Our team of compensation lawyers offer No Win No Fee legal representation for qualified personal injury claims in WA. This includes but not limited to: workers compensation claim, motor vehicle accident injury claims, criminal injury compensation claims for victims of crime, medical negligence claims, public liability claims, and fatal accident dependency claims.
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