The best personal injury lawyers in Canberra

screaming banshee said :

If in doubt sue?

Happy to be corrected but I would have though that being the driver of the vehicle that was rear-ended that would make you the second party, and therefore you should be discussing the matter of medical costs with your insurer. It would then be up to them to pursue the other driver for costs.

Inccorect. If you are not the car at fault, it is the far at fault’s insurer that you go through to claim for a personal injury claim. If it is pure property damage, that is when you call your own insurer. Most beneficial way to handle this and to get a modest payout is to take on some legal advice.

Baker Deane & Nutt in Canberra (62301999) are a fantastic firm! You jsut call them up, spend maybe 10 minutes on the phone to them and then they will arrange a time for a consultation with you where you will be given all forms to complete. They will do as much or as little as you would like with your claim.

In relation to “no win, no fee”, the main difference between those firms and others is if the claim fails, the SOLICITOR’S FEE is waived. So you’re still left with all disbursements, such as payments for specialist reports, barrister’s fees (if needed) and so on. Additionally some firms will calculate their end fee through a flat percentage of your eventual pay-out. For example the Blumer’s old website (changed in the last couple of months) used to specify that they would take “up to 35%” of your eventual claim. It can be a hefty amount eventually. However the Blumers site is quite clear on what “no win, no fee” involves” – check it out http://www.blumers.com.au/no-win-no-fee-solicitor/

I was personally involved in a motor vehicle accident a number of years ago. I had Grant Keneally of Porters Lawyers represent me. Ended up very well, and happy with the eventual pay out and how much their firm received (it was nowhere near 35%).

Thena Kyprianou at Pamela Coward and Associates. Brilliant. Make an appointment, take your receipts, police job number and anything else you have and just let Thena run with it. She is fantastic.

My bingle was a long time ago, but Craig Edwards at Maliganis Edwards Johnson looked after me pretty well. They are specialist personal injury lawyers and seem to know their stuff.

It still took something like 3 years to get the whole matter resolved, but I think that’s pretty standard.

tidalik said :

Please see a lawyer before you send off any forms!

The CTP scheme in the ACT is so much more complicated than other states and it’s best you let a good lawyer negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies – unless you want to die an early death from a stress-related heart attack. Your friend is right; you have no way of knowing how long you will feel the effects of your injuries.

Hear hear,

I was on my way home from school and run down on a pedestrian crossing by a taxi driver 10 years ago. I was young and naive, the damage didn’t appear to be too bad (nice way of saying stupid) and didn’t get a license plate number or make a claim.

I go through quite a bit of pain and had to quit playing soccer (my main passion) due to the accident.

gospeedygo said :

Better call Saul!

Saul Goodman is your man

I think you are doing the right thing by focusing on getting the medical and physio treatment you need. A friend of mine made the mistake of delaying starting her treatment (after listening to a lawyer) and ended up dying as a result of complications with heavy duty pain relief drugs.

Are you aware that your CTP insurer (if you are ACT-registered this will be NRMA) has to pay for your medical treatment in the first 6 months after your accident, up to $5,000 worth, on a no-fault basis? However, you do need to notify the insurer, report the accident to the Police and get your doctor to submit a medical report within 28 days of the accident, so don’t delay!

You don’t need a lawyer to do this – I suggest googling “ACT CTP” and downloading the forms you need from the ACT Treasury website.

Skidd Marx said :

Don’t be fooled by the “no win, no fee” catchcry. This applies only if the matter makes it to court. If not, you will be billed for every second you were consulted. Don’t be suprised if they neglect to make this clear from the outset.

I may be wrong, but even if there is “NO WIN”-you will still be charged for paper, envelopes and few phone
calls?

Don’t be fooled by the “no win, no fee” catchcry. This applies only if the matter makes it to court. If not, you will be billed for every second you were consulted. Don’t be suprised if they neglect to make this clear from the outset.

I reccomend Lionel Hutz

http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Lionel_Hutz

You have 9 months to claim – although read through all of this first

http://www.treasury.act.gov.au/compulsorytpi/ClaimForm.shtml

tidalik said :

As for lawyers, don’t go with anyone who tells you not to seek treatment (in order to get a bigger payout). These types do exist, despite the denials of the law society.

Name one.

Genie said :

If your accident was a few weeks ago. You may no longer be able to make a claim. Pretty sure ACT law states you have to seek legal advice within 10 business days. Call any no win, no fee firm to confirm.

Just be prepared to endure years of legal visits, doctors visits etc. 3.5 years after my accident I’m still suffering with injuries and no closer to settling than I was day dot.

I recommend doing it now, if the other driver was ACT registered, call NRMA and they will email you the claim forms. Get those in while you find a solicitor. Having a solicitor will make no difference to starting your claim.

I was hit head-on by someone who fell asleep and I suffered from internal bleeding and neck injuries, but I did everything under medicare an never put in a claim until about 5 months later because the neck pain wouldn’t go away. It took months to get them to accept the claim because I had waited so long.

If your accident was a few weeks ago. You may no longer be able to make a claim. Pretty sure ACT law states you have to seek legal advice within 10 business days. Call any no win, no fee firm to confirm.

Just be prepared to endure years of legal visits, doctors visits etc. 3.5 years after my accident I’m still suffering with injuries and no closer to settling than I was day dot.

Please see a lawyer before you send off any forms!

The CTP scheme in the ACT is so much more complicated than other states and it’s best you let a good lawyer negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies – unless you want to die an early death from a stress-related heart attack. Your friend is right; you have no way of knowing how long you will feel the effects of your injuries.

As for lawyers, don’t go with anyone who tells you not to seek treatment (in order to get a bigger payout). These types do exist, despite the denials of the law society. I’ve said it before: give Bruce Howes in O’Connor a visit. He’s a very competent, honest solicitor who’s been working in the ACT for years.

You need to lodge forms ASAP, if haven’t already. If the other driver was ACT, the NRMA site says:

“If your accident happened within the last 28 days, just submit a Motor Accident Notification form and a Motor Accident Medical Report to us and we can get started on your recovery.”
http://www.nrma.com.au/car-insurance/third-party-act/index.shtml

Make sure you start the paperwork while shopping for solicitors – Maurice Blackman or Porters have solid reputations.

screaming banshee said :

If in doubt sue?

I’m sure in 10 years time, the insurance companies will be happy to deal with your reoccurring injuries. :/

I had the exact same situation a few years ago and I used Papas J on London Circuit. The attorney was Nigel Gabbedy. Incredibly professional. I was very impressed by their service and committment.

r1 said :

Ring a reputable firm and have your police incident number handy . They will investigate and if you are not at fault , and are injured you will be sueing the other drivers third party insurer and basically cannot lose.

If this accident badly affects your employment , health etc you will be looking at six figures and trust me you do not want to be negotiating with these insurance companies by yourself

This seems to be sensible advice, r1. It is in your best interests to see someone as soon as possible, lexyliz. Keep all your receipts for medical treatments too, and take them with you when you go. Many firms will also give you the first appointment free so you can assess whether you want to go ahead.

screaming banshee said :

If in doubt sue?

Happy to be corrected but I would have though that being the driver of the vehicle that was rear-ended that would make you the second party, and therefore you should be discussing the matter of medical costs with your insurer. It would then be up to them to pursue the other driver for costs.

My understanding is that your insurance company will concentrate on recovering any costs they incur from the other driver’s insurance company but they won’t care about your injuries. Similarly, if you negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company, they may well offer you far less than you may be entitled to.

Good luck and I hope you’re feeling better soon.

If in doubt sue?

Happy to be corrected but I would have though that being the driver of the vehicle that was rear-ended that would make you the second party, and therefore you should be discussing the matter of medical costs with your insurer. It would then be up to them to pursue the other driver for costs.

Maurice Blackburn in Canberra were excellent in my experience.

You could go to ACAT (new name for body which includes old small claims court) and file a civil dispute application. They even have a specific application form for claiming damages and the most it costs to lodge with ACAT is $434 if you’re claiming over $10k.

Ring a reputable firm and have your police incident number handy . They will investigate and if you are not at fault , and are injured you will be sueing the other drivers third party insurer and basically cannot lose.

If this accident badly affects your employment , health etc you will be looking at six figures and trust me you do not want to be negotiating with these insurance companies by yourself

Just have the VAS ready cause no win no fee means you end up with very little.

Blumers Lawyers.

Better call Saul!