Truck Accidents
Have you been injured while driving a truck? We are truck injury experts.
We understand that driving a truck is not always easy. We also know that when something goes wrong when driving a truck, the injuries can often be severe, and in tragic cases, fatal.
What the Law says
At Accident Legal we are acutely aware of the road rules relating to trucks. If your truck has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonne or more, then your truck by law is classified as a heavy vehicle. The law recognises that heavy vehicles:
- Require more space when turning;
- Have a larger blind spot than ordinary vehicles;
- Require much more time and distance to stop to avoid a collision compared to a car.
If your truck displays the "Do not overtake turning vehicle" sign, the law affords you as a truck driver more flexibility. For example, trucks with the sign displayed are allowed to take up more than one lane to turn at corners, intersections and roundabouts. Our in-depth knowledge of the road rules relating to trucks will maximise your chances of winning your case.
You can even make a claim if you were involved in a "hit and run" and therefore you don't know the identity of the driver that caused your accident. We can discuss the process with you.
Are there time limits in bringing a claim?
Yes. Strict timelines apply. Contact us immediately to see whether you are still within time for making a claim.
How long will my claim take?
This will depend on the severity of your injuries that you have sustained in the truck accident and the complexity of your claim. As a general rule, most claims take between 12 months to 18 months to complete. There is often an initial delay while your injuries stabilise.
What can I claim for?
You are entitled to claim compensation for the following:
- The pain and suffering you have experienced.
- Your past and future loss of income (including superannuation).
- Your past and future out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. medical expenses, travel expenses, rehabilitation expenses).
- The past and future paid care or services (i.e. cleaning, gardening, personal care needs etc.) that you had to pay someone to do as a result of your injuries.
- The past and future care provided to you by others (usually family members) for no charge (i.e. cleaning, gardening, personal care needs etc.) that you required as a result of your injuries.
How much compensation can I receive?
Each individual claim will be assessed on the basis of the extent of their injuries resulting from the accident and how these injuries affect their work and social functioning. You can see the latest CTP statistics here.
Do I need to pay a fee?
You don’t pay us a cent unless you win your case and you are paid compensation.
