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A variety of motor vehicles are on the roads of Victoria every day. When combined with a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists, the likelihood of a collision is high.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). Before filing a TAC claim, it is important to know what kinds of accidents are covered.
The transport accident lawyers at Henry Carus + Associates can help you lodge a claim for accident benefits and other compensation. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation in Melbourne or another area of VIC today.
Car Accidents
Accidents involving cars – including sedans, pickups, vans, and SUVs – are the most common type of road collision. Crashes can range in severity from fender-benders to multi-car pile-ups. The seriousness of injuries in an accident can vary as well.
TAC benefits can help pay for the following after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault:
- Expenses related to medical treatment
- Loss of earnings, if you are unable to work
- Home-based support and healthcare services
- Occupational and vocational therapy services
A car accident lawyer can also assess your eligibility for additional benefits. You may be entitled to a permanent impairment benefit if your injuries meet certain statutory thresholds, as well as common law damages if the accident was someone else’s fault.
Truck Accidents
The size and weight of semi-trucks make them a major threat to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Collisions between trucks and other, smaller vehicles frequently result in serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
In addition to TAC no-fault accident benefits, a truck accident lawyer can advise you of your right to common law damages and impairment benefits. Given the high likelihood of serious and permanent injuries in a truck accident, victims of these crashes often have additional claims.
Motorcycle Accidents
Due to the limited protections motorbikes afford to riders, motorcyclists represent a very vulnerable population of road users. Even if you wear a helmet and other safety gear, you may suffer a range of catastrophic injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident.
It is important to account for all damages in a motorcycle accident claim. You may be entitled to no-fault benefits for medical expenses and income support, as well as additional compensation.
Bus Accidents
As with commercial trucks, buses are larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road. The injuries suffered by drivers and passengers in collisions with buses are often severe.
Passengers of the bus are also entitled to compensation if they are injured in an accident. Additionally, TAC pays for costs associated with injuries passengers sustain from the opening and closing of doors on the bus (e.g., an extremity becomes trapped in the door when entering or exiting the bus).
Other Transport Accidents
The occupants of motor vehicles are not the only ones who may be entitled to benefits and other compensation for injuries suffered in a transport accident. The TAC also pays for damages suffered by other types of road users.
Additional types of transport accidents covered by the TAC include:
Pedal Cycle Accidents
The operators of pedal cycles (better known as bikes or bicycles) are subject to a wide variety of dangers. Cyclists may be entitled to TAC accident benefits in the following situations:
- Collisions between a bike and a motor vehicle in motion
- Crashes caused by a vehicle occupant opening a door into the path of a bicyclist (dooring accidents)
- Accidents between bicycles and stationary vehicles
- Transport accidents where a cyclist is travelling to or from work
Given the potential for serious injury in these crashes, bicycle accident claims commonly encompass both no-fault benefits as well as claims for additional compensation. If you were injured by a motor vehicle while riding your bike, it is important to speak to an experienced transport accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are also highly vulnerable in transport accidents. Serious injuries and fatalities may occur in collisions between people on foot and the following vehicles:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorbikes
- Buses
- Trams and trains
TAC benefits can help cover the costs associated with medical treatment and lost income from a pedestrian accident. Depending on the circumstances, permanent impairment benefits and common law damages may also be available.
Accidents Involving Trains and Trams
Melbourne is home to the largest tram network in the world. Hundreds of millions of passengers ride trams in the city every year. Railway lines also transport people and freight throughout Victoria and to other states.
Whether you are in a vehicle, on foot, or riding a bike or motorcycle, collisions with trams and trains can be devastating. The TAC covers transport accidents involving the operation of railway trains and trams, as well as trams and trains that are out of control.
Finally, just being on a tram or train creates the possibility of being injured by reason of a collision of another car with the train or tram, or by the negligent operation of the train or tram.
Read More: TAC and Public Transport Accidents
Contact a Transport Accident Lawyer Today
The process of filing a TAC accident claim is complex, and it can be difficult to get the full benefits and compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured (or you lost a loved one) in a transport accident, it is important to seek qualified legal counsel as soon as possible.
At Henry Carus + Associates, our team is committed to protecting the rights of those who have been harmed in transport accidents. We live by a simple principle, You Deserve More, and we embody this not only in our successful handling of accident claims but in the personalised service we provide each client.
Please contact Henry Carus + Associates by calling 03 9001 1318 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our transport accident lawyers serve clients in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.
