Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you’ve sustained injuries from a motor vehicle accident in Queensland, our lawyers are here to help you understand and exercise your legal rights. Whether your injury involves cars, motorcycles, buses, trucks, quad bikes, or occurred while you were a pedestrian or cyclist, you may be eligible to make a Compulsory Third Party (CTP) claim.
We recognise that financial concerns, especially when you’re unable to work, can be overwhelming. To alleviate this stress, our lawyers work on a No Win / No Fee basis. This means you won’t owe us any legal fees unless we successfully resolve your claim. To ease you further, our fees are subject to 50/50 rule, this ensures that our firm cannot charge you more than 50% of your net settlement sum.
Unsure? Give us a call and we’ll guide you the right way. You won’t be charged by calling us.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
A CTP (Compulsory Third Party) claim in Queensland is a legal claim for compensation if you are injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else’s negligence. It covers injuries caused by cars, motorcycles, trucks, and other registered vehicles.
You can make a CTP claim if you were injured as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or scooter rider, provided another party was at least partly at fault for the accident.
Yes. In Queensland, you may still be able to make a CTP claim even if you were partly at fault. However, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility for the accident.
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists injured by a motor vehicle in Queensland can make a CTP claim, as long as the accident involved a registered vehicle and negligence can be established.
Yes. Passengers can usually make a CTP claim, even if the driver of the vehicle they were in was at fault. Passengers are often entitled to compensation because they are rarely considered responsible for the accident.
You may be entitled to recover damages for your pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, rehabilitative treatments, loss of wages, loss of future work capacity (also known as future economic loss), superannuation, care and assistance.
The amount of compensation depends on your injuries and losses. It may include medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, care and assistance, and future economic loss. There is no fixed amount — every claim is assessed individually.
It is important to note that Compulsory Third Party insurance are different to Comprehensive Third Party insurance. Most people are generally confused between the two. Compulsory Third Party insurance does not cover damages to your vehicle. However we are more than happy to assist you in claiming your vehicle’s loss.
95% of matters resolve at settlement conference, or within short period of time following the conference. Your lawyer will advise you whether your matter should proceed to court and the associated costs and risks.
No. We offer free initial consultation. You don’t need to pay us anything until your matter settles.
Generally, you must lodge a Notice of Accident Claim Form within 9 months of the accident or 1 month of first consulting a lawyer (whichever is earlier). Court proceedings must usually be started within 3 years of the accident.
Missing a time limit does not automatically end your claim, but it makes the process more complex. You may need to provide a reasonable excuse for the delay, and the insurer may challenge your entitlement.
A CTP claim can take anywhere from several months to a few years. The timeframe depends on the seriousness of the injuries, recovery time, disputes about liability, and whether court proceedings are required.
Most claims require a Notice of Accident Claim Form and supporting documents such as a medical certificate and accident details. Additional forms may be required depending on the circumstances.
The CTP insurer is the insurer of the at-fault vehicle. If you do not know the insurer, you can usually find it by conducting a vehicle registration search.
After an accident, you should:
Seek medical treatment
Report the accident to police if required
Gather details of vehicles and witnesses
Keep records of expenses and symptoms
Many CTP lawyers work on a no win, no fee basis. This means legal fees are generally only payable if your claim is successful, subject to terms and conditions.
“No win, no fee” usually means you do not pay legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. If your claim succeeds, fees are typically deducted from the settlement, as allowed under Queensland law.
CTP Process Overview
Step-by-Step Guide
The Compulsory Third Party is system governed by Queensland legislation and administered through licensed CTP insurers under the oversight of the Motor Accident Insurance Commission.
Below is a clear overview of how the QLD CTP claim process works.
Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment and Report the Accident
After a car accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian incident, or bicycle accident, and you are injured, you should:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Report the accident to police (especially if anyone is injured)
Medical records and police reports form a critical part of your CTP claim.
Step 2: Identify the At-Fault Vehicle’s CTP Insurer
In Queensland, CTP insurance follows the vehicle at fault, not the injured person.
If you know the registration number of the at-fault vehicle, the CTP insurer can usually be identified. If the vehicle is uninsured or unidentified (for example, a hit-and-run), special provisions may still apply.
Step 3: Lodge a Notice of Accident Claim (NOAC)
To start a Queensland CTP claim, you must lodge a Notice of Accident Claim (NOAC) with the correct insurer.
Time limits are critical:
- Generally within 9 months of the accident, or
- Within 1 month of consulting a lawyer (whichever is earlier)
Missing deadlines can seriously affect your entitlement to compensation.
Step 4: Liability Investigation by the Insurer
Once the NOAC is lodged, the insurer will investigate:
- Who was at fault for the accident
- Whether negligence can be established
The insurer must provide a formal liability decision within legislated timeframes. Even if liability is denied, your claim may still proceed.
Step 5: Medical Evidence and Ongoing Treatment
During the claim, medical evidence is gathered to assess:
- Your injuries
- Recovery progress
- Any permanent impairment
- Impact on work and daily life
CTP insurers may fund reasonable medical treatment and rehabilitation while the claim is ongoing.
Step 6: Compulsory Conference and Negotiation
Before court proceedings can commence, Queensland law requires the parties to attend a compulsory conference.
At this stage:
- All evidence is exchanged
- A settlement offer is usually made
- Many CTP claims resolve without going to court
This is a key negotiation point in the QLD CTP process.
Step 7: Court Proceedings (If Required)
If the claim does not settle at the compulsory conference, court proceedings may be commenced in:
- The Magistrates Court
- District Court
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Most Queensland CTP claims resolve before trial, often after further negotiation.
What Compensation Can You Claim Under QLD CTP?
Depending on your circumstances, a Queensland CTP claim may include compensation for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of income and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Care and assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Each claim is assessed individually under Queensland law.
