Making a car accident compensation claim can be tricky― particularly if you have no idea what you’re doing. There are some essential things to remember when lodging your claim.
Not lodging the claim timeously or in good order can result in delays, or worse still, it can result in your claim being unsuccessful.
Here are five common mistakes to avoid when filing a car accident compensation claim.
Table of Contents
1. Failing To Make a Police Report
Filling out a car accident report after a car accident is essential.
If you have sustained injuries and want to pursue a CTP insurance claim, but the car accident wasn’t reported, you can fill in a Report of Traffic Incident to Police Form and leave it at a police station.
By going directly to the police station and not reporting through Policelink, you can get a reference number (QP number) in your claim form.
2. Not Adhering to the Timeframes
There are strict guidelines that need to be observed when lodging your claim. You should speak with a lawyer specialized in auto accidents to understand the timelines and other essential information of laws. It will help you start well and get the deserving compensation by abiding by the laws and following the timeline.
3. Giving Inaccurate or Misleading Information
You must give a truthful account of the car accident, the injury, and the consequences of that injury. Making an embellished claim or distorting the truth about your claim to an insurer is regarded as CTP fraud, which could result in your prosecution.
What Constitutes CTP Fraud?
CTP Fraud includes the following:
- Untruthfully fabricating an injury claim when you were not a party to or injured in a car accident.
- Misleading the insurer on purpose about what caused your injury or its effects on you.
- Giving incorrect, misleading or insufficient statements or documents when making your claim.
CTP fraud carries severe sanctions, so you must steer clear of it.
4. Not Attaching the Relevant Supporting Documents
You must attach the following relevant supporting documents:
a. Medical Certificate
If you’re instituting a claim for non-fatal injury, get your doctor to provide you with a medical certificate. The medical certificate makes the CTP insurer appreciate your damage and its effects to provide compensation for treatment and rehabilitation.
b. Claimant Certificate
This certificate helps prevent car crash scams and must be included as a supporting document.
c. Proof of Identity
If you are 15 years old or above, you must attach proof of identity (e.g. driver’s license or passport) with a recent picture of yourself. The government must issue it, and this copy must be certified.
If you do not have the above form, attach a passport-sized, color picture of yourself taken during the last two years. This picture must be certified by someone who has known you for a minimum of 1 year.
d. Law Practice Certificate
If you have instructed a lawyer to represent you, they must provide a Law practice certificate.
5. Failing To Get Expert Advice
While engaging a lawyer isn’t required, it can help your claim. If your claim is difficult or opposed, seeking legal advice would be highly advisable. You can opt for legal advice at any time during the claims process, although, as they say: the sooner, the better.
Conclusion
When you’re involved in a car accident, it might seem like your life has been flipped upside down, and the last thing you want to do is deal with the claim process. So, you should get expert legal advice to avoid these common mistakes when filing a car compensation claim.
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