Motor Vehicle &
Road Accident Lawyers

In order to make a request for a particular service or treatment, your doctor will need to send a written request to the Commission to ask it to fund the treatment.

We recommend putting in the medical justification for the treatment, and, if there has been a gap in treatment, explain the reasons for that gap as well. This will hopefully help the Commission in its consideration of the request and prevent unnecessary delays.

Once the Commission has received the material, it will make a decision on the merits of the request. If the decision is to approve the treatment, then you can arrange with your treatment provider to undergo the treatment or with a service provider to the assistance. If the decision is to deny funding, we recommend that you seek legal advice to help you determine whether this a decision that should be challenged.

Understanding your right to medical expense coverage can provide a sense of safety and security for you and your family.

You have entitlements as an injured person regardless of who caused the accident. These entitlements include:

• Medical and related expenses;
• Weekly payments if you are unable to work;
• A lump sum for permanent injury, called an ‘impairment benefit’.

Strict time limits apply, so we recommend seeking advice as soon as possible. A lawyer will be able to help you through this process and negotiate on your behalf.

In addition to your No-Fault entitlements above, you may also be entitled to Common Law Damages – Lump sum payment for loss of earnings into the future and loss of enjoyment of life.

To be entitled to Common Law entitlements, you must establish that your injury is serious and that someone else was at fault for your accident.

If you believe you may have an entitlement to common law damages, we recommend that you contact us for advice as to whether your injury meets the relevant tests.

This is an inevitable question. Assigning a dollar value to a person’s pain and suffering is an imperfect practice. These decisions are guided by a legal framework.  For a more detailed breakdown of the calculation read our blog on TAC Claims.

If you receive a decision letter from the TAC in relation to one of your ‘no fault’ entitlements, you have 12 months from the date that you become aware of the decision in which to contest it.

It is important that you contact us as soon as possible if you’re unhappy with any TAC decision.

A claim for compensation must be made within one year of the date of the injury or the date when you first realise you are injured as a result of a transport accident.

However, the TAC may consider a claim made outside this one-year limit if reasonable grounds exist for the delay in making a claim, and it is made within three years from the date of the accident or the date you first realised you were injured.

The TAC will not consider any claims made outside this three-year period, unless the injured person is less than 18 years of age at the time of the accident. In this case they have until the day before they turn 21 years old to make a claim.

With Zaparas Lawyers we have a No Win, No Fee Policy.

This means that in the unlikely event that we don’t succeed in securing compensation for you, we will not charge you for any of our professional fees.

• For the first 90 days after a transport accident, the TAC will reimburse your medical and like expenses without a formal request.
• After the first 90 days, your doctor will need to write to the TAC to request approval for treatment or services required as a result of your transport accident.
• The TAC will then consider funding the requested treatment and issue a decision.
• Please note that if there are medical and like expenses you wish to claim from the TAC, they must be lodged with the TAC within 2 years of the date of the expense being incurred by you.

If you were involved in a transport accident that occurred outside of Victoria, you will still be entitled to TAC benefits if:

• You are a Victorian resident who was injured in an accident involving a Victorian registered vehicle; or
• You are a non-Victorian resident who was injured as an occupant of a Victorian registered vehicle.

If a Victorian registered vehicle was not involved in your accident, your claim will be governed by the relevant authority in the state in which the accident occurred.

If your child or minor has been involved in a transport accident, there are additional benefits available.

You may be able to claim a weekly benefit that will help with the cost of looking after your injured child or minor. The payment will be made to the parent/s or guardian until they are 18 years of age.

If a person has suffered a psychological injury as a result of the death of another person in a transport accident, a claim for compensation can be made. This can include a witness at the accident scene, or a family member of the deceased.

Make an appointment to see one of our specialist compensation lawyers who will answer any questions you have and give a comprehensive overview of your legal rights.

Currently we have seven offices around Melbourne to assist clients all around Victoria and an office in Queensland. Our solicitors are also happy to make a home visit if required.

Our locations can be found here: Zaparas Lawyers office locations 

When an injury is sustained, it often causes great financial strain to the injured party and their family. This is why, since its beginning, Zaparas Lawyers has fought cases on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. In simple terms, this means that in the unlikely event that we don’t succeed in securing compensation for you, we will not charge you for any of our professional fees.

Please bring all relevant documentation you have such as completed claim forms, letters from the TAC, medical reports, radiology investigations and any other documents that may be relevant.

Being specialists in personal injury claims, we know how hard it can be to navigate the legal process, but it can be even harder when English is your second language. That’s why we employ a diverse group of people who speak over 30 different languages to make the process as smooth as it possibly can be.

If we don’t have a lawyer who can speak your language, we also have access to a wide network of professional interpreters, meaning we’re here to help you every step of the way in a language that you understand.