Many people wonder if they need a lawyer after being injured in a car accident. Whilst there is no requirement to have legal representation, it is often in your best interest. The best car accident lawyer will seek to maximise all available compensation.
The question then becomes: How do I choose the right lawyer for a car accident claim? It’s a big decision, as the effects of a serious collision can persist for months, years or even a lifetime.
Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers (ADM) believe in honesty and winning the right way. That starts with providing an honest assessment of your claim and a clear explanation of how our firm can assist you.
Keep reading for information on how to choose the best car accident lawyer. Or, if you need immediate assistance, call ADM at 1800 242 588 today. We serve clients in Melbourne, Bendigo, Shepparton, Echuca and communities throughout Victoria.
Understanding Car Accident Claims in Victoria
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is responsible for administering the state’s no-fault compensation scheme for road accidents. If you are injured due to the operation of a motor vehicle in Victoria, you are entitled to certain benefits regardless of who was at fault:
- Medical expenses, allied health services and supports
- Payments for lost income
- Return to work assistance
- Impairment benefit, if an injury results in permanent impairment over 10%
- Support for family members
In addition, you may be entitled to common law damages if you are seriously injured through the fault of someone else. Common law payouts compensate you for past and future economic losses, as well as pain and suffering.
The TAC may refuse to pay necessary medical expenses or other entitlements. Likewise, it can be difficult to obtain common law compensation on your own. For these reasons, we strongly suggest hiring a lawyer who specialises in TAC accident claims.
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What Services Do Car Accident Lawyers Offer?
Car accident lawyers offer a number of services to prepare your claim after a crash. These include:
- Determining the cause of the accident
- Gathering evidence on your behalf
- Identifying any at-fault parties
- Advising about your entitlements
- Lodging a claim with the TAC
- Communicating with the TAC to ensure your benefits are paid
- Assisting in disputes with the TAC about treatment or payments
- Negotiating a settlement of your common law claim
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed after a transport accident. The initial shock may give way to multiple medical appointments, bringing your car in for repairs and dealing with the TAC. You don’t have to go through this process on your own.
An experienced lawyer can provide you with much-needed guidance concerning your rights and entitlements. They can also handle your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Need help after a car accident in Victoria? Contact ADM for FREE today.
How to Choose the Right Car Accident Lawyer?
When choosing a lawyer for any type of legal matter, it is important to balance skill and qualifications with personal comfort and connection. You will find no shortage of lawyers through a simple online search, but the only way to know which one is right for you is to meet with them.
The best car accident lawyer should meet the following criteria:
Experience with Transport Accident Matters
You need a personal injury lawyer, but you need one who specialises in TAC claims. It should be clear from their website whether transport accident claims are a major focus of the firm.
The best accident injury lawyers in Victoria have extensive experience dealing with the TAC. As a rule, you should look for a lawyer who is well-versed in both no-fault benefits and common law damages claims. This ensures that you will have qualified legal counsel no matter your entitlements.
Is the lawyer experienced in TAC claims?
- Check their website for information on personal injury and car accident matters.
- Read individual lawyer bios to get a sense of their experience.
- Look at online reviews. Do multiple clients mention that the firm helped them after a car accident?
Proven Success Challenging the TAC
Legal counsel is essential if the TAC denies payment of medical expenses, stops paying income support or disputes claims for impairment benefits or common law damages. You need a lawyer who will not hesitate to appeal disputes, escalating matters to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) or going to Court if necessary.
Complex disputes often don’t align with the approach of large corporate injury firms. The lawyer you choose should be willing and able to go the extra mile in getting your benefits paid and the maximum compensation you deserve.
Will this lawyer take on the TAC for you?
- Read the website carefully for references to TAC disputes.
- See what clients have to say about the firm’s work on complex TAC matters.
- At the initial consultation, ask how the firm handles disputes with the TAC.
Clear Strategies for Obtaining Common Law Compensation
Only some car accident victims are entitled to common law damages. You need to meet the threshold for serious injury, and you need to prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Preparing a strong claim for common law damages requires prompt investigation of the accident. Experienced lawyers will be able to explain how the serious injury assessment process works and how it may apply to your claim. They should also participate in the Common Law Protocols, which provides a framework for resolving claims in less time and without having to go to Court.
The best car accident lawyer provides clear guidance on serious injury and common law claims.
- Look for website content on TAC common law compensation or serious injury.
- Check reviews from past clients to see if they mention serious injury or common law payouts.
- Ask if the lawyer/firm participates in the TAC Common Law Protocols.
Reputation for Excellence — with Clients & in the Legal Profession
You can tell a lot about a car accident solicitor or law firm from their online presence. Google reviews and comments on social media are a great place to start, especially if the reviewer mentions being a client.
Professional directories can show the firm’s standing amongst their peers in the legal community. These include:
- Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) — Check for LIV Accreditation as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law, as this demonstrates expertise.
What is the firm’s reputation?
- Read reviews on Google.
- Peruse their socials for comments and reviews.
- See which lawyer(s) are LIV Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury Law.
Client Testimonials
At ADM, we are real people helping Victorians find justice. You don’t have to take our word for it; we have received hundreds of 5-star reviews from real clients who entrusted their legal matter to ADM. See for yourself what to expect from Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers, both as solicitors and as human beings.
Michelle & R.
Kelsey and the team at ADM Bendigo were very understanding and caring in relation to our case. We were treated with respect and everything was done to get the best possible outcome under the circumstances. We would highly recommend.
Peter R.
My dealings with staff at ADMcP were at all times supportive, professional, and above all successful. They’re a great group and I recommend anyone to them for any industrial/workplace injury issues.
Milian T.
Thanks a lot Shaun and whole team, you done great job! Highly recommended this expert. All the best my friend!
Personal Impressions
Legal experience and expertise may be impressive, but you should never overlook the human element. The best car accident lawyer will be honest and approachable. You should leave interactions feeling informed and empowered, not talked down to or dismissed.
Some lawyers really struggle with this, especially at corporate firms that sacrifice personalisation for efficiency. If a solicitor throws around a lot of legal jargon and seems impatient if you ask for a simpler explanation, you may want to look elsewhere.
Do you feel comfortable with the lawyer?
- Meet with them in-person for a one-on-one consultation.
- You may also be able to get some sense of the experience from online reviews, but there is no substitute for interacting with the firm directly.
Transparent Fees
You need a complete understanding of how legal fees are structured before signing on as a client. Car accident law firms in Victoria generally handle claims on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis, but no lawyer should hesitate to provide you with a detailed explanation of what that means.
Ask the following questions about fees for car accident claims:
- What does ‘No Win, No Fee’ actually mean?
- Do you charge anything upfront?
- When am I responsible for professional costs?
- Is there an uplift fee?
- Who pays for disbursements?
- Does the TAC pay legal fees, or does it come out of my compensation?
Read about ADM’s No Win, No Fee policy.
Access to Lawyers
One of the most common complaints people have is that they can’t get a hold of their lawyer while the claim is in progress. Another source of friction comes when the firm passes claims off to junior associates or administrative teams with minimal involvement from senior lawyers.
Ask the following questions about how your case will be handled:
- Will I have direct access to my lawyer?
- How often will I receive updates?
- Who should I contact if I have questions?
Local Knowledge
Although the TAC scheme applies to accident claims statewide, it is important to have a lawyer who knows the local roads and intersections where collisions occur. The best car accident lawyers also have an in-depth knowledge of the area’s hospitals and medical providers, as well as key practical differences between claims in metro Melbourne and other areas of Victoria.
Medical care tends to be readily available in Melbourne and other metropolitan communities. Access to medical care is important not only for recovery but meeting the procedural requirements for TAC claims. Regional and rural communities do not have the same access to medical services, which can make it more difficult to receive necessary care and move claims forward.
A truly statewide accident law firm will understand these realities and offer strategies to help you overcome them. That is why it is vital to hire a car accident injury lawyer who capably serves your community.
Confirm that your lawyer has local expertise in the community where the accident occurred.
- Bendigo, VIC
- Melbourne, VIC
- Ringwood, VIC
- Castlemaine, VIC
- Shepparton, VIC
- Moonee Ponds, VIC
- Scoresby, VIC
- Echuca, VIC
- Chadstone, VIC
- Narre Warren, VIC
- Maryborough, VIC
- Swan Hill, VIC
- Bundoora, VIC
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer
You probably have a lot of questions if you have been injured in a car accident. The questions that can help you find the best lawyer include:
- Are car accident claims a major focus of your practice?
- How many TAC claims do you handle every year?
- Do you represent clients in serious injury and common law matters?
- Will you be managing my case personally?
- Do you see any weaknesses or vulnerability in my claim?
- What is your availability if I have questions?
- Do you provide clients with regular updates?
- How often will I hear from you?
- Do I have to pay any costs upfront?
- How do fees work if the matter is successful?
- What fees do I owe if we don’t win?
- How long do you think it will take to achieve a favourable outcome?
A good lawyer will answer these questions clearly and confidently. If the answers are vague or you just don’t feel like you have a good connection with the lawyer, it is important to explore different options.
Signs a Lawyer May Not Be a Good Fit
Having served Victoria in personal injury matters for more than 30 years, we can attest that the vast majority of solicitors are capable professionals. Nonetheless, you may find that a lawyer’s experience, qualifications and/or personality do not match your needs.
Signs that a lawyer may not be a good fit for you include:
- Limited experience with TAC claims
- Unclear or incomplete explanation of your legal options
- Confusion about who handles the claim day-to-day
- The consultation feels rushed
- You feel pressured into hiring the firm
Finding the right car accident lawyer is essential for your peace of mind and obtaining the best result. The choice is yours, so take your time and consider your options carefully.
See How Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers Compare
ADM combines expertise in personal injury and transport accident claims with individualised care for clients. We believe that the best car accident lawyers in Victoria don’t just secure compensation but provide support and clarity.
Our lawyers have obtained some of Victoria’s largest recoveries in TAC common law matters. Having multiple LIV Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury Law helps us advocate for those with serious injuries, while participation in the Common Law Protocols ensures that each claim is handled quickly but without leaving money on the table.
We are committed to offering quality legal service statewide, with more than a dozen law offices across multiple communities. Approachable expertise is key for building trust and advocating for clients effectively.
Contact ADM Today
Having a capable car accident lawyer is the best way to maximise all entitlements from the TAC, including the impairment benefit and common law compensation. ADM provides the victims of road accidents with unrivalled legal representation and personal support.
Your initial consultation is 100% FREE, and we take your case on a No Win, No Fee basis. Call 1800 242 588 today to speak with a car accident lawyer at ADM. Our team serves all of Victoria from offices in Melbourne, Bendigo and beyond.
