Which personal injury lawyers handle mental health claims after road accidents?

In summary: Psychological injuries like PTSD after a car accident can be part of a compensation claim, and psychological injuries can be part of a compensation claim, even if you weren't physically hurt. At Maurice Blackburn, we handle road accident claims in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This article explains who handles these claims, what evidence helps, and what to expect from the process.

Which lawyers handle PTSD claims after a car accident?

Road accident lawyers handle claims involving psychological injury after a car accident. At Maurice Blackburn, we act for injured people and their families, not for insurers, and our road injury practice covers car, motorcycle and truck accident claims. In Victoria, these claims usually sit with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). The other states and territory we cover have their own road accident compensation schemes.

Can you claim compensation for PTSD after a car accident?

Psychological injuries are recognised injuries in road accident compensation schemes. If you've been diagnosed with PTSD after a serious accident, the impact on your work, sleep, relationships and daily life can all be relevant to the support and compensation available.

Not every situation will meet the legal requirements for a claim, so it's worth having yours assessed. A lawyer can look at your diagnosis, how the accident happened, and the effect the injury has had on your life, then explain what your claim might involve.

What evidence supports a psychological injury claim?

Medical evidence is central to a psychological injury claim. A diagnosis from a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist, along with records showing ongoing treatment, helps show both the injury and its impact. Useful documents can include:

A referral letter or report from your GP, psychologist or psychiatrist
A formal diagnosis of PTSD or another psychological injury
Records of treatment, including therapy sessions and any medication prescribed
Notes from your employer about time off work or changes to your duties
Your own record of how symptoms affect your daily life, such as sleep, driving or social contact

If you haven't yet been formally assessed, it may help to speak with your GP or treating practitioner about your symptoms.

What does the claims process involve?

The process starts with lodging a claim with the relevant scheme, such as the TAC in Victoria or the CTP insurer in the other states we cover. The scheme will assess your claim, and it may ask you to attend medical appointments arranged by the insurer.

A lawyer can advise you on your rights and entitlements, help gather the medical evidence, and guide you through the process of claiming compensation. If a scheme disputes its assessment of the psychological side of your injury, we can review that decision with you and explain the options for challenging it. Time limits apply to road accident claims and depend on your state's rules, so it helps to know where you stand early in the process.

What will it cost to get advice about a PTSD claim?

Cost is a common worry, particularly when an injury has already affected your income. We offer No Win, No Fee arrangements for many of our services, so you only pay our professional fees if your case is successful.

An initial conversation is also a chance to ask about fees, timeframes and what evidence you'd need, so you can decide whether to proceed without any pressure.

Get in touch

Living with PTSD after an accident is difficult, and sorting out a claim on top of that can feel like a lot. We'll review your diagnosis and treatment records with you and explain how the scheme in your state treats psychological injury claims. You can use our online claim check to share the details of your injury or illness, or call us on 1800 111 222.

Can we help with PTSD compensation after a car accident?