Posted on 03 Jul 2025

What to Do After a Car Accident in NSW: Step-by-Step Checklist

I just had a car accident — what do I do?

Check for injuries: Your first priority is safety. Make sure you and your passengers are okay. If anyone is seriously hurt, call emergency services immediately to get medical help at the scene.
Move your car out of danger: If your vehicle is drivable, move it safely to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic.
Collect witness details: Speak to anyone who saw the crash. Get their name and contact information. If possible, ask them to give a short written or recorded statement — it could be key to supporting your claim.
Take plenty of photos: Use your phone to document the scene — damage to all vehicles, skid marks, road signs, injuries, traffic lights, and any other details that help show what happened.
Exchange information: Key details to get after a car accident include the other driver’s name, address, phone number, vehicle registration, and insurance (both CTP and property damage). If they’re not the car’s owner, be sure to get the owner’s details too. You’re only required to share this basic information — so if the other person asks for extra details, like your licence number or personal email, you’re under no obligation to provide them.
Report the crash to police: In NSW, you have 28 days to report an accident, but it’s best to do it as soon as possible — especially if there are injuries or serious damage. Ask for the police event number for your records.

Steps to take soon after the car accident

Get medical care: Even if your injuries seem minor or psychological (like anxiety or shock), see your GP as soon as you can. Ask for a written report of your injuries and a medical certificate if you need time off work — these are key pieces of evidence for any claim.
Finalise your police report: If you didn’t report the crash at the scene, make sure you do it now. And if you already have, request a copy of the police report for your records.
Lodge a CTP claim: CTP (Compulsory Third Party) claims cover injuries in NSW. Also referred to as a ‘green slip’, CTP insurance is compulsory for every Australian driver. If someone else caused the accident, you can make a claim through their CTP insurer for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you’re at fault for the car accident, you’re still entitled to basic compensation in NSW.
Lodge your property damage claim: Property insurance is an optional type of cover you can buy alongside your CTP insurance. If someone with property insurance is involved in an at-fault car accident, their insurance will cover the cost of repairs to the other vehicle. If you weren’t at fault for the crash, you can file a property damage claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. If you were at fault and you have property or comprehensive insurance, lodge the claim with your own insurer instead.

How long do I have to lodge a CTP car accident claim?

In NSW, you have 28 days to report a car accident to police, and three months to submit an Application for Personal Injury Benefits to the Personal Injury Commission.

If you’ve missed the deadline, don’t panic — you may still be able to claim. Our expert car accident lawyers understand the exceptions to time limits and can apply for an extension on your behalf. We’ve helped many people successfully resolve delayed claims and secure the compensation they deserve.

When should I speak to a lawyer?

If you were responsible for the accident and live in a state that allows at-fault claims, you can lodge a CTP claim directly with your insurer for basic benefits. But if your injuries are serious or long-lasting, it’s best to speak with a car accident lawyer. Most states offer extra compensation for catastrophically injured people — even if the accident was your fault — and a specialist lawyer will help you understand your rights and get the compensation you’re entitled to.

If another driver caused the crash, a fault-based claim can give you access to a larger compensation payout — but you’ll need strong evidence to prove they were negligent. That’s where we come in.

Our expert car accident lawyers handle everything for you:

Free case check: We’ll assess your situation and explain your options, free of charge.
Medical records and referrals: If your scans don’t explain your pain, we’ll help you get a second opinion and ensure everything is properly documented.
Calculating your full entitlements: From lost wages to future treatment, we make sure your claim includes every type of compensation you’re eligible for.
Handling the insurer: We manage all correspondence, disputes, and negotiations with the insurer, saving you time and stress.
Finding extra benefits: Beyond your car accident claim, we’ll look into your eligibility for extra claims like income protection or TPD (Total and Permanent Disability). This ensures you’re getting the maximum possible compensation for your injury.

And with our No Win No Fee guarantee, there are no upfront costs and nothing to pay unless we win your claim.

Get in touch today for free legal advice on your situation. No matter how the car accident happened, we’ll fight to secure every dollar you deserve.

What to do if your car is written off or totaled

If your car is ‘written off’ or ‘totaled’ (short for a ‘total loss’), it means your insurer has decided the vehicle is too badly damaged to safely or economically repair. This usually happens when:

The repair costs exceed the car’s value.
The damage compromises the vehicle’s safety.
Which state you’re in.
The vehicle meets the legal definition of a statutory write-off in your state.

In Australia, a car may be declared a ‘repairable write-off’ or a ‘statutory write-off’, depending on the level of damage. Almost all states follow the national guidelines under the Written-Off Vehicle Register (WOVR), but some state-specific rules apply, especially around re-registration.

For example, in NSW, cars that are repairable write-offs cannot be re-registered, unless they qualify for an exemption under the Vehicle Identity Validation (VIV) scheme. But in Western Australia, the rules are more relaxed, and write-offs may be repaired and re-registered after a Department of Transport inspection.

What happens if my car is written off?

If your insurer writes your car off, they’ll typically:

Offer you a payout equivalent to your car’s market or agreed value.
Retain the damaged vehicle and cancel the registration.
Notify the relevant state authority to record the vehicle as written off.

Your insurance payout will depend on your policy — particularly whether you had comprehensive cover, and whether it was a ‘market value’ or ‘agreed value’ policy.

To better understand your entitlements, check your car insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).