Car Accident Rehabilitation
Car Accident Rehabilitation
After being involved in a motor vehicle accident (Car, truck, motor bike or pedestrian involved in a motor vehicle accident), getting back on your feet can be a complex process.
Depending on the type of injuries you’ve sustained, you may need to undergo rehabilitation which normally involves Physiotherapy and exercise based therapy.
Rehabilitation program is designed to restore your quality of life and get you back to where you were pre injury.
Rehabilitation covers a wide range of healthcare services, including but not limite to:
- GP: Who will initiate the process for you
- Specialists: To provide you with further medical options for a particular issue in the body
- Physiotherapy: For all your rehabilitation needs
- Psychologist: For your mental health
- Exercise Physiologist: For gym based and return to work based treatment
Accessing rehabilitation services can put pressure on your finances, especially if you can’t work as a result of your injuries.
If you were involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, regardless of who was at fault, your CTP insurance will cover any reasonable expense to get you back to pre injury duties for the first six months after your injury. There are some technicalities which the CTP insurer will discuss with you at the time you lodge your claim. Such as if your accident was at fault or not at fault, minor or major injury. If it’s a major injury or if you were not at fault, the insurer will often continue to support you past the six month mark.
What Is CTP Insurance?
Short for Compulsory Third Party insurance, all vehicles on Australian roads are covered by CTP insurance. In most states and territories, the cost of CTP is included in your registration fees (except for NSW, where road users must purchase it separately).
CTP insurance is designed to cover out-of-pocket expenses and compensation claims made against drivers by other road users. To protect yourself from financial hardship or adverse consequences, always make sure your CTP insurance is up to date. If you are in NSW you cannot register a car unless you have up to date CTP insurance.
Will Insurance Cover The Cost Of My Car Accident Rehabilitation?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another road user, in most circumstances, the cost of your rehabilitation will be covered by the CTP Insurer of the vehicle at fault.
What Happens If I Develop Whiplash From A Car Accident?
Any car accident can result in a neck injury, but rear end collisions have especially high rates of whiplash. When a vehicle gets hit from behind, its occupant’s heads will usually be pushed backwards and then forwards from the impact of the vehicle that hit the car. This can force the neck to stretch beyond its usual range of motion.
Car accident related whiplash can be compounded by the late onset of symptoms. It is not unusual for people not to realize how badly they’ve been injured and fail to seek treatment until several days after an accident.
How Can I Prove That I Need Rehabilitation?
You will need to lodge a CTP claim.
- See you GP who will fill out a form confirming your accident and injuries
- Call or visit your local Police station and obtain an event number.
- Contact your CTP Insurer and inform them you would like to lodge a CTP claim
Most insurers will only cover the cost of rehabilitation expenses if they are:
- Reasonable and appropriate
- Related to injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident
- Verifiable (this means the insurer will ask for proof of the expense, such as a receipt).
You’ll need to supply proof that you require rehabilitation for your claim to be approved, such as a medical certificate or referral from your GP.
How Do I Organize Car Accident Rehabilitation?
You can receive guidance from your GP or your insurer. As a person receiving treatment, you can choose where you go to receive treatment. If you submit a claim to the CTP insurer that includes rehabilitation expenses, the CTP insurer will usually contact you to discuss organizing these services.
Alternatively, you can contact your insurer about arranging car accident rehabilitation.
Your treatment provider may also be able to contact the CTP insurer on your behalf. Most insurers will typically ask you to submit any requests for funding in writing.
Do I Have To Wait For The CTP Insurer To Approve My Claim?
Yes you do. The process can vary between different insurers. Best results you will have an approval within 2-3 days, worst case scenario 7-10 days. Before you lodge your claim ensure yo have provided the insurance company with all the requested paper work.
There are certain services such as Physiotherapy which gives you up to two pre approved sessions prior to a formal approval being received. You should only start the rehabilitation process once you have received an approval.
Delaying treatment could make your injuries worse, potentially causing you even greater pain and suffering. If you need to pay for rehabilitation services out of your own pocket initially, you can seek to get reimbursed later by making a compensation claim.
Contact:
Contact us today on 0479 080 800 to make a booking. Alternatively you can email us on [email protected]. Our Physiotherapists are Medicare, NDIS, DVA and Work Cover approved, specializing in injury management and rehabilitation to get you back to full function.
Ajit Lamba and Daniel Stone – Physiotherapists in Parramatta.