2014 has seen an alarmingly high number of accidents involving pedestrians and bike riders on Sydney roads.

Slower speed limits and more structured lanes have not prevented the number of pedestrians being hit. One theory is that the rise of smart phones have made pedestrians less aware of their surroundings, especially when crossing roads. The use of smart phones by drivers has also proven to be a major concern.

In Sydney CBD buses have been the cause of almost half of all pedestrian deaths. Of the recent accidents this year witnesses have said that people often do not pay enough attention when crossing the roads and assume the bus lane is an extension of the footpath when waiting to cross the road. Congestion at peak hour has also been a factor.

MOST pedestrian related accidents still occur on weekends and involve alcohol-affected pedestrians. They occur during the late evening and early morning hours. In fact 41 per cent of injuries happen at these times.

Pedestrian safety tips

  • Always use pedestrian crossings and hold your child’s hand when you cross the road.
  • Check for turning vehicles around intersections and before you leave the curb.
  • Never cross the road from behind a parked vehicle.
  • Never assume an approaching driver will stop for you.
  • Avoid using a mobile phone or music player when crossing the road.

Take care on the roads.

Injured as a pedestrian in a car accident?

Frequently Asked Questions

A: If you’ve had a motor car accident, stop your vehicle and turn on your hazard lights. Make sure nobody is injured, and if so, call emergency 000 and remain at the scene of the accident. If it’s a minor incident you don’t need to call the police, but move the damaged cars if possible. Never admit responsibility even if you think you were at fault. Collect name, address, registration number and insurance details from the other parties and get witness details if possible.

A: Motor accident compensation claims are normally finalised after you’ve recovered, or your injuries have stabilised. It can take some people longer to recover than others – from days to years – which determines the length of time it can take to finalise a claim. Also, your injuries may not always appear immediately after the accident and can take some time to appear, in some cases, years.

A: In a carpark, anyone driving in the lanes has the right of way, so if you’re the one pulling out of the car space and hit another motor vehicle, you are likely to be the majority at fault in the accident. However, since both cars are moving, both drivers might hold some responsibility. But if you hit a parked car, you are likely at fault.

A: When lodging a claim for compensation after a motor vehicle accident it’s best to do it as soon as possible. However, it isn’t always feasible if you were severely injured and couldn’t file a claim straight away. There are time limits, however, so get someone to call a lawyer at PK Simpson for you to lodge a claim at least within six months of the crash.

A: The length of time you have to make your claim depends on the jurisdiction.

For instance:

  • TPD claims – these may be commenced up to 10 years after you’ve stopped work. TPD claims are very technical and you may have more than one TPD claim.
  • Car accident claims – A personal injury claim form should be filled in and sent to your CTP insurer as early as possible, but must be no later than six months from the date of your accident. HOWEVER, out of time claims may be made. New NSW CTP laws have made it difficult for injured people and many law firms still do not understand how to run new claims under these laws – so call us at PK Simpson Sydney as soon as possible.
  • Workers compensation claims – You should contact a lawyer within six months of the accident. But remember, out of time claims can be handled by PK Simpson Sydney. We can help you get the treatment required to build your claim.
  • Slip ‘n’ fall/occupiers liability claims – Your claim must be lodged usually within three years of the date of your accident.

Medical Negligence – within three years of the date of when the cause of action was discoverable to our client OR 12 years from the time of the act or omission which caused the injury through negligence.

A: At PK Simpson compensation lawyers we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. However, for detailed information on the legal costs that can be charged for statutory benefits CTP Insurance car accident claims in NSW click on this link.