Making a claim for compensation with the TAC

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is the government body established to assist in the management of claims for injuries sustained as a result of a motor car, motorcycle, bus, train, tram or pedestrian accident. The TAC exists to help you recover from your injuries by managing the associated costs incurred as a result of your treatment and subsequent support services.

Our team at Gordon Legal have extensive knowledge and experience in TAC claims management. We have assembled some quick and easy information about how TAC claims work and the process that should be followed if you have any need to lodge a claim. For further information or help manage your TAC claim, please feel free to contact our professional legal team on 1800 21 22 23 or log on to our website at www.gordonlegal.com.au.

What is a TAC claim?

A TAC claim is made by someone after they have sustained an injury due to a transport accident. If you have been involved in a transport incident then you may be entitled to receive help and support from the TAC towards covering the costs of your emergency treatment and subsequent support received in rehabilitation and the ongoing management of your injuries.

Lodging a claim with the TAC

You can lodge your claim with the TAC directly by calling 1300 654 329, which incurs local call costs, or on 1800 332 556, which is a toll free number for anyone outside the Melbourne metropolitan area.

You are required to report your claim for TAC assistance within 12 months of the accident in which you sustained your injury. Although the law allows 12 months, we suggest lodging your TAC claim as soon as possible following your injury. There are some exceptions to the time limit which the TAC applies to claims and, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to submit a claim within 3 years of an injury or incident.

Getting help for your TAC claim

If you require help with your claim form, or you believe that your claim will fall outside of the period of time the TAC allow for lodging a claim, then there are a couple of ways to do this.

You can either contact the TAC directly or you can seek assistance from our legal team for help navigating your claim form and for further information about the time limits the TAC apply to claims. For example, if you sustained an injury in a transport incident when you were a child, then you may be able to lodge a claim several years later, as an adult up to the age of 21. These can be tricky and complicated so allow yourself to seek further assistance if you are struggling to understand your rights and entitlements.

What you are entitled to claim for from the TAC

The TAC is designed to manage the costs related to your injury and your recovery. So, in the simplest terms, you are entitled for reimbursement for costs associated with the treatment of your injury incurred by a transport related incident. These may include emergency treatment, hospitalisation, rehabilitation, lost earnings, counselling, travel expenses, etc.

As recently as February 2018, the law has changed slightly with regard to how much you are entitled to claim for medical and like expenses. If your injury occurred prior to February 2018, please feel free to contact our team for more information and we can advise in more detail about how these laws have changed or how they might affect your claim.

As with any complicated process, TAC claims can seem overwhelming. When you are already managing the stress and discomfort of an injury, you do not need additional financial and bureaucratic stresses potentially impeding your rest and recovery. Always seek clear and helpful legal advice if you believe that you need it. Our team are always here to help on 1800 21 22 23.