No Win No Fee Lawyers Bundaberg

Accidents Involving Vehicles

In Queensland, Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance provides coverage for injury compensation for accidents on the road, including those occurring on Bundaberg's main roads like Isis Highway or Bargara Road. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident due to another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Ongoing care needs

Workplace Accidents

Workplace injury compensation in Queensland is governed by the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003. There are two main types of claims:

WorkCover Claim

WorkCover claims operate on a no-fault basis, meaning you are entitled to make a compensation claim regardless of who was at fault for your injury, whether it happened in a Bundaberg office, industrial site, or other local workplace. Under a WorkCover claim, you may be eligible for:

• Weekly payments for lost wages
• Coverage for medical expenses
• Lump sum compensation for permanent impairment
• Travel expenses for medical appointments

Common Law Claim

If your injury was caused or contributed to by the negligence of your employer or another party, you may also pursue a common law claim. This allows you to seek compensation for:

• Past and future economic loss
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Future medical expenses

To make a common law claim, you must prove that your employer or another party breached their duty of care, resulting in your injury. While receiving WorkCover benefits, you can explore the possibility of a common law claim. However, if successful, you may need to repay some of the WorkCover benefits received.

Public Liability Claims

If you're injured in a public place due to someone else's fault, you may be eligible to make a public liability claim under the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002. This includes accidents in locations like Bundaberg's Alexandra Park, shopping centres, or other public facilities.

Based on available information and general road safety trends, here's an overview of motor accidents in the Bundaberg region:

Most Common Injuries

Although specific injury data for Bundaberg is limited, common road accident injuries in the region typically include:

• Whiplash: Often resulting from rear-end collisions, particularly in urban areas and at busy intersections.
• Fractures: Especially in high-impact collisions or accidents involving vulnerable road users, such as cyclists or pedestrians.
• Head injuries: Including concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries, which can occur in various types of crashes.
• Soft tissue injuries: Such as sprains and strains, common in rear-end and side-impact collisions.
• Spinal injuries: Potentially severe, particularly in high-speed crashes or rollovers.

Types of Road Users Injured

The Bundaberg region sees a variety of road users impacted by accidents, including:

• Car drivers and passengers: Representing the majority of road users injured in accidents, particularly on major roads like the Isis Highway and Bargara Road.
• Motorcyclists: At higher risk of severe injuries due to lack of protection, especially on rural roads and areas with fast-moving traffic.
• Cyclists: Vulnerable on busy roads, particularly in suburban areas and popular cycling routes.
• Pedestrians: At risk in high-traffic areas, particularly near shopping centres, schools, and popular spots like Alexandra Park.

Common Causes of Road Accidents

While specific data for Bundaberg is not available, common causes of accidents on the roadin Queensland generally include:

• Speeding: A major factor in serious and fatal crashes, particularly on highways like the Isis Highway.
• Drink driving: An issue in both suburban and rural areas, especially during weekends and holiday periods.
• Distracted driving: Including mobile phone use while driving, which remains a significant cause of accidents.
• Fatigue: Especially among shift workers and long-distance drivers, which can be an issue on routes connecting Bundaberg to regional areas.
• Failure to give way: Common at intersections and roundabouts, particularly in busy urban areas.

Accident Hotspots

High-risk areas in Bundaberg include:

• Busy intersections such as those along Bourbong Street and Takalvan Street.
• Major roads like the Isis Highway and Bundaberg Ring Road, which see a high volume of traffic, including both commuters and heavy vehicles.‍
• Tourist areas with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents, particularly near Alexandra Park and other popular attractions.

The Bundaberg region includes the Bundaberg Local Government Area and nearby areas such as North Burnett, Fraser Coast, and Gladstone. The following analysis highlights work injury trends in Bundaberg using local data and Queensland-wide statistics. 

Recent Statistics and Trends

According to WorkSafe Queensland, the Bundaberg region recorded an average of 780 accepted workers' compensation claims per year from 2014-15 to 2016-17, representing 1.2% of Queensland's total claims. The region also saw an average of 1.3 fatal claims per year, accounting for 3% of Queensland's total fatal claims.

The return to work rate for injured workers in Bundaberg was 92.8%, slightly below the state average of 94%. The average number of work days lost per claim in Bundaberg was 51.6 days, compared to the Queensland average of 45 days.

Highest Risk Industries

The highest risk industries in Bundaberg, based on average annual claims from 2014-15 to 2016-17, include:

1. Manufacturing: 124 claims per year.
2. Health Care and Social Assistance: 122 claims per year.
3. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: 95 claims per year.
4. Retail Trade: 65 claims per year.
5. Construction: 49 claims per year.

The industries with the highest statutory costs per claim were transport, postal, and warehousing ($33,390 per claim) and construction ($20,364 per claim).

Most Common Work Injuries

The most frequent work-related injuries in Bundaberg, based on mechanisms of injury data, include:

1. Body stressing (31%): Common across manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, often resulting from repetitive movements or muscular stress.
2. Falls, trips, and slips (19%): Frequently occurring in healthcare, construction, and retail sectors.
3. Being hit by moving objects (18%): Often seen in manufacturing and agricultural environments.
4. Hitting objects with a part of the body (16%).
5. Vehicle incidents (8%): Relevant in the transport and warehousing sectors.

Where Do Personal Injury Accidents Happen in Bundaberg?

The manufacturing sector in Bundaberg has the highest number of injury claims, with a particularly high claim rate of 64.9 claims per 1,000 workers. The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries also present a high number of claims and costs, reflecting the rural nature of the region and the associated risks of outdoor work environments.

The transport, postal, and warehousing sector has the highest statutory costs per claim, indicating the risks related to vehicle and logistics work. The healthcare sector also contributes significantly to the region's injury claims, emphasising the need for better safety measures in caregiving and related roles.