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Car accidents – what's the law?

This video provides basic legal information about car accidents and dealing with insurance companies for people new to Australia. It is the part of a series of videos about the law for people who have recently arrived in Australia.

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Transcript

Text: Car Accident.

[An image shows of a silver hatchback driving down a suburban street.]

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam, the driver, talking to her passenger, Sanda.]

Maryam: Do you want to get some lunch before or after we shop?

Sanda: I’m a bit hungry, let’s get a...

[Brakes squeal and the noise of a car crash sounds.]

[Vision changes to an image of the silver hatchback crashed into a white sedan from behind.]

Maryam: Oh my goodness! I hit that car! Let’s get out of here... the guy’s not hurt!

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam sitting in the car looking distressed.]

Sanda: Maryam! What are you doing? You have to stop when you have an accident!

[Vision changes to a man in a red jumper approaching Maryam’s car.]

Man: You idiot! Look at my car! You’ll have to pay! I hope you have insurance.

[Vision changes to an image of Sanda holding Maryam’s license and a piece of paper as she approaches the man in the red jumper.]

Sanda: It’s OK. No-one’s hurt. Here are my friend’s details. Can you give us your name and address as well?

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam behind the wheel looking disoriented.]

Maryam: Do I have to tell the police?

Sanda: Hmmm….I’m not sure. Let’s phone the police and ask them.

Maryam: Phew, lucky I got my car registered. The insurance will pay to fix the car.

[Vision changes to an image of Sanda sitting in the car and talking with Maryam.]

Sanda: No! The insurance you get with your registration is called compulsory third party insurance. It pays for people who get hurt. You need to have separate insurance for car repairs.

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam sitting in the car looking dismayed.]

Maryam: Oh no!

[Vision fades to black.]

Text: A few weeks later

[An image shows of Maryam sitting on a couch with a letter in her hand.]

Sanda? Hi, this is Maryam. Hey, remember that car accident? I just got a letter from that guy’s insurance company.

[Vision changes to an image of Sanda sitting at a desk and talking on the phone.]

Sanda: What does it say?

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam sitting on a couch and talking on the phone.]

Maryam: I have to pay $2,000 in 14 days! I can’t pay that! What can I do?

[Vision changes to a close-up image of the letter. The words “Please pay the amount of $2000” are highlighted.]

Sanda: You need to see a lawyer, Maryam.

[Vision changes to an image of the reception of through glass doors. A sign on the doors reads “Legal Aid Lawyers And Services”.]

Miryam: Can you help me with this?

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam sitting at a desk with an older woman.]

Older woman: Well, I’ll write to the insurance company – we’ll find out if you should pay and if you should, how much.

Maryam: Oh thank you.

Older woman: And… you really should get car insurance.

Maryam: But it’s so expensive!

[Vision changes to an image of an application form for third-party property insurance.]

Older woman: Well, you can get third party property insurance which pays for damage to the other car. That is quite cheap. But if you can pay a bit more, and you’ve got a good car, get comprehensive insurance.

Maryam: What’s that?

Older woman: That means the insurance pays for damage to the other car and to your car. But...make sure you look around to get a good price.

[Vision changes to an image of Maryam smiling in agreement with the older lady.]

Maryam: OK, thanks so much for your help.

[Vision changes to an image of the older woman smiling at Maryam.]

Older woman: I’ll be in touch when I hear from the insurance company.

Updated

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