Level 28, AMP Tower, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
A Sydney based personal injury firm with a Perth office in the AMP Tower on St Georges Terrace. In WA it keeps to two kinds of claim, and car accident injuries under the Insurance Commission of WA scheme are one of them. Special counsel Minaa Mohmand acts for people hurt in WA crashes, and the firm is led by director Issa Rabaya. It also handles TPD and superannuation claims, which can matter if a crash leaves you unable to work. Weekend appointments are available, a help if weekdays are taken up with work or treatment.
Also worth knowing
Weekend appointments are available.
Lawyers
Issa Rabaya, Director
Minaa Mohmand, Special Counsel
Isabel Sarcia, Senior Lawyer
Areas of car accident law handled
Motor vehicle claims (ICWA)
TPD and superannuation
Office
Level 28, AMP Tower, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
A Perth injury firm on Adelaide Terrace that Allan Gebarski founded in 2005 and still runs as managing director. It does injury work only, and road accidents are a big part of it, with claims for drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians. It also runs workers compensation and public liability claims. Its lawyers can visit you at home anywhere in the Perth metro area, which helps if your injuries make getting into the city hard. The team speaks Polish, Tamil and Malay, the firm says.
Founded in 2005
Also worth knowing
Founded in 2005 by managing director Allan Gebarski, who still leads it.
A small Perth CBD firm on St Georges Terrace that takes two kinds of claim only: motor vehicle injuries and workers compensation. Directors Carl Messina and Matt Webster have both acted for insurers as well as injured people, the firm says, so they know how the other side looks at a claim. Matt Webster appears regularly in the District Court, which hears WA car accident damages claims that don't settle, and in the Supreme Court. It suits people who want a small firm with a narrow focus.
Also worth knowing
Works from Suite 1, 22 St Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD.
Stephen Browne opened his practice in Subiaco in 1983, and the firm has carried his name in personal injury work since 1999. It is now owned by the Shine Justice Group and works from Hay Street in the CBD, with branches in Joondalup and Mandurah. Motor vehicle claims are one of its main streams, for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and e-scooter riders, and it also acts in fatal crash and nervous shock claims. Its car accident page names 12 lawyers, from special counsel to solicitors. It suits people who want a large local team.
Founded in 1983
Also worth knowing
It covers car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian, public transport and e-scooter crashes, plus claims by people who witness a fatal accident.
Lawyers
The site doesn't say which office each lawyer works from.
Rebecca Pendrill, General Manager and Special Counsel
James Lassen, Legal Practice Director and Special Counsel
Claire Fowler, Legal Practice Manager and Special Counsel
Nakkie Le Roux, Practice Leader and Special Counsel
Sophie Hegarty, Practice Leader and Senior Associate
Chris Browne, Special Counsel
Joachim Azzopardi, Special Counsel
Bonnie Whyte, Senior Associate
Jane McErlain, Associate
Tom Prior, Associate
Bianca Lenz, Solicitor
Katerina Lai, Solicitor
Areas of car accident law handled
Car accident injury claims
Motorcycle accident claims
Truck accident claims
Pedestrian accident claims
Public transport accident claims
E-scooter and bicycle accident claims
Serious and catastrophic injury claims
Fatal accident and nervous shock claims
Loss of earnings and medical cost claims
Negotiated settlements and court proceedings
Office
Level 6, 524 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000
Other details
Other offices
Joondalup (Reid Promenade) and Mandurah (Ormsby Terrace)
CLP Legal is a Perth compensation practice that started in 2000 as Piu & Associates and has used its current name since 2008. It works from Hay Street in the CBD and from East Fremantle. Its road injury work covers car crashes, motorcyclists, including pillion passengers and moped riders, cyclists, truck and bus accidents, pedestrians and e-scooter riders. John Cooke has practised compensation law since his admission in 1989. The team speaks nine languages between them, including Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino and Indonesian, according to the firm.
Founded in 2000
Also worth knowing
The team speaks Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino, Indonesian, Romanian, French, Malay and Mauritian Creole, according to the firm.
Lawyers
The site doesn't name a principal or give titles for its lawyers.
Best for Southern suburbs clients who want a smaller local firm
Its car accident page explains that the Insurance Commission of WA decides liability and usually pays reasonable medical costs once a claim is accepted.
The firm negotiates a lump sum with the Insurance Commission once injuries stabilise and goes to court where needed.
It works from a single office at 60 Kishorn Road, Mount Pleasant.
Bradford Legal is a personal injury firm with a single office on Kishorn Road, Mount Pleasant, south of the river. Its car accident page walks through how a WA claim runs: the Insurance Commission decides liability and usually covers reasonable medical costs once it accepts the claim, then the firm negotiates a lump sum when your injuries have settled, going to court if needed. It takes claims from whiplash to spinal cord and brain injuries, plus psychological injury after a crash. It suits southern suburbs clients who want a smaller local practice.
Also worth knowing
Claims range from whiplash to spinal cord and brain injuries, including mental harm from a crash.
Integrity Business Centre, 67 Howe Street, Osborne Park WA 6017
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
B Legal Lawyers is the practice of principal solicitor Conor Reidy, who was admitted in 2003 and acted for insurers before switching sides, according to the firm. It runs a dedicated car accident site and handles car, motorcycle and pedestrian injury claims, plus dependency claims after a fatal crash. Reidy meets clients in Osborne Park, Canning Vale and meeting rooms from Joondalup to Bunbury, or at home, in hospital and by video, including evenings and weekends. It suits people who want to deal with one lawyer who comes to them.
Also worth knowing
It handles motorcycle, pedestrian and dependency claims as well as car crash injuries.
Lawyers
Conor Reidy is the only lawyer named.
Conor Reidy, Principal Solicitor
Areas of car accident law handled
Car accident injury claims
Motorcycle accident injury claims
Pedestrian accident injury claims
Dependency and wrongful death claims
ICWA claim lodgement and negotiation
Home, hospital and video appointments
Office
Integrity Business Centre, 67 Howe Street, Osborne Park WA 6017
Other details
Other offices
Canning Vale (64-66 Bannister Road), meeting rooms in Joondalup, Rockingham, Mandurah and Bunbury
LHD Lawyers is a national injury firm that grew out of Sydney and now has six WA offices, from St Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD to Joondalup, Mandurah, Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton. The Perth team is led by director Heine Papenfus. Its car accident page explains that CTP cover comes with WA registration, is managed by the Insurance Commission and covers injury but not damage to your vehicle. It acts for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and people hurt in truck crashes, including hit and run claims. It suits people outside the metro area who want a nearby office.
Also worth knowing
It handles hit and run, truck, motorcycle, cyclist and pedestrian claims.
Lawyers
Perth office lawyers as listed on the firm's Perth office page.
Heine Papenfus, Director
Frances Lyn, Partner
Abbey Tempest, Senior Associate
Areas of car accident law handled
CTP injury claims through ICWA
Cyclist accident claims
Pedestrian accident claims
Motorcycle accident claims
Truck and heavy vehicle accident claims
Hit and run claims
Whiplash and soft tissue injury claims
Serious and long term injury claims
Office
Level 3, 8 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Other details
Other offices
Joondalup, Mandurah, Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton
Motor Legal acts only for people hurt or out of pocket after a road accident in WA. Principal David Kew has 38 years in motor vehicle and insurance litigation, according to the firm, starting at UK injury firms where he became a partner and head of department before moving to Perth in 2005. He has run Motor Legal for about 13 years. Alongside injury claims against the Insurance Commission for drivers, passengers, riders, cyclists and pedestrians, it handles vehicle damage, hire car and uninsured loss claims. It suits people who want a lawyer who only does crash claims.
Also worth knowing
The firm acts only for injured people and handles claims under WA's CTP scheme run by the Insurance Commission.
It also recovers vehicle repair costs, hire car costs and other losses insurance doesn't cover.
A personal injury only firm established in 1984, with offices in Osborne Park and on St Georges Terrace. It takes car, pedestrian and motorcycle accident claims alongside work and mining injuries. Principal Murray Posa worked in mines in Queensland and the Pilbara before studying law, and he manages every case himself, the firm says, which is the main reason to choose a practice this size. It offers home and hospital visits and handles much of a claim by phone, which helps while you recover.
Established in 1984
Also worth knowing
Practising personal injury law since 1984.
Lawyers
Murray Posa, Principal
Areas of car accident law handled
Car and pedestrian accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Workers compensation
Mining accidents
Common law damages
Criminal injuries compensation
Office
24 Walters Drive, Osborne Park WA 6017
Other details
Other offices
Level 27, St Martins Tower, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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How we compiled this list
We include Perth firms that handle car accident claims against the Insurance Commission of WA as a main part of their work. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves, focusing on what it offers someone hurt in a crash. The Law Society of WA doesn't accredit personal injury specialists, and we don't describe anyone as one. We don't publish firms' fee terms, consultation offers, awards or self-reported results, so ask about costs when you contact a firm. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and amounts are as published by the WA Government, the Insurance Commission of WA, Legal Aid WA and the District Court of WA in October 2026.
What to do after a car accident in WA
The drivers involved in a crash must stop straight away. If anyone is hurt, help them and call 000 if they need an ambulance. Give your details to anyone who has good reason to ask, and the owner's name if you're driving someone else's car. Legal Aid WA's advice is not to admit fault or offer to pay for damage before you've had legal advice.
What to do
When
Report the crash to police if anyone was hurt, if damage is likely to cost more than $3,000 to repair, or if the owner of damaged property isn't there. You can do it at the scene, at a police station or online at crashreport.com.au
Straight away. Not reporting can lead to a criminal charge
Report an injury crash to the Insurance Commission of WA. This includes crashes where a pedestrian or cyclist was hurt
As soon as possible
Get your injuries treated
Straight away. The Insurance Commission says you don't need to wait until you've reported the crash
Give the Insurance Commission written notice that you intend to claim compensation, using its notice of intent to claim form
As soon as practicable after the crash
The crash report takes about 40 minutes online and can't be saved part way through. Once it's in, you get an email or SMS confirming it, a treatment number and a digital claiming card to use at appointments. If you've already paid for treatment, you can ask to be reimbursed.
How a claim with the Insurance Commission works
WA's motor injury scheme is fault based. You claim from the Insurance Commission of WA, not the other driver, if another WA registered vehicle caused the crash. That applies whether you were a driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or riding a bike or scooter. You can't claim damages if you were totally at fault.
Partly at fault: you can still claim, but your payout can be reduced. Examples the Insurance Commission gives include not wearing a seatbelt or a helmet, driving at an unsafe speed or under the influence, and travelling with a driver you knew was under the influence
Hit and run or unlicensed vehicles: if the vehicle at fault can't be identified or wasn't licensed, you may still be able to claim. If it can't be identified, you must have made reasonable efforts to find out who caused the crash and given the Insurance Commission written notice as soon as practicable
Interstate vehicles: if the driver at fault was in a vehicle licensed in another state or territory, you may not be able to claim from the Insurance Commission
Your part: give honest information, return forms, and go to medical examinations and any settlement conferences you're asked to attend. Giving false or misleading information is a criminal offence
A claim can be finalised at your request or once the Insurance Commission has a medical report. When you settle, you may need to pay back Medicare for benefits it paid for your crash injuries.
What you can claim, and the 2026 pain and suffering threshold
If you weren't at fault, you can claim treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and claims management expenses. Lost earnings are capped at three times WA full time adult average weekly earnings.
Pain and suffering, known as general damages, has a threshold and a cap set under the Motor Vehicle (Third Party Insurance) Act 1943. The amounts are indexed each 1 July. From 1 July 2026 they are:
Assessed general damages
What you receive
$27,500 or less
Nothing for pain and suffering
More than $27,500, up to $79,500
The amount above $27,500
More than $79,500, but less than $107,000
A reducing deduction applies
$107,000 or more
The full assessed amount
The most extreme case
Up to $522,000
The $27,500 threshold only applies to pain and suffering. You may still claim lost earnings and treatment costs even if nothing is payable for pain and suffering. A separate threshold applies to unpaid care from family or household members: from 1 July 2026, nothing is payable for it unless it is worth more than $7,500.
Catastrophic injuries and fatal crashes
Catastrophic Injuries Support. If you were catastrophically injured in a WA motor vehicle crash on or after 1 July 2016, this Insurance Commission scheme can pay for necessary and reasonable treatment, care and support, including where you caused the crash or no one was at fault. You are first accepted as an interim participant for 2 years, and lifetime support follows if you meet the lifetime criteria. If another driver was at fault, your care costs are generally claimed as part of your damages claim instead. Catastrophic injuries include spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, certain amputations (some single high level amputations as well as multiple amputations), severe burns and permanent traumatic blindness, each with its own medical criteria. Apply within 3 years of the crash. The Insurance Commission can allow more time only if there are exceptional reasons. Since July 2024 the scheme also covers work accidents.
When someone dies. After a fatal crash, a dependency claim can be made for the person's dependants. In most cases it must be lodged with the Insurance Commission within 3 years of the death, and court action under the Fatal Accidents Act 1959 can't be started once 3 years have passed since the death.
Time limits for a WA car accident claim
The Limitation Act 2005 sets the deadlines for starting court proceedings, including for motor vehicle crashes. If proceedings haven't started in time, you can lose the right to claim, even if you've been dealing with the Insurance Commission. Legal Aid WA notes that if your claim hasn't settled within 3 years, you may need to start court proceedings.
Who was injured
Time limit to start court proceedings
Adults
3 years from when you knew you were injured, usually the day of the crash
Children under 15
6 years
Children aged 15 to 17
Until they turn 21
Children injured by a parent, carer or someone close to them
Until they turn 25
A claim after someone died
3 years from the death
A court can extend some of these limits, but don't rely on it. Catastrophic Injuries Support has its own 3 year limit to apply.
Legal costs, and where claims are decided
The Insurance Commission says you can lodge your claim and deal with it directly, but if your claim is complex or disputed it may be in your best interests to get advice. A lawyer must be engaged in some cases, such as claims for a child or a person with a disability where the settlement needs court approval. WA has applied the Legal Profession Uniform Law since 1 July 2022, so a lawyer must give you written costs disclosure if their costs are likely to be more than $750.
Costs are capped: in a car accident damages claim, what a lawyer can charge you is limited by the Legal Costs Committee's determination, and an agreement to pay more is void
What the Insurance Commission pays: if you settle, in most cases it pays your reasonable party and party costs, which usually cover only part of your total legal costs
No win, no fee agreements: these must be in writing, signed by you, define what counts as a win, and include a cooling-off period. Fees can't be a percentage of your payout. An uplift fee of up to 25% can be charged under the Uniform Law, but in a car accident damages claim the total still can't go above the Legal Costs Committee cap. Ask what counts as a win, who pays for medical reports and other disbursements, and whether you could have to pay the Insurance Commission's costs if the claim fails
Bill disputes: you can lodge one with the Legal Practice Board, generally within 60 days of the costs becoming payable, or 30 days if you asked for an itemised bill. The Board can generally help where total costs are under $314,330, or where no more than $31,440 is in dispute (limits from 1 July 2025, indexed yearly)
Claims that don't settle go to the District Court of WA, 500 Hay Street, Perth, which in practice hears all claims for damages for injuries from motor vehicle crashes. The Magistrates Court can't hear them. A District Court mediation conference usually takes about half a day before a registrar, and what's said there is off the record and can't be used at trial. Legal Aid WA doesn't give advice on motor vehicle injury claims, but its Infoline, 1300 650 579, can point you to other help.
Perth car accident law: common questions
How long do I have to claim after a car accident in WA?
Report an injury crash to the Insurance Commission as soon as possible, and give notice of your claim as soon as practicable. Court proceedings generally have to start within 3 years of when you knew you were injured, which is usually the crash date. Children have longer, and Catastrophic Injuries Support has its own 3 year limit to apply.
Do I have to report the crash to police?
Yes, straight away, if anyone was hurt, if the damage is likely to cost more than $3,000 to repair, or if the owner of damaged property isn't there. You can report at the scene, at a police station or online at crashreport.com.au. Not reporting can lead to a criminal charge.
Can I claim if the crash was partly my fault?
Yes, but your payout can be reduced, for example if you weren't wearing a seatbelt or helmet. If you were totally at fault you can't claim damages. Catastrophic Injuries Support can pay for treatment and care for catastrophic injuries even if you caused the crash.
Why might I get nothing for pain and suffering?
From 1 July 2026, if your pain and suffering is assessed at $27,500 or less, nothing is payable for it. Between $27,500 and $79,500 you get the amount above $27,500. A reducing deduction applies up to $107,000, and from $107,000 the full amount is payable. You may still claim lost earnings and treatment costs.
What if the other driver didn't stop?
You may still be able to claim from the Insurance Commission if the vehicle at fault can't be identified, as long as you made reasonable efforts to find out who caused the crash and gave the Insurance Commission written notice as soon as practicable. Report it to police straight away.
What can a lawyer charge for a WA car accident claim?
In a car accident damages claim, a lawyer can't charge you more than the Legal Costs Committee's determination allows, and an agreement to pay more is void. If you settle, the Insurance Commission usually pays part of your legal costs. Your lawyer must give you written costs disclosure if costs are likely to be more than $750.
Does WA have accredited personal injury specialists?
Not through the Law Society of WA. Its specialist accreditation covers family law and wills and estates, not personal injury. Some lawyers hold personal injury accreditation from an interstate Law Society. Either way, ask how long a lawyer has worked on WA motor injury claims and who will actually run yours.