An injury only firm founded in 2004 by Sean Delpopolo, with Gold Coast offices at Robina and Bundall. Delpopolo and fellow director Helen Ashton are both accredited specialists in personal injuries law, according to the firm, and the bench behind them includes several special counsel. It takes work, car and public liability claims, medical negligence, NIIS and dependency claims, and catastrophic injuries such as brain and spinal damage. The firm says its lawyers will meet you at home, in hospital or at a cafe. It suits serious injury claims that need senior specialist input.
Founded in 2004
Also worth knowing
It takes NIIS claims for catastrophic injuries as well as work, car and public liability claims.
Lawyers
Sean Delpopolo, Legal Practitioner Director and founder Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Helen Ashton, Legal Practitioner Director Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Maurice Blackburn is a national plaintiff firm with two Gold Coast offices, in Scarborough Street, Southport, and at Palm Beach on the southern coast. The Southport office opened in 2002, the firm says. Principal Tom Rynders leads the Gold Coast practice and is a QLS Accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries, with principal Alison Barrett supervising. Its Gold Coast car accident page explains CTP claims where you were partly at fault or the other vehicle was never identified. It suits people with serious road injuries who want a large team close to home.
Southport office opened in 2002
Also worth knowing
The same page covers partly at fault and unidentified vehicle CTP claims.
Lawyers
Tom Rynders, Principal Lawyer, Gold Coast practice leader Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Alison Barrett, Principal Lawyer and Supervising Principal
The Personal Injury Lawyers is a Queensland firm that handles injury compensation claims and nothing else, and says it has operated since 1983. Its Gold Coast office is on Elkhorn Avenue in Surfers Paradise, with its main office in Woolloongabba. Managing director James Madden leads the firm, and practice leader Greg Lauritsen-Damm is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist in personal injury law, according to the firm. The firm says several of its lawyers once acted for insurers. It offers home and hospital visits, which suits people with serious injuries.
Operating since 1983, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
Lawyers will visit clients at home or in hospital, the firm says.
Lawyers
The team page doesn't say which lawyers work from the Gold Coast office.
James Madden, Managing Director
Greg Lauritsen-Damm, Practice Leader Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Best for People with complex injury claims who want an injury only firm
The firm's Gold Coast page says Travis Schultz, an accredited specialist in personal injuries law on the Queensland Law Society register, leads its compensation lawyers on the coast.
Trade press reported the Southport office opening in September 2024, the firm's first on the Gold Coast.
Travis Schultz received the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours.
Accredited personal injuries law specialist (1)Travis Schultz
Travis Schultz & Partners is a Queensland compensation firm that started on the Sunshine Coast and opened in Southport in 2024. Founder and managing partner Travis Schultz is a QLS Accredited Specialist in Personal Injuries Law, and the firm's Gold Coast page says he leads its compensation lawyers on the coast. He received an OAM in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for service to the law and community. The firm says it works only on injury and compensation claims. It suits people with serious injury claims who want a specialist firm rather than a general practice.
Gold Coast office opened in 2024
Also worth knowing
The firm says it handles car, motorcycle and truck accident claims as well as WorkCover, public liability and insurance claims.
Lawyers
Travis Schultz, Founder and Managing Partner Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Areas of car accident law handled
Car accident and CTP claims
Motorcycle and truck accident claims
Workers compensation and WorkCover claims
Public liability and negligence claims
Superannuation and TPD claims
Insurance claims
Professional negligence claims
Office
289 Ferry Road, Southport QLD 4215
Other details
Other offices
Sunshine Coast (head office), Brisbane, Cairns and Innisfail
Level 1, 47 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
vbr Lawyers is a compensation only firm set up in 2017 by Greg Black, Sean Ryan and John Vandeleur, who the firm says had been partners together at a larger compensation firm. Its Gold Coast office is on West Burleigh Road at Burleigh Heads and is overseen by director Sean Ryan, with a second office in the HQ Building at Robina. Senior associate Charlton Wilson and associate Olivia Goodsell work from the Gold Coast office. Road claims cover drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, e-scooter riders and hit and run cases. It suits southern Gold Coast residents who want a director on site.
Founded in 2017
Also worth knowing
Its road injury page covers taxi, rideshare and bus passengers, e-scooter riders and hit and run claims.
Lawyers
Zach Samuels is listed with the Gold Coast team, but his bio does not confirm which office he works from.
Sean Ryan, Director, oversees the Gold Coast office
Best for Gold Coast drivers, riders and pedestrians who want a firm that also runs WorkCover claims
Its Gold Coast office is in Southport Central Tower 3, 9 Lawson Street, Southport.
Brisbane based principal Kerry Splatt is a QLS accredited specialist in personal injuries law and supervises the Gold Coast lawyers, according to the firm.
Executive practice leader Sam Kenny is listed for Gold Coast car accident claims.
Accredited personal injuries law specialist (1)Kerry Splatt
Suite 30609, Southport Central Tower 3, 9 Lawson Street, Southport QLD 4215
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Splatt Lawyers is a Queensland compensation firm with a Gold Coast office in Southport Central Tower 3 on Lawson Street. Executive practice leader Sam Kenny is listed for Gold Coast car accident claims. The Gold Coast lawyers work under principal Kerry Splatt, who is based in Brisbane and is a QLS accredited specialist in personal injuries law, according to the firm. Its car accident page covers CTP and Nominal Defendant claims, hit and run, rideshare and public transport crashes. Home and hospital visits are offered. It suits people who also want a firm that runs WorkCover claims.
Also worth knowing
Its car accident page covers Nominal Defendant, hit and run, rideshare and public transport claims, and the firm offers home and hospital visits.
Lawyers
Kerry Splatt is listed with the Brisbane office but supervises the Gold Coast team, according to the firm.
Sam Kenny, Executive Practice Leader, Gold Coast office
Kerry Splatt, Principal Lawyer (Brisbane office) Accredited personal injuries law specialist
Areas of car accident law handled
CTP claims
Nominal Defendant claims
Hit and run claims
Motorcycle and bicycle accident claims
Pedestrian accident claims
Truck and public transport accident claims
Rideshare and taxi accident claims
Whiplash claims
Psychological injury claims
Home and hospital visits
Office
Suite 30609, Southport Central Tower 3, 9 Lawson Street, Southport QLD 4215
Suite 7, Level 2, 52 Davenport Street, Southport QLD 4215
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Attwood Marshall is a Gold Coast firm operating since 1946, according to the firm, with offices at Southport, Robina and Coolangatta. Its compensation team is led by legal practice director Jeff Garrett, with special counsel Claire Gibbs and senior associates Henry Garrett and Yasmine Chalvatzis. The car accident page covers catastrophic crashes, motorcycle, e-bike and e-scooter accidents, cyclists, pedestrians, single vehicle crashes, dependency claims and Nominal Defendant claims. Meetings can be in person, by phone or video, or at home or hospital. It suits people who want an office close by.
Operating since 1946, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
Its car accident page covers e-scooter, e-bike and single vehicle crashes as well as Nominal Defendant claims.
Lawyers
The firm's Gold Coast personal injury page doesn't say any of its team is an accredited specialist.
Jeff Garrett, Legal Practice Director, Compensation Law
Claire Gibbs, Special Counsel
Henry Garrett, Senior Associate
Yasmine Chalvatzis, Senior Associate
Tyra Hanson, Department Manager
Areas of car accident law handled
CTP claims
Nominal Defendant claims
Catastrophic injury claims
Motorcycle, e-bike and e-scooter accident claims
Bicycle and pedestrian accident claims
Single vehicle accident claims
Psychological injury and nervous shock claims
Dependency claims
Home and hospital visits
Office
Suite 7, Level 2, 52 Davenport Street, Southport QLD 4215
Other details
Other offices
Robina and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, plus Kingscliff (NSW), Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Lifestyle Injury Lawyers is a Southport compensation firm founded by principal and director Mitchell Herlihy, who the firm says was admitted in 2012. Its model is unusual: each claim is run by a lawyer working alongside a treating health professional, and the firm says it coordinates physiotherapy, psychology and rehabilitation within the same team. Solicitors Darcie Howden and Brett Kostiw complete the legal team. Road claims cover drivers, passengers, riders, pedestrians, rideshare crashes and Nominal Defendant cases. It suits people who want help organising treatment as well as the claim.
Also worth knowing
Its car accident page covers rideshare, road authority and Nominal Defendant claims.
Lawyers
The firm does not name the health professionals who work on claims.
Mitchell Herlihy, Principal and Director
Darcie Howden, Solicitor
Brett Kostiw, Solicitor
Areas of car accident law handled
CTP claims for drivers and passengers
Motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian claims
Rear end collision claims
Rideshare and taxi accident claims
Nominal Defendant claims
Road authority claims
Coordinated physiotherapy, psychology and rehabilitation
WorkCover claims
Public liability claims
TPD and super claims
Office
Level 1, 50 Davenport Street, Southport QLD 4215
Other details
Other offices
Fortitude Valley (388 Brunswick Street), plus the Sunshine Coast with no street address listed
Suite 1, Level 1, 4 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Main Lawyers is a small injury and insurance claims practice on Griffith Street in Coolangatta, run by principal lawyer Lachlan Main. He studied law at QUT and has more than 10 years in practice, appearing from the Magistrates Court up to the Court of Appeal, the firm says. Associate Joel Francis, a Gold Coast local, was admitted in 2021. It suits southern Gold Coast and border clients who want the principal on the file.
Lawyers
Lachlan Main, Principal Lawyer
Joel Francis, Associate
Areas of car accident law handled
CTP claims for drivers and passengers
Motorcycle and cyclist claims
Pedestrian claims
E-scooter accident claims
Nominal Defendant claims
NIISQ guidance
WorkCover claims
Medical negligence claims
Superannuation and insurance claims
Office
Suite 1, Level 1, 4 Griffith St, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Suite 402, Level 4, 1 Lake Orr Drive, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Turner Freeman is a long running national compensation firm with a Gold Coast office at 1 Lake Orr Drive, Varsity Lakes, close to Robina. Partner Ciaran Ehrich runs the local team, with senior associate Lisa Wyllie and lawyers Stella Kantarivic and Lili Henderson. Its Gold Coast car accident page covers drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and riders, hit and run and unregistered vehicle claims, and dependants after fatal crashes. Lawyers can visit clients at home or in hospital. It suits southern Gold Coast residents.
Also worth knowing
Lawyers can visit clients at home or in hospital if they can't get to the office.
Lawyers
Ciaran Ehrich, Partner
Lisa Wyllie, Senior Associate
Stella Kantarivic, Lawyer
Lili Henderson, Lawyer
Paige Ristevski, Law Graduate
Areas of car accident law handled
Car accident and CTP claims
Workers compensation claims
Public liability claims
Medical negligence claims
Asbestos and dust disease claims
Silicosis claims
Skin cancer and melanoma claims
Superannuation, TPD and insurance claims
Institutional abuse claims
Office
Suite 402, Level 4, 1 Lake Orr Drive, Varsity Lakes QLD 4227
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.
Not sure which firm suits you?
Tell us a little about your matter and we'll put you in touch with a Gold Coast car accident lawyer. It's free and there's no obligation.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Gold Coast office that handle car accident and CTP claims as a main part of their practice. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. Queensland law limits what can be published about personal injury services, so our descriptions stick to who each firm is, where it is, who runs it and the claims it handles. Where a lawyer is a Queensland Law Society accredited specialist we say so, and whether we checked it on the Society's Register of Solicitors or took it from the firm. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own. Firms don't get to edit what we write about 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 in Queensland legislation and by MAIC, the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland, the Queensland courts and Legal Aid Queensland in October 2026.
After a crash: police, the notice and the deadlines
Queensland's CTP scheme is fault based. If someone else caused the crash, you claim against the CTP insurer of their vehicle, and MAIC has an online lookup for a Queensland registered vehicle's insurer. CTP only covers injuries. It doesn't pay for damage to cars, bikes or other property.
Police: you must call the police if someone is injured, and the accident has to be reported to police before you claim. Police may give you a QP number, which you'll need for the claim
Treatment: public hospital and emergency treatment for Queensland CTP claimants is covered by the Hospital and Emergency Services levy, and MAIC says you shouldn't be billed
Seeing a lawyer starts a clock: once you first consult a lawyer about a possible claim, the notice is due within 1 month if that's earlier than the 9 month date
Deadline
Time limit
Notice of Accident Claim to the CTP insurer
Within 9 months of the accident (or of symptoms appearing, if they weren't obvious straight away), or 1 month after you first consult a lawyer about a claim, whichever is earlier
Hit and run or unidentified vehicle
Notice to the Nominal Defendant within 3 months. A claim not notified within 9 months is barred
Court proceedings
Generally 3 years from the date of the injury
Notice given before the 3 years ran out
You can still start court proceedings within 6 months after the notice, or later if the court allows
Injured as a child
The notice time starts when you turn 18, though notice can be given earlier. The court time limit is 3 years from turning 18
A late notice still has to be given, with a reasonable excuse for the delay. If the insurer doesn't accept the excuse, you can ask the court for leave to go ahead with the claim. That isn't possible for a hit and run claim notified more than 9 months after the accident. MAIC's forms point out that the 1 month rule after seeing a lawyer doesn't extend any of the other time limits.
How a CTP claim runs
Lodge the notice. Use the Queensland CTP portal or MAIC's Notice of Accident Claim form, then print it and sign it in front of an eligible witness. The form asks for the police report reference, a medical certificate from your doctor and identity documents. If you don't know yet how your injuries will turn out, you can tick that you're not ready to settle
The insurer replies within 14 days. It must tell you in writing whether your notice complies and, if it doesn't, give you at least 1 month to fix it. In the same reply it must say whether it will pay reasonable rehabilitation costs without admitting liability. If it doesn't reply in time, the notice is taken to comply
Treatment before liability is decided. The insurer can fund rehabilitation before it decides liability, and doing so isn't an admission. It needs to approve treatment first, and may not fund it if it denies liability. Once liability is admitted, it must pay reasonable private hospital, medical and pharmaceutical expenses, in proportion to its share if it says you were partly at fault
A liability decision within 6 months. Within 6 months of a compliant notice, the insurer must tell you whether it admits or denies liability, what share of blame it says is yours, and respond to any settlement offer you've made
Lost wages come at the end. Unlike WorkCover, CTP doesn't pay lost wages as you go. They're settled as part of the overall claim
The compulsory conference. Before you can sue, there must be a compulsory conference with the insurer. Either side can call one once 6 months have passed since the notice, or later if the insurer asked for more information. At least 7 days before, both sides swap their documents, and your lawyer must give you a costs statement setting out your legal fees and disbursements up to the end of the conference, an estimate of the costs of going to trial, and how costs would fall depending on the result compared with each side's final offer. It can be held by phone or video if you both agree
Final offers. If the conference doesn't settle the claim, each side must exchange a written final offer there. Even an insurer that denies liability has to make one, of $nil. Each offer stays open for 14 days. Court action should then start within 60 days after the conference
Accepting a settlement offer ends the claim. You can't make a further claim later for injuries from the same accident.
At fault drivers and the National Injury Insurance Scheme
If you were partly at fault, you can still claim, but your compensation may be reduced. A claim is refused if you were totally at fault, or if nobody was at fault, such as in some single vehicle accidents. CTP doesn't cover injuries to the at fault driver.
The Government finalised its review of the CTP scheme in early 2026 and decided reform won't be progressed for now, so the scheme stays fault based and there's no new CTP cover for at fault drivers.
The safety net for serious injuries is the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland, or NIISQ. For a motor vehicle accident in Queensland on or after 1 July 2016, it can fund treatment, care and support, in some cases for life, regardless of who was at fault, including for a driver who can't claim CTP. The injury has to be one of the eligible serious injuries and meet the scheme's criteria:
a permanent spinal cord injury
traumatic brain injury
multiple or high level amputations
severe burns
a permanent brachial plexus injury
permanent blindness caused by trauma
If you're a NIISQ participant and also have a CTP claim, NIISQ, not the CTP insurer, is responsible for your treatment, care and support needs from the injury. Call NIISQ on 1300 607 566.
Hit and run, uninsured vehicles and e-scooters
If the vehicle that hit you was uninsured, or the vehicle or its insurer can't be identified, the claim goes to the Nominal Defendant. It's a statutory body funded by a levy on CTP premiums, and its liability is the same as a CTP insurer's. It also steps in if a CTP insurer becomes insolvent. Contact the Nominal Defendant on 07 3035 6321 or [email protected], and send claim forms to the Nominal Defendant, GPO Box 2203, Brisbane Qld 4001.
Unidentified vehicle: notice is due within 3 months. A claim not notified within 9 months is barred, and neither the Nominal Defendant nor a court can waive that
Try to identify the vehicle first: MAIC asks claimants to make a genuine attempt to identify it. In court, a vehicle is treated as unidentifiable if proper inquiry and search failed to find it
Uninsured vehicle: the claim is only covered if the accident happened on a road or in a public place. The Nominal Defendant pays the claim, then it can recover its costs from the owner or driver of the uninsured vehicle
E-bikes and e-scooters: if you were hit by a registered car while riding one, you claim against the car's CTP insurer as usual. If the vehicle that caused your injury was an e-bike, e-scooter or other device that isn't eligible for registration, MAIC says a CTP claim is unlikely to be accepted
What you can claim, the ISV scale and fatal claims
A CTP claim can include lost wages and treatment costs, as well as general damages for pain and suffering. General damages are valued on an injury scale value, or ISV, from 0 to 100. The court gives your injury a score, using ranges for each type of injury set in the Civil Liability Regulation 2025, and the dollar amount for each score is fixed by an annual notice.
Injury from 1 July 2026
General damages
ISV 10
$21,850
ISV 100, the maximum
$494,150
Injuries from earlier years use the amounts for the year the injury happened.
When someone dies. A claim can be made on behalf of the person's dependants or estate, using MAIC's fatal injury form. Part A on its own covers funeral and other expenses, and a dependency claim needs Parts A and B. MAIC says a claim can include reasonable funeral costs, financial support for people who relied on the person's income, such as a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children, and domestic support such as childcare or home maintenance. Under the Civil Proceedings Act 2011, family members who can claim include children, parents and spouses. A de facto partner generally counts after 2 years living together, or sooner in some cases, such as where there's a dependent child of the relationship. The usual notice deadlines apply.
Legal costs, Gold Coast courts and free help
For CTP claims, the law limits the legal costs you can recover from the insurer on smaller court awards. For 2026 to 2027, if a court awards $59,300 or less, you get no costs for the work done before court proceedings started, and costs after that depend on how the award compares with each side's final offer. Between $59,300 and $98,890, costs for the pre court stage are capped at $4,960, and if the award falls between the two final offers that cap applies to all your costs. If a final offer between $59,300 and $98,890 is accepted instead, costs are worked out under the regulation, subject to limits. These figures change each 1 July.
Claims of $150,000 or less can go to the Magistrates Court, and claims of $150,000 to $750,000 to the District Court. From 1 January 2027 the District Court limit rises to $1,500,000, for proceedings started on or after that date. Larger claims go to the Supreme Court.
Southport Courthouse: District Court and Magistrates Court, corner of Davenport and Hinze Streets, Southport, 1300 516 700. The registry is open 8:30am to 4:30pm, closing at 4pm on Thursdays
MAIC (Motor Accident Insurance Commission): 1800 287 753, to request a callback about a CTP question
Nominal Defendant: 07 3035 6321 or [email protected], for hit and run and uninsured vehicle claims
National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland: 1300 607 566
Legal Aid Queensland: Southport office at Level 2, 7 Bay Street, (07) 5671 7700, or 1300 65 11 88. It doesn't give legal advice on personal injury matters, but its Civil Law Legal Aid Scheme may help with some costs of a claim if you're financially disadvantaged
My Community Legal: 07 5578 9009. A charity legal service that lists insurance and injury claims among its areas, for people who can't afford a lawyer. Drop in at Robina Community Centre from 5pm on Thursdays, or book a Tuesday appointment in Southport
Queensland Law Society: accredits specialists in personal injuries law. Its Register of Solicitors lets you search by area of practice, including Personal Injuries Law, and for accredited specialists
Be wary of anyone who calls or messages you out of the blue to push you into a claim after a crash. Claim farming is an offence in Queensland. Report it to MAIC using its online car crash scammer form, or call 1800 287 753.
Gold Coast car accident law: common questions
How long do I have to make a car accident claim in Queensland?
Your Notice of Accident Claim is due within 9 months of the accident, or 1 month after you first consult a lawyer about a claim, whichever is earlier. If the vehicle can't be identified, you have 3 months to notify the Nominal Defendant. The court time limit is generally 3 years from the date of the injury.
Does seeing a lawyer change my deadline?
It can bring it forward. Once you first consult a lawyer about a possible claim, the notice is due within 1 month if that's earlier than the 9 month date. MAIC's forms point out that this rule doesn't extend any of the other time limits.
Can I claim if the crash was my fault?
If you were partly at fault, yes, but your compensation may be reduced. If you were totally at fault, CTP doesn't cover your injuries, and in early 2026 the Government decided not to go ahead with CTP reform for now. If you have an eligible serious injury, such as a permanent spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury, NIISQ can still fund your treatment, care and support regardless of fault.
What if the other driver didn't stop, or the car was unregistered?
The claim goes to the Nominal Defendant, on 07 3035 6321 or [email protected], and claim forms are posted to GPO Box 2203, Brisbane Qld 4001. For an unidentified vehicle, give notice within 3 months, and make a genuine attempt to identify the vehicle first. A claim not notified within 9 months is barred.
Will the insurer pay for treatment before it accepts liability?
It can. An insurer can fund rehabilitation before deciding liability without admitting fault, and within 14 days of your notice it must say whether it will. It has to approve treatment first, and may not fund it if it denies liability. Public hospital treatment is covered by a levy, so you shouldn't be billed.
Where are car accident cases heard on the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast's District Court and Magistrates Court both sit at Southport Courthouse, on the corner of Davenport and Hinze Streets, and Coolangatta has a Magistrates Court. The Magistrates Court hears claims up to $150,000 and the District Court claims up to $750,000, rising to $1,500,000 for proceedings started from 1 January 2027. Larger claims go to the Supreme Court.
Can my family claim if someone died in a car accident?
Yes. Dependants can claim financial support and domestic support, and reasonable funeral costs can be claimed too. Family members who can claim include a spouse or de facto partner, children and parents. The same notice deadlines apply, using MAIC's fatal injury form.
