Karl’s life changing car accident injuries

Dedicated Brisbane Dad and plasterer Karl Brand’s life changed in an instant. He sustained serious injuries when his van was rear-ended at a busy Brisbane roundabout. Karl never thought he’d need a car accident lawyer, but reached out to Shine Lawyers’ Carla Melbourne to help him protect what matters. Here’s Karl’s story. 

Before the accident 

Karl was a dedicated father, working hard as a plasterer to provide for his family. It was a physically demanding job, carrying and placing sheets, constantly moving, and using a range of tools. 

Providing for his family was one of the “key aspects” of Karl’s life. On weekends, Karl would spend time with his children, on the trampoline, bowling, riding bikes, going for walks to the park and sometimes camping and fishing up at Noosa. Little did he know how much his life would change after being injured in a car accident in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. 

A car accident on Rode Road roundabout, Everton Park 

Just after lunch on a weekday, Karl drove down the slope on Queens Road towards the Rode Road roundabout in Everton Park. He was in the right-hand lane and sat waiting for his turn to enter the roundabout. As he waited for a B-Double to pass in front of him, Karl heard a beep and then felt a huge bang.  

"It pushed me forward, nearly 2 metres, luckily just missing the tail end of the B-Double. It definitely shocked me, and I immediately felt pain." 

The ongoing impact of car accident injuries on Karl’s life 

Karl’s car accident injuries have impacted every aspect of his life. Through every daily activity at work and home, Karl pushes on through significant, debilitating pain. From showering, driving, to the tasks he’s able to do at work, pain is now part of who Karl is.  

“The impact has been detrimental on my life, just everything, every aspect, the constant pain. Even though it was a just a simple rear end, its impact has been catastrophic to my way of living.” 

How Shine Lawyers helped Karl 

Shine Lawyers’ Legal Practice Manager Carla Melbourne is Karl’s solicitor. As well as advocating for her clients, Carla is an advocate for safe driving, saying “Road users have a responsibility and an ability to make a difference” and “drive in a manner that doesn’t cause injury to others.” As Carla says: 

“The evidence shows that even low impact, seemingly mild accidents can cause significant ongoing injuries due to the forces of the vehicles involved.” 

We may all be familiar with the immediate impacts of motor vehicle accidents – a trip to hospital in an ambulance, scans, perhaps broken bones. As a car accident lawyer in Caboolture, Carla knows all too well, the ongoing impacts of car accident injuries:  

“The ongoing effects, the impacts [a car accident has] on people’s families, the impact it has on their ability to work ... [these] injuries are so severe and so life-long, and unfortunately so common in our community.” 

Making a CTP claim 

Like many of Carla’s clients, Karl never thought he’d need a lawyer or bring a claim. But sometimes, CTP claim lawyers like Carla can help you access compensation for your life-changing injuries.  

“The reality is that people are struggling, the cost of treatment, the concern about job security, the impact on their families though reduced domestic labour or recreational activities.” 

Carla feels privileged to be able to help anyone who’s living with the ongoing pain impacts of a car accident.  

“I get to be the person to explain that help is available ... a CTP claim. We can lodge it easily. I can take you through the steps.”  

How compensation can help if you’re injured on the road 

Compensation can’t fix your car accident injuries. But a financial settlement for the pain and suffering, loss of income and medical expenses caused by your motor vehicle accident can enable you to move forward into a new chapter in your life. 

If you’ve ever wondered ‘do I need a lawyer after a car accident,’ contact Shine Lawyers. Our dedicated motor vehicle accident team (including Carla) can help you with your CTP claim and secure the compensation you deserve.  

Strict time limits for claiming personal injury compensation can apply, so get in touch to arrange an obligation-free appointment with a member of our motor vehicle accident team. Our car accident lawyers work on a No Win No Fee* basis, so call today to discuss your options for claiming compensation for your car accident injuries. 

A last word from Karl – be safe on the road 

Karl continues to live with pain. He leaves us with this important road safety message:  

“Drive safe. Take caution. Take the extra time. Because it’s not your life that you may ruin. But you could completely destroy somebody else’s.”