Accidents & Personal Injury Claims Singapore

A Guide to Dealing With Traffic Accidents

At The Accident Site

If someone is injured, call the police at 999 or an ambulance at 995.
Take down the registration numbers and insurance companies of all vehicles involved in the accident.
Take down the name(s), NRIC(s), address(es) and telephone number(s) of all parties present i.e. all drivers, passengers, injured pedestrians and/or witnesses.
Take photos of all the details of the accident, such as the position of the cars, the damage to vehicles and the injuries of all parties. These will be useful in the future if you need to prove who is at fault.

Dealing with Traffic Accidents and Car Accident Claims

Reporting

All accidents should be reported to the insurance companies within 24 hours or by the next working day. Insurance companies have their own 24-hour hotlines. They may advise you to bring your vehicle to an approved reporting centre or workshop. You are also advised to call for a tow truck service if necessary. If you decide to resolve the matter with the other party independently without informing your insurance company, be aware that the insurance company may have the right to reject your claim or to claim from you if any third party subsequently claims against you.

You should make a police report when the accident involves a government vehicle, damage to government property, a foreign vehicle, a pedestrian or cyclist, a hit-and-run case, or an injury requiring hospitalisation or medical leave of 3 days or more. In any case, a police report can serve as an official written record of the accident and it is advisable to lodge one if you have been involved in a road traffic accident.

Claiming

For claiming of vehicle damages and/or repairs, each insurance company has its own process. If you wish to claim from your own insurance company, simply follow their instructions on where to assess the damage and repair the car.
To claim against another person’s insurance company, you have to contact the insurance company and let them inspect the car before sending it for repair. The third party’s insurer has 2 working days to inspect the damage after you have contacted them. They will have to compensate you for the loss of use of the vehicle over the pre-repair inspection period. Under the Motor Claims Framework, your own insurer will assist you in contacting the other person’s insurer and in the process of filing claims. Otherwise, you may have to hire your own lawyer.
If your claim is less than $3000, it will be directed to the FIDReC-NIMA Scheme.
In the case of a hit-and-run incident, you may be able to claim from the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).
You can obtain the other party’s insurance particulars from the Land Transport Authority. The enquiry number is 1800-553 5229.
The General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) is an association of insurance companies. They share a database of accident reports. You can apply for and buy a third-party motor accident report. However, this is only useful if the other party has lodged a GIA report.
For further information, refer to the following brochure of the framework for making motor claims:

View PDF

Compensation Claims under WICA

If you have sustained an injury as a result of your employment, you may be eligible for a claim under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). The WICA, administered by the Ministry of Manpower, allows for a no-fault compensation scheme for employees injured in the course of their employment, provided there has been some form of permanent incapacity suffered.

Permanent incapacity is assessed by the relevant department in the Ministry of Manpower. The compensation claimable is subject to the injury sustained, the degree of permanent incapacity and your salary. The WICA scheme also includes payment for medical expenses (including consultation, hospitalisation, treatment and future care etc), MC and Hospitalisation wages, as well as compensation for death.

If you have suffered from a workplace injury, come speak to us to understand your eligibility to claim under WICA and the adequacy or suitability of your WICA compensation claim.

Compensation Claims under Common Law

Like road traffic accident claims, personal injuries sustained in the course of employment may also give rise to a possible claim in common law. The injured employee must however, choose to submit a claim either through the Courts or under the WICA as there cannot be double compensation of one claim.

In order to pursue a workplace compensation claim in common law, it must be shown that the employer had failed to take steps to ensure the employees’ safety and that the employee had suffered injury and loss because of such negligence. Examples of such negligence in tort include failure to provide a safe place of work, failure to provide proper work equipment and failure to implement proper systems of work.

Over the years, we have garnered substantial experience in work injury and industrial accident claims. Our experienced team of associates and staff are well-placed to fight for your compensation entitlements in Court, should the need arise. If you wish to pursue a claim in common law or enquire about the best options available to you, speak to us as soon as possible.

Types of Personal Injury Claims

Personal Injury Claims result from accidents that cause physical and/or mental injury, and other consequential losses. These claims typically arise in situations such as or .

They compensate victims for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses due to the injury. Additionally, they promote public safety by holding negligent parties accountable, thereby deterring potentially harmful behaviours.

Personal injury accident claims may also arise in other unfortunate circumstances. For example, we have dealt with cases involving:

(a) Trip and fall/slip and fall scenarios
(b) Office mishaps
(c) Domestic abuse
(d) Lightning strike injuries
(e) Injuries from fallen tree branches

Click here for some cases that we have acted for:

How to File a Personal Injury Claim

Filing a personal injury claim can be a complex process that involves the following steps:

Seek Medical Attention – This ensures your health is taken care of and provides a medical record that can serve as crucial evidence in your claim.
Prepare Documentation – Document medical records, accident scene photos, witness information, and any communication with insurance companies or the at-fault party.
Initiate Legal Consultation – A qualified personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights, assess your claim's potential value, and conduct a thorough investigation.
File the Claim – To start your claim officially, you need to file certain documents with the court. This includes a Statement of Claim outlining the material facts and pleadings of your case.
Negotiate a Settlement – Many personal injury cases are resolved through negotiation rather than going to court. Your lawyer will handle these negotiations on your behalf.

Need to file a personal injury claim? Get in touch with our law firm in Singapore at 6553 4800 for a seamless process.

What Evidence Do I Need for My Personal Injury Claim?

Evidence of Your Injuries – In personal injury claims, evidence of injuries shows the impact of the incident. Substantial evidence includes medical records, doctor's reports, and photographs of the injuries.
Proof of Loss of Earnings – To substantiate your loss of earnings claim after an injury, gather evidence such as pay stubs, tax returns, or other relevant documents showing your income before and after the incident.
Treatment Costs – Documents receipts, invoices, and medical bills for prescriptions, doctor’s visits, and other treatments to demonstrate the full extent of your financial impact.
Damage to Personal Property – Provide evidence if the incident damaged your property. Photographs, repair estimates, and receipts for repairs or replacement can help quantify this aspect of your claim.

Your personal injury lawyer can also provide you with a more detailed list of evidence you can use to substantiate your claims.

Is There a Limitation Period for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?

Yes. According to the Limitation Act of Singapore, a lawsuit for a personal injury claim must generally be filed within three years from the date of the accident or the date you realised you were injured. Failing to file within the limitation period could bar you from seeking compensation for your injuries. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, if the injured person was under the age of 21 or mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident, the limitation period may be extended.

How Do I Assess Personal Injury Damages in Singapore?

Assessing damages in personal injury cases in Singapore is a complex process. The court applies both intellectual and compassion as considerations to attain an equitable, just, and fair resolution.

After liability is proven, there's a separate hearing to determine your compensation ("quantum") based on evidence including medical reports, invoices for medical expenses, and testimonies from the injured party's expert witness. This will help to determine the personal injury claims amount that you can receive.

Framework for Compensation

Compensation for personal injury claims includes general damages for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, and loss of past and future wages, but may also include other sums depending on each case. Compensation is often paid out by an insurance company or an agency that manages such claims. These companies have their own dedicated team of professionals to manage a claim and the compensation sum payable. However, these companies cannot provide you with legal advice and it is best that you seek independent professional advice to determine the adequacy of the compensation offered and other alternative remedies available to you.

Generally, the amount of legal fees payable by the claimant is dependent on the claim’s complexity and the amount of work and time involved in resolving the claim. Legal fees for successful claims in road traffic and industrial accident claims are substantively borne by the insurers. Legal fees for road traffic accident claims are also subject to the Public Trustee’s regulation.

Get the compensation you deserve with the help of our personal injury lawyers. Contact us at 6553 4800 to schedule a consultation.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer can offer numerous advantages, particularly when dealing with complex legal procedures and insurance companies.

Case Evaluation – Helps decide if pursuing legal action is worthwhile.
Legal Coverage – Guides you through legal procedures and filing.
Familiarity with Insurance – Ensures smooth handling of insurance claims.
Trial Strategy – Represents you in court to achieve the best possible outcome.
Maximised Compensation – Ensures you receive full compensation.
Client Advocacy – Committed to your best interests throughout the case.

What to Expect During Your First Meeting with a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Your initial consultation with a personal injury claim lawyer can set the tone for your entire case, making it essential to know what to expect.

Getting to Know Each Other – The initial meeting establishes trust and allows you to assess the lawyer's fit for your case.
Reviewing Your Accident Case – The lawyer will go through the specifics of your accident, including details about the accident, any evidence, and your injuries. Be prepared to provide as much information as possible to help your attorney build a strong case.
Discussing the Next Steps – Your lawyer will explain the legal process and next steps. This could involve investigation, evidence gathering, or negotiations. They will also advise you on what you should do, like focusing on your recovery or documenting your condition.

Why Choose HOH Law Corporation?

HOH Law Corporation is Singapore's leading legal practice in personal injury claims, with close to 30 years of experience. Despite being an established community law practice, our clientele is not restricted to local citizens as we often act for people from other nationalities. No matter what your background is, we are here to assist you.

Legal costs may appear to be prohibitive and in distressful times, this may deter you from making a claim. However, we at HOH Law Corporation firmly believe that legal fees should never obstruct your rights to justice and fair compensation. If you have sustained personal injuries from a work-related accident, a road traffic accident or any other unfortunate accident, please feel free to approach us and we will help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Accidents & Personal Injuries

What To Do In A Road Traffic Accident?