Compo for smashes: hoons still eligible

Updated November 7 2012 - 12:23am, first published July 6 2009 - 12:09pm

A HOON who lost his right arm when his car veered off a highway at high speed was eligible for a state insurance payout because of a “no fault” scheme.The Transport Accident Commission paid compensation to all victims of road trauma, a spokeswoman said yesterday.Eaglehawk teenager Joshua Shelton had his right arm amputated in hospital after the January 2 smash on the Calder Highway.Police estimate he was driving his Holden at more than 140kmh, and he later pleaded guilty in the Bendigo Magistrates Court to a charge of driving in a dangerous manner.The TAC spokeswoman said she would not comment on specific cases, but said most people seriously injured in a crash would receive some payment.Even if they were deemed negligent and ultimately responsible for an incident, most were still entitled to a lump-sum impairment benefit, she said.But they would not be eligible for damages obtained by going through the courts.“The Transport Accident Commission is a `no fault’ scheme,” the spokeswoman said.“This means that medical and lump-sum impairment benefits will be paid to an injured person regardless of who caused the accident.“If a person’s negligent driving caused the accident, they will usually not be able to claim damages,” she added.To claim a lump-sum impairment benefit, an injured person needs to be classified as having a serious injury, which is determined if the level of impairment is graded at 30 per cent or more.The Advertiser understands that the loss of an arm can result in a lump-sum payment of about $120,000.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Bendigo news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.