Shock from an Accident - Not My Fault Accidents

Updated 6 October 2026.

People respond differently to a car accident. Some feel frightened, shaken or overwhelmed; others feel calm or numb. These reactions do not mean that everyone experiences medical shock.

Medical shock is an emergency

Medical shock occurs when the circulation cannot deliver enough oxygen to the body's organs. Severe blood loss after an injury is one possible cause. It is different from the emotional experience commonly described as being “in shock”.

Call Triple Zero (000) for suspected medical shock, serious injury, difficulty breathing, collapse or a person who is becoming less responsive. Do not assume confusion or faintness is simply an emotional reaction to the accident.

Possible warning signs include pale, cold or clammy skin, a rapid weak pulse, fast breathing, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness. You do not need to identify every sign before seeking emergency help. Read healthdirect's explanation of medical shock.

While waiting for help

Make the area as safe as possible and follow the emergency operator's instructions. Stay with the person, monitor their breathing and explain any changes to the operator. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow the operator's CPR instructions.

Do not make an injured person walk around or resume driving to “shake it off”. Advice about positioning, movement, food or drink depends on the person's injuries and condition; follow professional first-aid instructions. St John Australia's shock guidance provides further first-aid information.

Emotional distress also deserves support

Once urgent injuries have been addressed, a calm conversation and support from someone you trust can help. Give yourself time before making non-urgent decisions or getting back behind the wheel.

If distress, sleep problems or anxiety persist or affect everyday life, speak with your GP or a mental health professional. See healthdirect's guidance on psychological trauma for further support. Seek medical advice if you are unsure whether physical symptoms relate to an injury. An accident being “not your fault” does not determine how you will feel afterwards.

Organise the practical matters when you are ready

Ask someone you trust to help keep accident details, insurer correspondence and appointments organised. When immediate health and safety needs have been addressed, contact Carbiz if you need to discuss a replacement vehicle after a not-at-fault accident. Eligibility and hire terms are assessed for each situation.

Back to News

You may find these interesting

What To Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car

Coming back to find your parked car damaged is never fun, but knowing how to respond correctly can save you time, money and stress.

Firstly, understand that getting upset is natural, but taking a deep breath will help you make better decisions. Examine your car thoroughly and document any visible damage, taking multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of dents, scratches or broken parts, and capturing the surrounding area, such as road signs and markings, for context.

Next, see if you can locate the driver responsible. Sometimes, people leave a note with their contact information and insurance details. If there’s no note, look for witnesses nearby who may have seen what happened. You can also check for CCTV from nearby businesses, homes or on the street, as some areas have coverage. If you’re unsure, consider contacting the local council to find out whether cameras are in place that might have captured the accident.

If the driver didn’t leave a note, or if they did but are unresponsive or the information they provided seems incorrect, contact the police to report the accident and provide all the information you have, including photos, footage and witness statements. Be sure to request a copy of the police report, as it can be useful when dealing with insurance.

If you’re still having a hard time getting a hold of the at-fault driver and therefore cannot claim directly through their car insurer, it’s time to lodge a claim with your own insurance provider, if you have one. Provide them with as much information as possible, including the police report. From there, your insurer can determine whether your coverage, along with the information you have, will cover the damage to your car.

If your car insurer happens to find information about the at-fault driver and is able to have them lodge a claim so the costs of the damage are recoverable, you can contact Carbiz for a replacement car while your car is being repaired or until it’s been deemed a total loss. This ensures you’re not left without a car during this time, giving you peace of mind and the ability to keep your life moving.

For help organising your next steps, read our car accident insurance claim checklist and explore accident replacement vehicle options.

What It Means When Your Car Is Declared A Write-Off After An Accident

Updated 6 October 2026.

When an insurer declares a car a write-off, it has assessed the vehicle as a total loss under the policy. The damage may make repairs unsafe, or the cost of repairing the car may make a repair uneconomical. A write-off does not always mean the car is visibly destroyed.

How is a write-off decision made?

The assessment can take account of the vehicle's value, repair costs, salvage value and the policy terms. There is no single repair-cost percentage that determines every write-off across Australia. Ask the insurer for its assessment and the basis for its decision.

A total-loss insurance decision and a vehicle's written-off registration category are related but different matters. Whether a car can return to the road depends on the damage classification and the rules of the relevant state or territory.

Statutory and repairable write-offs

Statutory write-off: the vehicle meets specified damage criteria and cannot be re-registered for road use.
Repairable write-off: repairs may be technically possible, but the vehicle has been assessed as uneconomical to repair. This label does not itself authorise repairs or guarantee re-registration.

Requirements vary across Australia. In NSW, an eligible written-off light vehicle needs an Authorisation to Repair from Transport for NSW before work begins. Only limited applications are considered, and vehicles with statutory write-off damage are excluded. Approval, compliant repairs and the required inspections are separate steps.

What happens to your insurance payout?

The settlement depends on your cover and circumstances. It may be based on an agreed value, a market value or a replacement-vehicle benefit if your policy provides one. An excess, outstanding premium or finance arrangements may affect the amount you receive. Ask for a written breakdown before accepting the settlement.

Keep the assessment, photographs, policy documents and correspondence together. If you disagree with the valuation, provide relevant evidence and use the insurer's complaints process. See AAMI's explanation of total-loss claims for an insurer's example; your own policy determines your cover.

Getting around after a not-at-fault accident

If you need a replacement vehicle, tell Carbiz that your car has been declared a write-off. Eligibility, vehicle availability, the hire period and the terms of the agreement need to be confirmed for your circumstances. A write-off does not automatically entitle everyone to unlimited hire.

Contact Carbiz to discuss your accident replacement vehicle options. For a practical checklist, read what to do after receiving a write-off decision.

6 April 2021