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Q. How much will it cost me to hire your law firm?
A. People who have suffered a serious injury are often unable to work and cannot afford to pay up front for a lawyer. In most cases we offer a fee deferral payment plan where our fee is based on the recovery we obtain for you and we charge for our fees only when the money is paid by the other side. This system allows those who cannot afford legal fees to pursue their claim for compensation without additional financial burdens. We will discuss the full fee arrangement and agreement with you at the time of our initial meeting so that there will never be any surprises or hidden costs.
Q. What are my rights if I’ve been injured?
A. If you’ve been injured as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person or entity, you may be able to pursue a claim for medical expenses, lost wages, pain & suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. In most cases the law requires that you start a lawsuit within two years but there may be shorter time limits and notice periods that may apply depending on the nature of your claim. You should contact a lawyer immediately to determine the rights you have and the time limits that apply to your claim in order to protect your legal rights.
Q. Do I have a case?
A.Whether or not you have a claim will depend on whether some other person or entity is at fault for your accident. “Fault” can arise from some action or failure to act. We will discuss this with you in more detail at our first meeting.
Q. Why do I need a firm that focuses on personal injury? Can’t my family or real estate lawyer handle my case?
A. The area of personal injury law is constantly changing and evolving. The legislation regarding motor vehicle claims is complex and requires familiarity with numerous statutes. Although some lawyers practice in a number of areas it is unrealistic to expect a lawyer to be able to keep up with the changes in every area of the law. As a result most lawyers specialize in a few areas of law.
Q. I’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, what should I do first?
A. You should get the proper medical care at the earliest possible opportunity. You should obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses and notify police. You are entitled to collect Accident Benefits from your own insurer and should apply for these benefits right away.
Q. What are Accident Benefits?
A. Accident Benefits are benefits provided by your own insurer to pay for a portion of your lost income, for treatment of accident related injuries and rehabilitation. If you do not have auto insurance you can collect these benefits from the insurer of a person you reside with or the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Q. “The accident wasn’t my fault”. Why would I collect benefits from my own insurer?
A. Ontario has a “no-fault” system of auto insurance which provides that items such as accident benefits and property damage claims are processed through your own insurance company regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
Q. What do I do if an insurance adjuster offers me a settlement?
A. Before you accept any settlement you have the right to obtain legal advice. It is in your best interests to do so as the adjuster works for the insurance company. Their job is to settle cases with the least expense to their employer.
Q. How long will it take?
A. Each case is unique and the amount of time it will take depends on many factors. Your claim can’t be settled fairly until your medical condition has stabilized. Medical reports are then obtained to assist in determining the value of your claim. The process from the time we meet with you until the time your claim is settled or a trial takes places is usually 2 to 3 years, sometimes it is a much shorter period and if your claim is complicated or your injuries are very serious it can take longer.
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