Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Hamilton, Ontario

Motor vehicle accidents continue to be the number one cause of personal injuries in Hamilton and surrounding areas. An injury from a vehicle crash can affect your mental, physical and financial well-being. If you have been involved in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

What Are Some Major Causes of Vehicle Accidents?

A motor vehicle accident can include several different scenarios:

• Car accidents, single and multi-vehicle
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Snowmobile & ATV accidents
• Bus accidents & public transit
• Pedestrian accidents

A top cause of motor vehicle accidents is reckless or negligent driving. Whether it’s running a red light, improper lane changes, or following too close thereby causing a rear-end collision.

In recent times, we have also seen an increase in people being injured in a car from distracted driving cases.

Distracted driving doesn’t just mean using a phone while behind the wheel, although that certainly accounts for a lot of the cases: other examples include using a GPS, eating or drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio, or playing extremely loud music.

Speeding is yet another common cause of car accidents that we have seen in our law firm. Impaired driving, whether due to drugs or alcohol, can also cause a serious motor vehicle accident. Bad weather, road conditions, and poor visibility can all account for accidents in the Hamilton area as well.

What Types of Injuries Commonly Result from Motor Vehicle Accidents?

Being the victim of an accident can result in dire consequences, from fatalities to injuries that plague accident victims for months or even years. A personal injury can present a victim with significant pain and suffering that can have a long and detrimental impact that will affect you and your loved ones.

You may be suffering from a brain injury such as concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or memory problems. Your accident may lead to back, neck, or spinal cord injuries, broken bones, tears in your ligaments and joints, or soft-tissue injuries. In addition, you may experience chronic pain, adverse psychological reactions, driving anxiety, or depression.

If you’re experiencing pain and suffering after being in a car accident, call a motor vehicle accident lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your case. It is important to discuss the full extent of your injuries so that you can prepare your case and recover a fair and reasonable settlement.

What Should You Do If You Have Been in an Accident?

If you have been involved in an accident, there are things you can do to ensure you receive the medical help you need and also preserve important evidence to support your case:

1. Move to a safe area
2. Get the other driver’s info
3. Take pictures of the accident
4.  Get necessary medical care immediately
5. See your family doctor
6. If you can’t work, ask your doctor to fill out a form for your employer
7. Contact your insurance company
8. Get legal representation

Move To An Area Where You Will Be Safe From Traffic

Call the police and an ambulance — note that the fire department will often be the first to respond.

Make Sure To Get The Other Driver’s Information

This includes their name, address, contact information, insurance information, and policy number. Also take down the name and number of witnesses at the scene. Even if they didn’t witness the accident, they may have witnessed the aftermath of the accident and might be able to verify whether you were coherent and conscious, along with other pertinent information down the road.

Take Pictures Of The Accident Scene

Take as many pictures as you can of the damage to the vehicles, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries.

Get The Medical Care You Need Right Away

Often people will say “I’m okay” by default or instinct, only to start feeling the injuries later that day or the next day. If an ambulance is called, go to the hospital and get checked out, and never refuse the first responder’s medical assessment. Allowing the assessment may not only ensure you receive the proper care you need but also help protect your rights to access compensation.

Make An Appointment To See Your Family Doctor

It is important to get the appropriate medical attention you need and allow your medical team to monitor you from the beginning, even if you think your injuries are minor.

If You Can’t Work, Ask Your Doctor To Fill Out A Form For Your Employer

This should go without saying but if your doctor says you need to take a few days off, follow their advice.

Contact Your Own Insurance Company As Soon As You Can, and Definitely Within 30 Days

Be open to their questions; they’re there to help you and will send you the forms you’ll need for Accident Benefits to cover treatment and partial wages.

Get Legal Representation

Contact an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer for a consultation to talk about your case, your options, and your legal rights.

What is the Recovery Process Like After a Car Accident?

The first step is understanding the available statutory Accident Benefits in Hamilton, your rights, and what qualifies as a motor vehicle accident in Ontario. After a car accident, it’s important to know that you can apply for Accident Benefits, which are benefits that are available to you through your own insurance company, even if there is a dispute as to who caused the accident. These benefits are meant to provide an immediate source of relief and recovery. They’ll cover things like income loss, medical treatment, attendant care, rehabilitation costs, and funeral and death benefits.

Motor vehicle accident cases can be complex, involving nuanced areas of the law, particularly dealing with liability and damages. It is difficult to predict how long recovery might take in your case: while some claims may be resolved within twelve months, others can take years. Turning to an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer is crucial — they can not only help preserve and present important evidence for your claim but also negotiate and advocate on your behalf against the responsible parties and their insurance companies.

How Can Derek Wilson Personal Injury Law Help After Your Accident?

My goal is to recover the maximum amount of compensation and benefits for my clients. I’m not only a skilled negotiator, but also have significant experience acting on behalf of injured people to recover their maximum entitlement. I work with clients to get the available benefits as quickly as possible, including resolving matters through dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation and arbitration. I am a personal injury lawyer focused on helping people heal the hurt.

For a free consultation with Hamilton car accident lawyer Derek Wilson, call us at 855-769-0418 or fill out a request form. We will respond promptly so you and your family can receive the help you need. I am dedicated to helping you and your family recover fair compensation and will always have your best interests in mind.