Ontario Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you know how quickly your life can be turned upside down. You’re likely in pain, out of work, and wondering how all of your bills are supposed to get paid.

Don’t worry, though. Help is available. Reach out to my law firm, Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, for a free consultation to find out exactly how much compensation you may be eligible for and pursue that compensation early and aggressively.

Who am I? My name is Derek Wilson, and in my 30 years of legal practice, I’ve seen the devastating impact a car accident can have on people’s lives. I work every day to get survivors of traffic collisions the compensation they need to start rebuilding.

Understanding Car Accidents in Ontario

In Ontario, there is a no-fault insurance system. This means that if you’re in a collision, you’ll first file a claim with your car insurance company to get accident benefits. This can help you secure quick coverage for needed medical care, income loss, rehabilitation, funeral costs, and other costs related to your accident.

You need to understand, however, that insurance companies are unlikely to pay you the maximum amount possible out of the gate. If you’ve been in a serious accident, you may want to contact an Ontario car accident lawyer as soon as possible to find out about your options.

For example, you may have the option of pursuing a claim against the liable party that negligently caused your accident and injuries. It’s important not to leave any money on the table and to pursue the maximum amount of compensation you’re qualified for because your costs may be much higher than you first assume.

For example, let’s say that you’re in a serious crash on the Linc in Hamilton caused by a drunk driver. At first you seem fine, but a few days after the accident, you start experiencing severe back pain. You find out you have a slipped disc, requiring you to take time off work and get ongoing treatment. Maybe you develop some complications and continue to experience chronic pain, which leads to more time away from work and resulting depression that affects your quality of life and your relationships.

This above scenario is very common in Ontario car accidents. Serious injuries can result in complications, mental health problems, severe financial distress, relationship problems, loss of jobs, and more. A serious traffic collision can negatively impact your life for years, and getting the right compensation early on is crucial to preventing some of the fallout. With the right compensation, you can pay for rehabilitation, therapy, and proper care, improving the chances of a full recovery from your injuries. You can also pay for the supportive services you need and pay for your bills while you can’t work so you can rebuild your life.

In the above scenario, pursuing the liable party — the drunk driver — gives you more options to secure the compensation you need.

The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

An Ontario car accident lawyer is a type of personal injury lawyer who has experience or a focus on traffic collisions. This lawyer understands the unique challenges of a car accident specifically, which can include the following:

• In serious car accidents, insurance companies may be aggressive in trying to minimize payouts because these claims are expensive for them.
• Injuries after traffic collisions can be complex and can lead to complications, which can make it more challenging to get fair compensation.
• A car accident can exacerbate a pre-existing condition, and this may give an insurance company a pretext to try to deny your claim.
• The aftermath of a car collision is frightening and chaotic, making it hard for you to focus on the complex insurance process.
• It’s not always obvious what has caused a crash, and it often takes a thorough investigation to uncover all causes and liable parties.

An Ontario car accident lawyer knows how to navigate these challenges and has dealt with them before. Your lawyer can secure security footage, witness testimony, and other evidence related to your case. He or she can build a strong case, negotiate with insurance companies, answer your questions, and even take your case to court if that’s the best way to seek compensation in your case. The goal of your lawyer is to take the pressure off your shoulders and to use extensive trial and negotiation expertise to seek fair compensation for you.

Understanding the Different Types of Car Accidents

There is a wide range of car accident types that happen on the roads of Ontario every day. At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, I work on every kind of car collision case, including:

• Drunk driving accidents. While these seem to have a clear liable party, evidence can go missing quickly, and it’s imperative to act quickly to protect your claim.
• Pedestrian accidents. Faults in these cases can be difficult to establish. For example, did a pedestrian jump in front of your car, or were you hit when crossing a crosswalk because a car ran a red light? My team gets the answers.
• Bicycle accidents. If you’re a bicyclist involved in a traffic crash, you’re more likely to suffer life-changing injuries than the driver involved. Unfortunately, you may also be more likely to be blamed for the crash. Let me use my experience to help you fight back.
• Multiple-vehicle collisions. Collisions involving multiple cars and vehicles are more likely to involve complex claims and multiple liable parties. Even getting the basic facts about what happened can be challenging without the help of an Ontario car accident lawyer who can launch an investigation.
• Single-car collisions. Even if you lose control of your car and there’s no other driver involved, you may have a claim against the manufacturer of your vehicle if a car defect caused the accident. You may also have a claim against the owner of the property where the accident took place or against other liable parties.
• Accidents with buses and mass transit. City buses and other public transit can cause significant damage in a car accident because of the size of the vehicles involved. In addition, the government and large corporations in charge of transit often have the advantage of legal protections.
• Distracted driving accidents. Distraction is a serious problem on our roads, and it doesn’t just involve texting. Any drivers checking GPS, eating, smoking, adjusting their dashboards, or otherwise taking their focus off the road are a danger. Unfortunately, proving distraction is often challenging.
• Fatal car collisions. Losing a loved one is always devastating, but it can be even more overwhelming if you lose a loved one in a preventable car accident. In these situations, you may need additional support as you navigate both grief and the legal process.
• Truck accidents. Commercial trucks weigh many times a passenger car, and when the two collide, occupants of the passenger car are likely to sustain serious and life-threatening injuries.
• Motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists can’t rely on glass, metal, or airbags to shield them from injuries, so they are more likely to sustain catastrophic injury in a collision.
• Recreational vehicle collisions. All-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and other recreational vehicles are a popular way to experience the beauty of Ontario, but if you’re in a collision while riding one of these vehicles, it’s useful to ask whether any manufacturing or design defects may have contributed to your injuries.

As you can see, every type of car accident poses different challenges, and your lawyer will need to navigate some of the pitfalls these collisions can pose when you file a claim. No matter what kind of accident you’ve been injured in, you can always contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation.

The Car Accident Claims Process

When you’re injured in a car accident in Ontario, the most important thing to do is to get medical attention right away. One challenge is that you’re likely to be upset and overwhelmed by the accident itself and may not notice symptoms of an injury. If there’s a chance you’ve been seriously injured, ask someone to call an ambulance. Otherwise, visit your doctor or urgent care center right away. If you can remain at the scene, be sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver and document as much as you can. Take photos of the accident and surrounding scene and get the contact information of any witnesses.

The next thing you will want to do is to call your insurance company to file a claim. Your insurer can guide you through the process. Even if you think you have great insurance, it’s also useful to consult with an Ontario car accident lawyer, who can explain how much your injuries and losses could end up costing you and who can review your options for getting fair compensation.

Calculating Compensation for Car Accident Victims

If you work with an Ontario car accident lawyer to hold liable parties accountable in your car accident, you can seek compensation for reasonable losses and costs related to your accident and injury. This can include:

• Medical costs.
• Income loss.
• Property damage and property loss (including any repairs needed for your car).
• Any incidental costs (such as at-home care while you heal).

One of the most important benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer is that your lawyer will not allow you to minimize your car collision — and won’t let the insurance company minimize your losses, either. It’s simply too common for someone who has been in a car accident to think their injuries are minor or to focus on the immediate costs after a car accident — such as the cost of a rental or car repairs. By the time that individual realizes the car accident costs tens of thousands of dollars more than what the insurance company offered, it’s often too late to pursue additional compensation.

Working with an Ontario car accident lawyer can prevent this situation. An experienced lawyer can accurately evaluate how much your collision is likely to cost now and in the future and can actively pursue all avenues of compensation so you don’t have to pay as much out of pocket.

Important Deadlines for Car Accident Claims

You need to file your insurance claim within 30 days of your accident, and you have a maximum of two years to file a personal injury claim related to your accident. While these are the deadlines, it’s important to file as soon as possible. It shows you’re serious about your claim. Waiting can also mean witness memories fade and evidence goes missing.

You may not feel up to filing a claim right away if you’re injured. You may not even be sure you want to file a claim. Before you make up your mind, contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what we can do to make the process easier for you.

Choosing the Right Ontario Car Accident Lawyer

The right Ontario car accident lawyer is experienced in trial and negotiation and genuinely cares about your case. For example, I founded Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law because I genuinely wanted to help those who are injured, and I know I can use my more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer to do so. I have purposely kept my law firm small so that I can work with you directly without ever handing your case off to a lawyer with less experience. 

Injured in an Ontario Car Accident? Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Have you been in a car accident in Hamilton or the surrounding area? Contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free consultation. I’ll answer your questions, and we can discuss your claim and the next steps.