Grimsby Personal Injury Lawyer

Injuries can change your life, whether you have been injured in a Grimsby car accident, workplace accident, fall, or any other incident. One challenge is ​that when people are injured, they don’t always consider the long-term financial impact of their injury. That’s where Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law can help.

At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, we understand the challenges you’re facing because we have worked with clients who have been in your shoes. With over 30 years of experience, I’m proud to serve Grimsby and the surrounding areas with personalized and compassionate representation. When you choose our firm, you work directly with me, Derek—not with junior lawyers. We take on a limited number of cases to ensure you get the attention and time your case deserves.

If you’ve been injured and are uncertain about your next steps, contact us for a free consultation with a Grimsby personal injury lawyer. Let’s talk about how we may be able to help you heal and rebuild.

Understanding Personal Injury Law in Grimsby

In Ontario, personal injury law exists to protect individuals who have been harmed due to the negligence or intentional actions of others. In Grimsby, if you have been injured because of another person or organization, you may be able to file a claim to seek compensation for the losses you have suffered.

Personal injury claims can arise from a wide range of incidents—from car accidents on the QEW to slip-and-fall accidents in local businesses. When someone else’s actions cause you harm, it can be important to at least consider a personal injury claim because the costs of your injury are often greater than you may think.

Are you wondering whether you have a claim or wondering whether you should file a claim? Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law offers free, no obligation consultations to anyone who has been injured. This gives you a chance to speak with a Grimsby personal injury lawyer to learn more.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

After an accident, many individuals attempt to handle their claims independently, hoping to save on legal fees. However, trying to contact insurance companies on your own and representing yourself can often lead to missed opportunities for fair compensation.

The key benefit to hiring a Grimsby personal injury lawyer is that your lawyer knows how to secure fair compensation. In general, your lawyer can help you secure a better outcome than what you may be able to secure for yourself. This is because there are some big benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer in Grimsby:​

• Expertise. Lawyers specializing in personal injury law have in-depth knowledge of the legal processes and can navigate the complexities of your case more effectively, which can result in fair compensation.​
• Accurate assessment of damages. A common mistake injured people make is to underestimate the costs of an injury—especially the long-term costs. An experienced lawyer knows how to determine the full extent of your damages, including future medical costs and lost earning potential, ensuring you seek appropriate compensation.​
• Negotiation skills. Insurance companies work to minimize payouts after a motorcycle accident, car accident, or other insurable event. Insurers may try to dismiss your injuries as “minor” or claim that you are only eligible for a small amount of compensation—less than you need. A personal injury lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.​
• Support. Being seriously injured and trying to file a claim can be intimidating. You may have questions or be unsure about what to do next. Your lawyer’s role is to explain your options clearly and to answer your questions, so you can make informed decisions about what to do next. Just having someone on your side taking care of the details can take a weight off your mind and can ensure that you are free to focus on your health.

One reason that many injured Grimsby area residents hesitate to call a lawyer is because they worry about the cost. At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you, and we offer a free initial consultation.

Choosing the Right Lawyer

Selecting the right lawyer is crucial, and not all lawyers are the same. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a Grimsby personal injury lawyer who may be right for your case:

• Specialization. Look for a lawyer who specializes in personal injury law, since a lawyer or law firm handling everything from real estate law to business contracts may not have the narrow focus needed to put focus on your case.
• Experience. Look for a lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours.​ If you have been in a truck accident, for example, look for a lawyer who has handled commercial truck cases. This shows your lawyer is familiar with the types of evidence common in these cases and may have even faced the same insurance companies before.
• Communication. Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly and promptly. You should feel comfortable discussing your case and be confident that your concerns will be addressed.​
• Attention. Ensure that the lawyer will handle your case personally and not delegate it to junior staff. Personalized attention can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.​

To evaluate lawyers, start by booking a consultation. In a free consultation with Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, for example, we can tell you more about our law firm and you can get to know our communication style. We would also be pleased to explain how we might approach your case, so you can get a sense of what it would be like to work together.

The Legal Process

Before you officially start a personal injury claim in Ontario, you will typically have a consultation with a personal injury lawyer. During this meeting, you’ll discuss the details of your accident, your injuries, and any immediate concerns. The lawyer will assess the viability of your case and explain your legal options.

After this consultation, you will decide whether to proceed with the claim and whether you want to work with that lawyer. Once you decide to move forward, your lawyer will conduct an investigation and gather all relevant evidence.

Before filing a lawsuit, your lawyer may send a notice to the at-fault party or their insurance company, informing them of your intent to pursue a claim. This step can sometimes lead to early settlement discussions.

Your lawyer will take care of all negotiation processes and keep you informed of any settlement offers. Most personal injury claims are resolved through negotiation and settlement, but if a settlement isn’t reached, your lawyer will file a Statement of Claim in the appropriate court. This legal document outlines the facts of the case, the injuries sustained, and the compensation sought. Your lawyer will have every defendant in the case properly served with the paperwork.

Then, during the discovery process, both parties exchange relevant documents and information. This may involve examinations for discovery, where each side has the opportunity to question the other party under oath.

Before going to trial, many cases undergo mediation, where a neutral third party helps facilitate a settlement between the parties. Settlement negotiations may also occur during this stage. Before a trial in Ontario, you will also have a pre-trial conference, where all parties will discuss a possible settlement and the trial.

If the case proceeds to trial, it will likely be decided by a judge, though in some cases personal injury claims in Ontario are decided by a judge and jury. During the trial, both sides present their evidence and arguments before a judge, who will make a final determination on the case.

After the trial, if you are awarded compensation, your lawyer will assist in collecting the judgment. If the outcome is unfavorable, your lawyer may discuss any options you may have to appeal the decision.

Determining Fault and Compensation

When you’ve been injured in an accident, understanding who is at fault is important to determine who you can pursue for compensation. Determining compensation is important to ensure that you don’t run out of resources as you heal. In Ontario, proving fault and compensation in personal injury claims often hinges on demonstrating that another party’s failure to act responsibly led to your injury.

This is where working with a Grimsby personal injury lawyer is important. Your lawyer will immediately begin gathering evidence such as witness statements, medical records, insurance information, photos of the accident scene, and accident reports.​ Your lawyer will act quickly to secure evidence before it is destroyed and may work with experts, such as medical professionals, to determine the causes and extent of your injuries to determine what caused the injuries.

Once fault is established, the next step is determining the compensation you’re entitled to. This includes assessing medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term impacts on your quality of life. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows what similar injuries cost and knows how to accurately put a dollar amount on your likely costs and emotional suffering, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Our Expertise and Why You Should Choose Derek Wilson

At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, we have worked with many Grimsby residents who have been injured. With over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, I have a track record of successfully representing clients and securing the compensation they need to start rebuilding after a devastating injury.

What sets our law firm apart is our commitment to each client. When you choose our firm, you work directly with me, not a junior lawyer. This ensures you benefit from decades of legal experience. In addition, our law firm is selective about the cases we take on. This ensures we create a customized legal approach to your claim and give your case the attention it deserves. It also ensures that we can answer your calls and emails quickly, so you receive the attention you deserve.

​At Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, we have also chosen to focus exclusively on personal injury and on helping clients with denials of short-term and long-term disability insurance claims. This narrow focus allows us to put all our resources into strong personal injury and accident benefit claims. The two areas of law are also complementary. We often find that people who have been injured are interested in filing a personal injury claim but also unfortunately face trouble getting their rightful benefits after a serious injury. We can help with both issues.

Another thing that makes our law firm stand out is that I started my legal career as a partner at a Toronto law firm, defending insurance companies. I saw firsthand how insurance companies work to defend their profits and to keep shareholders happy—and how that can harm people who have been injured. I started my own law firm, Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law, to use my experience to help those who have been injured.

My early experience defending insurance companies made me decide to exclusively represent those who have been injured. That early experience also gives me an advantage, since I know how defense lawyers and insurance company lawyers attempt to defend their position.

With my firm, you don’t pay unless we win your case. We want you to be able to seek the compensation you need without having to worry about upfront legal fees.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in Grimsby, don’t navigate the process alone. Before you make any decisions about what to do next and before you sign anything or make a statement, contact Derek Wilson Injury and Disability Law for a free, no-obligation consultation.

The choices you make now will determine how much compensation you may be able to secure, so it is worth your while to get a Grimsby personal injury lawyer to review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions.​