Do you need a lawyer after a bicycle accident in Ontario?

If you have been injured in an Ontario bicycle accident, you may want to consider hiring legal representation.  In many instances, injured cyclists are able to file a claim for the injuries they sustained in a bicycle-motor vehicle accident.  Filing a claim can be complicated so having the right lawyer can be a real help to your case.  Before you go through with filing a claim for your injuries, there are a few things you should know.  Having some basic knowledge of the process of filing a claim will help you know how to proceed with your case.

 

One of the things you should be aware of is that there is a designated time period where you can file a claim.  This is called the statute of limitations and it can vary depending on the circumstances of your particular case.  It is important to be aware of the statue of limitations that applies in your case because if it expires, you may not be able to pursue any legal action against the responsible party.  In order to find out the statute of limitations that applies in your case you should speak with a personal injury lawyer.

 

If you are looking to file a claim, you may be wondering from whom you might be able to receive compensation.  If in your accident, the driver of a motor vehicle was at fault, you can receive compensation from them and their insurance companies.  Contrary to what many people may think, you can bring forward a claim even if your accident did not involve a motor vehicle.  Many cycling accidents are caused by things other than motor vehicles and in some instances, individuals can file suit and receive compensation.  For example, if your injuries are due to a bicycle malfunction you may be able to receive compensation from the manufacturer or retailer of your bicycle.  Or, if your injuries are caused by unsafe roads or paths that the province or city is responsible for, you may be able to claim damages from them.

 

In order to understand how these issues apply to your particular case, contact a personal injury lawyer.  While this basic knowledge can help you understand the process of filing a claim a little better, nothing can replace one-on-one conversations with an experienced lawyer such as those at Auger Hollingsworth.

About the Author: Brenda Hollingsworth

Brenda Hollingsworth co-founded Ottawa’s Auger Hollingsworth in 2005 with her husband Richard Auger. Together, their mission was to create a personal injury law firm for Eastern Ontario that is unrivalled in the province for customer service and legal expertise. Brenda was named an Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 award recipient and took home the Women’s Business Network’s Businesswoman of the Year award in the Professional category. She was also recognized as one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s “Top 50 People in the Capital.” She is often quoted as an expert and has appeared in media outlets such as CTV, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen, Sun Media, CBC, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, CFRA and many legal publications.

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