Ottawa Car Accidents Lawyers
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident in Ottawa? Automobile accidents can be terrifying and stressful experiences, and sometimes injuries from accidents can cause lifelong consequences that require expensive medical care and treatment.
If you were injured in a car accident because of the negligence of another driver, you have the right to file a claim and be compensated for your injuries, missed time from work, and current and future medical bills. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Ottawa today to discuss your case and decide your best move forward.
Whether you were injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident or as a pedestrian, our attorneys at Auger Hollingsworth have years of experience helping people receive the best possible settlement claim for their injuries.
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Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
There are several reasons why having a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Ottawa on your team can be a good idea if you were injured in a car accident. Auger Hollingsworth car accident lawyers have represented thousands of clients in car accidents in Ottawa and recovered millions of dollars in claim settlements.
In other words, we understand what it takes to win your claim. Our meticulous case preparation and research combined with our aggressive representation in court have earned us a national reputation as some of the best personal injury lawyers in the country.
Furthermore, our previous experience in criminal defence and business law gives us perspective and in-depth experience in criminal and civil courtrooms. And with current technologies, we can represent clients all over Ontario. If you were injured in a car accident and need help filing a claim, call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Most common types of car accidents in Ottawa
Millions of people drive in Canada every day, so it is inevitable that accidents will happen from time to time. Innocent drivers, passengers, or pedestrians who were wrongly injured because of another driver’s negligence have the right to file a claim and seek compensation.
Some of the most common types of car accidents include the following:
- Roll-over accidents
- Impaired driving or DUI
- Improper lane changes
- Rear impact accidents
- Accidents involving commercial vehicles
- Reckless driving accidents
- Accidents between cars and bicyclists
No matter how good of a driver you are, you cannot prevent other drivers from making mistakes that put your safety in jeopardy. If you were involved in a car accident caused by another driver’s carelessness, speak with an attorney today and get started on filing your claim.
Common injuries from car accidents
Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience that can lead to a variety of injuries that can vary in severity. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Back and neck injury
- Amputations
- Cuts and lacerations
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Burns and disfigurement
These types of injuries can be painful and require expensive medical care and treatment, sometimes for many years after the accident. They can also cause you to miss work and lose wages. That’s why if you suffered any injuries because of the mistakes of another driver, you have the right to file a claim and be compensated.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Ottawa
Although many of us drive every day, we don’t always know what to do in the unfortunate event that we are in a car accident. The adrenaline that’s pumping through our veins after an accident can often make things even more confusing.
Here are some of the key steps you should take if you are involved in a car accident in Ottawa:
- Get to safety and wait for medical personnel to arrive.
- Record any information you can such as witness statements and contact information.
- Take photographs of the scene of the accident, if possible.
- Save all documents and records from doctor visits, hospital bills, and anything else related to your injury and medical care.
- Keep a journal recording how you felt in the days that followed the accident.
- Contact a personal injury attorney in Ottawa
It’s also important that you speak with your attorney before speaking with insurance agents. Insurance companies are out to save money, and they have a variety of tricks to complicate your claim and make it more difficult to recover the settlement you deserve.
In a recent interview on CTV Morning Live, car accident attorney Brenda Hollingsworth discusses what to do after you’ve been in a car accident.
In this segment, Brenda begins by answering a caller’s question about whether you should move your car when you have had a collision so other vehicles can pass. This is always a judgment call. Your safety is a priority and so is the safety of others.
In this second part of a 3-part interview personal injury lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth describes what steps to take after an Ontario motor vehicle accident.
Get a FREE assessment from us here https://www.personalinjuryottawa.ca
Are you looking for expert advice after an accident? The smartest step you can take after any accident is to connect with a personal injury lawyer for a FREE consultation.
In Ontario, Canada, Personal injury lawyers Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger with their team of experienced lawyers offer FREE, no-pressure, advice about your rights and entitlements when you have been hurt.
For more information on whether you have a claim for car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, any other road accidents, accidents at work, slips and falls, etc, go to https://www.personalinjuryottawa.ca
The interview also discusses what information you should collect at the accident scene before you leave. Get the other driver’s name, address and driver’s license. Wait for the police if they have been called.
It is also important to get medical attention as quickly as possible. It is easier to prove your injury was caused by the accident if you see a medical doctor as soon as possible after the accident.
Compensation for a Car Accident
One of the most common questions victims of car accidents in Ottawa ask is—how much is my claim worth? Unfortunately, there is no way to determine the exact amount of your claim beforehand. If you were wrongly injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation from two sources. They include:
Your own insurance. You may be entitled to make an accidents benefits claim with your own insurance that can cover medical and rehabilitation costs, income replacement benefits, housekeeping, and more. These benefits are yours to claim regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
The at-fault party. The party responsible for the accident may be responsible for paying additional costs of the accident benefits insurance, medical rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and other out-of-pocket expenses you had to pay for the accident. In some cases, family members may be entitled to compensation if they lost a caregiver or companion because of the accident.
Do You Need to Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer?
You improve your chance to secure the best compensation by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. You will dramatically improve the outcome of your case if you speak to a personal injury lawyer BEFORE you speak to an insurance adjuster.
Read what Camila had to say about us on Google:
“This is more of a personal thank you rather than a review. Thank you to the whole Auger Hollingsworth team for the amazing service they have provided me in distressing times. Before making my decision to go ahead with Auger Hollingsworth, I had previously made phone calls to other lawyers. It was upon meeting Bianca there that I was certain this was the team I wanted to deal with. They kept all my records super organized, answered my phone calls and emails in a timely manner, and pushed to close the case within just over 4 years after the car accident. When you deal with a painful situation, you want people who understand your case, who take the time to explain the process and clarify any of your questions, and who communicate in a clear manner for the common citizen who isn’t in law. That’s exactly what they did, and more. I’ve gone to 2 of their locations and in both of them it was clear that everyone working there is happy to be there, which makes it obvious that the leadership is stellar. So, thank you to the whole team, to the various lawyers who helped me, to everyone I interacted with while I was there, because without you I would still be in pain with less funds to take care of my health.”
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Ottawa today
Auger Hollingsworth personal injury attorneys have tried hundreds of cases in Ottawa, and know-how to navigate the law for your benefit. The Ottawa auto accident lawyers with Brenda Hollingsworth and Richard Auger are always nearby and will provide you with a free consultation without any obligation. Call us at 1-888-574-4529. We look forward to discussing your case with you.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Car accidents can be traumatic and knowing what to do afterward can often be confusing. Here are some FAQs about car accidents and settlement claims in Canada:
It is not possible to know exactly how long your claim will take, but there are some factors that can give you an idea. First, the more complex your case, the longer it takes. If your case goes to court, it could take a couple of years to resolve. On the other hand, simple claims are usually handled in less than a year.
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Ontario is two years. This means that unless there are exceptional circumstances, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in the courts.
Exceptional circumstances might be new evidence coming to light that holds another party liable for the accident, for instance.
If you miss the two-year deadline, it usually means that the court will not hear your case.
There are other time limits to be aware of in connection with claims in Ontario: for instance, there is a 30-day limitation period to submit your application for accident benefits to your insurance company, 10 days to submit medical records to your insurance company before benefits are cut, and 30 days to send an updated Disability Certificate OCF-3 from your family doctor.
Generally speaking, the sooner you call one of our personal injury lawyers after your accident, the sooner we will be able to claim the compensation you are entitled to.
If you are injured on the roads in Ontario, there are two possible avenues for receiving financial assistance and benefits.
Firstly, regardless of whose fault the accident was, you may be able to claim accident benefits from your automobile insurance policy, including income replacement, medical costs, rehabilitation, attendant care, and housekeeping.
Secondly, if the accident was no fault of yours, you may be able to claim the insurance company of the at-fault party. This includes compensation for pain and suffering and bodily injury, which are not covered by your own insurance policy.
If you suffer an automobile accident on the roads in Toronto, speak to an experienced car accident injury lawyer to understand your legal options and the compensation you may be able to claim.
It is important to take the following steps after being involved in a car accident – in the interests of your health, safety, and legal position:
- Remain at the scene – do not attempt to drive away
- Seek medical attention for any injured parties
- Call the police
- Even if you do not feel injured, get checked by a medical professional
- If possible, exchange names and contact information with the other drivers involved, including vehicle registration numbers and insurance information
- If possible, obtain the names and contact information from any witnesses to the accident
- Take photos or videos off the scene and of any injuries suffered by those involved (including you)
Additionally, you should notify your auto insurance provider and speak to one of our car accident lawyers to assess whether you have a valid personal injury claim against an at-fault party.
Passengers in cars have rights in Ontario. If you are involved in an accident due to the negligence of the driver of the vehicle, you may be able to file a claim.
All vehicles in Ontario must be insured and this coverage may be available to pay for losses sustained from any injuries you suffer.
However, in these situations, the passenger often knows the driver. This can create a potentially uncomfortable situation for both parties.
There can be some confusion between the types of adjusters that you need to deal with when claiming from insurance companies after a car accident.
Insurance companies in Canada are likely to employ both accident benefit adjusters and tort adjusters. These professionals are responsible for investigating claims, establishing the cause of a loss, and determining whether it is covered by your insurance policy.
The accident benefit adjusters will usually work for your own insurance company, assessing your claim for no-fault accident benefits (e.g., income replacement benefits, attendant care benefits and housekeeping benefits).
Tort adjusters we deal with are more likely to work for the at-fault party’s insurance company and will assess claims for pain and suffering, bodily injury, past and future loss of earnings and any other losses not covered by accident benefit policies.
If both the accident benefit adjuster and tort adjuster work for the same company, any collusion or collaboration on your case is forbidden without your explicit consent.
Car accident injuries may result in damages from the at-fault party as well as accident benefits from your own automobile insurance policy.
Damages from the at-fault party may include property damage, medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Only around one in a hundred personal injury cases in Ontario end up in a trial in the courtroom.
While it may sometimes seem like a trial is the only solution, insurance companies prefer to settle out of court. However, this process can take time and we must be prepared to go to trial if the compensation you are due for your injuries is not offered by the insurance company.
This is where the quality of your legal advice comes in. Many people who don’t hire lawyers for personal injury claims, unfortunately, settle for less than they are entitled to.
Experienced car accident injury lawyers understand how much you should receive and will not settle for less than this amount. It is in their interests, as well as yours, to hold firm on this amount.
If the two sides are far apart in their estimates of compensation, disagree on liability, or credibility issues are raised, the case may end up at trial with a judge deciding how much compensation is to be paid.
It is normally in the interests of both sides for a trial to be avoided as trials are unpredictable, time-consuming, and a matter of public record.
