When people are injured in car accidents in Kingston and other cities across Ontario, they often wonder if or when they should call an injury lawyer after the auto accident. Some accident victims may think about calling but feel that their injuries are not serious and decide not to call, while others accident victims take the “wait and see” approach. If their injuries become worse, then they will call a lawyer. Many times, victims decide not to call because they do not want to be bothered with lawyers and don’t want to be involved in a legal process. However, it is probably best for car accident victims to call a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure they receive the accident benefits they are entitled to. If they wait, they could hinder their own claims if they decide to file tort claims down the road. In addition, many injuries that do not seem to be serious at first may get worse as time goes on.
After a car accident, an accident victim must call his auto insurance company to report the accident. In addition, if the victim needs medical attention, he is entitled to receive medical and rehabilitation benefits, which is one of the accident benefits insured motorists may receive after an accident. Ontario’s no-fault system requires an injured insured’s own auto insurance company to pay for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs not covered by OHIP.
The amount of medical and rehabilitation benefits an injured victim receives depends on the severity of the injuries. There are three injury categories: 1. minor injury, 2. non-minor injury, and 3. catastrophic injury. Victims placed in the minor injury group receive the least amount of medical and rehabilitation benefits, while victims in the catastrophic injury group receive the most.
Other accident benefits include income replacement benefits and attendant care benefits. For a detailed discussion of other accident benefits, see Ontario Car Accident Law – Lost Pay or Wage Loss Benefits.
The truth is, insurance companies want to pay the least amount of benefits possible. Therefore, by talking to an experienced Kingston car accident lawyer first, victims will know what to expect from the conversation with the insurance company. In addition, the accident victims will know how to handle the conversation to ensure that they are placed in the right injury category and receive the maximum amount of accident benefits they are entitled to receive.
Help After an Accident in Kingston, Ontario
If you were injured in a car accident in Ontario, the personal injury car accident lawyers at Bergeron Clifford can help. The lawyers will help you with your accident benefits claim. Even if you are not sure whether you want to pursue a legal claim against the at-fault driver immediately after an accident, consulting with the lawyers at Bergeron Clifford can help you make the right decision for you case. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your motor vehicle accident and injury, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-866-384-5886.
