Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyers - Sokoloff

Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyers

In Ontario, more than 30,000 motor vehicle accidents occur each year, and 45,000+ people are injured. More than 3,500 of these are injured in accidents that happen in the City of Ottawa. Fortunately, most of these injuries are minor, but a significant number are serious, major injuries. A major injury can change the trajectory of the life of the injury victim suddenly and significantly, and it can be a confusing and stressful time. If you’ve suffered a serious injury in a collision, you are likely dealing with pain, psychological trauma, and uncertainty about the future. Your relationships with family members may be strained. You may be unable to work and wondering how your family will make ends meet.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact Sokoloff Lawyers as soon as possible in order to set up a meeting with one of our legal professionals. Refrain from talking to an insurance company claims adjuster until you speak to a lawyer, and don’t admit fault to anyone.

FREE CONSULTATION FORM

YOUR CLAIM

The claims process can be complicated and exacting, and having a good legal advisor can be crucial, as there are various options open to you, depending on your injuries and the circumstances of your accident.

First, you will likely be eligible for benefits under Ontario’s no-fault insurance system, whether or not you have insurance coverage. The Insurance Act outlines these benefits in the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). However, you must contact your insurance company within seven days of the accident to inform them, and the insurance company must receive your application within 30 days after the accident. (If you don’t have insurance, you may be eligible to file a claim on a family member’s insurance, on an involved driver’s insurance or to access insurance coverage through the Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Fund.) Depending on the severity of your injuries, the benefits available through SABS include:

Income Replacement Benefit:

If you are unable to work, you may receive 70% of your gross weekly income, up to $400 weekly. In order to qualify for this benefit, you have to have been employed at the time of the accident or employed for at least 26 weeks during the previous year and receiving Employment Insurance benefits. (Self-employed injury victims are also eligible for this benefit if they meet certain conditions.) You must also demonstrate an inability to perform the essential functions of your job.

Non-Earner Benefit:

This benefit is available to victims who are unable to function normally as a result of their injuries, but who are not eligible for income replacement. The benefit is designed for students who were enrolled in full-time programs at the time of the accident, or who have graduated within one year of the accident but have not yet found employment.

Caregiver Benefits :

This benefit is available to victims who sustained a catastrophic injury as a result of your accident and are unable to perform previously done caregiving activities. In order to qualify, you must also have been the primary caregiver, living with the person who needs care, and providing the service free of charge. You are not eligible for this benefit if you are already receiving income replacement or the non-earner benefit.

Medical Benefits:

This benefit is designed to compensate injury victims for any reasonable expenses incurred as a result of the accident. (Such expenses might include ambulance service, medication, or dental, optometric, and chiropractic costs. It may also include the cost of transportation to your medical treatments.) 

Rehabilitation Benefit:

This benefit will reimburse you for reasonable expenses for services that are designed to reduce the effects of your injury. Some of the services that may be included in this benefit are: home modifications to accommodate disability needs, occupational therapy, vocational training, workplace modifications, financial counselling, and family counselling (including transportation to and from some appointments).

There are various other benefits that you may qualify for, including benefits for housekeeping and home maintenance, replacement of personal items damaged in the accident, educational expenses, and more.

You should report your accident to your insurance company as soon as possible, but before speaking to an insurance claims adjuster about the details of the accident, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer.

WORKING WITH A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

If paperwork is late incomplete, or improperly submitted, your claim can be delayed, or even denied. It only makes sense to work with a personal injury lawyer when claiming benefits. The legal professionals at Sokoloff Lawyers have experience with the complex and exacting paperwork required by insurance companies, and they also understand the medical system. And of course, our personal injury lawyers can advise you about your options regarding initiating a lawsuit. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver, or if your insurance company is not willing to provide an adequate level of compensation, your lawyer may advise you to file a tort suit.

Personal injury lawyers choose to work in this area of the law because they have empathy for their clients. They understand that they are meeting their clients at what may be one of the lowest points of their lives. Injury victims may be struggling with physical pain as well as with psychological trauma from the accident. They can advise, assist, and support clients through the process; they fight for their client’s rights. Having the right lawyer on your side can make a world of difference to the outcome of your case.

Because they understand that household finances may be under stress following an accident, Sokoloff Lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that they do not charge up-front hourly fees, but rather get a percentage of any settlement you receive. We also offer a free initial consultation, so you can meet and talk to a lawyer before deciding to sign on with us.

Contact Sokoloff Lawyers today and learn more about your options!

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