Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer with Industry Knowledge Is the Key to Winning a Car Accident Claim
Road accidents happen daily. Drivers are
in a rush to get to work or to get their children to school. Construction
causes road closures. Highways are crowded, which leads to frustration and
impatience. The result: motor vehicle collisions are on the rise.
We Canadians are renowned for our
politeness. While courtesy is to be applauded in social situations, "I’m sorry”
are two words you shouldn’t say when you are involved in a car accident. If
"sorry” is expressed to the other driver, the insurers, emergency personnel or
witnesses, it can be twisted into an admission of being partly or wholly
At-Fault.
No matter who is at-fault, you are
entitled to benefits provided through your insurance policy.
If
There Is a Standard Method of Seeking a Claim, Why Involve a Lawyer?
1) You may not know your full rights,
particularly if you are determined by the Insurer to be partly or wholly at
fault.
2) You may not be aware of Statutes of
Limitations outlined for different types of injury claims.
3) You may have sustained an injury, which
may make it difficult for you to advocate for yourself.
4) You may find it a challenge to
understand the jargon and terminology of your insurance policy and forms.
5) Your fluency is not strong enough in
written or spoken English.
6) You may only be thinking about the
short-term effects of your injury and/or property damage, while there may
actually be long-term considerations to be weighed.
The issue of cost should not be a concern,
as most top personal injury lawyers work on contingency and are only paid upon
winning a car accident claim. With regards to English, some respected boutique
law firms possess a multilingual staff or can arrange for a translator.
How
You Can Help Yourself
A sudden car accident is a frightening,
out of control situation. You may be injured, disoriented and wondering if
other passengers are okay. It is difficult to try to keep a clear head. But,
like the rote pattern of always buckling your seatbelt or checking over your shoulder before changing lanes, you
should make knowing what to do when in a car accident automatic.
- Remain on the
scene.
- Ensure that
you and others receive medical attention.
- Stay calm and
do not assign others or yourself blame for the accident.
- Get the other
driver’s information, including driver’s license number, the vehicle make and
plate, and insurance policy details.
- If there are injuries
and/or damage, contact 911. A police report may be necessary when filing an
accident claim.
- If you are
able, take photographs and get witnesses to corroborate the events.
- Before
submitting a claim to your insurer, contact a lawyer, who can advise you on
your policy’s terms. Do not assume that your Insurer will be fully forthcoming.
It is true that winning a car accident
claim won’t "fix” what may become a long-term disability or confinement.
However, it will help ease the material suffering caused to you and/or your
family. Your physical, psychological and financial future depend on the best
outcome possible, which is why the first step to winning a car accident claim
is to consult with a lawyer.