When
Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Toronto?
When you have been in a car accident, you
have a lot on your mind. Along with the emotional turmoil and stress involved
with the accident, you have to deal with your injuries, damage to your vehicle,
handling your claim and several other issues. A car accident lawyer in Brampton
can help you deal with the claim process following the car accident.
When Should You Contact a Car
Accident Lawyer?
The law in Ontario places a number of rigid
and unforgiving limitation periods, which could greatly jeopardize, compromise
and sometimes totally eliminate a person’s right to benefits unless appropriate
documentation is completed as soon as possible.
An injured victim of a car accident in Toronto should always immediately
contact a car accident lawyer after an accident. If you are considering taking
legal action and have not yet been to a lawyer, you will need to be aware of
the important limitation periods for taking action. If you do not start a
lawsuit within the time limit, it is possible that you will lose your right to
pursue a claim. Contact a car accident
lawyer in Toronto for a consultation immediately.
What Are Limitation Periods in
Ontario?
A limitation period is the period of time
that a person has between an event, such as a car accident, and when he or she
must take steps to protect a right. These limitation periods are extremely
important. The following list provides some important timelines to be aware of:
- Accident benefits, or no-fault
benefits, are statutory benefits provided to victims of motor vehicle accidents
in Ontario. If you are making a claim against your own insurance company, you
must inform your accident benefits insurer of the accident within seven days of
the accident.
- You must complete the Ontario accident
benefits application within 30 days
of the accident.
- Mediate and sue or arbitrate
against the accident benefits insurer within two years of a denial of a benefit
- Give written notice to at-fault
drivers within 120 days of the accident
- Sue the at-fault driver within
two years of the accident
- Must sue within one year of the
accident for loss or damage to the vehicle if not resolved
Limitation periods are important for both
the personal injury victim and the at-fault driver. Limitation periods force
victims to act on their rights. For the person who is at fault in the accident,
a limitation period of an accident brings certainty, since it allows the person
at fault to move on at a fixed point following the accident.
The circumstance of every car accident is
unique. Waiting too long to contact a car accident lawyer in Toronto can mean
that you miss out on the financial compensation you may be entitled to. If you
are unsure whether you are still eligible to file a personal injury claim and
the compensation it brings, a car accident lawyer in Toronto will provide you
with all options available to you at the time.