Have You Sustained a Catastrophic Accident Injury
in Hamilton? You Need a Legal Professional
The Need for a Lawyer
Is a lawyer always necessary in an accident claim?
If you have suffered a catastrophic injury in Hamilton or any other city in the
Golden Horseshoe or Greater Toronto Area – the answer is a definite ‘yes’.
The scale of compensation in no-fault situations is
mandated by the Ontario Insurance Act. In a claim under the province’s no-fault
legislation, there are a variety of areas covered – a lawyer will know which
heads you qualify for and the maximums to which you are entitled. A personal
injury lawyer is crucial to get the maximum benefits under the Act allowed for a catastrophic injury,
which can reach $1 million.
A lawyer will make sure that your claim for
compensation is made within the proper limitation periods. And, finally, a
lawyer will be able to sue for further damages, should it be apparent that the
other party’s actions were negligent.
Find an Experienced Injury Lawyer
The days of general practice are gone, at least in
the field of personal injury actions. The process of getting restitution is
complex. If you have suffered injury, you are up against the power of the
insurance companies, who exist to deal with claims (and their bottom line.) The
variety of actions to which a claim might pertain also calls for a need for
wide-ranging analytical expertise on the part of the lawyers. Vehicle accident
claims can include hit and run, uninsured motorist claims, pedestrians,
motorcycles, bicycles, single vehicle, bus and even snowmobile accidents.
Find a lawyer experienced in personal injury
claims. Set up a consultation as soon as possible after your accident. This
initial meeting – upon which the lawyer will assess your injuries and your likelihood
of winning a settlement – should be free. Should the lawyer agree to take on
your case, it should be on a contingency fee basis, meaning that the lawyer’s
payment will come out of the proceeds of a successful settlement. There should
be no costs payable during the claims process. This fee structure operates on
the premise that you may well have incurred immediate financial hardship from
your injuries and a costly claims process would only worsen your predicament.
Hamilton is a city of many people for whom English is a second language. If you
speak another tongue, find a lawyer who can assess your claim in the language
in which you are most comfortable expressing yourself.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
The definition of catastrophic injury is broad but
most commonly includes brain and spinal cord injuries. The extent of a
catastrophic injury is often difficult to both quantify and to determine the
span of suffering. Brain damage, in particular, may not manifest itself
immediately. It is comforting to know that actions can be taken from the time
of the discovery of the injury, which takes into account situations such as
post-traumatic stress.
A good personal injury lawyer will be able to
assist you in setting up treatment programs and rehabilitative care. The lawyer
can also ensure that your insurance company provides you with the benefits
needed. A lawyer cannot protect you from a catastrophic injury in Hamilton, but
can help you attain peace of mind and financial security in its aftermath.