Like the thrusting pistons, shifting gears, and complex differentials of an engine, Ontario’s infrastructural system for dealing with automobiles consists of many moving parts. Girding the province like chrome on a grille are highways, traffic, law enforcement, the laws themselves, and insurance, to name a few. And, like a cut-rate mechanic, sorting through all the pieces of our system can be difficult after a car accident. While meeting with a Toronto personal injury lawyer will give you the best answer to the question, “What is the process of a motor vehicle accident claim?”, reading on will provide some insight into how to receive car accident compensation in Ontario.
Insurance
So what is the process of a motor vehicle accident claim? It all begins with insurance. In Ontario, as in most road-relying jurisdictions, car accidents and insurance are so closely related that the latter is virtually ingrained in the system. As you know, driving without insurance is illegal, and this is because insurance not only protects you from the financial burden of an accident but also protects all the other drivers on the road. You may be confident in your driving abilities behind the wheel, but if a less capable driver causes you to collide, you’ll need insurance to get compensation for a no-fault accident. In this way, insurance forms the web that keeps us financially protected on the road. But what is the process of a motor vehicle accident claim when an uninsured party is involved?
Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund
The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVACF) is a provincial fund set up by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). Its sole purpose is to act as the “payer of last resort” after any serious, or minor, car accident. In other words, the fund will provide statutory accident benefits; compensation for personal injury, harm, or property damage; and remuneration for the uninsured party’s costs where legally applicable. The MVACF is an extra line of defense for drivers everywhere.
How the MVACF Works
Take the example of property damage. Imagine (and hopefully this picture stays in your imagination) that a car ran off the road and collided with your house. Since a motor vehicle accident caused damage to your property, you are allowed to make a claim with the MVACF.
First, you must identify the driver and owner (if they are not one and the same) of the at-fault vehicle. Then, you can file a Section 4 application with the FSCOs office in Toronto. Make sure to include with your application:
The MVACF can reimburse your property damage up to a total of $10,000.
Still wondering what is the process of a motor vehicle accident claim? Contact a Toronto personal injury lawyer to get the advice you need. Book a consultation with the best Toronto personal injury lawyer today!
Sources:
https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/mvacf/Pages/mvacf_property.aspx
https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/mvacf/Pages/default.aspx