A
Hit and Run Collision Lawyer can Help You Obtain the Benefits You are Entitled
To
If you have been injured in a car accident
caused by a driver who has fled the scene and is never located, you may be
wondering whether you have any recourse. Currently, all people hurt in an
accident in Ontario are entitled to no-fault benefits. An experienced hit and
run collision lawyer can help you pursue the insurance coverage you are legally
entitled to receive.
Regardless of your potential fault in the
accident or the seriousness of your injuries, you may be entitled to one or
more of the following Statutory
Accident Benefits following a hit and run collision:
Income
Replacement Benefits: If you are off work as a
result of your injuries, you may be entitled to income replacement benefits of
a maximum of $400 per week. If you were not employed at the time of the
accident, you may be entitled to a non-earner benefit of $185 per week
commencing six months after your accident.
Caregiver
Benefits: If you were the primary caregiver to a
person in need of care, you may be entitled to a caregiver benefit of a maximum
of $250 per week and an additional $50 per week for each additional person in
need of care.
Medical
and Rehabilitation Benefits: The insurer may be
required to pay for all the reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your
accident, including medical, hospital and nursing care; chiropractic,
psychological and occupational therapy; medication, prescription eyewear,
dental and medical aids; transportation to and from treatment sessions; social
and vocational rehabilitation; and home and vehicle modifications. You are
entitled to receive up to $100,000 of medical and rehabilitation benefits for
expenses incurred up to 10 years after the accident. If your injury is
catastrophic as defined by the legislation, you are entitled to receive up to
$1,000,000 for medical and rehabilitation expenses incurred over your lifetime.
Attendant
Care Benefits: if you have been injured in an
accident, you insurer may be required to pay the cost of providing an aide or
attendant. The insurance regulations have special forms, which can be completed
by an occupational therapist or physician for this benefit. You may be entitled
to an attendant care benefit to a maximum of $3,000 per month for up to two
years following the accident.
Education
Expenses: If you are unable to continue an
education program that you were enrolled in at the time of the collision, you
may be eligible to receive a lost education expense to a maximum of $15,000.
Housekeeping
and Home Maintenance Expense: You can receive a
maximum of $100 per week for all reasonable expenses for housekeeping and home
maintenance if you suffer from a substantial inability to perform these
services, if you performed these services before the accident.
Your accident benefit insurer should be
contacted within seven days after the hit and run accident. The accident
benefit insurer is then obligated to provide you with an accident benefits
package. A hit
and run collision lawyer will assist you with the completion of these
forms. It is of critical importance that the documents be completed in a timely
way and forwarded to the Accident Benefit insurance company as soon as
possible.