No-fault benefits are available to Ontario residents who have been injured in a car accident. Under the province’s Insurance Act, those benefits apply to a number of scenarios and the coverage they offer also varies. It is essential that you consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident, as the process for applying for no-fault benefits must begin within seven days of the injury.
So, what do no-fault benefits include?
Well, if you are unable to work as a result of a collision there is the Employment Replacement Benefits
If you are not in the workforce – perhaps you’re retired – you can get a Non-Earner Benefit.
Other no-fault benefits that are available for Ontario crash victims include caregiver benefits, Medical and Rehabilitation benefits and Attendant Care Benefits
Ontario’s no-fault auto insurance system has removed a lot of the litigation from the process of getting benefits coverage for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer will help you get all the benefits to which you are entitled, and in the proper amount.
<iframe src='http://blog.sokoloff.ca/engage-video/8149' width='650' height='390' scrolling='no' webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
Who is Eligible for
No-Fault Benefits?
Ontario’s no-fault benefits for car accident victims are comprehensive.
To qualify, anyone who has basic car insurance is eligible for the standard
benefits subscribed under the act. (It is mandatory for drivers to be insured).
The definition of motor vehicle in the act is quite broad and covers everything
from cars to snowmobiles, as well as injuries caused in bus accidents and hit-
and-runs.
It is possible, however, to be ineligible for benefits. If you were
driving without a valid driver’s licence or driving while impaired, you will
fall outside the scope of the no-fault law’s protection. Also, if you were
using your vehicle in connection with a criminal activity or driving when you knew
you didn’t have valid insurance, you will also lose the right to coverage.
What Benefits are
There?
But let’s say you’re on the up and up and qualify for benefits. A
thumbnail list of those benefits includes:
- Income
Replacement Benefit, which allows for partial compensation for loss of
income if you can’t go back to work as a result of injuries sustained in
the accident
- Non-Earner
Benefit covers people who do not fall under the definition of "employed”
and who are prevented from carrying out their normal activities
- Medical and
Rehabilitation Benefits cover medical expenses not already provided under government
or private plans
- Attendance
Care Benefit pays for help with personal care activities
- Other
expenses, including housekeeping costs, death and funeral payments, and
even the replacement of clothing lost or damaged in the collision.
Why You Need a
Lawyer
You need to hire the services of a personal injury lawyer as soon as
possible after an accident. A lawyer will ensure that you meet the various limitation
periods for making a claim. The clock starts ticking within seven days of the
accident.
A lawyer who is experienced in accident claims will also know which
benefits you can claim and the maximum amount to which you are entitled. No-fault benefits can ease any financial
suffering you may endure after an accident in Ontario – they are your right to
access if you are deemed eligible for coverage.