Have
You Been Injured in Brampton? Seek a Personal Injury Lawyer for Advice
If you’ve suffered a personal injury in
Brampton, consulting a personal injury lawyer is essential to expediting your
rights to compensation. While it is pragmatic to engage with a lawyer who has
good standing in the Ontario
Trial Lawyers Association, many mistakenly assume that working with
a lawyer automatically means that one must engage in a lawsuit. That is not
correct. The fact is that even the filling out of standard insurance forms
should be reviewed by a lawyer prior to submission.
Simple,
but Important Steps
We memorize important phone numbers, look
both ways before crossing the street, take umbrellas with us when the sky is
overcast. These are measures that serve to protect us. So, consider also taking
protective steps when suffering an injury and pursuing compensation for
injuries:
- Consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Suffering a personal injury can curtail your physical and mental well-being.
Having a representative who is experienced in personal injury claims and who
can navigate the often complex procedures and paperwork is paramount. Several
reputable Brampton firms offer free consultations. Take heed that the field of
law has many branches. The lawyer who handled the conveyance of your house will
not have the same knowledge base and experience as a lawyer who is trained in
personal injury cases.
- Factor in timelines and deadlines. Some
claims must be made within time limitations or they can result in denial or
delay. For example, if making a claim for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle
accident, your insurance company must be notified – in writing – within seven
days of the accident’s occurrence.
- Document everything. Take photographs,
get phone numbers of witnesses, make notes from conversations and keep a diary
of medical appointments and related meetings. File receipts for expenses
incurred, such as prescriptions and physiotherapy. Request copies of hospital
records.
- Make no assumptions. Even if you are at
fault for your injury, there may be accident benefits available. However, it is
important to not admit fault to any other involved parties, as that could
affect settlement.
- The accident occurs in a public place. If you
slip and fall on a Brampton sidewalk, sustain an injury whilst using public
transportation or hit a pothole as you ride your bike, you should not
incorrectly conclude that just because there is no "clear” instigator, a
situation such as this is not worth pursuing. One of the parties involved is
still always responsible for negligence.
Financial
Considerations
Injuries can range from ones that
temporarily limit your activities and mobility to more catastrophic, long-term
scenarios for which full recovery may unfortunately not be possible. Even with
universal access to health care in Canada, costs of living (mortgage, rent,
groceries) can mount.
You may be concerned that seeking legal
advice will only add to financial worries. Fortunately, this is one less thing
to worry about, as most reputable and well-established personal injury lawyers
in Brampton work on a Contingency Fee Basis. The lawyer does not receive
payment for his/her services until a financial settlement is made. This means
that the lawyer is just as vested in getting the maximum positive result for
you.