When a car accident occurs, a Toronto personal injury lawyer can be crucial to getting you back on your feet. For many people who get injured in a car accident, the aftermath can be confusing, disorienting, and complicated. They may think that they can simply file their insurance claims and receive compensation. What they may not realize is that they may be entitled to compensation from the negligent drivers. In fact, if another driver was at fault for your accident, you may have the option to sue that driver.
What Can You Sue For?
Insurance benefits are often limited and may not cover all of the costs or damages that you incur in a car accident. By suing a negligent driver, there are several different areas in which you can get compensation.
Loss of Income
A car accident can cause you to suffer a loss of income. In severe cases, your earning ability could be permanently harmed by a car accident. You can often sue a negligent driver for a loss of income— both that which occurred after the accident and what will occur in the foreseeable future.
Health Care Expenses
Even in Ontario, not all of your healthcare expenses may be covered. In cases of disability or severe disfigurement, you may be responsible for lifelong medical expenses. By suing a negligent driver, you could be entitled to receive compensation for these expenses, and often compensation can be necessary for securing the healthcare you need.
Pain and Suffering
When your injuries have reached a certain threshold—meaning you have suffered serious disfigurement or impairment—you may sue a negligent driver for your pain and suffering. These types of personal injuries can often completely change your life, so compensation can be crucial for helping you cope.
What Should You Do Following an Accident?
When a car accident occurs, you probably are focused on your injuries and not on lawsuits or legal concerns. While that is the obvious and expected response for anyone, you have to begin preparing to take steps immediately following an accident. This is because you can lose your ability to sue a negligent driver if you wait too long.
Here are some important steps to take following an accident:
- Get the name and contact information of anyone who witness your accident
- Take pictures of any injuries or damages that were sustained
- Contact a car accident lawyer in Toronto, or your region, so that he or she can advise you on the proper steps you should be taking
- Closely track all of your expenses, health symptoms, and conversations with insurers or the negligent party. Keep receipts, take down frequent notes (including dates and times), and prepare yourself for an eventual lawsuit
Taverniti | Vashishth LLP handles personal injury claims ranging from car and road accidents, slips and falls, and catastrophic claims. We are equipped to handle the most complex legal and insurance issues arising from your accident. To arrange a free consultation with one of our lawyers, contact us at (905)-264-8686.