ILO Members serving St. Catharines

Personal injury lawyers assist in accident claims that make a strong case for their clients

A personal injury lawsuit may arise from many causes. The most frequent cause of injury in Ontario is motor vehicle accidents, which may involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians and/or cyclists.  Slips and falls are also very common in the St. Catharines area, particularly in the winter.  Some Canadians are injured in recreational accidents, premises hazards and medical malpractice.  Any of these situations could lead to serious injuries for a victim, such as a traumatic brain injury, burns, injury to the spinal cord, amputation or death.

Anyone who has been injured in an accident as a result of the negligence of another person or company is entitled to compensation (damages).  Damages are paid to compensate the victim for what they lost as a result of their injuries. Computation of damages is based on the severity of the injury and how it has altered the life of the victim.

In motor vehicle accidents, wounds can range from minor cuts and scrapes, to serious and life changing injuries, or worse, death. Naturally, full recovery is the priority for the injured person.  It often takes time and expense to restore a victim to the state they were in before the accident; in some cases, full recovery may not even be possible.   This is why there is a need for compensation. Victims of motor vehicle accidents may be compensated either by claiming accident benefits or via a lawsuit.  Families who have lost a loved one as a result of negligence are entitled to make a claim for their loss

You may claim accident benefits from your insurance company regardless of who was at fault in a motor vehicle collision.  These benefits are available to you soon after the accident to aid in your recovery.  Benefits may include short or long term disability payments and accident benefits such as medical and rehabilitation costs. Accident benefits vary depending on your contract with your insurer, and may include other benefits such as a caregiver benefit.  Accident victims must report the collision immediately to their insurer as insurance companies have strict timelines.

Uninsured individuals who have been injured due to the negligence of another person, business or government facility, have the right to receive compensation from the party that caused the injury.  In the case of motor vehicle accidents, the Insurance Act governs the circumstances under which compensation may be sought.   

Unfortunately, you can never be sure of getting the full benefits to which you are entitled from your insurer because their first priority is to protect their own business interests. For this reason, a consultation with a personal injury lawyer is recommended to ensure that your claim makes a strong case for you.  Accident victims sometimes make damaging statements to their insurer that may reduce their claim, or fail to include costs to which they are entitled.  Similarly, claimants may sign insurance documents or statements that are not in their best interests; as a result, the claim may be expedited but compensation may be far less than that to which we are entitled. 

Having to deal with complex legal issues and deadlines while simultaneously struggling with rehabilitation or pain from injuries can be overwhelming for many people.  The aftermath of a serious injury is a time when you should be focusing on your recovery and getting back on your feet.

The Injury Lawyers of Ontario (ILO) group in St. Catharines relieve accident victims of the burden of making a successful accident claim on their own.  With specific expertise and experience in personal injury law, the ILO group is here to assess your case and answer any questions about how to best proceed after your accident. Each client and case is unique, and a successful case will include the specifics that reflect your unique situation

It is important to seek help from our professionals as soon as possible as it becomes increasingly difficult to get witness testimony and other details about the accident as time goes on.  The ILO team can make recommendations with regards to the best medical professionals that will aid in your recovery and also provide an appropriate record of your injuries and treatments.  By consulting with our ILO lawyers, St. Catharines residents are assured that their insurance claim reflects only the information that will give them the best possible result.  

The other method of being compensated for personal injury loss is to file a lawsuit against the person, establishment or manufacturers of a product, whose negligence caused your injury. In your lawsuit, you may claim compensation for the pain and suffering that results from the injuries caused by the accident, particularly if the pain has reduced your ability to enjoy and participate in normal activities.  Your damages may also include income loss, expenses for healthcare, loss of capacity to earn, property expenses and related expenses incurred by your family members.   Contact the St. Catharines ILO law team today to get help with making a claim if you have been injured in an accident.  Initial consultation is free so there is no risk to you in giving us a call.