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It is important to know what your legal options are if you have been injured in an accident in Ontario.
There is a potential case for a lawsuit for virtually anything, so you should ask yourself if it makes sense to start a lawsuit.
This should really depend on the severity of your injury and the impact the accident has had on your life
In some cases of minor injuries, such as a small cut or an injured toe, it may not make sense to retain an Ontario injury lawyer. A better option would be small claims court, which is available to individuals who may want to make claims under $25,000. You also have the option to hire a paralegal.
When injuries are more serious and damages are likely to be higher, a lawyer is a better plan; they can advise you of your legal options.
In law, you can either sue a person or a corporation who may be responsible for an accident. In more than 95% of cases that come in, the at-fault party will have insurance protecting them.
People are often hesitant to sue their next-door neighbour or personal friend, but the important thing to remember is that the person you are claiming against as the at-fault party is not likely the person who will be responsible for paying your claim. Rather, it is the insurance company who will negotiate a settlement with your lawyer.
An example would be a homeowner’s insurance policy which includes coverage for your slip and fall on a neighbour or family member’s property.
Now if your injuries resulted from a car accident, the law in Ontario is much more complex. However, there are funds available to you whether or not you are at fault. This is quite different from injuries resulting from other causes, such as slip and falls.
Regardless of the cause, if you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, seeking the help of an Ontario personal injury lawyer is very important to maximize the settlement value of your case. In order to help you understand this process better, find out how settlement values are determined in personal injury cases.
To learn more about Ontario personal injury law, we invite you to watch our video series that helps answer many of the most common questions asked of Ontario personal injury lawyers.