If the accident was a “no-fault” you would not be able to sue in court for someone else’s negligence. However, depending on your injury you may be in need of a substantial rehabilitation program and compensation. Personal injury firms are accustomed to handling no-fault claims on behalf of their clients. It is still important to contact a personal injury lawyer in these cases. Unfortunately, sometimes the term “no fault” makes people think that they don’t need to consult with a lawyer. In many cases, not contacting a personal injury law firm can be a costly mistake.
Question: What Does “No Fault” Mean?
The term “no fault” is a bit misleading. It does not mean that the accident was no one’s fault. It would be difficult to envision a scenario in which there was an accident where one or more of the parties involved didn’t share at least part of the blame.
Instead, what no fault means is that “no matter who is at fault”, your insurance company pays benefits for you and the insurance company of the other party, pays theirs.
The Role of Personal Injury Law Firms in No Fault Accidents
Personal injury law firms in Toronto play two main roles in no fault cases. The first role is to assist the victim in getting compensation from their insurance company.
The second role is to sue the guilty party(ies) for damages if necessary.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Even though you should be entitled to compensation from your insurance company when you are injured in a no fault accident, this compensation is not always guaranteed or automatic. When victims are unable to get the assistance they require, this is where personal injury law firms can step in and help.
Among the benefits that accident victims can receive from their insurance companies are financial compensation to replace income, medical expenses and housekeeping assistance.
Suing At Fault Parties
If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to sue for damages. If the injury is serious and permanent, you may sue for pain and suffering.
Note: there is a $30,000 deductible for injuries that occurred following October 1, 2003.
Other damages that may be sued for include medical expenses and other expenses that resulted directly from your injury, loss of income as well as loss of housekeeping.
Your personal injury lawyer will help you determine what other damages you might be eligible for.
Personal Injury Firms
Because personal injury law is very complex, it is important to use a firm that specializes in this area of the law. Personal injury law firms in Toronto have an advantage over general practitioners because they deal exclusively with personal injury cases.
In cases where the accident is no fault, these firms can help accident victims get the help they need both from insurance companies as well as from at fault parties. They can also investigate whether there are any other sources from which their clients should be seeking assistance or compensation.
Don’t let the words “no fault” prevent you from obtaining legal advice and help. If you’ve sustained injuries from an accident, let the team at Clarke Law help ensure that you get all the compensation that you are entitled to.
Question: I already have a good lawyer. Do I really need to seek out a personal injury firm? (personal injury firms Toronto)
It is great to have a lawyer that you have trusted for years when you are dealing with business or family issues that require the assistance of a legal professional. But if you were seriously injured as a result of someone’s negligence, you need the help of a lawyer specializing in personal injury law, also known as tort law. Personal injury firms exist because the tort law dealing with these matters, and especially motor vehicle injury compensation claims, are very specific and complex.
General practitioners often do not have the experience or depth of knowledge necessary to handle personal injury cases. Without the help of a personal injury firm, you will likely be at a disadvantage should your claim be disputed by the insurance company.
When it comes to personal injury cases, insurance companies have full time lawyers who are well-versed in this particular area of the law. Personal injury firms are aware of this and therefore use experts as well. You need to have a lawyer that is just as competent as your insurance company’s lawyer!
At Clarke Law, our firm is comprised of experts in both the accident benefits and tort areas of personal injury law, and who are able to give your case the time and professionalism that it deserves.
Experience in Personal Injury Cases
If you’ve suffered from a serious injury as a result of an accident, it can be a life altering event. Not only do you have physical pain and a potentially lengthy recovery process to deal with, you can also have financial hardship resulting from missed work, medical expenses, or additional care.
Since the financial security of you and your family could be riding on how good your personal injury lawyer is, doesn’t it make sense to select a firm that has extensive experience in this area?
A Wealth of Knowledge
Along with experience, comes knowledge. Personal injury lawyers are almost always more knowledgeable in this area than general practitioners. When you are injured, it is important to get as much help and compensation as the law will permit.
While an insurance company may be one source of this compensation, it is often not the only one. A qualified personal injury lawyer will be able to help you identify ALL the possible sources of compensation in order to ensure that you get the help you need to recover.
Special Considerations
Working with injured clients often comes with a unique set of considerations. Often our clients are already experiencing financial hardship as a result of their injuries. Often it is too difficult for our clients to come into our office due to pain or mobility issues.
Because of these unique situations personal injury firms in Toronto often offer considerations not offered by all general practitioners. For example, payment is often not required until compensation is recovered. Furthermore, personal injury lawyers will often arrange in hospital or in home consultations.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, you need a specialist on your side.