What you must do after a car accident:

  1. #1
    Call the police
    Call the police. Even if the accident is minor, the injuries from it might not be apparent right away. You must notify the police in order to be eligible to claim benefits or compensation from an insurance company. If possible, take digital pictures (you can use your cell phone) of damages
    to your car and body. Always get a copy of the police or collision report.
  2. #2
    Record contact information
    Record the contact information of any people who were witnesses to the accident and become in any way related to your accident (e.g., doctors, collision center employees, firefighters, police officers, etc.).
  3. #3
    Get in touch with a lawyer immediately
    Get in touch with a lawyer immediately and then your family doctor. You have 30 days after receiving an insurance claim package to send the necessary forms to the insurance company. Your lawyer and medical specialists must work together in order to help you fill out all the necessary forms correctly and prevent the insurance company from denying your claim.
  4. #4
    Notify you own insurance company
    Notify your own insurance company about the accident not later than 7 days after the accident in order to become eligible for any benefits.
  5. #5
    Find out whether you have other health insurance coverage
    Find out whether you have other health insurance coverage, such as benefits from employment, university, your spouse, etc. These benefits will need to be exhausted before motor vehicle insurance benefits can be used.
  6. #6
    Attend the necessary assessments and rehabilitation treatments
    Attend the necessary assessments and rehabilitation treatments
    suggested by your medical specialists and lawyer. This is essential to improve your health and gather evidence to obtain a larger settlement.
  7. #7
    Save and organize a copy of every document and item
    Save and organize a copy of every document and item relevant to your accident or insurance claim, such as a police report, your insurance policy, letters from the insurance company, medical prescriptions, medicine bottles, income tax forms, receipts for all relevant expenses(e.g., medical treatments, parking), etc.
  8. #8
    Record all the ongoing changes in your health
    Record all ongoing changes in your health after the accident and how they affect your regular daily activities (e.g., working, housekeeping, child caring, sleeping, climbing the stairs, etc.).
  9. #9
    Act fast
    Act fast. There are many deadlines involved in the insurance claim process. Make sure that you know the major deadlines, such as submitting a claim against the driver who caused the accident within 2 years after the accident.
  10. #10
    Make sure there is no information on social sites
    Make sure that there is no information about the accident or your health on online social networks (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Insurance companies have the right to access your online social networks and draw conclusions, which may make them unwilling to settle your case early and for a large sum.
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Catastrophic injury

Catastrophic injury

Get Expert Advice from Ontario Catastrophic Car Injury Lawyers

Catastrophic impairments are extreme injuries that arise from a car accident or another motor vehicle accident that cause total blindness, loss of use of one’s body (such as paralysis or arm/leg amputation), severe brain impairment, mental or behavioural disorders. Those involved in a catastrophic car accident will require medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistance with housekeeping and home maintenance, as well as attendant care. The cost of these can be a large burden on an individual and his or her family. Let us help you get the money to cover all those expenses and the maximum compensation for pain and suffering.

The following are the main injuries are considered catastrophic:

  • Paraplegia or quadriplegia – paralysis that results in the partial or total loss of use of the limbs and torso;
  • The amputation of an arm or a leg or other impairment causing the total and permanent loss of use of an arm or a leg;
  • The total loss of vision in both eyes;
  • Brain impairment that results in a score of 9 or less on the Glasgow Coma Scale, or a scale of 2 (vegitative) or 3 (severe disability) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale;
  • Any impairment or combination of impairments that results in a 55 percent or more impairment of the whole person;
  • Any impairment that results in a class 4 impairment  or class five impairment (extreme impairment) due to mental or behavioural disorder;

Examples of actual compensation (excluding compensation for loss of income and other monetary losses) awarded to people who suffered a catastrophic injury from a car or another motor vehicle accident in Ontario:

  • $310,000 for spinal injury and paraplegia – Morrison v. Greig, [2007]
  • $250,000 for severe traumatic brain injury, coma, amnesia, cognitive & memory problems, depression – Walker v. Ritchie [2003]
  • $275,598 for brain damage, severe brain injury, significant imparirment of attention and memory capabilities, 2 ½ month coma – Bartosek (Litigation guardian of) v. Turret Realties Inc. [2001]

If you have experienced a catastrophic impairment as a result of your car accident, you may be entitled to even higher levels of benefit payments. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may even be entitled to a maximum of $1,000,000 in medical and rehabilitation benefits as well as another $1,000,000 for attendant care benefits.

Here at Ambridge Law, we have extensive experience with car or other motor vehicle accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries. We can direct you to the best clinics for assessment and treatment. At the same time, we will make sure to force the insurance company pay you the maximum amount of benefits and compensation that you deserve.

Talk to an Expert Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today

If you were involved in a catastrophic car accident resulting in serious injuries, talk to one of our personal injury lawyers to find out how we can get you the largest compensation. You will not have to pay us until we get you the largest settlement or win your case in court.

The personal injury lawyers and staff at Ambridge Law are:

  • Court “sharks” with 23 years of court experience
  • Able to visit you in the hospital or your home
  • Flexible with scheduling
  • Easily reached by public transportation
  • Located at multiple, convenient office locations
Talk to a lawyer for FREE: call 1-888-407-2716 or click “Get Help” below.

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