When you have been injured in a
motor vehicle accident it is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.
There are two reasons for doing so. First, there is legislation in Ontario that
limits the time in which an individual can bring a lawsuit forward. For the
vast majority of cases, this time frame is two years. For a personal injury matter, this generally
means that the injured person will have two years from the date of the incident
to start a claim against the at fault party. After the limitation period has
expired, it is very difficult to bring a lawsuit forward. Although there are
circumstances where a claim may be successful if brought beyond this time frame,
these circumstances are very rare.
The second reason an injured
person should contact a lawyer as soon as possible is because there may be
benefits available that they are unaware of. In Ontario, if an individual is
injured in a motor vehicle accident they have access to “statutory accident
benefits”. These benefits are accessible to someone even if they are at fault
for the accident. These benefits include income replacement benefits, medical
and rehabilitation benefits, and attendant care benefits. They can help pay for
treatment needed as a result of the injuries suffered from the collision, like
physiotherapy, massage therapy, or chiropractic treatment. These benefits can
also help supplement your income if you are unable to return to work.
Furthermore, if you were seriously injured and required help with your personal
care, there are benefits to cover this. Accessing these benefits can be
difficult and overwhelming so hiring a personal injury lawyer who understands
and is familiar with this system will help you receive all of the benefits you
are entitled to.
By: Karen Vigmond
No comments:
Post a Comment