Dealing with a Car Accident

The vibrant city of Toronto has an estimated 1.4 million highly skilled and multilingual workforce. Busy streets like Bayview Ave. and Leslie St. consequently get congested during the morning rush hour. To stay “productive”, some employees are tempted to check and answer their work e-mails on their smartphones while driving. Unfortunately, distracted drivers are highly likely to figure in accidents.

If you suffer injuries in an accident that was clearly the fault of a distracted driver, you have the right to receive “damages” for your medical expenses, lost wages, and future physical therapy expenses (if any). Under Canadian law, this is referred to as a “tort claim.”You can put forward a claim for accident benefits, which will be paid by the motor vehicle insurer of the person who caused the accident.

Keep in mind, though, that some insurance companies will try their best to convince you to agree to damages that are far less than what you are entitled to. Some insurers will even try to dispute the fact that the defendant caused the accident and instead pin the blame on you. To avoid these traps, it's best to seek the help of a personal injury lawyer who will negotiate with the insurance company and ensure that you receive a fair compensation amount.