If you or a family member has been
tragically injured in a car accident, these
important reminders may help protect your
interests:
1. Notification of Your Claims.
Please notify your
insurance company about the accident. Even if
you are “at-fault” for an accident, you may
still claim accident benefits through Ontario’s
“no-fault” system. If you have no insurance of
your own, you will still be able to claim
benefits through another party that was involved
in the accident or the Motor Vehicle Accident
Claims fund. Another important step is to put
the at-fault driver’s insurance company on
notice of your claim. We’ll help with this
process.
2.
Apply for Accident Benefits.
An Application for Accident
Benefits should be completed and sent to your
insurance company as soon as you can. Don’t
delay. Normally, the Application for Accident
Benefits must be submitted within thirty (30)
days of receipt. We’ll assist you in obtaining
and completing these forms.
3.
Apply for Disability Benefits.
You may have disability or other accident
and illness insurance available (through
your employer or a private plan) to
compensate you in the event of disability or
injury. We’ll help you make the necessary
applications to ensure you receive all the
compensation you are entitled to.
4. Keep
Receipts and Records.
It is important to keep original receipts
for expenses incurred by you and your family
members related to the accident (hospital
receipts, items lost or damaged in the
accident, prescriptions, people paid to
assist you, etc.). You should also secure
other important documents such as pay stubs,
T4 slips and policies of insurance. Your
insurer will usually insist on receiving
original receipts or invoices before it
considers reimbursing you for any expenses.
We’ll provide details and answer your
questions.
5.
Help Your Lawyer Make the Best
Case Possible.
Maintain a record of physicians and health
care providers you have met with and what
was discussed at your appointments. Keep a
list of medications you are required to take
as a result of the accident. Keep a daily
journal of your progress. If there are any
witnesses to the accident, obtain their
names and addresses and telephone numbers.
Compile a list of family, friends and
co-workers who can describe your level of
functioning both before and after the
accident. We’ll need this information in
order to present your case in the most
effective way possible.
6.
Protect your Rights.
You are probably having
enough challenges dealing with your
injuries. You now have the added burden of
dealing with the complicated Application for
Accident Benefits and the complex laws
regarding compensation. Please contact
Futerman Partners LLP as soon as possible to
help you through this difficult time.