Toronto Accident Benefits Lawyers
When a person in Ontario is involved in a motor vehicle accident, they are entitled to accident benefits regardless of who is at fault. If you are having trouble recovering benefits from your insurer, or if the benefits you have received are inadequate, contact an experienced Toronto accident benefits lawyer for help.
Auto Insurance in Ontario
Every driver in Ontario must, by law, have insurance on their vehicle including third-party liability coverage, statutory accident benefits coverage, direct compensation and property damage coverage, and uninsured automobile coverage. When a person is injured in an accident, they will receive accident benefits from an insurance provider. The amount of accident benefits they receive will depend on the severity of their injuries and the circumstances of the accident.
Of particular importance to personal injury and accident lawyers in Ontario is the province’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), which regulates no-fault accident benefits, the compensation payed out to injury victims regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Benefits available under the SABS include the following:
- Income replacement
- Caregiver benefits
- Non-earner benefits
- Medical care and rehabilitation benefits
- Attendant care benefits
- Death or funeral benefits
The amount of compensation available to an accident victim depends on the severity of their injuries. The SABS dictates that for non-catastrophic injury victims are eligible for up to $65,000 in medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits. Catastrophic injury victims are eligible for up to $1 million in medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits.
Disputes between insurance providers and insureds arise when the parties disagree on the benefits that the injury victim is entitled to. For a person who has been seriously injured, $65,000 may not be enough to cover necessary medical expenses and replace lost income. If you believe you are entitled to more compensation than your insurance provider is offering, contact an experience Toronto accident benefits lawyer for help.
Changes to Ontario’s Auto Insurance Program
In 2016, the Province of Ontario drastically reduced statutory accident benefits coverage in an effort to reduce insurance premiums. It also changed the definitions of ‘catastrophic’ and ‘non-catastrophic’ injuries. Many Toronto accident benefits lawyers believe the changes have harmed injury victims, making it more difficult to access top funding and reducing the available funding when access was granted.
Prior to the changes, non-catastrophic injury victims had access to $50,000 for medical and rehabilitation benefits and $36,000 for attendant care benefits, for a total of $86,000. Catastrophic injury victims had access to $1 million in benefits for both medical and rehabilitation and attendant care benefits, for a total of $2 million in total benefits. In other words, benefits were reduced by half for catastrophic injury victims and by more than $20,000 for non-catastrophic injury victims.
How an Experienced Accident Benefits Lawyer Toronto Can Help
Accident benefits lawyers help clients resolve disputes with their insurance companies over accident benefits coverage. They also help injury victims file insurance claims after accidents. And, an accident benefits lawyer with experience in personal injury claims can provide guidance regarding potential civil claims against at-fault parties.
Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of serious injuries and untimely deaths in Ontario. The high volume of accidents makes disputes regarding accident benefits common as well. For many personal injury lawyers with experience in the car accident field, accident benefits disputes are a daily concern.
Contact a Toronto Accident Benefits Lawyer
For more information about the services provided by an accident benefits lawyer, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team works on a strict contingency basis, meaning you won’t be asked to pay legal fees until your claim or dispute has been successfully resolved. Call now to learn more.
Testimonials
It is the job of a personal injury or accident lawyer to represent the victim in the civil justice system. This may involve everything from collecting evidence and filing claims to representing the victim in mediation, arbitration, or in court.
On The Blog
Learn more about our personal injury practice by reading our informative blog posts. In the blog, we offer legal advice, safety tips, and insights on Ontario’s latest legal news.
