If you have been injured in a car accident, there are some necessary steps you should take that are essential to your medical welfare and any potential lawsuit that may arise.
As a leading personal injury firm in Ontario with extensive experience with motor vehicle accident litigation, Bogoroch & Associates LLP has collected some important facts about what to do if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Choosing a Car Accident Lawyer in Toronto
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to seek prompt legal advice, especially if you have been injured. In nearly every situation, car accident cases are settled out of court without the need to go to trial. However, an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer will prepare every case they receive as if it will be tried in a court setting, and this means obtaining and preserving all necessary evidence and information.
Often, the best way to choose a lawyer is through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family members, or others who have been in a similar situation. Once you have received some recommendations for lawyers and law firms, looking at online reviews and checking the firm’s website for testimonials can help you determine if the firm is the right fit for you.
When choosing a potential car accident lawyer in Toronto, there are a few factors to consider, including:
- Experience: It is important to choose a lawyer who has relevant and longstanding experience with motor vehicle accident litigation, is competent to handle your case, and has the resources to carry the case to trial if necessary. When meeting with a lawyer, do not hesitate to ask about their prior experience, including if they have handled similar cases or gone to trial before, and who will be working on your file.
- The Lawyer/Client Relationship: Choose a lawyer who is committed to advocating on your behalf, maintaining open and consistent lines of communication, and keeping you informed of all important developments in your case. The litigation process can be lengthy, and it is important that you feel confident, informed, and comfortable throughout. It may be necessary to consult several lawyers before deciding who is the best fit.
- Fees: In personal injury cases, clients do not pay legal fees unless there is a settlement out of court, or judgment following a trial. The lawyer will then charge a percentage of the settlement or award. This is known as a contingency fee. While these fees are generally consistent across most firms in the industry, it is important to understand how these fees work, confirm the percentage you will be charged, and what your monetary recovery will look like should your case succeed. Asking for an illustration of fees with real numbers can help give you an idea of the fee structure.
What Are My Chances of Success?
Once you have found a lawyer that you are comfortable working with, ask them about your chances of winning the case. Assessing what a case is worth and what you may recover depends on the nature and extent of the injuries; however, your lawyer should be able to provide an estimated range of recovery based on the factors known.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Another important factor to consider is the expected time frame for your case, from start to conclusion. This will hinge on a few factors, including how much time has passed since the accident, and whether or not you have returned to work. You are entitled to an estimate of how long your case will be. Your lawyer should make every attempt to move your case forward as efficiently as possible.
What Should I Expect During My Case?
If you have never been involved in a motor vehicle accident case, you are likely wondering what it will entail and what will be required of you. You will want to ask your lawyer what kind of events you will need to participate in, how much of your time will be required, and how many medical examinations you may need to do.
Time Sensitive To-Dos
There are some time-sensitive steps you should take to ensure you can receive the maximum recovery for your claim, such as:
- Notifying the Police
- Notifying Your Insurer
- Filing Your Statutory Accident Benefits Claim
- Confirming Your Insurance Coverage
- Preserving Important Documents (insurance policies, repair estimates, photographs, videos, expense receipts, income documents, medical reports, etc.)
Contact us for an experienced car accident lawyer in Toronto today!
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a motor vehicle accident, the compassionate and competent team of lawyers from Bogoroch & Associates LLP can help you receive the compensation and benefits you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us online today or call 1-866-599-1700.