Toronto Car Accident FAQ
Our experienced lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve
You’ve been injured in a Toronto car accident. You need medical treatment, your car is wrecked and you may not be able to work. Things are very confusing right now and you may not be sure what to do next. It’s normal to have a lot of questions after a car accident. The experienced car accident lawyers at Smitiuch Injury Law can help.
Our Toronto law firm has been helping the injured since 2001. We know that you are going through a difficult time. Our lawyers can help you get the medical treatment you need and build a strong case for compensation that insurance companies can’t ignore. We’ve recovered millions through negotiated settlement and jury verdicts.
Some of the frequently asked questions we receive about Toronto car accident include:
- Do I need a lawyer for my Toronto car accident?
- Am I eligible for accident benefits?
- What if I was partially at fault for my car accident?
- Should I talk to the insurance company after my car accident?
- Will I have to go to court?
- What does it cost to hire a lawyer?
- What kind of work goes into my case?
- Will you keep me updated on the progress of my case?
Learn more about how we can help you after a Toronto car accident. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced car accident lawyer. Our offices are located in Toronto, Brantford and Simcoe. Contact us today.
Do I need a lawyer for my Toronto car accident?
It is not required to have a lawyer to seek compensation after being injured in a Toronto car accident. It does give you a much better chance of recovering the compensation that you deserve, however. Insurance companies have many resources that they will use to try to justify paying you as little as possible. Our firm has the experience and resources to help you fight back.
Our legal team investigates your accident to get the facts. Our Toronto lawyers build strong cases that the insurance companies have to take seriously. Insurance companies know our firm, and they know we are not afraid to take them to court. That’s why we are often able to negotiate a settlement that meets the needs of our clients.
Am I eligible for accident benefits?
Yes. After being injured in a Toronto car accident, you can file a claim for accident benefits with your insurance company. These may include medical and rehabilitation benefits, attendant care benefits and income replacement benefits – up to your policy limits. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you with your claim.
Insurance will often try to limit the amount of benefits you receive. They may question the seriousness of your injuries or the need for certain types of treatment. That’s why you need an experienced Toronto lawyer on your side. We can build a strong case and fight back to help you receive the benefits you deserve.
What if I was partially at fault for my car accident?
In many Toronto car accidents, more than one driver can be found at fault. If you were found to be partially at fault in a crash, you are still able to recover financial compensation. However, your recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 20 percent at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by that amount.
Insurance companies know this, which is why they may try to put most or all of the blame on you. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you fight back against this tactic. Our Toronto legal team gathers evidence to get the facts that prove fault. We build strong cases that insurance companies can’t ignore.
Should I talk to the insurance company after my car accident?
You are required to report your Toronto accident to your own insurance company within seven days. But after that, you should absolutely not talk to the insurance companies. They may want to ask you some questions or request a statement. What they are really doing is trying to get you to say something they can use against you.
If an insurance company representative wants to ask you questions, politely decline to answer and say you have to speak to your lawyer first. Our Toronto firm knows the tactics that insurance companies use to try to limit your compensation. We focus on building strong cases that they can’t ignore so you get the compensation you deserve.
It’s possible, but most car accident cases are resolved through a negotiated settlement. When we take your case, we will prepare as if we are going to court. Our Toronto legal team will investigate your crash to find out what really happened. We’ll gather evidence, interview witnesses and consult experts as needed.
When insurance companies see that our Toronto lawyers have prepared a strong case, they often agree to negotiate a settlement. They know that we are not afraid to go to trial if needed – we try multiple cases every year. If we are unable to negotiate a settlement in your case, we will be ready to fight for you in court.
What does it cost to hire a lawyer?
Many people are concerned about whether they can afford experienced legal representation after being injured in a Toronto car accident. We know that another expense is the last thing you need right now. That’s why we work on a contingency-fee basis. We cover all the costs to move your case forward. You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. It’s our “no win, no fee” promise.
There’s no retainer involved. You owe us nothing unless we win. We don’t believe that financial considerations should prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve. We want you to focus on getting better after you’ve been injured. Our Toronto lawyers build a strong case that insurance companies have to take seriously.
What kind of work goes into my case?
Our Toronto legal team gathers evidence and interviews witnesses. We hold case conferences and team meetings on a regular basis, at which a client’s rehabilitation specialists, case managers and a representative(s) of the firm meet to review and discuss the progress of a client's case and strategize on future challenges.
In addition, we meet with each client in person when there are complex issues to address, like prior to Examinations for Discovery, Mediations, Trial or Arbitrations. Meetings by telephone occur more frequently than in-person meetings. Client meetings will take place where it is most convenient for the client, whether that is in their home, our Toronto office or any other location convenient for them. We also meet with clients by request.
Will you keep me updated on the progress of my case?
Yes. Our Toronto firm asks clients at the intake stage what level of communication they would prefer. At the very least, we provide all clients with updates when there is something critical or at major milestones. Some clients prefer updates at every step in the process, while others prefer not to be “bothered” with regular updates. You choose what works best for you.
We also pride ourselves on being available to answer all questions and concerns in a timely manner. So if you ever have anything you would like to discuss with us, all you have to do is call. Our Toronto firm’s customer service standard is to return all client calls by the end of the business day, or within 24 hours at the very latest.
