Although they may happen fast, traffic accidents have long term effects. Getting competent legal representation should be your first priority whether you’re involved in a collision on Toronto’s busy streets and highways. We specialize in helping traffic accident victims navigate the complex legal landscape that follows a major incident.
A collision on the road leaves a trail of problems: doctor visits, car repairs, insurance paperwork and financial strain from lost work. Trying to manage these problems while healing from injuries can become too much. Our staff handles the legal load so you can focus on your health and recovery, which comes first.
From fender benders to multi-vehicle pileups, Toronto’s congested traffic patterns cause thousands of accidents every year. We’ve seen cases involving all types of traffic accidents – rear end collisions, intersection incidents, highway pileups, side impact accidents, pedestrian accidents and commercial vehicle accidents. Every situation is unique so our knowledge across the spectrum helps us to offer customized representation regardless of your situation.
One of the most severe and lifelong effects of car accidents are brain injuries. Traumatic damage can occur from the brain hitting the inside of the skull even from what seems like a minor accident. These injuries range from mild concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can change a person’s cognitive ability, personality and independence.
From a legal standpoint brain injuries are especially tricky because of their invisible nature. Unlike a broken bone that shows up on an X-ray, brain injury may not be visible on regular medical imaging. Mostly cognitive or behavioral, symptoms include memory issues, trouble focusing, personality changes, mood disorders or headaches. Often insurance companies will try to reduce these symptoms or attribute them to pre-existing conditions rather than the accident
Longo Lawyers has a lot of experience documenting and verifying the full scope of brain damage. We work with neurologists, neuropsychologists and other medical experts who can provide professional opinions on your situation. Through medical records, cognitive testing and even day-in-the-life videos, we build a strong case proving how your brain injury affects your daily activities and future prospects.
Ontario’s traffic accident system requires both tort claims against the at-fault driver and no-fault accident benefits through your own insurance company. Navigating this dual system without legal guidance can be tough. Regardless of who was at fault, the accident benefits section covers medical expenses, rehabilitation, attendant care and income replacement. These benefits have however specific limits that may not be enough for serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries.
If your injuries are more severe – including major brain problems – you may also be entitled to bring a tort claim against the liable driver. This allows you to ask for damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and future care needs in addition to no-fault benefits. Often we pursue both accident benefits and tort claims simultaneously, Longo Lawyers evaluates the client’s situation to determine the best legal strategy.
In traffic collision cases time is of the essence. In Ontario you have seven days from the accident to contact your insurance company and 30 days later to file for accident benefits. Two years from the date of the accident is the time limit to file a tort action. Ignoring these deadlines can compromise your entitlement to compensation. Our staff makes sure all procedural rules are followed while you focus on your recovery.
A major part of traffic accident cases is proving fault. We investigate thoroughly, gathering police records, witness statements, CCTV evidence and even advice from accident reconstruction experts. When dealing with brain injuries we often consult biomechanical experts who can explain how the forces involved in the crash caused your specific brain damage. This thorough approach counters the insurance industry’s tactics to minimize your claim.
Many traffic accident victims worry about the cost of legal fees during an already tough financial time. Longo Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis so until we get paid for you, you pay no legal fees. This agreement means professional legal advice is available to you regardless of your current financial situation and helps us to align our interests with yours – we only succeed when you do.
Insurance companies approach accident victims quickly and offer settlements that seem big but usually ignore long term effects especially with brain damage. Accepting an early settlement risks losing your opportunity to pursue further compensation if your condition worsens; the full effects of a TBI may not be apparent months or even years after the injury. Our staff makes sure the settlement takes into account future as well as present needs.Besides legal representation we offer you emotional support throughout your recovery. We know that road accidents – especially those with brain injuries – are traumatic events that affect not only the victim but the whole family. Our staff can arrange for medical experts, rehabilitative programs and support groups specific to your injury to be contacted. We keep you updated on your case through regular correspondence and are always available to answer your questions and concerns.
As Toronto traffic accident lawyers specializing in major injuries we take pride in our client success rate. Past performance is not an indicator of future success but our knowledge of similar cases gives us insight into how to approach your situation. Whether through court litigation or negotiated settlement we will aggressively pursue maximum compensation.
Contact Longo Lawyers for a free consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury or other major injury in a Toronto traffic accident. Let us use our knowledge, tools and expertise to work for you during this tough time so you can get the compensation you need to move forward.