After a motor vehicle accident you can feel overwhelmed. Physical injuries, emotional pain, vehicle damage and financial burden create a perfect storm of stress. At Longo Lawyers we help motor vehicle accident victims navigate these difficulties and get their fair compensation.
From small fender benders to catastrophic crashes, Toronto’s streets and highways see hundreds of collisions every year. We have handled cases involving all types of motor vehicle accidents – car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian hits, bicycle accidents and public transit accidents. Every situation is unique so our diverse experience allows us to provide informed representation no matter what your situation.
Dealing with insurance companies, getting the right medical attention, fixing or replacing your vehicle and maybe missing work while you heal will present many challenges after a motor vehicle accident. Insurance adjusters contact victims soon after an accident and want quotes or quick settlements that rarely reflect the true value of your claim. Our advice is simple: before signing anything or giving recorded statements, see a motor vehicle accident lawyer who can protect your rights.
One of the most severe and long lasting effects of motor vehicle accidents are brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) ranging from mild concussions to serious damage affecting cognitive function, personality, memory and emotional control can occur from the forces involved in a collision causing the brain to hit against the skull. These injuries are sneaky because they don’t show up right away after an accident. Days or even weeks later symptoms can appear and complicate linking them to the accident.
From a legal perspective brain injuries are more complicated because of their invisible nature. Unlike physical injuries like lacerations or fractures brain injury can’t be seen by others. Insurance companies trying to lower claim values will easily dismiss or minimize the symptoms – headaches, memory issues, mood swings, sleep disruptions, trouble focusing. Many brain damage patients find they are fighting an uphill battle to get the compensation they need for their recovery without proper legal representation.
Longo Lawyers has developed strategies to handle the unique challenges of brain injury cases because we understand their nature. We coordinate with neurologists, neuropsychologists and other medical experts who can properly diagnose and document your brain injury. We build strong evidence linking your symptoms to the accident through thorough medical exams, neuroimaging when necessary and meticulous documentation of how your injury affects your daily functioning.Ontario’s motor vehicle accident rules combine tort actions against at-fault parties with no-fault accident benefits. Regardless of who was at fault in the accident, the no-fault system offers some benefits like medical and rehabilitation costs, attendant care and income replacement. These benefits have however, specific limits that may not be enough for major traumas like TBIs. Additional benefits may be available for catastrophic injuries but qualifying requires thorough medical evidence and usually meets opposition from insurance companies.
Besides accident benefits, plaintiffs with major injuries can file a tort lawsuit against the liable driver. This allows for damages for pain and suffering, future care needs and loss of earning capacity in addition to the no-fault payments. While you focus on your health, at Longo Lawyers we pursue both paths to ensure all possible sources of compensation are explored.
In motor vehicle accident 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. Usually two years from the date of the accident is the period to file a tort action. Ignoring these deadlines can seriously impact your entitlement to compensation. Our staff ensures all filing deadlines and procedural requirements are met while you focus on your health.
Strong case building requires extensive research and evidence gathering. We collect accident site photos, witness testimony and police records. When necessary we speak with experts in accident reconstruction who can help determine the sequence of events and responsible party. Often we work with medical professionals who can explain the process of injury and link the forces of the crash to your specific brain trauma. We handle brain injury cases. This thorough approach counters the insurance industry’s strategy to reduce your claim.
Many clients already under financial pressure worry about the cost of legal advice. 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 your interests with ours – we only succeed when you do.
In brain injury cases where the full extent of the impairment may not be immediately apparent, insurance companies sometimes pressure accident victims to accept early settlements. Accepting such agreements means giving up the right to pursue further compensation if your condition deteriorates or requires more intensive treatment than initially projected. Our experienced staff ensures each settlement fairly considers your injury’s current and future needs.Besides legal representation we offer you support throughout your recovery process. We know motor vehicle accidents – especially those with brain injuries – can be traumatic events that affect not only the victim but the whole family. Our staff can arrange for suitable medical experts, rehabilitation 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.
Serving Toronto and surrounding areas, experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers take pride in our client success record. 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 settlement we will pursue maximum compensation :
Contact Longo Lawyers today for a free consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury or other major injury in a motor vehicle accident in Toronto. Let us use our expertise, resources and commitment to work for you during this difficult time so you can get the compensation you need to move forward.