One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make after a car accident is whether to hire a lawyer who specializes in auto injuries. While some minor accidents can be handled without legal help, there are good reasons to consider expert legal help especially in cases of major injuries or complex conditions.
Ontario’s auto insurance program combines the ability to sue in some cases with no-fault accident benefits. The complex legal landscape created by this dual system can be tough for the average person to navigate. Teams of lawyers and adjusters hired by insurance companies mostly aim to reduce the risk to the business, not to ensure your fair compensation for your losses and injuries.
Often at Longo Lawyers, we meet with clients who first tried to handle their claims on their own only to run into insurance company opposition, delays and lowball offers. Valuable evidence may have been lost, deadlines may be looming and they may have already spoken or acted that compromised their case by the time they seek legal advice.
Brain Injuries from car accidents should be given special thought when deciding whether to hire a certain lawyer. Many times these injuries create unique challenges that make competent legal representation very beneficial. Unlike immediately obvious injuries like cuts or fractures, brain trauma can be subtle and gradual with symptoms that evolve over time.
The “invisible” nature of brain injury claims makes them particularly tricky. While experiencing major cognitive problems, personality changes, memory loss or emotional control issues, you may look physically unharmed. Insurance companies will try to downplay these symptoms or attribute them to pre-existing conditions or psychological issues unrelated to the accident.
Proving the link between your brain damage and the collision can be very difficult without specific legal expertise. Working with neurologists, neuropsychologists and other medical professionals who can document your damage and prove causality, Longo Lawyers can help you We can simplify the complex scientific and medical facts of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) into persuasive legal arguments.
Often the financial consequences of brain damage go way beyond current medical bills. Long-term rehabilitation, cognitive therapy, lost income, reduced earning capacity and maybe lifetime care needs can all be challenges. Insurance companies focus on short-term needs; they’ll give you a settlement; this can leave you without the means to support long-term recovery.Specialized auto injury lawyers know how to calculate the true cost of major injuries including long-term financial damage and future care needs. Longo Lawyers evaluate both current and future costs of your accident to make sure any settlement or verdict meets your whole needs not just immediate ones.
Toronto’s busy streets and roads see thousands of crashes every year but that doesn’t mean all vehicle injury lawyers have the same knowledge or expertise. When choosing legal counsel, pay special attention to their experience in cases like yours. Those who mostly handle minor injury claims or general practice lawyers may not have the specific knowledge required for complex brain injury cases.
Ideally you should decide early on in the process whether to hire a lawyer. There are strict deadlines in Ontario for auto accident claims; you have only seven days to notify your insurance company of the collision and thirty days to apply for accident benefits. Two years from the date of the accident is the limitation period for a tort case. Missing deadlines can seriously compromise your right to compensation.
Many accident victims worry about the cost of legal counsel. Understanding this concern, Longo Lawyers offers free first consultations to discuss your matter. We work on a contingency fee basis so you pay no legal fees unless we get paid back for you. This structure means that no matter your current financial situation, professional legal representation is accessible.
Besides their legal knowledge, professional vehicle injury lawyers provide great support throughout your recovery. We can help with your medical care coordination, connect you with the right experts and walk you through the rehabilitation process. This holistic approach covers your overall well-being as well as the legal aspects of your case.