Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents in Ottawa happen every day, from busy intersections near Parliament Hill to workplace incidents in industrial areas of the city. When someone else’s careless actions cause you harm, you may have the right to pursue financial recovery through the courts or insurance system. Working with an Ottawa personal injury lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers gives you the guidance and advocacy you need to move forward.

Ontario’s personal injury laws give accident victims legal options to pursue compensation for lost wages and other damages. However, insurance companies often focus on paying as little as possible. Major reforms have increased the monetary threshold and deductible. A lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights, and help you pursue the maximum outcome available under the law.

If you or someone in your family has suffered an injury in Ottawa, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Key Takeaways for Your Ottawa Injury Claim

• You Have Rights: If someone’s carelessness caused your injury, Ontario law gives you the right to pursue compensation for your losses.
• No-Fault Benefits vs. Lawsuits: While you receive initial benefits from your own insurer, you can still sue the at-fault party for damages like pain and suffering and future income loss.
• Strict Deadlines Apply: You generally have two years to file a lawsuit, but some notice periods are as short as 10 days. Contacting a lawyer promptly protects your right to claim compensation.
• No Upfront Fees: We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay no fees unless we recover money for you.

LET US PUT OUR EXPERTISE TO WORK FOR YOU

Tell Us What Happened

Since 1959, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians get the compensation they deserve with their personal injury claims. One of Canada’s oldest personal injury law firms, personal injury law is exclusively what we do. Book a free consultation today with our top-rated personal injury lawyers.

Our team is available 24/7 to speak with you.

1-888-608-2111

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do We Handle?

Preszler Injury Lawyers has represented clients across Ottawa in a wide range of accident and injury claims. Every situation is different, but many involve insurance disputes, liability questions, and damages that extend far beyond initial medical treatment. Below are some of the most common cases our firm takes on.

Car Accidents

Busy streets like Bank Street and the Queensway see frequent car accidents. Whether you were rear-ended, struck by a distracted driver, or injured in a multi-vehicle collision, our firm has handled claims involving minor injuries to catastrophic outcomes.

Truck Accidents

Large trucks traveling along Highway 417 and other major routes often cause devastating crashes. Trucking companies, drivers, and insurers may all share responsibility when their negligence leads to injuries.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders lack the protection of a vehicle body. Collisions on roads like Hunt Club Road often lead to serious injuries, and our firm works to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists in Ottawa often suffer injuries from collisions with cars or unsafe road conditions. Accidents along the Ottawa River Pathway, for example, can lead to complex legal claims involving municipalities or drivers.

Pedestrian Accidents

Crosswalks near ByWard Market and other high-traffic areas put pedestrians at risk. Our lawyers represent pedestrians who suffer injuries after being struck by negligent motorists.

Slip and Fall Incidents

Falls on icy sidewalks in neighborhoods like Kanata or unsafe flooring inside commercial spaces often lead to broken bones or head injuries. Property owners may be liable for failing to maintain safe conditions.

Dog Bites

Dog attacks in public parks or residential neighborhoods may leave lasting scars or trauma. We pursue claims against negligent pet owners to cover medical costs and other damages.

Defective Products

Faulty medical devices, unsafe children’s toys, or malfunctioning household appliances sometimes cause harm. In these cases, manufacturers or distributors may be legally responsible.

Institutional Abuse Claims

Our firm handles sensitive cases involving sexual assault or institutional abuse, including claims against organizations that failed to protect individuals under their care.

Nursing Home Abuse

Elderly residents in long-term care homes across Ottawa sometimes suffer neglect or abuse. Families turn to us for help holding negligent facilities accountable.

Wrongful Death

When negligence results in a fatal accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for financial support and justice.

Injury Types

We also handle claims involving the following types of injuries:

• Neck Injuries: Whiplash and other neck injuries often result from vehicle collisions.
• Back and Spine Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to long-term mobility issues.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma may cause lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical difficulties.
• Catastrophic Injuries: Some injuries permanently affect a person’s independence, such as paralysis or severe burns.
• Broken Bones: Fractures from falls or collisions can result in lengthy recovery times.

No two accidents are the same, and every injury brings its own challenges. Preszler Injury Lawyers takes the time to understand your unique circumstances and build a legal strategy that reflects your needs. Whether your case involves a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or another form of negligence, our Ottawa team stands ready to guide you through the process and pursue the financial recovery you need to move forward.

Understanding Personal Injury Law in Ontario

Personal injury law in Ontario combines provincial statutes, court decisions, and insurance regulations. Victims need to know their rights and obligations when filing claims.

Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)

Ontario’s SABS provides motor vehicle accident victims with access to certain benefits regardless of who caused the collision. These benefits may include income replacement, medical treatment, and rehabilitation support.

No-Fault Insurance System

Ontario uses a no-fault system for motor vehicle accidents. That means your own insurance pays certain benefits even when another driver is responsible. However, victims can still pursue lawsuits against at-fault parties for damages not covered by insurance.

Tort Claims vs. Accident Benefits

Accident benefits cover immediate needs, but tort claims allow victims to pursue additional damages from negligent drivers. Many serious cases involve both types of claims.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Personal Injury?

The actions you take after an accident often shape the outcome of your case. Following these steps protects your health and strengthens your legal position.

Seek Medical Attention

See a doctor immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries take time to show symptoms. Medical records also form a key part of your claim.

Document the Scene and Gather Evidence

Take photos, collect contact details of witnesses, and record details while they’re fresh in your memory.

Report to Relevant Authorities

Notify the police, property managers, or your employer depending on where the injury occurred.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Inform your insurer of the accident, but provide only basic facts until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.

Avoid Giving Recorded Statements

Insurance adjusters often ask for recorded statements. These may later be used to limit your recovery. Always seek legal advice first.

Consult with an Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyer

Contacting Preszler Injury Lawyers early ensures you have legal support when dealing with insurance companies and at-fault parties.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for My Injuries?

Every case is unique, and the value depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your daily life, and how they impact your income and family. Additionally, pain and suffering awards (and related Family Law Act claims) in motor vehicle cases now face a higher deductible and threshold. This means you must meet a certain injury severity threshold before receiving full compensation for these damages

Economic Damages 

Claims often include rehabilitation costs, prescription medications, and income lost due to time off work, along with other related out-of-pocket expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

Victims may also claim damages for loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and lasting discomfort.

Future Care Costs

Severe injuries sometimes require lifelong medical treatment, mobility devices, or home care services.

Loss of Housekeeping and Home Maintenance

If your injuries prevent you from completing household chores, the law allows claims for those additional costs.

Family Law Act Claims for Dependents

Family members may seek damages when an injury affects their relationship with the victim, including loss of companionship or support.

The Role of Insurance Companies in Personal Injury Claims

Insurance companies control much of the compensation process. Their interests often conflict with those of accident victims.

Statutory Accident Benefits

Accident benefits cover immediate costs, but insurers sometimes deny or reduce claims. Our lawyers challenge unfair denials.

Third-Party Liability Coverage

When another driver is at fault, their liability insurance may cover damages not addressed by your accident benefits.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

If the driver responsible for the accident lacks insurance, your own policy may step in to cover damages.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters

Adjusters may downplay your injuries or pressure you into accepting low settlements. Our lawyers protect you from these tactics.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Ontario?

Time limits play a major role in personal injury cases. Missing a deadline could prevent you from recovering damages, no matter how strong your case may be. Ontario’s laws set strict rules about when you must begin your claim. Acting early helps preserve evidence, secure witness testimony, and protect your rights.

Two-Year Limitation Period for Most Claims

In most situations, Ontario’s Limitations Act gives accident victims two years from the date of the accident to start a lawsuit. Filing after that date would likely result in your claim being dismissed.

Discovery Rule Exceptions

Sometimes, injuries aren’t immediately obvious. For instance, a person injured in a workplace accident may not realize the full extent of a repetitive strain injury until months later. In these cases, the law uses what’s called the discovery rule. The two-year clock begins when you knew, or reasonably should have known, that you were injured and that another party may be responsible.

Special Rules for Minors

When a child suffers an injury, Ontario law provides extra protection. The two-year limitation period doesn’t usually begin until the child turns 18. For example, if a 15-year-old is hurt in a bicycle accident in Westboro, they would normally have until their 20th birthday to start a lawsuit. This ensures that young victims aren’t shut out of the legal system before they’re old enough to act on their own.

Exceptions for Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents often involve additional notice requirements beyond the standard limitation period. Victims may need to provide written notice to the at-fault driver or their insurance company within 120 days of the accident.

If you’re making a claim against a municipality, such as after a crash caused by poor road maintenance, you may need to give written notice within 10 days. These deadlines don’t replace the two-year lawsuit deadline, but failing to meet them could weaken your claim.

Proving Fault and Negligence in Canadian Courts

Successful cases depend on proving that another party acted carelessly and caused your injuries.

• Duty of Care Standard: Canadian law requires people and organizations to act in ways that avoid putting others at risk.
• Burden of Proof Requirements: The injured party must prove the other side’s negligence more likely than not caused the harm.
• Comparative Negligence Rules: Sometimes courts assign a percentage of fault to both parties. Your recovery may decrease in proportion to your share of responsibility.
• Expert Witness Testimony: Medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and other experts may testify to strengthen your claim.

How Our Lawyers Can Help

Legal claims involve more than paperwork. Preszler Injury Lawyers supports clients every step of the way.

• Case Evaluation and Investigation: We review the facts, interview witnesses, and gather documents to build a strong case.
• Medical Evidence Gathering: We work with doctors to properly document your injuries.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Our lawyers push back against low settlement offers and hold insurers accountable.
• Litigation and Court Representation: When insurers refuse to take responsibility, we take the case to trial and fight for you in court.
• Maximizing Your Settlement or Award: We identify every possible source of recovery to pursue the full compensation available for your claim.
• No Recovery, No Fee Contingency Arrangements: You won’t pay legal fees upfront. Our fee depends on securing compensation through settlement or judgment.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Ottawa Now

Deadlines apply to every personal injury case, so don’t wait to take action. Preszler Injury Lawyers offers free consultations to explain your options and answer your questions. Early legal intervention often makes the difference in securing the best outcome.

Call 1-888-608-2111 today to schedule your free case evaluation with our Ottawa personal injury team.

Proudly Canadian

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OTTAWA?