London Car Accident Lawyer

Suffering injuries in a car accident in London, Ontario, often leaves people dealing with unexpected medical needs, missed work, and stress about how to move forward. When another driver’s negligence caused the collision, you shouldn’t have to manage the consequences alone.

An experienced London car accident lawyer from Preszler Injury Lawyers can provide guidance, protect your rights, and help you pursue fair compensation for your losses. Our team has supported countless individuals in London and across Ontario after serious crashes.

We know how difficult the aftermath of a collision feels, and we’re here to advocate for you from the very beginning. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and options.

Key Takeaways About Car Accident Claims in London, ON

• Ontario uses a no-fault insurance system, but you may still bring a lawsuit against an at-fault driver for certain damages.
• The Fault Determination Rules guide how responsibility is assigned after a crash.
• Strict deadlines apply, with most claims requiring action within two years.
• Accident benefits are available through your own insurer regardless of fault.
• Insurance companies may attempt to minimize payouts, so careful documentation and legal support strengthen your claim.

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Since 1959, we’ve helped thousands of Canadians get the compensation they deserve with their car accident 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.

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What Should I Do After a Car Accident in London, Ontario?

The steps you take immediately after a crash affect your health, safety, and legal rights. Acting quickly helps ensure both your recovery and your ability to bring a strong claim.

Ensure Safety and Call Emergency Services

If you can, move vehicles out of traffic to avoid further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights, and set up flares or warning triangles if you have them. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, if traffic is blocked, or if you suspect impaired driving. Emergency responders will treat injuries, secure the scene, and complete a police report.

Document the Accident Scene

Use your phone to take wide shots of the entire intersection or roadway, as well as close-ups of vehicle damage, skid marks, and debris. Capture weather conditions, road signs, and any obstructed views. If you have visible injuries, such as cuts or bruises, photograph them too. These details provide a clear snapshot of what happened and can support your claim if insurers question liability.

Exchange Information with Other Drivers

Gather essential details from all drivers involved:

• Full names and contact information
• Driver’s licence numbers
• Vehicle make, model, and licence plate number
• Insurance provider and policy number

If passengers or witnesses are present, ask for their names and phone numbers as well. Independent witness statements often carry significant weight when insurers or courts are deciding who was at fault.

Report the Accident to Police and Your Insurer

Ontario law requires reporting collisions involving injuries, fatalities, or property damage over $2,000. You must also notify your insurance provider promptly.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if you don’t feel seriously hurt, see a doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, may not show symptoms right away. Also, medical records will connect your injuries to the accident.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in London

Collisions in London, Ontario, happen for many reasons. Certain patterns appear often in reports and claims.

Distracted Driving

Texting, using GPS, or adjusting the radio takes attention off the road. Even a few seconds of distraction can lead to a crash.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drug impairment continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities in London, including areas like Richmond Street, where nightlife traffic increases the risk.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Drivers who exceed posted limits or weave in and out of traffic put everyone in danger. High speeds often increase the severity of injuries.

Weather-Related Accidents

Snow, ice, and heavy rain contribute to crashes throughout the city, especially along Highbury Avenue during the winter months.

Intersection Collisions

Busy intersections like Oxford Street and Wonderland Road see frequent side-impact collisions, often caused by drivers running red lights or failing to yield.

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?

After a car accident in London, compensation is divided into two main avenues in Ontario: accident benefits through your own insurance company and tort claims against the at-fault driver. This two-track system is part of Ontario’s no-fault insurance structure. It means you’ll access certain benefits right away, regardless of who caused the crash, but you may also have the right to sue the at-fault driver for additional damages.

Here’s how it works in practice:

• Accident benefits through your insurer: These are mandatory benefits under every Ontario auto insurance policy. They cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and some income replacement, regardless of fault.
• Tort claims against the at-fault driver: If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you may bring a lawsuit for damages that go beyond your own policy’s coverage. This claim targets losses that aren’t fully addressed by accident benefits.

Beyond immediate medical care, people may pursue compensation for several types of losses:

• Income replacement: If your injuries keep you from working, you may qualify for accident benefits that replace part of your income. If your losses exceed the policy limits, you can pursue the at-fault driver for the shortfall.
• Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation: Physiotherapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, and counselling often fall outside of OHIP coverage. Accident benefits help, but if costs run higher than your policy’s limits, you may seek further compensation in a lawsuit.
• Housekeeping and attendant care: If your injuries prevent you from maintaining your home or handling daily personal care, you may recover the costs of help.
• Pain and suffering damages: When injuries are considered serious and permanent, you may sue for non-economic damages that reflect the impact on your quality of life.
• Future care needs: Some people require long-term medical equipment, medication, or home modifications. These costs can be included in a claim against the at-fault driver.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: Transportation to medical appointments, prescription costs, and other expenses connected to the accident may also be recoverable.

In short, accident benefits provide a baseline of support, but tort claims help address longer-term or more severe financial and personal losses. Many people rely on both avenues after a serious crash. If you have questions about what compensation you may be eligible for after a car accident, it is recommended that you consult with a London car accident lawyer.

How Is Fault Determined in Ontario Car Accidents?

Assigning fault after a car accident in Ontario directly affects how insurance companies handle claims and whether you can pursue additional damages against the at-fault driver. Ontario uses a structured system that sets out how responsibility is assigned, but there is still room for disagreement if the facts aren’t clear.

Fault Determination Rules

Ontario law requires insurers to use the Fault Determination Rules, a set of regulations that outline dozens of accident scenarios with diagrams and examples. These rules help insurance adjusters decide who bears responsibility for the crash, whether it’s 100 percent on one driver or divided between several drivers.

Even if road conditions like snow or rain contributed to the crash, the rules place responsibility on the drivers, not the weather.

How Fault Affects Your Claim

Your assigned level of fault influences both your insurance premiums and your ability to sue the other driver. Here’s how it works:

• Accident benefits: You can access these regardless of fault.
• Property damage claims: If you’re found fully or partly at fault, your own coverage may apply, but you might have to pay a deductible.
• Tort claims: If you’re partially at fault, you can still sue the other driver, but any damages you recover are reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 25 percent at fault and your damages totalled $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $75,000.

Challenging Fault Determinations

Insurance companies don’t always get fault right. You have the right to challenge their decision if the determination doesn’t reflect what happened. If your insurer refuses to reconsider, a lawyer can step in to present additional evidence, negotiate on your behalf, or pursue legal action against the at-fault driver.

What Is the Statutory Deductible and How Does It Affect My Claim?

Ontario law applies a deductible to certain damages, which reduces the amount you may recover.

Understanding the $45,000 Deductible

For pain and suffering claims, a deductible of approximately $45,000 applies unless the damages exceed a set threshold.

When the Deductible Applies

This amount is subtracted from your claim unless your damages surpass the legal threshold of severity.

Exceptions to the Deductible Rule

Certain cases, such as wrongful death claims, are not subject to the deductible.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Accident

Insurance companies often protect their bottom line, not your best interests.

Your Obligations to Your Insurer

You must report the accident, provide necessary forms, and cooperate with medical assessments if requested.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

Adjusters may pressure you to settle quickly or suggest your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed.

Why You Shouldn’t Accept the First Settlement Offer

Early offers often undervalue your losses. Waiting until the full impact of your injuries is clear helps you seek a more accurate settlement.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Ontario?

You usually have two years from the date of the accident to start a lawsuit.

Discovery Rule Exceptions

If you didn’t discover your injury right away, the clock may start when you reasonably became aware of the connection between the accident and the harm.

Importance of Acting Quickly

Acting sooner allows your lawyer to collect stronger evidence while it’s still available.

Special Considerations for Serious Injuries

Severe injuries trigger additional benefits and legal considerations.

The Catastrophic Injury Designation

Ontario law defines catastrophic injuries as those causing serious long-term impairment, such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury.

Enhanced Benefits for Catastrophic Injuries

Victims with this designation qualify for higher benefit limits, including expanded medical and rehabilitation coverage.

Long-Term Care and Attendant Care Benefits

These cover the costs of daily personal assistance and ongoing treatment needs.

How Our Lawyers Can Help

Preszler Injury Lawyers supports accident victims in London with dedicated legal representation.

Investigating Your Accident and Gathering Evidence

We collect police reports, medical records, photographs, and witness statements to build your claim.

Handling All Communications with Insurance Companies

We manage correspondence with insurers, protecting you from pressure or unfair tactics.

Maximizing Your Accident Benefits Claim

We will help you ensure that your insurer pays the benefits available under your policy and challenge denials when necessary.

Pursuing Tort Claims for Full Compensation

When another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, we pursue legal action against them to recover damages not covered by accident benefits.

Representing You in Mediation and Litigation

We represent you during settlement talks, mediation, or trial if insurers refuse to pay fairly.

Working with Medical Experts and Accident Reconstructionists

We collaborate with specialists who provide clear reports supporting your injuries and the cause of the crash.

Frequently Asked Questions About London, ON, Car Accident Claims

Do I need a lawyer if the accident wasn’t my fault?

Yes. Even when another driver clearly caused the crash, insurers may still attempt to reduce what they pay you. A lawyer protects your rights and ensures all losses are documented.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Ontario law allows recovery even if you share some responsibility, though your damages may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in London?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay upfront legal fees, and we only receive payment if your case results in compensation.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

You may still access benefits through your own insurer’s uninsured motorist coverage, which provides protection in these cases.

How long will my car accident case take to resolve?

Each case varies depending on the severity of injuries, medical recovery time, and how cooperative insurers are. Some cases settle in months, while others require more time if litigation becomes necessary.

Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in London, ON, Now

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in London, Ontario, don’t delay seeking legal advice. Evidence fades quickly, deadlines approach, and insurers may pressure you into an unfair settlement. Our lawyers are ready to listen, explain your options, and take action on your behalf. Call (888) 608-2111 today or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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