Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers
Each year, thousands of Toronto residents are seriously injured in unintentional, preventable accidents. More often than not, these incidents are the result of someone else’s negligence. Even people who are overly cautious and vigilant about their personal safety can be injured by the actions of a complete stranger. Despite the municipal government’s commitment to its Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, dozens of Torontonians are injured or killed each year in preventable collisions caused by unsafe drivers.
In just one recent year, at least 58 people were killed in accidents on Toronto streets, including 25 pedestrians who were struck by careless, distracted, aggressive, or otherwise negligent drivers. Hundreds more sustained injuries ranging from moderate to catastrophic, with no chance of improvement.
Just as troublesome is the province-wide increase in fatalities related to bicycle accidents. At a time when more people than ever are choosing to ride their bikes as a healthy, environmentally-friendly method of commuting, deadly collisions are on the rise. In fact, in just one year, the number of cycling deaths investigated by the OPP skyrocketed by 300%.
Cyclists and pedestrians may be among the most vulnerable road-users in the city, but they are not the only ones at risk of losing their lives in avoidable collisions. On the city’s streets, residential roads, and highways leading to local suburbs, motor vehicle collisions caused by negligent drivers continue to take the lives of innocent motorists and passengers. It is no wonder why lately Ontario drivers are feeling less safe on highways.
According to a recent end-of-year traffic safety report released by the OPP, there were more motor vehicle accident deaths than there were days of the year. For those who managed to survive their collisions, the road to recovery from the injuries they sustained is almost certainly going to be long, challenging, and expensive.
Accidents can happen out of the blue. When you least expect it, you can be sidelined by life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, dramatic lifestyle adjustments, and expensive costs of care.
For more than 60 years, Toronto residents have relied on Preszler Injury Lawyers to help them through the most challenging periods of their lives. Thanks to our personal injury lawyers Toronto residents have been able to get their lives back on track, and get the compensation they need to start the healing process.
No one expects to be injured in an accident. It can be a challenging, confusing, and truly overwhelming time. It is only natural to have many questions about the actions you might be able to take and the compensation to which you might be entitled. By consulting with our personal injury lawyers Toronto residents who have been involved in accidents can learn more about their available options for moving forward and regaining control of their lives.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
First and foremost, after being involved in an accident, it is important to receive medical attention immediately, even if you do not feel hurt. Delaying necessary medical assessments and treatments can lead to additional complications down the road.
Sometimes, people’s bodies go into shock after an accident. They produce adrenaline which can delay or diminish their pain or other symptoms of their injuries. As a result, it might take hours or even days to feel the full effects of the injuries.
Failing to immediately seek medical attention can not only complicate an accident survivor’s recovery, but it can make it more difficult for them to pursue legal action down the road. That is why it is always best to visit the emergency room immediately following an accident.
What Kind of Cases Do You Handle?
Injury-causing accidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and to anyone. However, certain factors can make people more vulnerable to injury-causing accidents. Seniors over the age of 65, for example, are more likely to be hospitalized as the result of injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident. Nationally, 4 out of 5 injury-related hospitalizations involving seniors are the result of a fall. These accidents can happen in the home, but they often occur in public or on properties that are owned and/or managed by another party and/or entity.
Because of improperly cleared ice and snow, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting, recently mopped grocery store floors, and other seemingly innocuous hazards, Toronto residents can sustain serious injuries as the result of slip and fall accidents.
In addition to providing legal support to survivors of motor vehicle collisions, our Toronto personal injury lawyers also represent clients who have been involved in slip and fall accidents. Property owners and/or occupiers are responsible for keeping their premises safe. If you were injured while visiting someone else’s commercial or residential property, you might be entitled to compensation.
Our Toronto personal injury lawyers believe that no one should be forced to pay for the negligence of other parties. That is why we represent clients who have been injured in a number of different traumatic incidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- E-bike and e-scooter accidents
- Truck accidents
- ATV accidents
- Boating accidents
- Snowmobile accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Sexual assault
- Sexual abuse
- And more
How Do I Know if I Have a Case?
Not at all accident victims are eligible to pursue a civil claim to try recovering compensation for their damages. But many are. This is because their injuries were the result of another party’s negligence.
In accordance with various provincial legislation, certain people and entities have a legal obligation to take the safety of others into consideration. In other words, they owe a duty of care to other people. Motor vehicle operators, property owners, medical practitioners, certain licensed professionals, and others are required by law to carry out their activities in a reasonably cautious manner, so as to reduce the risk of preventable injuries and fatalities.
If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a civil claim against them. By doing so, you may be able to recover additional damages you have incurred or will incur in the future.
How Can I Prove That My Accident Was Someone Else’s Fault?
By working with our personal injury lawyers, you may be able to establish that:
- The party responsible for your accident owed you a duty of care
- By engaging in wrongful conduct, the at-fault party failed to fulfill their duty of care
- As a result of their negligence, you sustained injuries
- Because of the injuries you sustained, you incurred financial losses
To prove these points, our Toronto personal injury lawyers may be able to compile and present various forms of evidence, including:
- Video surveillance footage
- Witness testimonies
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Reports from medical experts
- And more
Evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence might also help determine the total injury-related costs you have already incurred, as well as financial losses you might incur in the future because of the injuries you have sustained.
What Compensation Might Be Available to Me?
The goal of a civil claim (i.e., a lawsuit) is to recover monetary damages from the party responsible for an accident that resulted in personal injury. By working with our personal injury lawyers Toronto accident survivors could receive compensation for financial losses they would not have incurred had it not been for the at-fault party’s negligence.
Our personal injury lawyers serving Toronto have a reputation for vigorously fighting for the rights of the clients we represent. By working with our Toronto personal injury lawyers, eligible clients might be able to recover damages related to:
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Ambulance services
- Mobility aids, assistive medical equipment
- Physiotherapy
- Psychological counseling
- Prescriptions
- Mileage expenses to and from medical appointments
- Reduced future earning capability
- Home modifications to accommodate newly acquired disabilities
- Housekeeping services
- And possibly more
How Much Will it Cost to Work with a Lawyer?
We appreciate that injured accident survivors frequently face economic challenges. This is especially true for accident survivors who are unable to continue working because of the injuries they have sustained.
The cost of being injured can be exorbitant. That is why our Toronto personal injury lawyers do our best to reduce financial barriers to accessing our legal services.
We provide all prospective clients with a free initial consultation. That means, even if you are unsure whether you might be entitled to pursue a civil claim, you can take advantage of cost-free, personalized legal advice tailored to the details of your case.
What’s more: our Toronto personal injury lawyers do not get paid unless we win your case. Our contingency-based fee model means that we invest in every client we represent, and fight tooth and nail to get our clients the justice and compensation they deserve. Our fees are based on the amount of compensation we help our clients secure and are deducted from settlement awards. There are no out-of-pocket fees, and no charge to claim your initial consultation.
Common Questions Our Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers Get Asked
How can a personal injury lawyer help me with my injury claim?
A personal injury lawyer may be able to help with your injury claim by gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance companies, filing lawsuits, and representing you in court if necessary.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in Ontario?
The settlement time for a personal injury claim in Ontario varies from case to case. However, it can often take between 1-3 years to reach a fair resolution.
How do I know what my personal injury case is worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends on various factors such as medical expenses you have incurred, income you have lost, future costs of care you will require, and more. Our personal injury lawyers should be able to provide you with an estimate, but cannot predict an exact outcome.
What if I am also at fault for the accident?
The amount of compensation you receive may be reduced, but you might still be able to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident.
How do I get money for my lost wages until my case settles?
Depending on your available insurance coverage and the manner in which your injuries were sustained, you might be able to claim non-earner accident benefits, long-term disability benefits, unemployment insurance, and other forms of social assistance.
What if I don't feel my injuries until weeks, months or years after my accident?
Generally speaking, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you feel the effects of your injuries within that time frame, you might still be entitled to file a lawsuit for damages. That said, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
What is the statute of limitations on accident claims?
In Ontario, the statute of limitations on accident claims is 2 years. However, certain factors could impact your ability to pursue a civil claim within that time period. For example, if you were injured because of ice or snow, you must provide the responsible parties with a written notice of claim within 60 days of your accident.
How much will my personal injury lawyer charge me?
Our Toronto personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we receive a percentage of your settlement as a fee for our services.
What does contingency fees mean?
Contingency fees are a type of payment arrangement in which a lawyer is paid only if the client wins a settlement or award. That means that clients who work with our Toronto personal injury lawyers are not required to pay any upfront fees out of pocket.
How much compensation can I expect to get from my accident or injury claim?
The amount of compensation you could receive from an accident or injury claim can vary widely depending on the circumstances of your case. The goal of a civil claim is to restore injured accident victims to the financial status they would have had if they had not been injured. Based on the severity of injuries you have sustained and their impact on your overall quality of life, additional compensation may be available.
What is mediation?
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party helps resolve disputes between parties. By engaging in mediation, certain claimants could avoid the trial process and receive a settlement without going to court.
What is examination for discovery?
This is a pre-trial step in which lawyers for all parties involved in a claim can gather information from each other to assess the case and formulate a plan for moving forward.
What is the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)?
The SABS is an Ontario regulation that mandates the minimum amount of coverage that must be included in all auto insurance plans. Since all motor vehicles in the province must be insured, everyone involved in a motor vehicle collision should have access to at least the minimum amount of coverage outlined in the SABS, regardless of who was responsible for the accident.
Can Toronto personal injury lawyers assist with finding medical experts?
Yes, our personal injury lawyers have professional relationships with numerous medical experts who often help our clients get the specialized attention and treatments they require. Medical experts can also serve as witnesses who can testify about the extent of your injuries.
Book Your Free Initial Consultation Today
Our personal injury lawyers have proudly served the city of Toronto for over six decades. We are committed to improving the lives of injured accident survivors by fighting on their behalf.
For more than 60 years, thanks to our personal injury lawyers Toronto accident survivors have been able to find accountability, recover fair compensation, and feel that justice has been done. To learn more about how our Toronto personal injury lawyers may be able to help you through this challenging time. You can book a free consultation with us today.
