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Schedule a Free ConsultationCar accidents are a common occurrence on roads and highways throughout Ontario. In 2019, Ontario saw 221,785 reported car accidents. In a 10-year report from Allstate Insurance, Brampton was tied for the worst accident rate in the province.
If you are involved in a car accident it is important to know what to do after the accident to get the compensation you are entitled to. Don’t hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer if you need help understanding your rights or exploring your options for making a claim against another party.
Zayouna Law is a leading car accident lawyer in Brampton. Our team of personal injury lawyers has decades of experience helping Ontarians handle car accident-related claims and ensuring insurance companies honour their benefits.
Every accident will have a unique combination of contributing factors. Of these factors, distracted driving is the most commonly involved in a car accident, playing a role in over 20% of fatal car accidents in Canada. Other common factors involved in fatal accidents are speeding, driving under the influence, and driving in poor weather conditions.
As for driving behaviours, it is clear that some driving practices significantly increase the risk of causing an accident. According to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) of the 404,992 drivers involved in car accidents in Ontario in 2019, the behaviors that were most common at the time of the accident were:
Of all of the various types of collisions, rear ends are by far the most common. Rear-end collisions account for nearly 30% of all accidents. The frequency of rear-end collisions highlights the importance of following at an appropriate distance and driving at a speed appropriate for road conditions.
The most common types of car accidents in Brampton are:
It’s important to be prepared after a car accident. Knowing the steps to take after an accident can help ensure that your insurance claim and any potential legal claims are supported.
After an accident, make sure you stop and safely pull out of traffic, if possible. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident is considered a crime in Ontario. If you can’t pull over, put out traffic cones or road flares to alert other drivers of your presence.
Then call 911. Dispatch will send a police officer to report the accident and assess the scene and emergency responders, if necessary. If it is a minor accident, you might be instructed to report it through a collision reporting center instead.
The next thing you should know is to never admit blame or apologize, as this can be seen as evidence of fault, which may hurt your insurance claim down the line.
Document as much as possible at the scene of the accident. Take photos, exchange personal information with all drivers involved, and record as much detail as possible about the events leading up to the accident while it’s fresh in your mind. This is also your best opportunity to get the information for any witnesses that might be able to testify for you in court.
You will file your insurance claim through your insurer, but make sure to get the other drivers’ insurance details and record the make, model, year, colour, and license plate of their vehicles.
First things first, seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be apparent right away and it’s important to get immediate treatment for any injuries.
You’ll also have to file your insurance claim within 7 days of the accident, but preferably within the first 24 hours. The sooner you file, the sooner you can receive your benefits and the better your odds of having your claim approved.
To file an insurance claim, you need:
If you have been injured in a car accident in Brampton, you will need to file a claim for accident benefits. In Ontario, all auto insurance policies include no-fault accident benefits that provide compensation for injuries sustained in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. You will need to submit your claim for these benefits through your own insurance company.
If you want to challenge an insurance decision, or if you need help filing your insurance claim, a car accident lawyer can help you organize your documents to submit your claim or challenge.
As well, if you believe you have a case for a lawsuit against the other driver involved or a third party like the car manufacturer or the city, you’ll want help from a car accident lawyer. A lawyer will help you plan, compile, and submit your tort claim. Handling a tort claim without the representation of an experienced lawyer greatly reduces your chances of success.
If you need help obtaining the insurance benefits that you are entitled to, or if you want to explore your options for filing a tort claim, Zayouna Law Firm can help represent you.
Zayouna Law is a law firm that serves the Greater Toronto Area for personal injury law cases. Our professional team of lawyers is dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcome for their cases.
Contact Zayouna Law today to book a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Brampton.
At Zayouna Law Firm, we have assembled a team of professionals dedicated to serving seriously injured clients with knowledge and sensitivity. Collectively, our highly skilled personal injury lawyers bring decades of experience to the work of helping thousands of injured clients return their lives to their pre-accident state.
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