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Schedule a Free ConsultationCar accidents can happen to anyone. In 2021 there were 23,072 collisions causing serious injury or fatality in Ontario alone. If you or a loved one has just been injured in a car accident in Burlington, you should know what steps to take next.
Do you know what benefits you are entitled to through your insurance and how to claim them? What do you do if your insurance denies your claim? How and when can you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then it’s time to consider a car accident lawyer.
You’ve come to the right place. Zayouna Law Firm is a top-rated car accident lawyer in Burlington, with decades of experience helping clients get the compensation they are entitled to following a car accident in Ontario.
You never expect to get into a car accident in Burlington. Various factors will contribute to each accident, but it’s clear that some driving behaviours are particularly dangerous. These are the most common car accidents that result in serious injury or fatality:
You increase your risk of collision by 20% when you go just 10 km/h over the speed limit. Speeding makes it more difficult to react to obstacles on the road, increases braking distances, and increases the force of impact, making collisions deadlier
Distracted driving was involved in 22.3% of fatal collisions in Canada in 2020. Distractions involve anything that takes your attention off the task of driving. Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, and reaching for objects in the car. The list goes on, but the fact is that driving distracted is one of the most dangerous things you can do.
It’s no surprise that when pedestrians are involved in a car accident, it is far more likely to be fatal or cause serious injury. Children, senior citizens, impaired pedestrians, and distracted pedestrians are the most at risk of being involved in a Burlington car accident.
There was 4,618 drinking and driving incidents reported by police in Canada in 2019. Although there has been a relatively steady number of drinking and driving reports over the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in drug-related incidents reported each year, now accounting for roughly a third of all impaired driving cases.
Around 20% of accidents are caused at least in part by poor weather or road conditions. When roads get snowy, icy, or wet or when visibility is poor, it’s best to stay off the road as much as possible.
Regardless of what caused the accident, it is important to know what to do next to keep yourself safe, improve your chances of receiving full coverage or insurance benefits, and make a strong case in a tort claim.
The first thing you should know is that failing to stop after an accident is considered a crime under Ontario traffic regulations. If you can move your car, pull it safely out of traffic. If you can’t turn Aon your hazards and set up road flares or pylons if you have them.
Then, call 911. The dispatcher will send emergency responders if necessary and a police officer with come assess the scene, report the accident, and gather evidence. If it is a minor accident, you might be instructed to report through a nearby Ontario collision reporting center.
Make sure to document as much information as possible at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the damage, document a detailed account of the events, and record the information of every party involved. Record the other driver’s name, address, contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make and colour, the registered owner of the vehicle, and vehicle identification number.
You will contact your insurance company to file a claim, but make sure to exchange insurance information with the other parties involved. It is the at-fault driver’s insurer that will cover the cost of damages and losses.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Burlington, the first thing you should do is deal with your injuries and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Next, you’ll have to start filing insurance claims. You have to file a claim with your insurance company within 30 days, but ideally, you should do it within 24 hours to get your benefits sooner and to help avoid your claim being denied.
To file an insurance claim you will need:
If you’ve been injured in a Burlington car accident, you will also have to file a claim for accident benefits. In Ontario, every auto insurance policy includes no-fault statutory accident benefits that provide compensation for injuries incurred during an accident, regardless of who was at fault. You always submit your claim for these benefits through your own insurance company.
A car accident lawyer can help you file your insurance claim to improve your chance of getting fully compensated. If your claim is denied, a lawyer can also help you with the process of disputing your claim.
Also, if you think you have a case for filing a tort claim against the at-fault driver you will want the help of a car accident lawyer. They will help you understand your rights, plan your case, compile and submit the documentation, and make sure your best interests are represented through the process.
If you need help filing your insurance claims or building a case against the at-fault driver, book a free consultation with Zayouna Law Firm.
Our car accident lawyer work with you to make sure your rights are respected throughout the claims process. We take a personalized approach to each case to provide the absolute best result for our clients. Let us handle the stress of seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.
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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