Car Accident
Lawyer Scarborough

Car Accident Lawyers Serving Scarborough

Grillo Law is one of the top-rated personal injury law firms in Scarborough, Ontario. We offer the legal assistance and guidance you need throughout your car accident case. Every motor vehicle case we handle is given a strong legal foundation to ensure a successful outcome.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a devastating car accident, time is of the essence. It’s in your best interest to promptly consult with Grillo Law’s personal injury lawyers about your responsibilities and rights.

The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario requires all motor vehicle operators to exercise reasonable caution at all times while adhering to all local traffic laws. This can significantly reduce the risk of car accidents.

Suppose a car driver’s violation of the laws of the road causes an accident where another individual sustains a personal injury. In that case, the at-fault driver is considered negligent and should be held responsible for the injuries.

No one should have to suffer the devastating impact of a car accident because another driver wasn’t paying attention. Did a recent car accident send you or someone you know to the Rouge Valley Hospital or any other hospital in Scarborough? Consult our experienced personal injury lawyers and begin the process of filing a legal claim for compensation.

Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 411 people died in 2023 as a result of car crashes and other highway accidents across Ontario. This was the first year since 2007, when over 400 deaths were linked to fatal highway accidents.

Since 2019, the total number of individuals who have died in car crashes across Ontario has increased significantly each year. In 2022, a record 359 people perished in 74,058 car crashes in Ontario. This is a 10.4% increase from 325 deaths related to the 60,544 car crashes reported in 2021.

To put these numbers in perspective, 313 people died in car crashes in Ontario in 2020. That year, fatalities related to car crashes increased by 22% compared to the numbers reported in 2019. As for the previous years, 333 car crash fatalities were reported in 2018, and 343 deaths were recorded in 2017.

Perhaps you think you don’t need a personal injury lawyer if another driver was responsible for a highway accident. However, many personal injury claims can become complex legal battles. If you don’t have a skilled personal injury lawyer in your corner, there’s a chance you will not get the amount of compensation you legally deserve.

At Grillo Law, we understand what’s at stake. That is why we are ready to meet you, learn more about your accident benefits claim, and get right to work. When you have our competent legal team on your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that we will leave no stone unturned to get the compensation you deserve.

The Role of a Car Accident Lawyer

You need an experienced personal injury lawyer to guide you through every step of your vehicle accident case. This is because filing an accident claim and obtaining compensation depends on the accuracy of the evidence you collect to support your claim.

Considering the increasing complexity of injury claims in Scarborough and across the Ontario province, you need legal counsel to get the compensation you deserve. Here’s the role of our lawyers in your car crash case.

Advocacy for Fair Compensation

Vehicle accidents often cause various losses, including property damage, medical bills, emotional distress, and lost wages. Our car accident lawyers are staunch advocates for fair payouts – the legal professionals will carefully evaluate the full extent of your damages, including tangible and intangible losses. Indeed, we aim to provide the legal services you need to get enough compensation to alleviate the financial burden linked to the car crash.

Gather Evidence and Build a Strong Case

Our personal injury lawyers serve as your detectives. They gather evidence and piece together the details of your vehicle accident. They will visit the crash scene and document all road conditions, traffic signs, and other factors that could have contributed to the crash.

For instance, we will take photos of your vehicle, any skid marks, and other forms of evidence related to the accident. We will also review the police report related to the accident, analyze the officer observations, and speak to all witnesses to the accident.

Your medical records are part of the essential documentation we will pull and analyze. With the correct information at our fingertips, we can work to determine who was responsible for the accident and the extent of the damages you suffered and build a strong personal injury claim.

Develop a Legal Strategy

Like a strategic chess game, your vehicle accident case needs a good legal plan. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can create a legal strategy customized to your claim. This can significantly increase your chances of getting a favourable case outcome.

To develop a strong strategy, we will collect evidence, assess your damages, determine liability, negotiate compensation with insurance companies, and prepare for a trial if necessary. Essentially, we are the master strategists fighting for your rights and working tirelessly to ensure you get fair compensation for the damages you suffered.

Assess Damages Associated with the Accident

The aftermath of a car crash can leave a lasting emotional and physical impact on you and your loved ones. As such, your physical health and mental well-being are paramount in assessing the total value of your claim. To determine the full extent of the damages you suffered, we will focus on the following:

Physical and Emotional Health Impact

Vehicle accidents cause brain injuries, spine injuries, broken bones, and other physical injuries. They can also lead to long-term emotional and psychological wounds such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, and more. Thus, the emotional toll of a vehicle accident can be as devastating as physical injuries.

Property Damage

Motor vehicle accidents often leave a trail of destruction, especially property damage. Each dent and scratch translates into financial losses. Whether it’s a shattered windscreen, dented bumper, or a totalled car, the cost of repairs or replacing the car can rack up quickly.

At Grillo Law, we will work with professionals to accurately assess the extent of property damage. We will take into account the nature of the damage, determine the cost of necessary repairs, and the total impact on your car’s value.

Lost Wages & your Earning Potential

If you get injured in a vehicle accident, the consequences often extend beyond property damage and sustained injuries. Think about the wages you lost during the treatment and recovery period. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you risk losing your earning potential if you cannot resume your official duties.

So, how do you calculate such losses? Our Scarborough personal injury lawyers have handled such calculations for many years. We will work with the right professionals to calculate all your damages carefully to ensure you get compensated for every penny you lost due to the car crash.

Handle Communication with your Insurer

Unfortunately, the initial call to notify your insurer about your accident won’t get you the compensation you deserve. Insurance adjusters work for insurance companies and are tasked with saving their employers (insurance companies) money. Thus, their goal isn’t to compensate you for everything you claim.

This is why you should retain the services of our experienced auto accident lawyers immediately after a vehicle accident. When an insurance adjuster calls, you can refer them to our personal injury lawyers before you say something that could be used to derail your personal injury claim. Remember, it is nearly impossible to unsay anything damning, particularly if it is recorded, which it often is.

Handle Insurance Company Negotiations

In addition to building a strong injury claim, our personal injury lawyers serve as go-between and mediators with your insurer. We will review your car insurance policy coverage and its limits. This information will allow us to evaluate your case in the light of your policy and present the correct evidence to the insurance adjuster.

We will carefully explain the causes of the accident and show its full impact on your current and future life and finances. Indeed, we will calculate your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering. Armed with this information, we will be better positioned to negotiate compensation.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit, if Necessary

If settlement negotiations with your insurance provider fall apart, you need a Scarborough personal injury lawyer who isn’t afraid of filing a lawsuit against the insurance company. Remember, preparation is key whether your claim ends in a fair settlement with your insurer or goes to trial.

It’s about being ready for any eventuality, understanding what to expect in each phase of your case, and how you should respond. Our skilled lawyers can provide invaluable assistance in taking your case to trial if the insurance company isn’t willing to settle or makes an unreasonable settlement offer.

Represent you in Court

An important fact you should know is that not every personal injury lawyer in Scarborough has trial experience. Luckily, you can depend on our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers if negotiations with your auto insurance company fail to resolve your case.

Our personal injury lawyers in Scarborough have extensive experience in legal representation in the Ontario courtrooms. They also have an impressive record of successful personal injury cases where they advocated before a jury or judge to help our clients get the compensation they are legally entitled to.

When is Legal Assistance Needed?

You can’t rely on your insurance policy provider to treat you fairly on your own. However, our personal injury lawyers have your best interests at heart and know the accident benefits you are legally entitled to. This places us in a better position to balance the scales and get you compensation. Here’s when hiring a Scarborough personal injury lawyer is necessary.

You Suffered Severe Injuries in a Vehicle Accident

Suppose you were involved in a car crash and sustained catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, concussion, internal injuries, or traumatic injuries. In that case, you will need costly medical treatment and rehabilitation. Your medical expenses are likely to add up quickly after the crash.

Therefore, it’s crucial to consult our skilled personal injury lawyers. The legal professionals can gather evidence related to your case, assess the full extent of the damages you suffered, and help you seek compensation.

You Can’t Work Due to Your Injuries

If you suffer injuries in a car crash, they can quickly turn your life upside down, particularly if you cannot work. Coping with the pain itself is challenging, but when the inability to work is added, the burden can be overwhelming.

Having our skilled personal injury lawyers on your side can help you pursue various sources of accident benefits. These include employment benefits (EI), short-term disability benefits, Section B – loss of income benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, and more. Our personal injury lawyers will assess your case and determine certain benefits you may be eligible for.

There’s a Dispute over Fault

Determining who was at fault in a car crash is crucial to getting compensation. However, the process of establishing liability isn’t always straightforward. There may be insurance disputes where insurance companies might argue that you were fully or partially at fault for the incident. This could significantly reduce or eliminate your financial compensation.

Our personal injury lawyers can help fight unfair blame against you. If the other party’s insurer tries to pin the fault on you, our personal injury lawyers can challenge such claims and protect your interests and rights.

Multiple Victims Injured in a Car Crash

Accidents involving multiple cars, many injured victims, and other parties, such as government vehicles or commercial trucks, can complicate the entire legal process. In such personal injury cases, determining who was at fault and assigning liability can be challenging. Furthermore, several insurance policies are involved.

Our personal injury lawyers can help investigate the case carefully to determine who was at fault and help you pursue all sources of compensation. In addition, we can coordinate multiple claims and handle complex legal issues to ensure you get a favourable outcome.

Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Here are the common injuries caused by car-related accidents that can lead to costly medical bills and other damages.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury occurs when your brain impacts the inside of your skull, causing damage to the soft tissue. This type of injury is caused by whiplash or blunt force and can impair your speech, motor skills, cognition, and behaviours. Such effects are often lifelong.

Spinal Cord Injury

This type of injury can cause total or partial paralysis – loss of sensation and function in some or all areas of your body. In the case of total paralysis, you will have suffered a permanent disability that requires extensive medical treatment. Such catastrophic injuries can drastically affect the quality of your life.

Internal Bleeding

Suppose you get involved in a vehicle accident. In that case, internal bleeding may happen when the blood vessels in your body get damaged and begin leaking blood into the surrounding cavities or tissues. This often happens due to traumatic injuries from the accident.

Broken Bones

Serious injuries involving bone fractures or broken bones often require prompt medical treatment and may take months to heal. Even after the bones heal, the accident victim may be left with a residual impairment.

Road Rash

This is a common injury sustained in vehicle accidents, particularly those involving ejection from the car. When a passenger is fully or partially thrown from a vehicle, their exposed body can scrape against objects or the ground. This can leave behind painful abrasion wounds, which are prone to infection.

Dislocation, Sprains, and Strains

Strained wrists, ankles, knees, and shoulders can result from being violently thrown around in a vehicle during a collision. These critical joints can also sprain or suffer dislocation during car-related accidents. Most of these dislocations, strains, and sprains may take a shorter period to heal.

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Scarborough

You should file a personal injury claim as soon as possible after a vehicle accident. Here’s the claims process you should follow.

Step 1: Notice Letter

This is the first step in filing a claim after a motor vehicle accident. Your personal injury lawyers must send the notice letter to the individual or company responsible for your injuries. It informs the alleged at-fault party that they were to blame for the incident that caused your injuries and that you intend to make a claim.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

To build and support a strong claim, you must get your medical records from your healthcare providers. This may include your family physician, medical specialist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, psychologist, and other medical professionals who treated you.

Other documents that may be required include employment records and income tax returns, particularly if you intend to make an income loss claim. Our personal injury lawyers may also contact expert witnesses to build your claim. For instance, we may need to speak to an independent witness who saw the car crash and an accident scene reconstruction expert to determine who was at fault.

Step 3: Preparation of Court Documents

If your claim isn’t settled during negotiations with an insurance company, your lawsuit should be filed within two years from the time of the accident. Our skilled personal injury lawyer in Scarborough will help you file a Statement of Claim at a courthouse. This document should also be served on the alleged defendant.

Step 4: Examinations for Discovery

This is when both the plaintiff and the defendant testify under oath about the personal injury case. It allows both parties to better understand the lawsuit and the relevant evidence that each party will depend on.

During the Examination for Discovery, you (the plaintiff) will be questioned by the insurance company’s lawyer. Similarly, your personal injury lawyer will question the individual who was at fault for the accident or a representative of an insurance company that denied your claim.

Step 5: Attendance at Medical Examinations

Our Scarborough personal injury lawyers may refer you to our expert medical professionals to get an opinion about your injury and physical impairments and assess the impact of the accident on your quality of life. Similarly, the defence lawyer is entitled to have you (the plaintiff) attend a medical assessment with their chosen experts. Our personal injury lawyers will adequately prepare you for this process.

Step 6: Mediation

You and the other party (plus their legal team) attend this out-of-court settlement meeting with a mediator. Both parties must agree to choose a neutral mediator. The mediator’s job is to bridge the gap between the parties involved to facilitate your claim settlement. Remember, the mediator cannot decide who is wrong and who isn’t.

Step 7: Pre-Trial Conference

If your claim doesn’t settle at the mediation stage, the next phase is a pre-trial conference. The parties involved in the case and their lawyers meet privately at a courthouse with a judge. After reviewing the lawsuit, the judge may offer an opinion about what the claim is worth and who is responsible for the damages.

At this stage, both parties are allowed to exchange claim settlement offers. If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to trial.

Step 6: Trial

This is the final stage of your lawsuit. Both parties will go to court, present evidence, and call witnesses. Trials are held before a judge or a jury. Once all facts and pieces of evidence have been presented, the jury or judge will make a final decision about who was at-fault and the total value of the case.

Consult a Reliable Personal Injury Lawyer, Scarborough

If you sustain injuries in a vehicle accident, don’t be overwhelmed or feel unsure about your case. We are a trusted personal injury law firm with a track record of handling car accident cases and any claims related to medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, fall accidents, slip and falls, and long-term disability claims.

Schedule a free consultation and speak to an experienced lawyer about your case.