According to Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, there were nearly 27,000 “fatal and personal injury collisions” on the province’s roads in 2023. They involved more than 49,000 drivers. Those numbers are staggering. For anyone caught in one of these accidents, it’s more than just a statistic. It’s your life, your health, your recovery.
When a car accident disrupts everything, you need answers fast. Who covers your medical expenses? How do you recover lost income? What steps must you take to ensure you’re treated fairly? This guide will help you figure out how to claim bodily injury compensation and start taking control of your situation.
Types of Claims
Two main types of claims arise after a motor vehicle accident. They serve different purposes:
- Accident Benefits Claims: These are filed with your own insurance company. Fault doesn’t matter here. Accident benefits provide immediate help with medical costs, rehabilitation, and income replacement.
- Personal Injury Claims: These go beyond accident benefits. If someone else caused your injuries, you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company for damages like pain and suffering or long-term income loss.
How to Claim Accident Benefits After a Car Accident
Accident benefits are designed to kick in right away. But you’ll need to act quickly. Miss a step, and you could delay—or lose—your ability to claim the benefit.
- Call Your Insurance Company: This is your first move. Report the accident within seven days. Be ready with details like the date, time, and location.
- Complete Forms: Your insurer will send you a package. It will include forms like the Application for Accident Benefits and Disability Certificate (to be filled out by your doctor). Get this done promptly.
- Documentation: Keep records of everything—treatment receipts, medical reports, anything tied to your injuries.
Quick Tip: Accident benefits help, but they don’t always cover the full extent of the damages. You may need to consider a personal injury claim.
How to File a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident
When someone else caused your injuries, accident benefits alone might not cut it. Filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault is about covering what accident benefits can’t.
Here’s what to do:
- Gather Evidence: Collect the accident report, photos, and witness statements. Record details like the licence plate number of the other vehicle and the insurance company of the other parties involved.
- Prove Fault: This isn’t optional. If you can’t show the other driver caused the accident, your claim will not be successful.
- Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer: Don’t go at it alone. An experienced car accident lawyer will guide you, negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company, and fight for fair compensation.
- Seek Damages: A personal injury claim can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also accounts for long-term impacts on your ability to work or live a normal life.
Contact Kalsi & Associates for a Free Consultation
No one should face this process alone. At Kalsi & Associates, we understand the stress that follows a car accident. Our team has years of experience navigating Ontario’s legal system. We fight for what matters most: your recovery, your rights, and your future.
Need help from a car accident lawyer serving Brampton? Let’s talk. Book a free consultation today. We’ll handle the legal battles, so you can focus on healing.
