Car accidents can leave a trail of destruction in their wake if you or a dear one has been seriously injured. The road to recovery can be a long and expensive one, and in many cases, it may not even lead to complete recovery.

Accidents are the result of someone’s fault or negligence. A moment’s inattention, one extra drink at a party, speeding, answering a phone call or typing out a quick response to a text message can lead to someone else’s life being altered irrevocably.

The injured are entitled to seek compensation. Ontario laws entitle all those injured in motor-vehicle accidents to receive statutory benefits from their own insurance companies. Additionally, they’re also entitled to claim compensation by filing a civil/personal injury suit against the at-fault party.

This is best done with the assistance, advice and advocacy of an experienced Chatham Kent personal injury lawyer.

Treatment Issues 

Benefits for motor-vehicle accident injuries are governed by Ontario’s Financial Services Commission (FSCO) and not by the Ministry for Health and Long-Term Care.

If you have been injured in a motor-vehicle accident, getting medical attention is of utmost importance. Some injuries may appear to be minor at that time, but could turn out to be much worse if they’re left undiagnosed or untreated. Whiplash injuries are typical examples of this. Many victims don’t realize that they’ve suffered injuries till a few days have passed. Stiffness, numbness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, memory/concentration problems, fatigue, sleep disturbances etc are some of the common symptoms of whiplash.

Such injuries require extended physiotherapy and other ongoing treatments for complete recovery, relief from pain and restoration of mobility and function. Treatments include ice and heat applications, cervical support, gentle mobility, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, pain-killers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Unfortunately, Ontario’s funding system for physiotherapy is one of the most complicated in Canada, according to Dr. M Landry, Dept of Physical therapy, University of Toronto. There are different agencies which have to be approached, your eligibility under these has to be determined and finally the funds have to be released when they’re really required.

Our experienced Chatham Kent personal injury lawyers can help you with the complex paperwork and the difficult legal, medical and insurance issues involved.

The Role Of Insurers

The accident must be reported immediately to your insurance company. There are two types of claims-adjusters who will handle your case: One for the vehicle damage and one for your injuries. As a result of the accident, if you have been injured, this must be indicated in your report. Following this, an accident claims adjuster and claim number will be assigned to you.

This allows the physiotherapy clinic to co-ordinate your treatment with your doctor and your insurer.

Physiotherapists are deemed to be primary health care providers in Ontario and a physician referral is not strictly necessary, but it may be so under certain health care plans.

Your Chatham Kent personal injury lawyer can help you understand these aspects better so that you get the best possible treatment and get your life back on track again.