We assume that car accidents are usually just that  – “Accidental.” In fact, most of them are the result of someone’s fault, negligence or the deliberate or unknowing flouting of safety norms.

Unfortunately, car accident victims who have been seriously injured  and their family-members and dependents have to shoulder the physical, financial and emotional burdens that arise from such a mishap.

Getting one’s life back on track following a serious car accident can be a lengthy, expensive and emotionally-draining process. Although monetary compensation cannot replace the time and health that was lost, it can certainly make life a little easier for victims and their families. Hence, under civil laws, injured victims are entitled to seek compensation from those whose actions/omissions resulted in the accident.

However, insurance companies who make the settlement payouts, whether statutory or through a personal injury claim, may not act in good faith. They may dispute, deny or delay your claim.

An experienced Barrie personal injury lawyer can provide the right information, advice and assistance to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Issues In Seeking Compensation

Insurance companies and claims-adjusters are part of a for-profit system. Their main focus is to safeguard their own business  interests which may not be in sync with yours.

Claims-adjusters are highly trained, educated and experienced professionals whose mandate is to keep settlements at a minimum or avoid them altogether. They look for any information that can be used to contradict the claims you make. You may inadvertently provide access to confidential, private information regarding your health and finances which could harm your claim.

The at-fault party’s insurers focus on reducing/denying their client’s liability and negligence and also discover whether you may have contributed partially to the accident.

Tips To Ensure You Get Due Benefits

• Ensure you get medical attention immediately, no matter how minor you think your injuries are
• Follow all medical advice – this is important from a health and legal aspect
• Be scrupulously honest and limit your information to what you really know while speaking to the police, since this becomes part of the accident report
• Unless you’re seriously injured, get all possible information about the other vehicle/driver involved. Address, phone-numbers, insurance, details of make and model of vehicle etc will also go into police reports
• Request a copy of the police report
• Take pictures on your mobile phone of location, position of vehicles, important landmarks, your injuries, weather/road conditions, road-signs/traffic signals if any.
• Begin keeping an accident journal: note down names, addresses and contact details of witnesses if any, all conversations with at-fault party, insurance-companies, doctors, your physical, financial and emotional state etc
• Record all the personal property damaged like spectacles, etc.
• Preserve clothing and footwear
• Preserve all test and ER room reports, bills, receipts for all expenses connected with the injury
• Don’t communicate with at-fault parties/their insurers/legal representatives without your personal injury lawyer’s advice
• Never confront or apologize to anyone on the spot
• Avoid making a social media presence for some time

Don’t underestimate insurance company representatives or assume that they have your interests at heart. Finally, select a Barrie personal injury lawyer who is prepared to take your claim all the way to court if necessary.