Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Crash?

Every day, drivers across Ontario take to the roads expecting to arrive safely. However, the reality is far more unpredictable.

According to Transport Canada, Ontario reported nearly 90,000 motor vehicle collisions involving injuries or death in 2023. This is a reminder that motor vehicle accidents happen more often than many Canadians think. Over 9,200 of these collisions were classified as serious injuries, with many victims requiring hospitalization, rehabilitation, or long-term care.

By mid-2024, the numbers were still rising, with alarming spikes in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, up 82% and 100% respectively. If you have been in a car crash, even a minor one, you may be asking: Do I need a lawyer?

It’s a fair question. Insurance companies might downplay your injuries, the fault for the motor vehicle accident may be unclear, and you could face steep medical bills or lost wages without proper guidance. Here’s what you need to know about hiring a car accident lawyer.

When You May Not Need a Lawyer

Based on some ads or blog posts you have read, it’s easy to think that every insurance company mistreats victims of motor vehicle accidents, and that you should seek legal help even for a mere fender bender. That’s not always the case. There are cases where you would want an experienced car accident lawyer to be involved, but sometimes you don’t need one. These circumstances include:

1. When No Injuries Happened or Significant Damage

If no one was hurt or there was no significant property damage, hiring a car accident lawyer may not be worthwhile. Imagine a case where no one was in either vehicle when the accident happened. That means the only damage done was entirely on the vehicles involved.

For example, your parked car could cause an accident if your excitable dog unexpectedly hits the loose gear shifter while no one is inside. This is different from a car accident caused by distracted driving. Talk to an insurance adjuster, and you will realize that such strange motor vehicle accidents happen.

If no one was injured (no fractured bones or lingering injuries that could force you to miss days of work), then you can work with the other driver’s insurance company to resolve the issue. However, you should be careful when you say, ‘No injuries happened.’ What may seem harmless immediately after a car accident may turn out to be a serious health issue later.

Therefore, if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. You will want to hear a licensed and experienced medical professional clear you of any possible injuries.

Should You Report the Incident?

Before January 1st, 2025, the threshold dictating when a driver had to report a vehicle collision to the police was $2,000 (damages). This limit has increased to $5,000. For example, suppose you ( a driver) were involved in a car accident that didn’t include damage to public property or injuries. In that case, the incident must be reported to the police if the total damage is $5,000 or higher.

Remember, you have 24 hours to inform the police about the car accident that meets the new $5,000 damage threshold. If someone was hurt or public property was damaged, the incident must be reported immediately. In this case, you need a skilled Ontario car accident lawyer on your side.

2. When the Math of Hiring a Lawyer doesn’t Make Sense

In some car accident cases, the potential recovery from a personal injury claim is so small that you can’t justify hiring a lawyer after a car crash. Don’t doubt that there are lawyers who will take on a small insurance claim in exchange for a significant percentage of the compensation amount. For instance, if you’re likely to recover $10,000, you don’t need a lawyer who’s asking about $8,000 in legal fees.

3. Clear Liability and Prompt Cooperation from the Insurance Company

If the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurance provider cooperates promptly, you may not need a car accident lawyer. Ontario’s law provides a standardized way to assign liability in common motor vehicle accident scenarios, such as rear-end collisions or improper lane changes. If the fault for the car accident is clear and uncontested, your insurer and the other driver’s insurance company will settle claims without delay.

Your own insurance company will handle your vehicle damage claim if you’re not at fault. If the damage is minor and the process moves quickly, legal representation may not be necessary. However, you should keep detailed records and be cautious if any delays, low offers, or miscommunications arise.

Even in straightforward personal injury cases, insurance companies sometimes undervalue car accident claims. If that happens or if injuries emerge later, legal services may be needed.

 When You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Ontario’s personal injury law allows car accident victims to file insurance claims and serve as their own advocates in court. While this may work in cases involving no injuries or significant property damage, there are instances when working with a lawyer may be your best chance to recover compensation. These circumstances include:

1. Severe Injuries

Suppose you or a loved one suffered severe injuries or a car crash caused permanent physical health issues. In that case, having a Toronto car accident lawyer handle your case is essential. Severe injuries usually require professional medical treatment, rehabilitation, and sometimes long-term care. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help ensure all costs related to your injuries are factored into your claim.

2. Hidden or Delayed Injuries

Sometimes, you (a victim of a car accident) may feel that you didn’t suffer any injuries in an accident. However, the shock of a car accident can cause an adrenaline rush that often masks pain and makes you feel that you’re fine. When you calm down and the initial threat or danger passes, the real extent of your injuries will begin to show.

Your personal injury lawyer can help ensure you are getting the recommended medical attention. The lawyer can also gather the information needed to prove the true extent of your injuries. Even when your injuries seem obvious, it’s easy to mistake a serious injury for something minor.

For instance, what could seem like a sprained ankle could be a fractured bone. You’ll unknowingly worsen the injury if you continue to exert more weight on it while hoping the swelling and pain will go away. Similarly, severe headache and dizziness could be a sign of whiplash, concussion, nerve damage, or other traumatic brain injury.

If you were involved in a violent car accident, your lawyer will recommend that you seek medical attention even when you’re feeling fine. Even after a minor car accident that caused bruises, it’s recommended to have a licensed doctor rule out any serious injuries and the risk of health complications.

3. The Crash Was Exceptionally Traumatic

A personal injury can also be psychological. Being involved in a serious motor vehicle crash can be a traumatic experience, even if you didn’t suffer any physical injuries. When an incident is violent and disturbing, you (the victim) may experience a scary ‘close call’ and probably witness severe injuries or death of other individuals involved in the crash.

Such experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health disorders even when you didn’t suffer physical injuries. Canadian law allows you to seek compensation for injuries caused by other entities. Psychological harm or emotional distress cases fall under this category. Work with your lawyer to prove all relevant legal elements of such a case.

4. Disputed Fault or Complex Liability

Ontario Province implements a ‘no-fault’ insurance system. In this context, ‘no-fault’ doesn’t mean no driver will be held responsible for causing a car accident. Rather, it implies that each driver’s insurer covers his or her own lost income and medical costs, no matter who caused the motor vehicle accident. However, fault plays a key role in establishing who will be held liable for certain accident benefits and property damage.

For instance, if your car was destroyed in an accident, the level (or degree) of fault allocated to each driver will determine whether you’ll be compensated under your insurance policy or whether you can recover damages from the negligent driver. Although Ontario’s no-fault system simplifies various aspects of compensation, it doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim against the at-fault driver.

Note that fault is rarely shared equally between the drivers involved in the accident. Even in a case of partial liability, one of the drivers will have a higher degree of fault compared to the other. Thus, Ontario’s fault determination rules help allocate a clear percentage of liability to the parties injured in a car accident.

Ontario’s no-fault system and fault determination rules can be complex, especially when severe injuries are involved or the other driver contests the assigned fault. Your personal injury lawyer can offer professional guidance on the fault determination and represent you in any interaction with the insurance company. Even in cases where multiple entities are to blame for the accident, your injury lawyer will provide the legal assistance and representation you need.

5. Denied or Delayed Insurance Claims

If you filed an insurance claim and it has been denied or delayed, an experienced car accident lawyer can help handle the case. When an insurance company denies a claim, it will provide reasons for denying your claim. Your personal injury lawyer can help you review the reason for the claim denial and challenge it. Some of the reasons for claim denial include:

Lack of Insurance Coverage

Your claim may be denied if your insurance policy doesn’t include the right type of coverage. For instance, without a vehicle collision or liability coverage, your insurer could reject a claim for accident-related damage. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help review your policy and confirm it covers the type of claim you’re making.

Missed Payment or Insurance Policy Lapse

If you miss a premium payment and your policy lapses, your insurance company may deny coverage. This means that even if the accident had been covered, your insurance policy is no longer active.
A reliable car accident lawyer can help you reach out to your insurer immediately to fix the issue and discuss possible reinstatement.

Filing Mistakes or Incomplete Information

Mistakes on your claim forms or missing documents can lead to delays or outright claim denial. Insurance companies rely on accurate information to process claims. Work with your lawyer to double-check every detail you submit in your personal injury claim paperwork. So, don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure about anything in the claim forms.

Pre-Existing Health Condition or Damage

Insurance companies may deny your claim if they believe the health condition or damage wasn’t caused by the recent accident. If they find signs of earlier damage, they could say it’s unrelated to the incident you say caused those injuries.

To avoid this, let a skilled personal injury lawyer help keep good records of your injuries and treatment. It’s equally important to have documents showing your vehicle’s condition and any repairs before the incident.

Delay in Filing a Claim

Waiting too long to report a car accident can hurt your chances of getting your claim approved. Most insurers require prompt notice so they can investigate properly. Always notify your insurer as soon as possible, even if you’re still unsure about the full extent of the damage. Note that an experienced personal injury lawyer can help handle all legal aspects of your claim while you’re being treated.

Disputes over Fault or Liability

If the insurance company decides you were at fault, they might reject your claim, especially if your coverage doesn’t apply in fault-based situations. If you believe the decision is wrong, consider submitting more evidence or challenging the finding through an internal appeal. Remember, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help gather credible evidence to support your claim.

Bad Faith Insurance Practices

Sometimes, an insurance company may deny a valid claim without a good reason. This is known as acting in bad faith. If your insurer seems to be avoiding responsibility, a personal injury lawyer can step in to challenge their decision and protect your right to fair compensation.

6. Pressure to Settle Quickly or Unfair Settlement Offers

After a car accident, insurance companies often move fast to offer a quick settlement. While this might seem helpful at first, early offers are usually much lower than what your claim is truly worth. They may cover initial vehicle repairs and immediate medical expenses, but overlook future lost wages, emotional harm, medical, and rehabilitation benefits.

The insurance company’s goal is to resolve your case quickly, often before you understand the full impact of your injuries. If an adjuster tells you things like “this is the best we can offer” or “you don’t need a lawyer”, be cautious. That pressure could be a tactic to limit their payout.

A Toronto car accident lawyer can assess the settlement offer, explain your rights, and negotiate a fair settlement. A reliable injury lawyer understands what your car accident claim is worth today and what you might need years from now. With the right legal help, you won’t have to settle for less than you legally deserve.

7. Involvement of Multiple Parties

When a car accident involves more than one party, like another driver, a trucking company, or a pedestrian, the legal claim process becomes more complicated. Determining who is liable for the accident requires a careful review of the facts. That includes creating a timeline of the events, gathering physical evidence, and identifying whether any party failed in their duty of care.

Each person or company involved may tell a different story. An experienced car accident lawyer knows how to identify inconsistencies, compare statements, and apply legal standards to prove fault. They understand how to prove that one or more defendants caused or contributed to your injury.

Cases like this involve legal and insurance complexities that most people aren’t familiar with. If you’re dealing with a personal injury claim involving multiple parties, you need someone who knows the claim process and is fully focused on protecting your interests. A skilled Toronto car accident lawyer can fight for your right to the accident benefits you’re legally entitled to.  

What a Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

While you’re not legally required to retain the services of a personal injury law firm after a car accident, you should consider retaining one. Toronto car accident lawyers have the knowledge and resources to build a strong personal injury lawsuit. You have a better chance of getting accident benefits with a skilled car accident lawyer in your corner.

The best part is that personal injury lawyers across Ontario work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. Your lawyers will only get paid after securing fair compensation for you. Here’s what an experienced car accident lawyer can do for you.

Investigate the Car Accident

A detailed investigation is an important step in a personal injury claim. Your personal injury lawyer will investigate to understand exactly what happened before, during, and after the motor vehicle accident. This might include analyzing skid marks, traffic signals at the time of the accident, vehicle positions after the collision, and road conditions.

These facts help determine who was at fault and how the crash led to your injuries. A thorough investigation will uncover critical details that could support your right to claim damages from the at-fault driver’s insurer. It will also ensure you receive any additional accident benefits you legally qualify for under Ontario’s no-fault legal system.

Facilitate Medical Treatment

If you’ve been injured, we can help coordinate medical treatment through trusted providers. Getting professional care early supports both your recovery and your legal claim. Proper documentation of injuries, treatment, and recovery timelines makes strong evidence that can support your car accident claim.

Gather Evidence

Your personal injury lawyer can collect and protect the key evidence needed to support your claim. This may include photos or videos from the accident scene, medical records, police reports, and any surveillance footage. They’ll also contact witnesses and take detailed statements to confirm what they saw.

Each piece of evidence can strengthen your car accident injury claim. Reputable car accident lawyers even work with an accident reconstruction expert to help show how the crash occurred and who was to blame. Detailed and credible evidence can strengthen your claim and recover damages, whether through litigation or alternative dispute resolution like mediation.

Establish Fault

Figuring out who caused an accident is essential in every car accident case. Your lawyer will gather evidence to identify the responsible party, whether it’s another driver, a careless mechanic, a trucking company, or even a municipality that failed to maintain the road.

When more than one party may be to blame for the car accident, your lawyer can help determine each party’s role and pursue compensation from all those responsible. Establishing fault correctly ensures that your claim targets the right defendant(s).

Handle All Communication with Insurers

In Ontario, you must notify your insurer within 7 days of the accident to apply for accident benefits and submit a completed accident benefits application within 30 days. A car accident lawyer can help make sure all communication with insurers is timely and properly handled.

Dealing with insurance adjusters, especially when there are multiple insurance companies involved, can be stressful. Disagreements about who was at fault for the accident or delays in cooperation are common. Your lawyer will speak with insurers on your behalf, help avoid mistakes, and protect your legal rights throughout the process.

Calculate the Full Value of Your Claim

An experienced lawyer can help you identify and calculate all damages you may be entitled to. While you might gather bills for car repairs and initial treatment, estimating future medical expenses or lost wages requires more legal skill and expert input. With the help of a dedicated lawyer, you can build a strong accident benefits claim that reflects the amount of compensation you’re entitled to.

If your injuries affect your ability to work or earn the same income long-term, a lawyer can build evidence to show this impact. For pain and suffering damages, your lawyer will explain if your injuries meet Ontario’s legal threshold and how the Insurance Act may apply a statutory deductible to your award.

Note that the damages you can recover will depend on the nature of the injuries suffered, medical bills, and other factors. For instance, catastrophic injuries like a traumatic brain injury may require costly medical care. If you suffered a permanent disability, you’ll need assistance with even routine activities such as walking. In that case, your lawyer can help you seek caregiver benefits as part of your accident benefits claim.

Represent You in Negotiations or Litigation

Most car accident claims in Ontario are resolved through settlement negotiations or mediation instead of going to trial. Mediation is a process where both sides meet with a neutral third party, often a retired judge, to try and reach an agreement.

If both parties agree on fair compensation, the case settles without a court litigation. However, if talks fail, your lawyer will take the case to trial. In court, your lawyer will present medical records, expert testimony, police reports, and detailed calculations of your financial losses to prove the other party’s negligence.

Having a skilled car accident lawyer means you are fully represented, whether you’re negotiating outside court or fighting for compensation in front of a judge or jury.

Help Avoid Common Legal and Procedural Mistakes

After a car accident, it’s easy to unknowingly make decisions that could hurt your personal injury claim. Speaking with a lawyer early can help you avoid making the following mistakes:

• Fleeing the scene of the motor vehicle accident

• Failing to give full details to the police

• Skipping medical appointments or ignoring follow-up care

• Not collecting photos or witness contact information

• Refusing help from paramedics or underreporting injuries

• Overlooking emotional trauma and mental health concerns

• Not filing a timely accident report

• Admitting fault before understanding the facts

• Failing to keep records or witness statements

• Accepting a low settlement offer too quickly

• Signing insurance documents without legal advice

• Waiting too long to start a car accident claim

Posting about the Crash on Social Media

A car accident lawyer can guide you through every step and make sure your rights are protected. If you were injured in a car or truck crash, schedule a free, initial consultation and speak to a licensed lawyer about your car accident lawsuit.

How Our Lawyers Can Help Navigate Your Car Accident Claim

Experienced Toronto car accident lawyers can guide you through every phase of your claim. The entire process spans filing paperwork and collecting evidence to negotiating with insurers and, if your case goes to trial, representing you in court. Personal injury lawyers understand the legal deadlines, insurance rules, and injury compensation standards under Ontario law.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Whether your case involves a minor car accident that caused minor injuries or a multi-vehicle head-on collision with complex liability, you need reliable legal representation. A lawyer with a proven track record can protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need for recovery, medical care, and long-term stability. Schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with one of our experienced car accident lawyers.