An Ottawa Car Accident Lawyer Shares What You Can Expect if You’re Fully or Partially at Fault
In every car accident, someone is determined to be fully or partially at fault. If you find yourself in a situation where some or all of the responsibility falls on you, Ottawa car accident lawyers are there to guide you through the process and make sure you know what support you’re entitled to.
How Fault is Determined
Under the Insurance act of Ontario, there are a set of rules and scenarios called the Fault Determination Rules. These rules are used by insurance companies to decide who is at fault for the accident, and what percentage they are responsible for. The percentage could range anywhere from 0 – 100. Once the accident is reported to your insurer, the company will examine the situation and determine who is at fault according to the Fault Determination Rules, which cover over 40 accident situations, and are followed regardless of weather and road conditions. Once you know how responsible you are for the accident, you can call an Ottawa car accident lawyer to represent you. If you disagree with the fault determination, it is possible to appeal the decision.
Injuries
If you are injured in a vehicle collision, you are entitled to compensation whether or not you were at fault. This means that if you are found to be fully or partially at fault for a car accident, you should contact your Ottawa lawyer to ensure that you receive the appropriate and needed compensation. This is part of the statutory accident benefits coverage that must be provided under all auto insurance policies in Ontario. Make sure to read through your coverage to see if you have extra benefits on top of this Ontario mandated coverage.
Vehicle damage
If your vehicle is damaged but fixable, your insurance company may suggest the repairs be done at one of their preferred shops. These shops specialize in dealing with insurance companies, so you should have very few issues with repairs. Depending on your insurance policy, a percentage of the damages from the collision may be covered. If your vehicle is damaged beyond repair, or the repair costs are more than the value of the car, the insurer may decide it is a write off. In that case they will negotiate a settlement for the value of the car.
Being in a car accident is an emotional, stressful time . Make sure you review your insurance policy, and know your rights before you need to. Whether you are fully or partially at fault for a car accident, injuries, vehicle damage, and other claims can all be filed to help you recover and get back on your feet with the help of an Ottawa car accident lawyer.
