Insurance Companies And Truck Accidents
Experienced attorneys helping those who need it the most
Motorcycles are popular in the GTA and throughout Ontario, but too many drivers don’t pay attention to motorcycles on the road. The result is an accident that can leave motorcyclists with serious injuries. The experienced attorneys at Smitiuch Injury Law fight for the rights of the injured.
What happens after a motorcycle accident?
Motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries in an accident. Unlike car drivers and passengers, they have no seat belts, airbags, or steel frames to help protect them during a crash. So, they can be easily injured when struck directly or thrown to the ground from the impact of a collision. When their crash was caused by a negligent driver, they deserve financial compensation.
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Recovering compensation is complicated. Negligent drivers often won’t accept responsibility for the accident and deny doing anything wrong. Insurance companies aren’t much help. They will try to pay you as little as they possibly can. They have attorneys who help them find ways to limit your compensation.
That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side. We know this is a difficult and stressful time for victims and their families. Injuries may take months or longer to heal. You may be left with a permanent disability. The medical expenses for treatment can add up quickly and you may have no way of paying the bills.
Why should I hire your firm to represent me in my motorcycle accident case?
Our lawyers understand the challenge and obstacles that exist when seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident. Insurance companies tend to think of motorcyclists as being reckless and irresponsible. The way they see it, a motorcyclist must have been somehow responsible for causing the crash.
We know that most motorcyclists are very responsible and careful on the road because drivers tend to ignore them or see them as a nuisance. Sometimes drivers don’t see a motorcycle that is right next to them. Too often, the result is an accident that leaves motorcyclists hurt.
Our legal team investigates your motorcycle accident to get the facts. We gather evidence and carefully review accident reports, medical records, and other documentation. In addition, we identify witnesses and interview them about what they saw. If needed, we work with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.
What if I am wrongly blamed for causing a crash?
One of the most frustrating situations that sometimes comes up with motorcycle accidents is the motorcyclist being found at fault, even when they had nothing to do with causing the crash. This scenario is, unfortunately, more common than many motorcyclists might realize.
If you are wrongly blamed for causing a crash involving another vehicle, it’s important that you take certain steps to protect your health and your rights as a motorcyclist:
Don’t discuss your accident – Whether you’re at the crash site or someone from an insurance company contacts you, do not talk about your motorcycle accident. Anything you write or say about your crash could be used to reduce or deny your injury claim.
Seek immediate medical care – This step is very important for two reasons. One, you could have a serious injury that requires immediate medical treatment due to your accident. Two, you will have evidence of your injury, something insurance companies often require as proof of a bad injury sustained in an accident.
Hire a lawyer – If you have been wrongly blamed for causing an accident involving another driver, don’t try to tackle your case on your own. Let your lawyer stand up for your rights and thoroughly investigate your motorcycle accident.
How can I prove I was not at fault?
Evidence matters when it comes to proving you did not cause a crash involving another driver. In the case of a motorcycle accident, your attorney can conduct an independent investigation to find the facts that prove you were not at fault. Such evidence can include:
Your statements (written and verbal) to insurance companies, police officers, and anyone else investigating your crash
The investigating police officer’s official collision report
Video footage of your accident, including dashcam footage, traffic camera footage and red light camera footage
Eyewitness testimony from someone who saw your accident
Crash site evidence, including skid marks on the road and accident debris
Medical records indicating what speed or direction the other driver was traveling when they crashed into your motorcycle
An experienced lawyer can assist with every step in this process and deal directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Many companies agree to cooperate and make a fair settlement offer to injured motorcyclists. If the other driver’s insurance company continues to insist you were at fault, your lawyer can pursue legal action on your behalf, including filing a lawsuit seeking damages (financial compensation) for your accident expenses. Insurance Companies And Truck Accidents
How much is my accident claim worth?
The total value of your claim will likely depend on many different factors, including the severity of your injuries and the length of your recovery. In general, you should be paid for all your injury expenses, now and in the future, including:
Medical bills, including emergency room care, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications for chronic pain, and other medical expenses, now and in the future
Repair costs or replacement of your motorcycle if it’s a total loss
Replacement income if you cannot work while recovering from your motorcycle injuries
Lost future income if you cannot return to work in the future due to a permanent disability
Pain and suffering in certain circumstances
The insurance company for the at-fault driver will likely try to claim your accident is worth much less than its true total value. That’s why many insurance companies often make a low settlement offer soon after a bad motorcycle accident. They’re hoping you will accept their offer and go away.
You do not have to accept their initial settlement offer. You can reject their offer and demand more money for your motorcycle accident. That’s why you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible. They know how to deal with insurance companies and can demand the maximum financial compensation you need and deserve.
What can I expect from my motorcycle accident case?
Insurance companies know our firm. One thing they know about us is that we are not afraid to go to court to fight for our clients. That’s one reason why we are often able to negotiate a settlement that meets the needs of our clients. Insurance Companies And Truck Accidents
At Smitiuch Injury Law, we offer the resources and experience of a big law firm while providing the personal attention only a smaller firm can provide. One of our lawyers will guide you through the legal process every step of the way. We offer tireless representation until we help you recover financial compensation for your motorcycle accident.
INSURANCE COMPANIES AND TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Our Toronto truck accident lawyers help you recover the compensation you deserve
When you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you can get medical and other expenses paid. To do that means dealing with insurance companies. We know that it can be a frustrating and confusing process. The good news? The experienced truck accident lawyers at Smitiuch Injury Law can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
It’s important to remember that insurance companies are businesses. They want to make a profit. So in order to keep their profits as high as possible, they will try to keep payments as low as possible. Our firm has been dealing with insurance companies since our founding in 2001. We know they operate and how to get them to pay you what you deserve.
We can help you maximize your accident benefits – including medical and rehabilitation, attendant care and income replacement benefits. Insurance companies may question the seriousness of your injuries or the need for certain treatments and procedures. We fight to help you get the amount you deserve.
Our lawyers can also help you take legal action against negligent parties who caused your accident. Insurance companies will again fight to limit your compensation and may even deny liability. We help you fight back. We know the tactics insurance companies use. They’ll dispute the extent of your injuries. They may also:
Blame you for the accident.
For example, the insurance company may argue that you were 30 percent to blame for causing the accident. Why does this matter? Because under the Ontario Contributory Negligence Act, if you are found partially responsible for causing an accident, any compensation you receive in court could be reduced. This helps the insurance company save money. We investigate your accident to gather evidence that proves you were the victim of negligence. Insurance Companies And Truck Accidents
Ask you some questions.
This sounds harmless but the insurance company is not just trying to learn more about the accident. They are trying to get you to say something that can be used against you. For example, they may ask questions designed to make you admit to fault. If the insurance company wants to ask you questions, politely decline and say you have to speak to your lawyer first.
Offer you a settlement.
How can that be a bad thing? The insurance company may offer you money and promise quick payment. Their offer will fall far short of covering all of the damages you suffered and they know it. We recommend that you do not accept any offer from the insurance company until you speak a truck accident lawyer.
Claim your injuries were pre-existing.
An insurance company may argue that they are not liable because your injuries occurred before the accident. They may seek access to your medical records to look for information they can use against you. We fight back against these attempts and build a strong case that shows you were injured in the truck accident. Insurance Companies And Truck Accidents
