When someone has been seriously injured in an accident, the situation is overwhelming. You have many questions and often don't know what needs to be done first. To begin, click on any of the links below to get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. For more detailed information and advice on your personal situation, feel free to contact us directly.
My insurance company told me that I don’t need a lawyer. Should I speak to one?
The insurance company is in a position of conflict and should not provide you with this advice. It is important that you speak to a lawyer to obtain independent legal guidance.
Is the first meeting free?
Yes. The initial consultation will not cost anything.
What is the cost of a lawsuit?
When your case is settled, legal fees are paid from the settlement award, based on a percentage agreed to at the onset of a lawsuit. We will wait to be paid even if this takes many years. We pay for all disbursements (e.g. medical, engineering and accounting reports) for which we will be reimbursed if and when the case is settled. In rare instances, when a lawsuit is not successful, the client is not charged for legal fees nor for any disbursements.
Do I have to pay a retainer fee?
We do not require a retainer fee for motor vehicle accident cases.
How long does it take to resolve a case?
This depends on the severity of the injury. Generally it takes a minimum of 2 years to obtain a medical prognosis. Consequently, the minimum amount of time before a case can be settled is 2 years. Many serious cases will take longer.
Should I provide a statement to my insurance company?
You should not provide a statement to your insurance company without first speaking to a lawyer.
How do I complete all of the insurance forms?
Do not attempt to complete the insurance forms on your own. They are complicated and should be completed by an experienced professional in order to ensure that there are no errors or omissions of key information. Consult with a lawyer who, along with the help of an accident benefits coordinator, will ensure that the forms are filled out appropriately.
Can I receive accident benefits through my insurance company even if I was at fault for the accident?
If the accident occurred in the province of Ontario, an injured person is entitled to accident benefits regardless of fault. This is because Ontario has a no-fault system of insurance. For information on insurance benefits for victims of accidents that occurred outside of Ontario, please contact us directly.
How will the accident affect my insurance rates?
If the accident is not your fault, your insurance rates should not increase. If the accident is your fault, your car insurance rates may increase.
What if I can't work, look after my children or go to school?
Accident benefits through your insurer are available to cover some of these losses. If you can’t work you are entitled to 70% of your income loss up to $400 per week. If you are catastrophically injured and the primary caregiver of someone in your home and can no longer do this, then you may be entitled to $250 per week for the first person who you were looking after, and possibly $50 for every other person you were taking care of before the accident. Click here for more information about Accident Benefits, or contact us for a free consultation.
Can I make a claim if I was at work when the accident occurred?
In certain cases you may have the option to sue or claim Worker’s Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits. This decision could have a huge financial impact on your potential legal claim, so it is vital that you speak to a lawyer before proceeding to claim WSIB benefits.
What happens if a person is incapacitated by his/her injury and can't make any decisions for him/herself?
A family member can make decisions regarding treatment while the severely injured person remains in hospital. Thereafter a substitute decision-maker can be appointed. A lawyer can help you with this process.
Do I have to come to your office after I have been discharged from the hospital?
No. Michael has a diverse client base, some residing outside of Ontario and even outside of Canada. He will come to you, either in your home, or any other location that is convenient for you.
Will you meet with me outside of normal business hours?
We understand that meeting during business hours is often not possible, and therefore meetings can be scheduled during evenings or weekends, at a location of your choice.
Will you personally handle my claim or will you delegate it to someone else?
At Morse|Shannon, the personal injury lawyer litigating your case personally handles it. Unlike other law firms who have hundreds of cases at any one time, Morse|Shannon carefully limits the number of cases in order to ensure that each case receives full attention and the proper counsel required for the best possible outcome.
My insurance company told me that I don’t need a lawyer. Should I speak to one?
The insurance company is in a position of conflict and should not provide you with this advice. It is important that you speak to a lawyer to obtain independent legal guidance.
Is the first meeting free?
Yes. The initial consultation will not cost anything.
What is the cost of a lawsuit?
When your case is settled, legal fees are paid from the settlement award, based on a percentage agreed to at the onset of a lawsuit. We will wait to be paid even if this takes many years. We pay for all disbursements (e.g. medical, engineering and accounting reports) for which we will be reimbursed if and when the case is settled. In rare instances, when a lawsuit is not successful, the client is not charged for legal fees nor for any disbursements.
Do I have to pay a retainer fee?
We do not require a retainer fee for motor vehicle accident cases.
How long does it take to resolve a case?
This depends on the severity of the injury. Generally it takes a minimum of 2 years to obtain a medical prognosis. Consequently, the minimum amount of time before a case can be settled is 2 years. Many serious cases will take longer.
Should I provide a statement to my insurance company?
You should not provide a statement to your insurance company without first speaking to a lawyer.
How do I complete all of the insurance forms?
Do not attempt to complete the insurance forms on your own. They are complicated and should be completed by an experienced professional in order to ensure that there are no errors or omissions of key information. Consult with a lawyer who, along with the help of an accident benefits coordinator, will ensure that the forms are filled out appropriately.
Can I receive accident benefits through my insurance company even if I was at fault for the accident?
If the accident occurred in the province of Ontario, an injured person is entitled to accident benefits regardless of fault. This is because Ontario has a no-fault system of insurance. For information on insurance benefits for victims of accidents that occurred outside of Ontario, please contact us directly.
How will the accident affect my insurance rates?
If the accident is not your fault, your insurance rates should not increase. If the accident is your fault, your car insurance rates may increase.
What if I can't work, look after my children or go to school?
Accident benefits through your insurer are available to cover some of these losses. If you can’t work you are entitled to 70% of your income loss up to $400 per week. If you are catastrophically injured and the primary caregiver of someone in your home and can no longer do this, then you may be entitled to $250 per week for the first person who you were looking after, and possibly $50 for every other person you were taking care of before the accident. Click here for more information about Accident Benefits, or contact us for a free consultation.
Can I make a claim if I was at work when the accident occurred?
In certain cases you may have the option to sue or claim Worker’s Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits. This decision could have a huge financial impact on your potential legal claim, so it is vital that you speak to a lawyer before proceeding to claim WSIB benefits.
What happens if a person is incapacitated by his/her injury and can't make any decisions for him/herself?
A family member can make decisions regarding treatment while the severely injured person remains in hospital. Thereafter a substitute decision-maker can be appointed. A lawyer can help you with this process.
Do I have to come to your office after I have been discharged from the hospital?
No. Michael has a diverse client base, some residing outside of Ontario and even outside of Canada. He will come to you, either in your home, or any other location that is convenient for you.
Will you meet with me outside of normal business hours?
We understand that meeting during business hours is often not possible, and therefore meetings can be scheduled during evenings or weekends, at a location of your choice.
Will you personally handle my claim or will you delegate it to someone else?
At Morse|Shannon, the personal injury lawyer litigating your case personally handles it. Unlike other law firms who have hundreds of cases at any one time, Morse|Shannon carefully limits the number of cases in order to ensure that each case receives full attention and the proper counsel required for the best possible outcome.
