We had a fabulous trip this summer, driving to Florida and then back along the Eastern United States.   Before we went, we did what all Ontarians should do before a US driving trip.  We called our auto insurer to check our insurance coverage.  Yes, it sounds a little uptight.  But if you ever needed it…

Most people don’t realize that their own policy’s liability limits protect them in the event of an uninsured motorist, an unidentified motorist, or an under-insured motorist is involved in an accident.  This is very important if you travel to the United Statesbecause many states have very low minimum liability limits.  For example, there are a number ofU.S.states where you only need to carry $15,000.00 in liability insurance!  That means that if you were struck by a vehicle carrying only $15,000.00 in liability insurance and you had a very serious accident involving you and perhaps others in your family, absent your own insurance policy, $15,000.00 would be all there would be.  Fortunately, in Ontario, our minimum policy limits are $200,000.00.  Virtually all Ontarians carry at least $1,000,000.00 but those who can should carry $2,000,000.00 or more to protect their own family.   That way, if you are involved in a serious accident, your own insurance policy is there as a backstop.

Ontario Insurance Adjusters: Don’t Underestimate Them!

OTTAWA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER – A lovely lady telephoned me once in a panic, because her insurance adjuster told her that the insurance company was going to “close her file” if she did not accept a paltry settlement offer in the next 4 days.  The limitation period does not expire for another 6 months.  The lady was quite surprised when I explained (a) the adjuster does not have the power to “close the file” in a permanent way and (b) that an amount that was offered was open to negotiation.

In his new book “The Virginia Motor Vehicle Accident Book”, lawyer Jim Hurley has a great chapter listing tips to help your motor vehicle case.  One of the tips is very important, as my experience reminded me.

“Don’t underestimate the defendant’s insurance adjusters who contact you.  Initially, after a motor vehicle accident when you are injured, if you are not represented by a lawyer, the defendant’s insurance company will call you and try to make you settle your claim”.  Sound familiar?…”their only goal is to settle your claim as quickly and a cheaply as possible”.  Uh oh.  He points out how friendly and pleasant the adjusters seem while they urge you to settle.  Excellent point.

Ontario residents can get a copy of my own personal injury book, an “Injured Victim’s Guide to Fair Compensation,” by visiting our easy-to-use free book order form.

Ottawa Child Injury Lawyer | Accident Claim

Why do Ottawa personal injury lawyers  Auger Hollingsworth have separate pages for personally injured children?

1. In many ways, a child’s accident claim is treated differently than an adult accident claim by the law and by the insurance companies. Our Injured Children’s Pages highlight these differences.
2. As parents ourselves, we know you are looking for resources to help you cope with your child’s future after a serious accident. Our Injured Children’s Pages collect important resources for child accident victims in one, easy to find spot.
3. As the parent of an injured child, your time is precious. The Injured Children’s Pages are abbreviated so you can quickly get an overview of what a claim for compensation involves.
4. We highlight child accident prevention. Handling cases for child accident victims motivates our personal injury lawyers to provide important consumer information on product safety, traffic safety and accident avoidance. This information is highlighted in the Injured Children’s Pages.

If your child has been injured, please read the Injured Children’s Pages carefully and then telephone an experienced lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth at 613-233-4529 or email info@ottawalawfirm.ca.

In 2008, I wrote to a client’s insurance company to claim the attendant care benefits back to the date of the accident. I also claimed the client’s housekeeping benefits back to the date of the accident.

Just days later, by the time I arrived at the office, I had received a fax from the adjuster saying a cheque for almost $10,000 would be sent to my client right away.

This is money my client never would have received if she had not hired a lawyer. She is not someone who was ignoring her accident benefits. She was handling them on her own, dealing with the adjuster directly. It just goes to show…and it made my day.

Have you been an accident and are wondering how to make a claim for compensation? A personal injury lawyer can help you throughout the process. For more information, contact the Ottawa accident lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth by email info@ottawalawfirm.ca or by phone at (613) 233-4529.

We have had a lot of great articles that have been picked up on the web over the past few weeks.

Here they are some for starters:

• Answers to 7 Questions Accident Victims Must Know
• Sexual Assault Primer: Legal Options for Victims
• Myths About “Impaired Driving”, “Drunk Driving” or Driving “Over 80″ Charges
• Settlement Savvy: 5 Tips for the Car Accident Scene

Let us know what you think.

Have you been involved in an Ontario accident and are dealing with injury as a result? After receiving the medical treatment you need, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you proceed with your claim. For more information, contact the Ottawa lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth by email info@ottawalawfirm.ca or by phone at (613) 233-4529.