The unfortunate reality of today’s day and age is that auto accidents are more common now than ever, in large part due to distracted driving, however, various additional forms of negligence all cause auto accidents as well. If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you may not know where to turn, as the legal process ahead seems complicated, however, you mustn’t fear; our experienced Toronto auto accident lawyer is here to fight, tooth-and-nail, for the financial compensation you deserve and need to heal. No matter the circumstances of your accident, whether you were injured in a car, truck, on a motorcycle, or otherwise, you can depend on the lawyers here at Merricks Law Group, to fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. Contact our firm to schedule your free initial consultation so we can begin fighting for your right to a swift recovery today.
Toronto Auto Accident Lawyer | Helping Accident Victims Across Ontario
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Toronto, you cannot hire just any lawyer; you must hire a personal injury lawyer who has years of experience proving his dedication to and advocacy for accident victims throughout Toronto. Howard Merricks, of Merricks Law Group, has represented accident victims in Toronto for over 30 years, and he is ready to put that experience to work for you as well. We have a comprehensive knowledge of auto accidents and auto accident claims–you can depend on us to fight, tooth-and-nail, for the outcome you deserve.
Our Legal Services
Though car accidents are perhaps the most common type of auto accident that our firm sees, they are far from the only type of auto accident that regularly occurs on Toronto roads. For this very reason, we at Merricks Law Group handle a wide array of auto accident claims, including the following:
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Uber/Lyft Accidents
- Public Transportation Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Accident Benefits
Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Toronto
Auto accidents occur for various reasons, and sometimes they are unavoidable, such as when a motorist gets stuck in the middle of an unexpected snowstorm. However, unfortunately, in most cases, auto accidents are caused by negligence and are, therefore, preventable. Some of the most common causes of auto accidents that our firm sees include texting while driving, driving while under the influence, speeding, driving while fatigued, unsafe lane changes, and more.
Contributory Negligence in Toronto
Toronto observes what is known as contributory negligence when it comes to auto accident claims. This means that if you were partially at fault for an accident, even if the accident was primarily caused by another driver, the amount of compensation you receive may be diminished by whatever percentage you are determined to be at fault. So, for example, if someone were to recklessly cut you off and caused an accident, though it was determined that you were traveling even slightly above the speed limit at the time of the accident, it may be ruled that you contributed to the accident. Therefore, if it is ruled that an accident was 80% caused by one driver, though you contributed 20% to the accident, you may still win compensation, though you will win 20% less than if you had not contributed to the accident at all.
Recovering Damages
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, our Toronto auto accident lawyer can work to recover financial compensation on your behalf for two types of damages: economic damages and non-pecuniary damages. Essentially, economic damages cover the financial cost of an injury, such as surgeries, overnights at a hospital, the cost of rehabilitation, and more. On the other hand, non-pecuniary damages cover the cost of intangible, though very real damages, such as pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, and more. Years ago, there was no limit on the amount of non-pecuniary damages an individual can recover, however, this has since changed. Now, there is about a $400,000 cap on non-pecuniary damages.
Statute of Limitations for Auto Accidents in Toronto
When someone is injured in an accident as a result of another party’s negligence, they will oftentimes wait to see if their injuries heal on their own before taking legal action against the liable party. While this is truly understandable, our firm cannot advise you to do so, for there is a statute of limitations in place when it comes to personal injury claims. In most cases, the statute of limitations for auto accident claims is two years, giving you two years from the date of your accident to sue. Furthermore, if you were injured on a bus or another type of transportation owned by a municipality, you will have to file a Notice of Claim within ten days of the date of your accident. Waiting any longer will most likely permanently bar you from suing. We can assist you today–all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.
Contact Our Toronto Auto Accident Lawyer
Auto accidents can be devastating, and if you’ve recently sustained a serious injury in an auto accident in Toronto or anywhere in Ontario, you should not have to fight the uphill battle of obtaining your rightful compensation on your own. For decades, the lawyers here at Merricks Law Group have dedicated their legal careers to helping accident victims just like you, and they are ready to use that experience to fight for your right to a swift recovery today. Contact Merricks Law Group to schedule your free initial consultation with our firm.
