Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Cohen Highley LLP’s personal injury team represents clients across Southwestern Ontario in motor vehicle accident matters, from initial accident benefits applications through to tort litigation. A motor vehicle accident in Ontario can open two separate legal paths and understanding both is the first step toward protecting your recovery. Under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS), you may be entitled to no-fault benefits regardless of who caused the collision. If another driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may also have the right to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault party for additional compensation.
You do not have to navigate this alone. Contact our personal injury team today. Initial consultations are of no cost and clients are billed on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win or settle.
Motor Vehicle Accident Services We Offer
Our personal injury team represents clients across a wide range of motor vehicle accident matters from the first insurance filing through to trial, if necessary. We offer the following services:
- SABS Claims: Assistance applying for no-fault benefits available under every Ontario auto insurance policy.
- Tort Claims Against At-Fault Drivers: Pursuing compensation through a civil lawsuit where another driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
- Insurance Claim Disputes & Denials: Representing clients when an insurer disputes, reduces, or denies accident benefit entitlements, including through the License Appeal Tribunal (LAT).
- Uninsured & Hit-and-Run Accident Claims: Advising clients on coverage available through their own policy’s uninsured motorist protection and, where applicable, through Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Accident Claims: Representing individuals struck by a motor vehicle who may not carry their own auto insurance policy.
- Rideshare Accidents: Addressing the additional layers of insurance coverage and liability that apply in accidents involving vehicles such as taxis, Uber, Lyft, and transport trucks.
Our Approach to Car Accident Cases
When you come to Cohen Highley, we start by understanding the nature and extent of your injuries, the circumstances of the collision, your insurance coverage, and how the accident has affected your ability to work and live. From there, we take on the burden of communicating with insurers, gathering documentation, and ensuring that every deadline is met, so that you can focus on your recovery.
Where a case cannot be resolved through negotiation or the accident benefit dispute process, our team is prepared to proceed to the LAT or to pursue a tort claim in the courts. We believe that holding at-fault parties accountable is not just a legal matter; it is part of what allows our clients to move forward. Throughout the process, we work to connect clients with the medical, rehabilitative, and support resources they need, treating your recovery as a whole-person matter, not only a legal file.
Why Choose Cohen Highley LLP
Cohen Highley LLP has been providing legal services to Ontarians since 1974, and our motor vehicle accident lawyers bring that depth of institutional knowledge to every file. With offices in London, Kitchener, Windsor, Strathroy, and Sarnia, we serve clients across Southwestern Ontario without requiring them to travel far from home during an already difficult time.
We understand that the decision to retain a lawyer after an accident can feel uncertain, which is why we have structured our practice to remove as many barriers as possible. Initial consultations are at no cost. Our fees are collected on a contingency basis, and only when your case results in a win or settlement. You will not receive a bill simply for seeking our advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, we encourage you to reach out to our Personal Injury Team to discuss your situation. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a motor vehicle accident in Ontario?
Your first priority is your safety and the safety of anyone else involved. Call 911 if there are injuries or if damage to vehicles appears to exceed $2,000 – Ontario law requires you to report accidents that meet this threshold.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel uninjured. After a collision, the body produces adrenaline that can mask symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks. Document the scene if it is safe to do so, exchange information with the other driver, and report the accident to your insurer.
How long do I have to make a claim after a motor vehicle accident in Ontario?
Timelines vary depending on the type of claim. After a car accident, you are required to notify your own insurance company within 7 days and submit an Application for Accident Benefits within 30 days to access statutory accident benefits. For a tort claim against an at-fault party, Ontario’s Limitations Act generally requires legal action to be started within two years of the date of the accident. Missing these deadlines may affect your ability to pursue compensation, which is why seeking legal advice as soon as possible after an accident is important.
What happens during the free consultation with Cohen Highley?
The initial consultation is an opportunity for you to share the circumstances of your accident with a member of our personal injury team and receive straightforward legal guidance at no cost and with no obligation. We will ask about the nature of your injuries, the details of the collision, your insurance coverage, and any steps you have already taken, such as reporting the accident or filing an insurance claim. From there, we can explain the claims available to you, the timelines that apply, and how we may be able to assist. There is no pressure to proceed. The consultation exists so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps.
Can passengers injured in a car accident make a claim?
Yes. Passengers injured in a motor vehicle accident are entitled to access accident benefits through their own auto insurance policy, if they have one. If they do not carry their own auto insurance, they may be able to access benefits through the insurer of the vehicle in which they were travelling. Passengers may also have grounds to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver which could be the driver of the vehicle they were in, the driver of another vehicle involved, or both. A personal injury lawyer can help determine the appropriate insurers to notify, and the claims available based on the specific circumstances.
How much will a motor vehicle accident lawyer cost me?
Cohen Highley’s personal injury team works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no legal fees unless your case results in a win or a settlement. When a contingency fee applies, our fee is no more than 30% of your settlement or award. Your initial consultation is also at no cost. You will not incur any charge simply for speaking with us about your situation.
Our legal team is accessible, innovative, and professional.
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