Author: Lane Foster, Personal Injury Lawyer Updated: March 2026 Most car accident settlements depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and long-term disability. Minor injuries may result in settlements in the thousands, while serious injuries involving permanent disability or long-term care can reach hundreds of thousands or more. Compensation may include pain and suffering damages, income loss, treatment costs, and future care expenses. Typical Car Accident Se

Written by Lane Foster, Personal Injury Lawyer – Ontario Last updated: March 2026 How do you choose a personal injury lawyer in Ontario? Choosing a personal injury lawyer in Ontario involves comparing experience, communication, and how the lawyer prepares evidence. Before signing a retainer, consider the following: Confirm the lawyer regularly handles personal injury cases. Ask how contingency fees and disbursements work. Make sure you can communicate directly with your lawye

By: Lane Foster, Ontario long-term disability lawyer When a long-term disability insurer stops paying benefits, the central legal question is usually straightforward but highly contested: is the claimant still disabled under the policy definition? In Fernandes v. Penncorp Life Insurance Company, (2013 ONSC 1637) the Ontario Superior Court examined that exact issue. The decision provides a practical example of how courts analyze surveillance evidence , medical opinions, and

If you’ve been injured and are thinking about hiring an Ontario personal injury lawyer , you’re probably asking: How much will it cost? In Ontario, most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee , meaning they are paid a percentage of the compensation recovered. In many cases, that percentage falls within the 30–35% range , depending on the complexity and risk of the case. In most situations, you do not pay legal fees upfront. The lawyer is paid only if your claim is s

In Ontario motor vehicle accident cases , an injured person does not automatically have the right to claim compensation for pain and suffering . To recover non-pecuniary damages, the injured person must first satisfy a legal gatekeeping test commonly referred to as the serious impairment threshold . The threshold is frequently misunderstood. Many people assume that ongoing pain, a lengthy recovery, or a delayed return to work is sufficient. In reality, the threshold is a lega

Summary — How Long Personal Injury Claims Take in Ontario Most personal injury claims in Ontario take 12 to 36 months to resolve. Straightforward claims involving minor injuries and clear liability may settle in under a year. More serious or catastrophic injury claims often take several years because medical recovery must stabilize before the claim can be properly valued. Common Questions About Personal Injury Settlement Timelines How long do most personal injury claims take

Minor Injury Guideline (MIG): Key Questions and Answers Summary (Minor Injury Guideline — Ontario) Ontario’s Minor Injury Guideline (MIG) is part of the accident benefits system and limits medical and rehabilitation funding to $3,500 when injuries are classified as minor (for example, sprains, strains, and certain whiplash conditions). Being placed in the MIG does not mean your injury is “not real.” If symptoms persist or another condition is diagnosed, funding may be avai

When a person suffers life-altering injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, one of the most important legal questions becomes: “Does this injury meet the definition of a catastrophic impairment under the SABS?” A catastrophic impairment (often called “CAT”) is the highest classification of injury under Ontario’s auto insurance laws. It dramatically increases the benefits available to an injured person — including access to long-term medical, rehabilitation, caregive

This past Sunday, Ontario Provincial Police responded to over 220 motor vehicle crashes . The startling number of collisions was a result of the first major snowfall crossing paths with unprepared vehicle operators. Undoubtedly, a lack of winter tires will have played a role in many of these collisions. One of the reasons for the amount of vehicles slipping and sliding may be that Ontario does not mandate winter tires by law, in contrast to Quebec. Winter Tire Usage On a po

When you suffer personal injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be properly compensated for your losses. But who is responsible for paying for your losses? A common myth regarding personal injury cases is that the person you sue, (the defendant), will have to pay you personally. This myth often makes victims hesitant to commence a personal injury claim because they worry about financially harming the other person. In nearly every personal injury lawsui

By Lane Foster, Personal Injury Lawyer After a car accident in Ontario, you should ensure safety, seek medical attention, report the accident if required, notify your insurer, and document what happened. These steps are critical for both your health and protecting your ability to make a claim. Quick Answer: What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Ontario? Immediately after a car accident, you should: check for injuries and call emergency services if needed move to a safe l

This year, Barrie’s first real snowfall was on November 30th. Just a few minutes waking up and seeing the snow, I heard the crunching of...