Personal Injury Lawyer in Ontario CA

If you got injured in an accident and seek a personal injury lawyer in Ontario, My Lawyer Mark is the best option. We combine dedication, experience, and law knowledge with fierce representation and empathetic treatment for our clients. We fight tooth and nail on your behalf so you obtain the maximum compensation for all the damages you received in your accident.

My lawyer Mark is a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles CA serving all of Southern California. You can schedule a free consultation by calling (866) 721-5808. Our experts will evaluate your case and start working right away. We work using contingency fees, so you don’t have to pay out of your pocket to start receiving our high-quality legal services.

Why Should You Look For Personal Injury Lawyers in Ontario

Securing your rights can be crucial in the unfortunate event of a personal injury accident in Ontario, where you aren’t to blame. Insurance companies might try to take unfair advantage. They could reject your claim for unclear reasons or offer a settlement much lower than the worth of your injuries. These are, unfortunately, common tactics insurers use to safeguard their profits.

A personal injury lawyer can create a balanced situation between you and the insurance company (or any other formidable opponent). When the stakes are high, like with a severe injury requiring lifelong medical care, don’t navigate the legal process alone. Put your trust in a lawyer to get the best possible financial outcome.

The right lawyer can significantly improve your peace of mind after a severe accident. They can handle the complex legal issues while you focus on recovering and getting your life back on track. A personal injury lawyer in Ontario can:

Uncover the facts: They’ll gather evidence like police reports, witness accounts, security footage, and pictures from the accident.
Assess your damages: They’ll obtain your medical records and have a trusted doctor review them to determine the full cost of your present and future injuries.
Handle the insurance maze: They’ll deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and fight for a settlement that covers all your injury-related expenses.
Represent you in court: If the other party doesn’t offer a fair deal, they’ll be prepared to take your case to court.

How to Know if You Have a Personal Injury Case

Winning a personal injury lawsuit hinges on proving the other party’s actions caused your accident and injuries. Through careful investigation, you and your lawyer will build a strong case in four key areas.

Duty of Care: The person responsible for your accident had an obligation to act safely at that time. For instance, drivers are responsible for following traffic rules and operating their vehicles cautiously. Property owners and landlords are obligated to keep their premises safe and address repair requests promptly.
Breach of Duty: The responsible party failed to uphold their duty of care through negligence (carelessness) or inaction. For example, a landlord who ignores repeated requests to fix a broken staircase fails in their duty of care.
Cause and Effect: The responsible party’s failure to act (or careless action) directly led to your injuries. For instance, if you trip and fall because of a broken stair that wasn’t fixed, the accident wouldn’t have happened if the landlord had made the repairs.
Damages Suffered: You incurred losses for which you can seek compensation in court. These losses might include medical bills, emotional suffering, property damage, and lost wages.

Accidents and Injuries We Handle

Accidents

Car Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Truck Accidents
Uber/Lyft Accidents
Wrongful Death
Dog bite injuries
Pedestrian accidents
Premises liability
Slip and fall

Personal Injuries

Catastrophic injuries
Amputations
Burn Injuries
Paralysis
Spinal Chord Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

How Do Personal Injuries Happen?

Accidents happen, sometimes caused by someone else’s recklessness or neglect. These situations can leave you with unexpected injuries and financial burdens. Serious injuries like the ones that happen in such accidents often require a lot of medical attention. That can result in overwhelming medical bills.

Injuries can also prevent you from working while you recover or even permanently disable you. This can cause a loss of income needed to support yourself and your loved ones. Our personal injury lawyer in Ontario will aggressively pursue getting you all the compensation you’re owed for lost revenue. In the tragic event of a wrongful death, we’ll fight to ensure you and your family receive the justice and fair compensation you deserve.

Leading Causes of Accidents in Ontario

Distracted Driving: Talking on the phone isn’t the only distraction anymore! Eating, drinking, messing with GPS, or simply not paying attention can all lead to deadly crashes. Ontario roads see countless accidents yearly because drivers try to multitask behind the wheel.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Drunk driving is still a major problem, even though it’s been on the decline. Drugs and alcohol slow you down and mess with your coordination. They are a recipe for disaster on the road.
Vehicle Maintenance Issue: Like any other machine, your car needs regular checkups to stay safe. Faulty brakes, worn-out tires, and other neglected problems can easily turn into accidents. Both the driver and the car owner are responsible for this.
Running the Red Light: Ignoring them puts everyone at risk, especially pedestrians. These violations often cause dangerous side-impact crashes that can leave people seriously hurt.
Speeding: This is a major factor in many Ontario crashes, including reckless street racing. Studies show that speed is a critical element in deadly collisions. The faster you go, the harder the impact and the greater the chance of someone dying. Breaking the speed limit by over 50 km/h can lead to hefty fines.
Side-impact or T-bone accidents: These crashes are common at intersections. They often happen when a driver misses a red light or doesn’t see oncoming traffic. Losing control of a curve can sometimes lead to a T-bone accident. These crashes can cause serious injuries.
Medical Condition: Medical conditions like epilepsy, poor vision, or even failing to take medication as prescribed can contribute to accidents. Drivers are responsible for safely operating their vehicles, including managing their health.
Fatigue: Drowsy driving is a big problem, especially for truck drivers. Being tired slows your reaction time and affects your judgment. Signs of fatigue include blurred vision, headaches, and heavy eyelids. If you feel drowsy, pull over and take a break to avoid a crash.
Aggressive Driving: Aggressive drivers put everyone on the road at risk. They speed, tailgate, weave through traffic, and cut off other drivers. These “road ragers” cause accidents by following too closely or trying to force their way in front of others.
Weather: Bad weather makes roads dangerous. Rain makes them slippery, and in cold climates, ice can form, making driving even harder. Fog can also severely limit visibility, making seeing other vehicles or pedestrians difficult.

Streets and Intersections with Most Accidents in Ontario, CA

In Ontario, CA, several streets and intersections have been identified as particularly dangerous due to the high number of accidents. Here are some of the most accident-prone areas:

Intersections on Ontario’s Major Highways

Highway 401 in Chatham-Kent: This highway, known locally as “Carnage Alley,” is notorious for severe collisions, including crossover crashes involving multiple vehicles.

High-Risk Intersections in Windsor

Seminole Street and Pillette Road: This intersection has seen fatal pedestrian accidents.

Tecumseh Road East intersections: Particularly at Howard Avenue, Ouellette Avenue, and Forest Glade Drive, these intersections have high accident rates involving both vehicles and pedestrians.

General Problematic Areas

Intersections throughout Ontario: Many intersection accidents are caused by drivers failing to yield, running red lights, or being distracted. These types of collisions often occur at busy intersections and can involve severe injuries, especially to pedestrians and cyclists.

Common Injuries in Accidents

Here are some typical injuries associated with various types of accidents:

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Whiplash: A common neck injury caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth neck movement.
Broken Bones: Fractures are frequent, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Can lead to partial or complete paralysis.
Cuts and Lacerations: Often from broken glass or sharp objects.
Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, or spleen.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Fractures: Commonly in the wrists, arms, ankles, and hips.
Head Injuries: Including concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries.
Sprains and Strains: Especially in the ankles and wrists.
Back Injuries: Including herniated discs and other spinal issues.
Cuts and Bruises: From hitting hard surfaces.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Head Injuries: Including concussions and skull fractures.
Fractures: Particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Such as bruises, cuts, and muscle strains.
Spinal Injuries: Potentially leading to paralysis.
Internal Injuries: From the force of the impact.

Common Factors Contributing to Accidents

Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, or other distractions while driving.
Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drugs impairing driving abilities.
Speeding: This leads to loss of vehicle control.
Unsafe Work Practices: Lack of proper safety measures or training.
Poor Maintenance: This includes slippery floors or poorly lit areas.

How Much Can I Obtain in My Personal Injury Claim?

Victims of personal injury in California can claim full reimbursement for all economic losses resulting from the incident. This usually involves an insurance claim followed by a personal injury claim for car accidents. Numerous factors influence the total value of a car accident claim. On average, plaintiffs can recover about 1.5 times their economic losses. Personal injury lawyers in Ontario can estimate the potential recovery amount if your claim is successful.

What Damages Can I Claim?

If someone else’s negligence causes you injuries, you might be eligible for financial compensation or economic damages. These are sometimes called “out-of-pocket expenses” because they aim to reimburse you for the accident’s direct costs. Economic damages typically fall into a few categories:

Medical bills: Covers doctor visits, treatments, medications, and other healthcare expenses.
Vehicle repairs: Reimburses the cost of fixing any damaged property, like your car.
Lost income: Covers wages, commissions, and other earnings you missed due to the injury.
Reduced earning potential: Compensates you for future earning ability lost due to permanent disabilities. This considers what you likely would have earned if not for the injury.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are a different category of compensation awarded in personal injury lawsuits. Unlike economic damages, which focus on reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses, non-economic damages aim to compensate for the intangible, emotional, and lifestyle losses you experience due to the injury.

Here’s a breakdown of non-economic damages:

Physical Pain and Suffering.
Emotional Distress.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life.
Loss of Consortium.
Scarring and Disfigurement.

Non-economic damages are subjective and more complex to quantify compared to economic damages. Juries typically consider the severity of the injury, its impact on your daily life, and expert testimony (like psychologists) to determine a fair amount.

The Basic Steps of a Personal Injury Claim

If you’re injured and considering a claim, here’s a typical roadmap:

Talk to a Lawyer

After treatment, consult with a personal injury attorney if you decide to pursue a claim. Even if your case seems simple, a free consultation can be helpful. Share all the information you have and ask questions. If the lawyer agrees to represent you, they’ll guide you through the next steps.

Official Notification

Your lawyer will send a formal letter to the insurance company letting them know you’re filing a claim. They’ll likely respond with a letter acknowledging your notice and stating they’ll investigate without admitting fault.

Gathering Evidence

Next, your lawyer will build your case. This involves reviewing your medical records and history, potentially interviewing witnesses, and looking for any video footage of the incident. This stage helps paint a clear picture of the accident, who’s responsible, and the extent of your injuries.

Making your Case

Usually, your lawyer will wait until your doctor says you’ve reached “maximum medical improvement” (MMI), meaning your treatment is complete or you’ve recovered as much as possible. Then, they’ll send a detailed letter outlining the facts of the case, along with a list of your expenses and damages.

Negotiation

It’s unlikely the insurance company will immediately agree to your demands. They’ll likely offer a lower amount. Your lawyer will typically handle these negotiations, potentially going back and forth with the insurance adjuster until a settlement is reached.

Settlement

After negotiations, your lawyer will discuss any offers with you before accepting a settlement on your behalf. You have the final say.

How Long Do I Have to Wait to Get My Compensation?

Depending on various factors, the timeframe for resolving a personal injury claim can range from four months to two years. Here’s a breakdown of the time each phase can take (approximately):

First Six Months

Medical Treatment: Seek immediate medical care after an accident. Delays can weaken your claim.
Investigation: Your lawyer gathers evidence, including visiting the accident scene, collecting reports, and interviewing witnesses.

Demand Letter

Once your injuries and financial impacts are fully understood, your lawyer sends a demand letter to the insurance company. If negotiations fail, a lawsuit may be filed.

Months 6 to 12

Filing a Lawsuit: You have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Legal documents are filed and served to the defendant, who has 30 days to respond.
Interrogatories: Both sides exchange detailed questions about the case, a process that can take several months.

Months 12 to 18

Discovery Phase: This phase includes depositions, independent medical examinations, and the involvement of expert witnesses to strengthen the case. This phase can last up to six months.

Months 18 and Beyond

Mediation: The court arranges a settlement conference. Over 95% of cases settle before trial.
Trial: If mediation fails, the trial lasts four days to two months.
Compensation: Compensation is typically paid within 30 days after a settlement or favorable verdict.

How Much Time Do I Have to Do My Claim?

Generally, you have two years to sue someone for causing your injury in California. This applies to car crashes, slip-and-falls, and other incidents where negligence led to harm.

Important details to keep in mind:

Hidden Injuries: If you didn’t discover the injury immediately, the clock might start ticking when you found it (or should have discovered it).
Government Involvement: If a government agency caused the injury, you must file a claim within six months. If it’s denied, you have six more months to sue.
Minors: Children have more time to sue. The two-year window usually starts when they turn 18.

Recommendations After Suffering an Accident

Stay at the scene: Only leave if you need medical attention or the police tell you to. Leaving could mean hit-and-run charges.
Get medical help: If you’re injured, call 911. Even minor injuries can show up later.
Move your car to safety: If it’s safe, move your vehicle out of traffic to avoid further accidents.
Gather information: Exchange contact details with other drivers and witnesses. Take photos of the damage, license plates, and the scene.
Don’t admit fault: Don’t apologize or say anything that could make it seem like you caused the accident.
Report the accident: File a report with the California DMV within ten days if there were injuries or over $1,000 in damage.
Contact your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurer, even if you think it was your fault.
See a lawyer: If you’re injured, consider discussing your case with personal injury lawyers in Ontario. Lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Happens if I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?

California follows a shared fault system, unlike states with contributory negligence. In contributory negligence states, even a tiny bit of blame on your part can completely block you from getting money for damages. That’s not the case in California. Here, you can still receive some financial compensation even if most of the blame falls on you.

So, if you and someone else share responsibility for an accident, you can still get compensation, but only for the percentage of fault attributed to the other person. The amount you receive will be lowered based on your share of the blame.

For instance, if the total damages are $100,000 and the court finds you 15% responsible, you’d get $15,000 less ($100,000 x 15% = $15,000). This means your final award would be $85,000.

What Happens if Somebody Dies in an Accident?

In the event of having a deceased person in an accident, wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation if someone’s death was caused by negligence or a wrongful act. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Who can file:

Spouse or domestic partner
Children
Dependent grandchildren (if spouse/children are deceased)
Others who would inherit under California’s intestate succession laws (parents, siblings) if there’s no surviving spouse or children

Elements of a wrongful death claim:

The deceased person had a right to live (not terminally ill).
The defendant owed a duty of care to the deceased (e.g., the driver owing safe driving to others on the road).
The defendant breached that duty of care (e.g., driving recklessly).
The breach of care caused the death of the deceased.
The surviving family members suffered damages (financial losses, emotional suffering).

The help of wrongful death lawyers in California is essential to claim compensation for these complicated claims.

Useful Links if You Have an Accident in Ontario, CA

How Much Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Ontario Cost

When hiring a personal injury lawyer in Ontario, contingency fees are a common payment option. The lawyer is only paid if you win your case and receive compensation. Their fee is a percentage of your final award, which can be negotiated. You may also be responsible for reimbursing the lawyer for any expenses they incur during the case.