Car Accident Lawyer in Ajax, Durham Region & Toronto

Two types of claims after a crash

Accident benefits: no-fault benefits through your own auto insurer, which can include income replacement, medical and rehabilitation, and attendant care benefits.

Tort claim: a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and losses not covered by accident benefits, subject to Ontario's injury threshold and deductible rules.

What to do after a car accident

1. Get medical attention, even if you feel fine.
2. Report the collision to police or a collision reporting centre where required.
3. Notify your own insurer within 7 days. See accident benefits deadlines and denials.
4. Take photos and collect witness details.
5. Keep receipts and a record of missed work.
6. Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.

Pedestrians, cyclists, passengers and rideshare riders

You may be entitled to accident benefits even if you were not driving or do not own a car. We identify which insurer is responsible and help you apply. Hurt in an Uber, Lyft or Hopp? See rideshare accident claims.

Car accidents in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington

We act for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists hurt in collisions across Durham Region, from Highway 401 and Highway 412 in Ajax and Whitby to Highway 418 and Highway 2 in Courtice and Bowmanville. Meet us at our Ajax office at 362 Kingston Road West, or by video or phone if you cannot travel. Injury consultations are free.

Documents to bring

• Police or collision report number
• Your auto insurance policy and claim number
• Photos of the vehicles and scene, and witness details
• Medical records, prescriptions and receipts
• Proof of income and time missed from work

Fees

Injury consultations are free. Most files are handled on a contingency fee under a written agreement. how injury fees, costs and disbursements work.

Next step

Call 647-657-4400 or read what happens in a free consultation.

Related guides

• How much is my car accident claim worth?
• What to do after a collision: a step-by-step checklist
• Accident benefits and insurer denials
• Pedestrian and cyclist injuries
• Uber, Lyft and Hopp accident claims
• Motorcycle accident claims
• Catastrophic injury claims

2026 changes to accident benefits

Since July 1, 2026, only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits are mandatory on Ontario auto policies. Income replacement, non-earner, caregiver, housekeeping and other benefits are optional, and only cover the policyholder, their spouse, dependants and listed drivers. Your auto insurer is also now the first payer for medical and rehabilitation expenses, except medication.

That means two people injured in the same collision can receive very different benefits. If you have no income replacement benefit, lost income has to come from disability coverage, EI and the claim against the at-fault driver. Read what changed in July 2026.

Common car accident injuries

• Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries to the neck, back and shoulders, often treated under the $3,500 Minor Injury Guideline unless there are complications
• Concussions and brain injuries, which can affect memory, concentration, mood and work long after the crash. See traumatic brain injury
• Fractures and joint injuries
• Chronic pain that continues after the expected recovery period
• Psychological injuries such as anxiety about driving, depression and post-traumatic stress
• Catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries and amputations, which unlock higher benefit limits. See catastrophic injury claims

Psychological injuries and chronic pain are often what move a claim out of the minor injury category and over the threshold for pain and suffering. Tell your doctor about all of your symptoms, not just the physical ones.

Evidence that strengthens a car accident claim

• The police report or collision reporting centre report number
• Photos and video of the vehicles, the scene, road conditions and your injuries
• Dashcam footage, and footage from nearby businesses, which is often overwritten quickly
• Witnesses' names and phone numbers
• Your medical records, starting with the ambulance and hospital
• Proof of income before and after the collision
• A simple diary of pain, missed activities and help you needed

How long a car accident claim takes

Accident benefits start within weeks, but a lawsuit against the at-fault driver usually takes longer. Many claims settle in two to four years, often after mediation, once doctors can say what your long-term prognosis is. Settling too early risks leaving out future losses. We keep the accident benefits and the lawsuit moving together so you are supported while the larger claim is built. See what decides the value of a car accident claim.