What type of matters can you help me with?
Torres Legal Services specializes in Statutory Accident Benefit Claims (car insurance claims) and in Provincial Offences Matters (traffic tickets).
Can you help me in any other languages?
Si. The firm has personnel that are fluent in both English and Spanish and would be more than happy to help you throughout your matter in these languages.
How much will i have to pay?
For car accident claims, we work on contingency - this means that if we are not successful in achieving a settlement with the insurance company, you do not have to pay anything! There are no upfront fees or monetary retainers involved. For traffic ticket claims, we have a set fee structure, where we charge one set fee depending on your particular matter.
Will my Insurance Premium Increase if I make a claim?
it’s not that simple, but we are here to help.
You or a loved one has gotten into a car accident and now a flurry of things are racing through your mind. Stay calm. All will be well. Please remind yourself that the most important thing is the well being of those involved in the accident. But along with many other things, the thought of "will my insurance go up?" just stays lingering in your mind, and in order to determine the "yes" or "no" to your question, a few things need to be considered.
Who is at Fault?
This can be difficult to determine as a car accident is an accident and no one sets out to intentionally be the cause of one. When an accident occurs, a police officer that is called to the scene or one at the collision centre will determine who is at fault by analyzing the events that led up to the accident. if you were rear ended or another driver ran through a stop sign and hit your vehicle, you can take a deep breath - accidents like this are usually determined to be the fault of the other driver; you can go ahead and commence an accident benefit claim as insurance companies usually do not increase premiums for accidents that are not your fault.
What happens if I am determined to be at fault?
Commencing an accident benefit claim is your right and one that is included with every auto insurance policy. You can file an accident benefit claim, but your insurance premium will most likely be subject to an increase upon renewal. This increase will not be because you commenced a claim, but will be based on your driving record that would eventually indicate that you were the cause of a motor vehicle accident.
What if I have Accident Forgiveness?
In Ontario, accident forgiveness is a clause in an auto insurance policy that in summary means that if you are determined to be at fault for an accident, your premiums won't significantly increase when renewal comes around. But please note, accident forgiveness is only offered to drivers with spotless driving records and an insurance company is not obligated to offer it to everyone. If sometime down the road you are at fault for another accident, your insurance company can still take the first "forgiven" accident into consideration and use this to determine your new premium or eligibility for renewal.
Weigh out your Options and Assess your Situation
Whether you were at fault or not, the most important thing is the health and safety of you and your loved ones. Call your insurance company and speak to an agent whom should be able to provide you with an estimated premium should there be an increase. if you do decide to commence an accident benefit claim, contact us at Torres Legal Services, to schedule a free consultation.
I do not live in Toronto, how can we get in touch?
No need to worry! At Torres Legal Services we understand that sometimes commuting or “regular business hours” are not accommodating for everyone, and that is why we have a track record of meeting clients at their home at a time that works for everyone. We also understand that due to Covid-19, an in person meeting may not be your preference at this time, so we also offer meetings and consultations via popular applications such as Zoom and FaceTime. Contact us today for more information.