When Accidents Happen: Advice from Ontario Accident Benefits Lawyers

Did you know that Ontarians injured in a motor vehicle accident can qualify for insurance benefits even if they do not have an auto insurance policy? These benefits are part of standard insurance coverage and are meant to help an injured person cover their medical bills, rehabilitation, income loss, and more. However, the coverage amount can vary according to policy and to the severity of injuries. This article examines some of these variances and offers suggestions on how to access accident benefits.

Understanding Your Coverage

• If You Have Motor Vehicle Insurance

In Ontario, the motor vehicle policy includes coverage for mandatory accident benefits. This coverage protects you and all those listed on the policy regardless of who is at fault in an accident. The coverage can also extend to uninsured passengers of either vehicle, depending on the situation. The standard benefits include:

• medical and rehabilitation expenses (up to $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries)

• income replacement (up to 70% of gross income, capped at $400/week); and,

• attendant care

• If You Do Not Have Motor Vehicle Insurance

If you do not have motor vehicle insurance or are not listed on someone else’s policy but suffer from a personal injury during a motor vehicle accident, you still qualify for the accident benefits listed above. The benefits will be covered by either the insurance company of the car you were riding in or, if you were a pedestrian or cyclist, of the vehicle that hit you.

In Ontario, if no insured driver is involved in a motor vehicle accident, injured persons have recourse through the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund to receive Statutory Accident Benefits, which are also known as no-fault benefits.

Accessing Your Benefits

Whether you have insurance or not, the process to access accident benefits is similar:

1. Report the accident to the police and seek medical attention immediately.

2. Notify the appropriate insurance company (yours or the at-fault driver's) within 7 days of the accident.

3. Complete and apply for Accident Benefits (OCF-1 form) within 30 days of receiving it.

4. Have your healthcare provider complete a treatment plan (OCF-18 form) for any proposed treatments.

5. Keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses and medical treatments.

If you're accessing the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund, contact them directly or seek assistance from a personal injury law firm.

How Accident and Injury Lawyers Can Help

There are strict deadlines for submitting claims, so if you need to focus on recovery, face other challenges, or are unsure about your entitlements, contacting a personal injury law firm can help. Accident benefits lawyers are aware of the processes and procedures required to commence an accident benefit claim. Furthermore, accident and injury lawyers can also help ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to and assist with any disputes with insurance companies that may arise.

Stay tuned for more information about the changes happening to automobile insurance policies in 2026. Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario's auto insurance system will be significantly altered, transitioning from mandatory benefits to optional ones. Policyholders will need to actively choose and pay for certain accident benefits beyond the core medical, rehabilitation, and attendant care coverage. This means that benefits like income replacement, non-earner benefits, caregiver benefits, and more will require explicit purchase. 

Find a Personal Injury Law Firm in Timmins

The accident and injury lawyers at Meunier Carrier Lawyers in Timmins believe that your focus should be on recovery. Therefore, we offer free consultations for personal injury matters and help you obtain the proper benefits, rehabilitation, and compensation to which you are entitled. Contact us for assistance in English, French, and other languages.