Pedestrian Accidents

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Canadian Snowbirds: Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in the USA?

For many, vacation and retirement involves getting out to see the sites and explore new adventures. Beautiful weather and living a healthier, active lifestyle fits into this mantra. Many snowbirds therefore choose destinations where walking and biking can be their preferred mode of travel.

Many popular snowbird communities are self-contained, with shops, restaurants, and other necessary locations all located close together, making these leisurely modes of transportation highly effective.

However, accidents happen. When a pedestrian is involved in a car accident or other type of vehicle accident, the damage done can be very serious and life-threatening. Canadians being injured from a car accident while walking or biking is all too frequent. In these situations, it is very important to call a personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able to discuss your case.

Hospital bills can quickly pile up and managing your different car and health insurance policies can be very confusing when the accident happens in an entirely different country. That’s where Snowbird Accidents comes in. Our endorsed team of personal injury lawyers will be able to walk you through the insurance process, advise you about what next steps you can take, and ensure your rights and remedies are protected. Together, we will help you obtain the best post-accident care available.

What Should You Do If You’re Injured as A Pedestrian or Cyclist in the USA?

Your top priority is always the health and safety of you and your family. Be sure to seek out medical attention immediately.
Make sure the police are contacted.
Inform your family doctor of the accident and your injuries.
Obtain the drivers’ license and insurance particulars of the other vehicle.
Call your insurance company and report the accident.
If possible, get contact information for witnesses.
Write down all details of the accident while it is still fresh.
Take photos of the scene, the accident, and your injuries.
Contact the Snowbird Helpline as soon as you’re able to.

Does Fault Matter in Pedestrian Injury Cases?

No matter who is at fault, nearly everyone injured in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to some form of “Statutory Accident Benefits” or “Personal Insurance Protection” benefits from their own car insurer. If you don’t have your own insurance policy, you may have access to insurance from the car that struck you or a family member’s car insurance policy.

Accident Benefits Are Very Important for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Accident Benefits, sometimes referred to as Personal Insurance Protection, can immediately assist you and your family with medical and therapy costs. In serious cases, it can help pay for the care of a loved one at home or in the hospital.

Type of Cases

What Are Your Rights?

Regardless of fault, Ontario car insurance policies provide immediate help to pay for property damage claims and Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs).

Your car insurance policy should pay for all necessary medical and rehabilitation expenses.

Claiming these health care benefits will not increase your insurance rates.
Accident Benefits are also available to passengers, family members, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The medical and rehabilitation expenses should be covered by your car insurance provider even if the accident was your fault.
There are strict timelines for filing a claim, some as short as 3-7 days from the accident.
Accident Benefits can immediately assist you and your family in helping pay for medical and therapy expenses.

How To Obtain Statutory Accident Benefits (PIP)?

Most insurers want you to contact them within 7 days of the accident. Upon discharge from a hospital, you may need therapy, equipment, assistive devices, attendant care, or other medical services. It’s very important to apply for insurance benefits as soon as possible in order to help with your rehabilitation.

How to Apply for Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs or PIPs)

After reporting the accident to your insurer, your insurer will send a claim form to you. This allows the insurer to gather basic information such as a description of the accident, the injuries sustained, the names of treating doctors and hospitals, medical and rehabilitation expenses incurred, and whether there is an inability to work.

You will also be required to disclose any private group health insurance plans that may be available to you. Some car insurance benefit policies require you to access these plans before your car insurance policy will pay out.

You can learn more about Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) here.

In serious, catastrophic accidents Canadian Snowbirds can arrange for a health care professional from Ontario help you process the myriad of claims and accident insurance forms.

If you are from a different province, you will need to look up what accident benefits are available to you or speak with a car accident personal injury lawyer who practices in your home province.

Additionally, You Can Pursue a Personal Injury Claim Against the At-Fault Driver

Depending on the extent of you and your families’ injuries, you may also want to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. This would be a civil claim, also called a tort claim.

The best way to help you make this decision would be to speak with a personal injury lawyer that specializes in pedestrian and car accidents in the state or province you were injured. They will be able to walk you through your options and provide advice based on your individual circumstances. Many personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation, so there is no pressure to sign a retainer with the first lawyer you meet with.

Should you decide to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver, you can still access Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs or PIPs). You do not need to choose one or the other.

Cross-border accidents are exceptionally complicated. After a serious accident, you very well may need a lawyer in the state where you and/or your family was injured, and where you normally reside.

For Help with Catastrophic Injuries from A Pedestrian Accident, Call the Snowbird Helpline Today

If you have been seriously injured and you’re wondering what your available options are, give us a call today. The Snowbird Helpline can help go over the options available to you, including Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs or PIPs), accessing your insurance policies, and bringing a lawsuit (tort claim) against the at-fault driver.

Your options for bringing a lawsuit (tort claim) against the at-fault driver will differ based on the state or province where you were injured. Snowbird Helpline endorses many different personal injury lawyers located across the United States and Canada.

When accessing Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs or PIPs), you may get compensation for:

Medical & rehabilitation expenses
Income replacement
Attendant care
Housekeeping and home maintenance
Non-earner benefits
Transportation expenses
Visitor’s expenses
Educational expenses
Death benefits for your affected family members

It’s important to note that not everyone will be entitled to all of the above benefits. It will depend on your individual circumstances and injuries.

If you decide to pursue a tort claim, you may get compensation for:

Medical & rehabilitation expenses
Loss of income
Housekeeping or attendant care expenses
Pain & suffering compensation
Out-of-pocket expenses
And any additional expenses or losses beyond what is covered by Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs)

Find a Personal Injury Lawyer in The State or Province You Were Injured in Now!

Any personal injury law firm, personal injury lawyer, or personal injury attorney we recommend has shown they have extensive knowledge and expertise you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident. In most instances, you can deal directly with them by going to their website. As an alternative, you are welcome to complete the contact form or give us a call.

United States Personal Injury Lawyers Ontario Personal Injury Lawyers

The Time to Act Is Now! Each State and Province Has Different Statutory Time Limits to Bring a Claim

For instance, in Ontario, you have up to two years from the time of your accident to bring forth a personal injury claim. However, you only have seven days to report your accident to your insurance company unless you can prove extenuating circumstances that prevented you from informing them within those seven days.

In Florida, you have up to four years from the time of your accident to bring forward most personal injury lawsuit claims (tort claims). You have up to 10 days to report a car accident.

These limitations vary widely per province and state, and that’s why it’s so important to consult with a personal injury lawyer or personal injury attorney that practices law in the state you were injured in as soon as you’re able.

Frequently Asked Snowbird Insurance, Travel And Personal Injury Questions

Is Snowbird Accidents A Law Firm?

Snowbird Accidents is not a law firm. We are an International “Qualifying Referrer”. We provide information about car accidents, car insurance options, medical insurance options, personal injuries, and more. We do not provide legal advice. That is the job of the personal injury attorney or lawyer that you end up retaining.

We can recommend personal injury lawyers familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents in the province you reside in and the state you were injured in. The lawyers and attorneys recommended by us are leaders in their field and frequently deal with catastrophic car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.

How Does The Snowbird Helpline Help Those Injured in Cross-Border Accidents?

The Snowbird Helpline offers peace of mind if the unthinkable happens. We are here to connect you with a team of lawyers and attorneys that are knowledgeable about personal injury claims, no matter what province or state you were injured in.

When a serious personal injury happens in a different country, you quickly need help. That’s where Snowbird Helpline comes in. Our team has extensive knowledge and expertise that you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident.

We are not lawyers or a law firm. No legal fees are paid or shared with us. Instead, we offer advice on what your next steps should be and who you should contact. We recommend personal injury lawyers and attorneys that are familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents.

For over 35 years, we have assisted Canadian snowbirds involved in car accidents and other personal injury accidents in the United States.

What Accidents Do You Assist With?

Snowbird Accidents assists people experiencing serious personal injuries of all kinds. Primarily we assist with those who have been involved in serious car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, or trucking accidents.

We are here to help organize the steps you have to take with your insurance company and connect you with experienced personal injury lawyers and attorneys, and more.

Where Are You Located?

Snowbird Accidents is a USA corporation with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, and offices in Toronto, Canada.

We offer expertise and personal injury lawyer recommendations in over 50 states and 10 provinces. To quickly get in touch with us about your situation, give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.

How Can I Contact Snowbird Accidents?

Our goal is to be accessible at all times to snowbirds who require assistance. You can fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.

Additionally, you can contact the lawyers mentioned on our site directly through their websites or online contact information.

What Should I Do If I’ve Been in An Accident?

Your health and safety, plus the health and safety of your family or other injured parties is always top priority. Be sure to seek out medical attention immediately. It is important to make sure the police are contacted.

If possible, while still on the scene, obtain the driver’s license and insurance information of those involved in the accident. If possible, get contact information for all witnesses. Additionally, you should take notes and pictures of everything you can. This includes the scene of the accident, the other car, any visible injuries, and what caused the accident if known.

Make sure that your doctors are informed about the accident and all of your injuries. Take notes of what the doctor advises and keep a record of your injuries and healing process.

As soon as you are able, contact Snowbird Helpline. We can help advise you of the next steps you should take.

Contact The Snowbird Helpline Today!

1-800-436-0353

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