What Rights do American Citizens Have to Bring a Lawsuit for an Accident or Injuries in Ontario Canada?

Americans travel to Canada frequently for business and pleasure. When a US resident or citizen is injured in a car accident or premises accident in Ontario, Canada, they may be wondering what their rights are.  Fortunately, US residents and citizens can advance a claim for their injuries if they are injured in a car accident, pedestrian accident, or other type of accident in Ontario.  Our law firm regularly represents US citizens injured in Ontario. We are honored that many of our US clients are referred to us by attorneys throughout the United States.  

Americans injured in a car accident in Ontario will have the same statute of limitation as Ontario residents.  That is, generally, a victim will have 2 years from the date of the accident to commence their lawsuit.  Car accident injury and wrongful death claims in Ontario are almost always paid by an insurance company.  Ontario auto insurance policies usually carry more insurance coverage than in the United States. In Ontario, the minimum insurance coverage is $200,000, but in practice most auto insurance policies we see have at least $1,000,000 in coverage in the event that someone is injured.  In addition, Ontario auto policies provide first party no-fault coverage, which in some cases will be available to an American injured in an Ontario car accident.  Americans injured in Ontario will have the same rights and benefits in making a claim for their injuries as a resident of Ontario.  As such, a US resident can claim for their economic losses such as health care expenses and lost income, as well as pain and suffering.  The amounts recoverable in Ontario are different than most US jurisdictions.  Ontario has caps on pain and suffering awards, and there are other unique aspects of Ontario law that impacts the amount of money that can be recovered in a car accident claim.  US citizens will be subject to these same caps with respect to a claim for an accident injury in Ontario.  

Our law firm regularly represents US citizens that have been involved in accidents in Ontario.  Andrew Iacobelli is a citizen of the United States and Canada, and has experience practicing law both in the United States and Canada.  If you have been injured in Ontario or if you are an attorney in the United States with a client injured in Ontario, Canada, we may be able to assist with any of the claims or legal issues that need to be addressed in Ontario.  We are happy to speak to you and answer your questions.  Fee free to call us to request a FREE CONSULTATION with an Ontario lawyer for US citizens. Call us 24-7 at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here.