Motor Vehicle Accident Program
Motor Vehicle Accidents, or MVA, have the potential to inflict lifelong injuries and discomfort. These effects can possibly impact and burden your day-to-day life. We here at Alleviate Physiotherapy understand how frustrating and devastating it can be to be involved with a motor vehicle accident, which is why our priority is helping you recover from your injuries in the best manner possible, and alleviate the pains associated with the incident.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in a MVA;
- Notify your insurance provider about any bodily injuries, as well as any vehicle damage.
- As a claimant, you are within your own rights to choose your own rehabilitation clinic. Despite your insurance company’s recommendation to their preferred clinic, you may choose your own physiotherapy clinic.
- Symptoms can begin days, or even weeks after the incident. Therefore, it is in your best interests to be evaluated by a physiotherapist at your earliest possible convenience. To help prevent issues from becoming larger in the future, documenting your symptoms is highly recommended.
- You are automatically qualified for coverage of rehabilitation costs up to $3,500 if you have been involved in a recent MVA.
What is MVA
A motor vehicle accident is an incident where the main cause of injury is the legal use or operation of a motor vehicle. Apart from the average vehicle-to-vehicle/person incidents, this includes, but is not limited to; getting hurt while filling gas in the vehicle, scraping off ice or attaching a trailer to the vehicle. When basic requirements are fulfilled, you are most likely eligible for assistance under the Accident Benefits portion of your Ontario Automobile Insurance Policy.
Am I eligible for assistance, even if the fault was mine?
Yes! You are still eligible for assistance in cases of a singular vehicle incident or even in cases where are at fault for the accident. Do note that the coverage may be limited if you are charged with a criminal offense. In such cases, consulting with a legal representative may be best.
Whose policy do I go through?
Regardarding incidents with vehicles from the workplace, speak with your employer. For MVA occuring in a personal vehicle, speak with your insurance broker or company promptly.
For accidents in which you are a passenger in a vehicle, a cyclist or a pedestrian, contact your own insurance provider. For instances in which you do not have an insurance policy of your own, contact the insurer of the motor vehicle that you were in, or if you were a pedestrian/cyclist, one of the vehicles(s) involved in the MVA. If the insurance information is denied to you by the aforementioned party, contact the law enforcements who investigated the MVA to get a copy of the Accident report, where that information is listed.
For students, minors or dependents, you may also make a claim through the policy of your guardian (in these cases, typically a parent or spouse). In cases where you are a pedestrian in a MVA, and the at fault driver is uninsured, you may also get assistance from Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.
If I make a claim, will it affect my insurance premiums?
No! Claims for Accident Benefit are non-ratable by Insurance providers, and as such it is in your best interest to not delay in contacting your Insurance Company. There is no need to delay in informing them of an injury to you or a loved one over fear of your rates going up. To be noted also is that unnecessary delays can possibly affect coverage. If steps such as needing to cancel your policy, due to the vehicle being destroyed/you can no longer afford it or if you wish to switch to a different insurance company, your MVA coverage will remain, and carry on.
What type of assistance can I obtain?
There are several different key benefits that can cover you, if you meet the respective requirements. This includes, but is not limited to;
- Replacement for Income
- Benefits for Caregivers
- Non-Earner Benefits
- Housekeeping and Home Maintenance Benefits
- Attendant Care Benefits
- Medical & Rehabilitation Benefits
- Pregnancy-related health support
Am I able to obtain a higher level of coverage?
It is possible to obtain increased levels of assistance from your insurance provider via pre-purchasing. These additional levels of assistance range from a variety of different optional aids, and you should speak with your insurer directly for a complete listing. However, these optional levels include things such as raising the weekly income benefit you receive, or increasing medical and/or rehabilitation limits.
Is there any additional aid I can receive?
In addition, if your MVA injuries are severe or may continue to worsen over time to an extent in which you are medically considered “Catastrophically” impaired as defined under your policy, you may obtain increased aid for an increased duration.
These increased aids include, but are not limited to;
- Larger Attendant Care Benefits up to $6000/month INCLUDING lifetime access or until $1,000,000 is reached.
- Coverage for both Medical & Rehabilitation services available to you 10 years post-loss and for life or until $1,000,000 in expenses is met.
- The ability to have a caseworker for medical plans that will assist in coordinating the services to you.
- A larger extension into the future for Housekeeping and Home Maintenance coverage. This can extend beyond 104 weeks post loss and for your natural life.
Are benefits available to my loved ones?
Involvement in a MVA doesn’t just affect you. The effects of the incident can reflect upon your family and loved ones as well. This is why there is assistance available crafted specifically for the people closest to the MVA victim. From spouses, siblings, parents or dependants of the MVA, if they suffer trauma to the extent of injury of the psychological or mental injury, there are benefits available that become available to them. They also become eligible for benefits through their own motor vehicle insurance policy’s accident benefit coverage. Unfortunately, it happens all too often when these accidents inflict injuries that cause those involved to not be able to carry out their normal responsibilities such as their jobs, average daily activities, or even needing to begin emotional support counseling with a professional, however these are often covered with an automobile policy’s accident benefit coverage.
Important to note as well, are both Visitor’s Expenses, and Death & Funeral Expenses.
Visitors Expenses – are reimbursable for immediate family of the victim for reasonable expenses paid while quickly travelling via any mode of transport, to the victim’s bedside. This can also include expenses for temporary housing costs such as hotels for up to 104 weeks when specifically visiting the victim, who is unable to function due to injuries relating to the accident
Death & Funeral Expenses – is compensation and partial indemnity, to assist with the loss of a loved one due to a motor vehicle accident. It should be noted as well that optional increased coverage can be purchased directly from your insurance company to raise the reimbursement insurance received from the basic amount of up to $6000 in coverage for Funeral/Burial Services. There is also a $25,000 payment for a living significant other, detailed and listed in the Insurance Act. Furthermore, there is coverage of an amount up to $10,000 for the loss of a dependent child or legally separated dependent significant other. As well, there is amounts of $10,000 to each child or dependant, when a parent/guardian is lost in a MVA, available as long as the victim passes from MVA related injuries that had them consistently unable to function for that period of no greater than 156 weeks (3 years) post-loss.
At Alleviate Physiotherapy, we can coordinate and communicate with your insurance company, physician and employer with your consent.
At the time of your Initial assessment, we can help you complete as many of the insurance forms as we can to alleviate the stress of the paperwork. After assessing you, our therapists can complete your proposed treatment plan (OCF 23 or OCF 18) and will document your disability caused by the MVA to fill out the required insurance document (OCF 3).
You can find more information about MVA at http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca
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