Car Accidents

Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS)

You can save on legal fees by being prepared. Make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready before meeting with your paralegal. This includes any medical records, police reports, or other documents related to the accident. Having all the information in one place will help your paralegal review your case more quickly and accurately, which may result in lower fees.

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Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident that has caused you personal injury, it is important to know how to save on legal fees associated with the lawsuit.


Here are some tips:


1. Do your own research: Before you make a decision on hiring a firm, do your own research on the legal aspects of your case. Knowing the laws governing your case and the various options available to you can help you to make an informed decision.


2. Negotiate legal fees: Before hiring a firm, you should discuss the fees for their services. Some are willing to negotiate a lower rate if they’re sure that you have a good case.


3. Shop around: Don’t just settle for the first firm you find. Shop around and compare different paralegals to find the one that best fits your needs.


4. Ask for an initial free consultation: Most paralegals offer free initial consultations so take advantage of this opportunity. During the consultation, you can get a better sense of the lawyer’s experience and expertise.


5. Find a paralegal who works on a contingency fee basis: If you cannot afford to pay an hourly rate for a paralegal, you may be able to find one who works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay until you have won your case and received a settlement.


6. Seek outside help: If you are unable to pay a paralegal, there are organizations that provide free legal assistance, such as Legal Aid.


By following these tips, you can save money on legal fees for a personal injury lawsuit from a motor vehicle accident. Remember to do your research, negotiate the fees, shop around, ask for an initial free consultation, find a firm who works on a contingency fee basis, and seek outside help if you cannot afford to pay a legal professional.

Honest Opinions

We are committed to delivering superior legal services at affordable rates. We understand that money is not always easy to come by, which is why we work hard to keep our fees as low as possible while still providing an excellent service.


Team Access

We work closely with our clients to ensure that they are fully informed and comfortable with every aspect of their case. We believe in empowering our clients to make decisions about their case, and we will not make any decision without first consulting you.

Constant Support

Our mission is to help you find a solution for every credit challenge. Our team of trained professionals strives to make each and every interaction with us as pleasant, informative and rewarding as possible. We look forward to assisting you in any way we can!

01

Free Consultation

We start by fully understanding what you want, determine how we can meet your expectations and then tell you how we can provide the best experience. Get to know us with a free, no-obligation consultation with a licensed paralegal.

02

Billing Methods

Besides hourly billing, we offer many other pricing models. Flat rate packages allow you to know exactly how much your bill will be.

03

Affordable Rates

Often budget restrictions make it difficult to access legal services. We are happy to provide our services to qualifying clients on a discounted basis using a sliding-scale fee schedule.

04

Payment Options

At our firm, we believe in making quality legal services accessible and stress-free. That’s why we only require a $500 retainer fee to get started on your case. The remaining balance isn’t due until before your first appearance date, giving you the financial flexibility to plan ahead.

Contingency Fee Schedule: Statutory Accidents Benefits

WE HAVE OPTIONS TO MEET ANY BUDGET

In most cases of Motor Vehicle Accidents (Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule), firms bill on a 'contingency basis'. Typically, a personal injury fee is a percentage of the money recovered for an injured person in a lawsuit. In the event that there is no recovery, there is no fee collected by the law firm. Your responsibility will be to pay all disbursement fees.

Motor Vehicle Accident

(non-catastrophic injuries)


28%

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident, slip & fall or general negligence, our fees will amount to 28 percent of the settlement value less disbursements. If your injuries resulting from an automobile crash are determined catastrophic (such as quadriplegia), our fee would be 28 percent.


Motor Vehicle Accident

(catastrophic injuries)


28%

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident, slip & fall or general negligence, our fees will amount to 28 percent of the settlement value less disbursements. If your injuries resulting from an automobile crash are determined catastrophic (such as quadriplegia), our fee would be 28 percent.



Every client of ours is entitled to a free initial consultation. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss the possibility of retaining our services. We can arrange for our initial meeting to be held virtually, in our office, or at your home if you prefer. There is no charge for the initial consultation which can last up to two hours.


There will only be a charge for personal injury legal fees on your behalf if we are successful in recovering a financial amount on your behalf. Our fee arrangement with you is clearly outlined in the contingency fee agreement that we prepare for you.


There have been several amendments made to the lawyer and paralegal conduct rules over the last few years regarding the calculation and charging of contingency fees for contingency retainer agreements that have been signed on or after July 1, 2021. It is important that you read this guide carefully before you enter into any contract with respect to contingency fees. If a lawyer or paralegal asks you to meet with them to discuss contingency fees for the first time, they are required to provide you with this guide. LSO.ca has more information on contingency fees that you can find by visiting their website.


As part of our service, our attorneys provide all prospective clients with an easy-to-understand agreement that clearly outlines the lawyer-client relationship and how any monies received will be handled by our firm. There is a copy of the agreement between Cordaie Paralegal Services and the client that is provided to every client who retains the legal services of Cordaie Paralegal Services in consideration of their legal needs.


In order to prevent any surprises at the end of your case, we will explain in detail the fee we have agreed upon between us in writing.




Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions. 

Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule

  • In cases like mine, what experience do you have?

    We have collectively handled cases similar to yours in the past. Even though most of our cases are settled, we have experience in court and hearings.

  • Can the contingency fee be used for any legal services?

    The services covered by this contingency agreement will be explicitly stated in the section entitled "Included Services Within This Agreement". 


    There is also a section within this document entitled, "NOT Included Services within this Agreement", which should also be noted.


  • When I receive money from my case, what percentage will you charge me?

    The total cost of the settlement or award and HST will be 20 percent plus HST. This is depending on our written agreement. 


    In addition, the percentage does not apply to any disbursements (including taxes) our firm may incur on your behalf in order to handle your matter. 


    Following the deduction of these amounts from the entire award or settlement, a percentage is applied to the remaining amount to determine the amount that is subject to a contingency fee.


  • What is the formula you use to calculate the percentage you charge for your services?

    Our firm does not apply the percentage to any disbursements (including taxes) that our firm incurs on your behalf as a result of handling your matter on our behalf. 


    The contingency fee percentage is applied to the balance of the award or settlement once these amounts have been deducted from the award or settlement.


  • Are you confident that we will be able to resolve this case early on? Will the percentage be lower if I win my case or settle early?

    Litigation delays can be attributed to the prognosis of the client's injuries or disability. 


    Additionally, having a settlement conference and/or court date available can speed up the process. 


    We can rely on the percentage agreed to in the fee agreement to remain the same, providing the firm and our clients with peace of mind.


  • In the event that disbursements are required, who is responsible for paying them?

    This agreement requires us to pay for disbursements, including taxes, in advance. Should you lose your case, you will not be required to repay us any money.



  • In the event that I am required to pay for disbursements, what type of disbursements should I pay for?

    In order to advance your claim, you will need to pay a filing fee, the services of expert witnesses, photocopies, scan charges, and postage, as well as other costs related to the case.

  • Can you please let me know when I should pay for disbursements if I am paying for them?

    It is important to understand that if you are successful in obtaining an award or settlement, the disbursements will be directly deducted from your award or settlement when trust funds arrive at our office.


  • Would it be possible for you to provide me with an estimate of how much my disbursements might cost?

    Based on the complexity of the claim, the fee range will be high to low, depending on how much work is involved. 


    Based on our experience in settling cases before trial, we can estimate that the settlement of a personal injury case could cost you between $19,000 and $48,000, and the settlement of a disability case could cost you between $10,500 and $28,000, based on our experience in settling cases before trial.


  • If I am unable to make payments for my disbursements, what happens?

    In the event that you are unsuccessful in an award or settlement of your case and you agree to purchase Legal Expense Insurance, which is usually available to you for most personal injury and disability cases. 


    The insurance will usually cover your disbursements in accordance with its contractual terms. At the time of our free initial consultation, we will discuss this in more detail with you.


  • Is it likely that I will be awarded costs if I win my case?

    For cases that can proceed through a court proceeding, the quick answer is yes. However, for cases that will proceed through an administrative board and if necessary, a hearing before a Tribunal, the quick answer is no. We can discuss the exceptions in greater detail during our free initial consultation.


  • Would I have to pay any costs if I lost my case? If I lost my case, am I likely to have to pay any costs?

    As far as cases that can proceed through a court proceeding are concerned, yes. However, the quick answer to cases that proceed through an administrative board and possibly before a tribunal is no. In most cases, 


    Legal Expense Insurance can help cover all (or reduce) court costs associated with court proceedings. Our free initial consultation will provide more details about costs.


  • Taking into account your experience, what is the amount of costs that I will have to pay the other side if I lose the case?

    It is important to note that the outcome of your case depends on several factors, including, but are not limited to: the length of your case; the stage of the legal proceedings at which it has been determined it is unlikely you will win your case; whether your matter was decided to go to trial, if so, how long did the trial last, how many witnesses were called and, how many experts were used by the other side.


    We understand that each step of your case can pose a certain level of risk, and that's why we take the necessary steps to inform you of the level of risk associated with each step of that process. 


    There are many opportunities throughout your case where you can decide to stop any litigation without having to pay any costs if you decide with our advice that you may end up losing your case without having to pay any costs. If you continue to pursue your case, you will have to pay costs to the other side as a result.


  • When I file a claim for a motor vehicle accident, will I be required to pay a deductible?

    Depending on the nature of the damages available in an MVA case, a deductible may be applicable. 


    It is important to keep in mind that the laws that are applied to MVA cases are complex, and will depend on factors like the amount of compensation that is likely to be expected based on your injury or multitude of injuries, as well as whether the injury was the cause of the death of your loved one. 


    We will be able to explain more details in your free initial consultation, so please do not hesitate to contact us.


  • If a deductible applies to my case, how could it affect my award or settlement?

    When you receive a successful award from a court in your motor vehicle case, the amount of your pain and suffering award will be reduced to the amount stipulated by law in the year in which you receive a successful award from the court. 


    As of 2021, the deductible on pain and suffering damage awards will be $39,754.31. In the event that you receive a pain and suffering award that is less than $132,513.29, a court would deduct $39,754.31 from that particular award (for example, a $125,000 award in 2021 would be reduced to $85,245.69).


  • In the case that I win or settle, how will I receive the money that I receive as a settlement or award?

    The money that is paid to our firm as a settlement or award is done so in an attempt to protect you and the firm.


    As a condition for withdrawing any of these trust funds, we require you to sign an authorization as well as a direction that clearly specifies what money will be paid to you and to others who may be owed money, including to our firm for our fees and disbursements.


  • Would you be able to tell me how long it will take for my settlement or award to be processed?

    Most settlements or awards arrive in our office within two to four weeks of settlement or award if the matter does not require court approval.


    People who cannot manage their finances independently, including minors, need court approval. In your free initial consultation, we can discuss other examples of when a court approval may be required.


What else do you need to know?

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FAQ

Our team is here to help you with your legal issues. We have provided an overview of the types of cases we handle. In addition, we have provided a frequently asked questions page on our website.

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DISBURSEMENTS

The final bill will change as a result.

When you see "plus disbursements" on your legal bill, it's natural to worry. Legal disbursements refer to any expenses incurred by the firm that are related—however tenuously—to your case.


In most cases, lawyers charge separately for filing fees, process server fees, and long-distance tolls. Disbursements are widely accepted in the legal profession as a legitimate expense separate from other billing rates.


Disbursements can be one of the trickiest parts of creating a budget. When you do it right, though, no one will ever know that your final costs were in fact reasonable and necessary. We will do all we can to help you avoid paying high legal fees, even if that means forgoing some of our usual fees.