Behind the wheel of a car, it does not take much for frustration to turn to anger. Operating a motor vehicle can be stressful, and in moments of heightened stress, a small provocation can cause people to lose control of their emotions. Road rage is more than an unpleasant state of mind when driving. In Ontario, road rage is a serious problem that could have dangerous repercussions. To learn about the effects of road rage and methods for overcoming it, click here.
Category: Car Accidents
Ontario Distracted Driving Statistics
In the short time it takes a driver to check a cell phone notification or look for a different radio station, serious motor vehicle accidents can occur. Any number of distractions behind the wheel can cause collisions that end in serious injuries or loss of life. Distracted driving is a pervasive problem on roads across the country. In Ontario, the consequences of distracted driving have been particularly tragic. Click here to learn more.
Road Trip Safety Tips
Taking a road trip can be an enjoyable activity for friends, families, and for those who just need a little time away from it all. There’s nothing quite like the allure of the open road, especially after long stretches of province-wide lockdowns. But driving in Ontario can be hazardous, especially during the winter months. Inclement weather can lead to car accidents resulting in serious injuries, or even fatalities. If you have decided to take a road trip and might encounter unfavourable weather conditions en route to your destination, some simple safety precautions may help you avoid disaster. To learn more, click here.
Safety Tips for Winter Cycling
Cycling during the winter months can be an invigorating form of exercise, especially for people who’ve been cooped up at home for most of the day. It can also be an effective way to commute to work without coming into close contact with other people on public transit. But winter cycling can be dangerous, and could lead to accidents resulting in severe injuries. Click here to read more.
Talking To Your Teen About Impaired Driving
In Canada, alcohol and or/drugs play a role in 55% of fatal motor vehicle collisions involving drivers between the ages of 16-25. It’s never too early to educate your teenager about the tragic real-world repercussions of impaired driving. To learn more about provincial drunk driving statistics, and methods for having a serious conversation with your teen, click here.
Auto Accidents Are the Number One Cause of Death Among Young Canadians
According to a report by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), unintentional injuries, including auto accidents, are the number one cause of death among young Canadians. There is nothing more tragic than losing a child, especially when the accident could have been prevented before it ever happened.When narrowing down the causes of unintentional injuries, automobile accidents…
Bonter v. Estate of Laird: Possession, Consent, and a Motor Vehicle Accident
Under Ontario law, the owner of a car or other motor vehicle can be held legally responsible for an accident even if he or she was not the driver. Basically, if another driver uses your car with your permission and causes a motor vehicle accident, the victims can file a personal injury lawsuit against you…
How do I Prove an Unknown “John Doe” Caused My Auto Accident?
There is a lot to take in following an auto accident. Oftentimes, the accident itself is a split-second occurrence, leaving other drivers and passengers unable to react in time. In the moments immediately following the collision, the victims may not stop to gather potentially useful information, including the identity of the other vehicle drivers involved.This…
Why you should name all of the insured drivers in your household
All motorists in Ontario are required to have auto insurance. This is not just about following the law. If you are involved in an auto accident, your insurance carrier will provide you with certain statutory accident benefits. In addition, if another driver’s negligence caused the accident, their insurance carrier would be responsible for paying any…
Why You Should Gather Evidence After A Car Accident
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, your first thought is probably not to document the scene or gather evidence. But if you are in a position to do just that, it can help you immeasurably when filing an insurance claim or even bringing a personal injury lawsuit. After all, your own recollection of…
Who Will a Judge Believe in a “He Said/She Said” Car Accident Lawsuit?
Determining liability for a car accident often comes down to whom a B.C. judge finds more credible, the plaintiff or the defendant. In the absence of accident reconstruction experts or other specialists, personal injury claims typically succeed (or fail) based on a person’s ability to recall an accident that happened several years earlier. While judges…
I was Injured by an Underage Driver: What do I do now?
In today’s society, there are more young drivers on the road than ever before. While this has increased independence for youth and has assisted busy families with the jam-packed schedules that families face today, the increase in underage drivers does not come without risks. Statistics show that underage drivers contribute to accidents, injury, and property…
The Dangers of Tired Driving in Ontario
In today’s fast-paced world filled with overscheduled people, it is not surprising that tired or fatigued driving has become a larger problem than at any time in recent history. All drivers are expected and legally required to do what is necessary in order to ensure that they are exercising reasonable care when operating motor vehicles….
What is an inevitable Accident?
How many of us have been in a motor vehicle accident or witnessed such an event and had the thought that an accident simply would have happened regardless of what the parties had done? Have you ever wondered how those types of accidents are sorted out in the legal system? Determining liability for accidents in…
Understanding Optional Auto Insurance in Ontario
Am I Responsible if a Passenger Grabs My Steering Wheel and Causes an Accident?
In most car accidents, it is not too difficult to determine liability. If a driver runs a red light, for example, and hits another car in the intersection, it is pretty clear who is at fault. There are cases involving more unusual fact patterns that require courts to answer somewhat trickier legal questions.McKay v. Park:…
Calculating Self-Employment Income Losses Following an Auto Accident
Following a motor vehicle accident, your insurance company is expected to pay you certain income replacement benefits (IRB) under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule. IRB does not replace all of an accident victim’s pre-accident income. Rather, it provides payments of up to 70% of the victim’s gross weekly income, although no more than $400 per…
What is the Standard of Care in Ontario?
Liability for a motor vehicle accident is based on whether or not the defendant breached the applicable “standard of care,” and thus caused the plaintiff’s injuries. In Ontario, the general rule governing standard of care is what would an “ordinary, reasonable, cautious and prudent person in the position and circumstances of the defendant” do when…
Understanding the Role of Accident Reconstruction Experts in Ontario
Personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents often come down to a battle of credibility, not only between the parties to the case, but also among any expert witnesses retained on their behalf. It is not uncommon for litigants to hire accident reconstruction experts to assist the court in determining fault, which in turn…
When is a Party Host Liable for Drunk Driving Accidents in Ontario?
As we approach each holiday season in Canada, many of us will either attend or host parties where alcohol is served. Obviously, we all have an obligation not to drive while intoxicated. But when someone leaves a party drunk and causes a serious motor vehicle accident, can the victims pursue damages against the person who…
What is Resolute Advocacy in Ontario, and Why Does it Matter?
Not every personal injury claim arising from a motor vehicle accident goes to trial. More often than not, the parties (and their insurance companies) are able to reach an amicable settlement. By working with an experienced Toronto personal injury lawyer following a car accident, you can put yourself in the best position to obtain the…
Is an Impaired Driver Always Liable for a Car Accident?
When you read about a motor vehicle accident in the press, you may be tempted to jump to conclusions about who is responsible. For instance, let us say you read that two cars collided in an intersection. According to the initial reports, one of the drivers had been drinking and was possibly impaired. You might…
Will Accepting EI or Disability Benefits Hurt My Personal Injury Claim?
If you suffer a catastrophic injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may be legally disabled and therefore unable to return to work. Aside from any benefits you recover under your auto insurance policy, or from the negligent driver in a personal injury lawsuit, you may also qualify for other benefits, such as long-term disability…
What Can Ontarians Learn from Colorado’s Experience with Legalized Marijuana?
On October 17, 2018, the use of recreational marijuana became legal throughout Canada. That makes Canada only the second country in the world to have legalized the drug nationwide, and the first member of the G7 countries to do so. As a pioneer in national marijuana legalization, many questions about the potential impact of that…
Functional Capacity Evaluations in Ontario: What You Need to Know
When you’re injured in an Ontario automobile accident, Ontario law and your auto insurance policy entitle you to receive certain statutory accident benefits regardless of fault. If, as a result of your accident, you are unable to return to work for a period, those benefits include income-replacement benefits.However, in some circumstances, your insurer can require…
