The border between the United States and Canada, referred to as the International Boundary, is famous for being the longest border in the world between two countries. It is also the longest militarily undefended border in the world, though civil restrictions and regulations are in place. There are several important bridge and tunnel crossings which traverse farmlands, prairies, maritime areas etc between the two countries. The most popular and famous one is the Rainbow Bridge across the Niagara Falls across the states of Ontario in Canada and New York in the US. Thousands of tourists from almost every country in the world gather here and given the holiday atmosphere and the relaxed attitude of people, accidents can and do happen.

Given the close relationship and proximity between the two countries, there is a constant movement of people, vehicles, goods etc across the border for trade, tourism, business, state, social and economic reasons. However, the legal systems of both countries are distinct and separate and in case of a mishap or accident, a personal injury lawyer in the country where the incident occurred should be contacted immediately.

If you’re an American tourist injured/harmed in an accident in Ontario, or any other place in Canada, then you should be represented by a local Ontarian or Canadian personal injury lawyer to claim compensation.

Cross border accidents involving Canadian tourists in the US would require them to be represented by local American personal injury lawyers.

Ontario Highway Traffic Act

Trucks, buses, cars and all manner of vehicles travel constantly across the border and accidents are bound to happen on Ontario roads. One of the difficulties that travelers/tourists driving in Ontario face is that under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act Section 193 (1) the driver is presumed to be at fault if a pedestrian is injured by them in an accident. This is something that many people from outside the country need help with, and Singh Barristers’ experienced personal injury lawyers, who are well-versed with these laws can certainly be of great assistance.

Other Kinds of Cross border Accidents 

As business travelers/tourists in Canada, if you or a loved one is injured/harmed in an accident in this country, you are entitled to compensation. The kinds of accidents that may happen to you here would include:

• Slip and Fall
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Amusement Park, Resort, Hotel, Restaurant, Pub Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Animal Attacks, Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice and many more.

How We Can Assist

It’s crucial that victims of accidents or mishaps in Canada contact a personal injury lawyer or firm that can represent them in both countries or has arrangements with a firm in the other country. Tourists/travelers involved in an accident in another country, like victims of accidents everywhere, are usually in a state of shock, confusion, grief, fear or anxiety. In such a vulnerable state, they may make statements, provide access to their private information or sign documents which could adversely affect their personal injury claim later. Our accident injury lawyers available 24×7 can come to your assistance immediately and represent you in all communication with the at-fault party and insurers. We can provide a swift, comprehensive and genuine assessment of your case. Being local professionals, we have the knowledge, expertise and experience with the local laws and procedures. In personal injury cases, it’s vital that claims are filed within the stipulated time-frame. Your case requires timely filing of paperwork and submissions.

Our free consultation injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, and no fees have to be paid up front, but only when the case is completely and satisfactorily settled. We can also assist you with getting the best medical treatment if necessary, since as a tourist you may not be familiar with the local facilities. Some clients may prefer to return to their own countries for medical treatment. American cases could be specially complicated given the high cost of medical treatment in the United States. Further, our personal injury and serious injury lawyers can speak a variety of international languages making communication easy.

We can continue working on your case after you return to your home country. This would include gathering photographic/documentary evidence, assembling eye-witnesses and experts and accessing police and medical records to ensure that your case is strong and robust enough to provide you with the maximum possible compensation as swiftly and easily as possible. We keep you regularly updated via the latest technology even after you return to your home country.

At Singh Barristers, we aim to provide the best possible assistance to visitors to our country and ensure that their rights are protected and interests safeguarded.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

A recent catastrophic accident in Vaughan resulted in the death of three young children and their grandfather when their minivan was T-boned by a Range Rover driven by a person who was driving under the influence of alcohol. The crash also seriously injured two women who were also in the minivan and they have been hospitalized in a critical condition. There was also another vehicle involved in the crash, but fortunately no one was injured from that vehicle. The impaired driver was alone in his car.

Drunk driving or impaired driving is operating a vehicle (includes snowmobiles, trucks, boats, off-road vehicles etc besides cars), after consuming an intoxicating substance like alcohol or drugs. The effect of these substances can seriously impair a person’s ability to drive safely and this poses a hazard not just for the impaired driver but also for all other road users. It is considered a crime under Canadian Law and invokes a range of penalties. If you or a loved one falls victim to a crash caused by an impaired driver, you are entitled to seek compensation under civil law as well. In case someone is killed, the close relatives can do so. Find a personal injury attorney immediately who can assist you with filing a claim.

Impaired Driving and Car Crashes

Though people feel confident that they’ve just had one small drink, or a couple of glasses of wine, even the slightest amount of alcohol can alter the brain chemistry. Additionally, how fast one drinks, whether you’re a man or woman, age, body-weight, whether you’ve eaten or not and the person’s own bodily reactions.

Ontario laws mandate that as of 2009, if a person’s blood alcohol level (BAC) between 0.05-0.08, this is known as the ‘warn range.’ Penalties include short/long term license suspension, fines, interlock devices, remedial programs, etc. if convicted for impaired driving.

Apart from alcohol, drugs can also impair driving. These would include certain types of prescription drugs too, which may cause drowsiness or mood alteration. The term DUI (driving under influence) is not used in Canadian law, instead, it is known as “impaired driving” “impaired operation” or “impaired care or control.” 

How We Can Assist

Ontario has some of the toughest federal criminal laws in the world when it comes to impaired driving. When serious injuries or death occurs, the criminal laws are applicable, but tort laws can be simultaneously invoked by victims’ relatives to ensure that the family is compensated for its loss.

If a loved one is killed in a car crash that was caused by someone’s impaired driving, it’s important that a medical professional is notified immediately, to declare the cause of death. The police would also have to be informed and they must conduct investigations and file a police report. It’s crucial that the relatives of a person killed in a fatal car crash call an accident injury lawyer available 24×7 and set the legal process in motion immediately.

When such catastrophic accidents happen, people are devastated, many others may be critically injured and they may be in a state of confusion. In this vulnerable situation, they may make admissions, provide written statements or authorizations to access confidential data of the victim etc all of which would compromise the personal injury case at a later stage.

Our experienced personal injury lawyers can ensure that victims’ rights are protected and their interests are safe-guarded. In case of death, criminal charges will be filed, but the family of the deceased have no recourse or financial assistance to cope with the huge financial burden that falls on them following the death of a loved one. Pain and suffering also lasts for the entire life-time of survivors. Funeral expenses, loss of income/wages, companionship and household assistance that the deceased provided can be compensated in monetary terms to make life slightly more comfortable.

Find a personal injury attorney who has specific experience in dealing with cases exactly like yours so that they can bring this expertise to bear while filing your claims. Most of them accept cases on a contingency basis which means that no fees need to be paid up-front. They also offer free consultation, legal advice and assistance.

Personal injury claims must be filed within a specified time limit beyond which they will not be entertained. Our serious injury lawyers are well-versed with the statutes of limitations across different locations and other personal injury laws which are subject to change from time to time. Ensure that all paperwork is completed in time with the help of a Toronto personal injury lawyer.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

With the holidays fast approaching and the weather conditions deteriorating by the day, this is not just the season of goodwill and cheer, but also of tragic motor vehicle accidents. Traffic accidents involving multiple vehicles can have catastrophic results and equally devastating effects on the victims. If you or your loved ones have been involved in a multiple car accident, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.

Causes of Multiple Car Accidents

Though the term “accident” is used to describe these unfortunate events, they are usually caused by the fault or negligence of someone. As our experienced personal injury lawyers can tell you, multiple car accidents are no exception. Vehicles traveling at high speed may not be under the full charge of the drivers and a minor mishap can result in them spinning out of control, with devastating effects on other vehicles in front, side and rear, pedestrians and property. As with single car accidents, multiple car accidents are generally due to:

• Driver under the influence of alcohol/drugs
• Distractions like cellphone use or texting, eating, talking, grooming, loud music, chatting
• Driving too close to the vehicle in front on freeways
• Adverse weather conditions, black ice, snow, sleet, rain
• Poor visibility
• Unfamiliar roads
• Poor road maintenance
• Defective vehicle parts
• Tire blow-outs
• Driver fatigue
• Reckless, negligent driving, red-light running
• Road rage
• Wrong lane change, wrong turns, exits, entry into ramp
• Ignoring or missing warning signs
• Over-speeding
• Animal/Human obstruction on the road
• Life-style/personality/age of driver (depression, inexperienced, teenage or senior driver etc)

Multiple Car Crashes

These accidents, also referred to as multi-vehicle/car collisions, pile-ups or chain reaction crashes, can involve several vehicles and according to traffic experts, they are probably the worst kind of motor-vehicle collisions that occur on high speed freeways and expressways. Some of them have involved hundreds of vehicles, resulting in untold damage to life, limb and property. If the vehicle in front suddenly spins out of control or halts, the drivers behind would obviously crash into it, setting off a chain reaction.

With so many vehicles seriously damaged, it’s inevitable that serious injuries occur. There may be a large mass of totaled vehicles, crumpled beyond recognition and chances of survival are rare. Cars may hit each other multiple times, passengers may be thrown out, fires may break-out and if it happens in a tunnel, toxic fumes may cause death too. Structural damage to bridges and roads cause more hazards.

What To Do

If you’re involved in a multi-vehicle accident:

• Call for emergency medical help immediately
• Turn on your hazard lights if possible
• Keep your seat-belt on
• Never get out of your vehicle immediately unless there’s a fire risk – the accident may not have ended and you could get hit again by an out of control vehicle
• Contact the police and wait till they arrive if you’re not seriously injured
• Make a note of all that you remember about the accident, however minor the details are
• Try to remember the sequence of events
• Talk to witnesses and get their contact details
• Try to get as many photographs on your phone of the accident, position of vehicles etc
• Contact or find a 24×7 injury lawyer

Establishing Fault in Multiple Car Crashes 

Though accidents are clearly caused by someone’s fault or negligence, the task of establishing fault in multiple car crashes is particularly complicated, as our accident injury lawyers available 24×7 are aware of. There are a number of vehicles involved, most of them have rear-ended each other. Typically, one who rear-ends the car in front is always at fault, but in multi-vehicle crashes, there are several who rear-ended each other because they were in turn crashed into. There are also hundreds of different versions of the crash, each supplied by those involved, witnesses and the police. However, the police report would be the most reliable and it’s important to access it quickly to begin the process of filing a personal injury claim. 

We Can Assist

Our experienced car accident lawyers can assist you with unraveling the complex scenario, access important police and medical records, assemble expert testimony from car crash specialists and collect documentary or photographic evidence and ensure that your rights are safe-guarded. Our serious injury lawyers can put together a robust claim for:

• Past/future medical expenses
• Lost past/present/future earning capacity/income
• Impairment/Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of use of property
• Amputation
• Loss of care/guidance/consortium in case of death
• Bystander emotional injury
• Exemplary damages
• Attorney fees/Court costs

Ensure that you contact a specialist multi-vehicle crash lawyer immediately.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

The holiday season’s almost here and with it comes a wave of frenzied shopping! We’re all anxious about getting our Christmas lists done, many of us have travel plans, it’s the time when nearly every store-front screams “Sale!” The streets are congested with people and vehicles and when you manage to find a parking spot, you’re ready to breathe a sigh of relief, right? Wrong! If you think the parking lot is a safe place, statistics reveal that this is an equally hazardous place for people and vehicles.

Causes of Parking Lot Accidents

Few of us realize that parking lots are actually one big pedestrian zone, with potential hazards from multiple sources. Vehicles move in all directions: forward, backwards, turning, reversing, stopping and in a host of unpredictable ways. Walkers have to be aware that a vehicle could suddenly emerge from behind or in front of them, and though drivers usually travel slowly inside a lot while they’re entering and looking for a space, they tend to speed on their way out. Additionally, if the exit is a busy traffic lane, they may suddenly slow down. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a parking lot accident, our free consultation injury lawyers can assist you with filing a claim for damages.

Such accidents are almost the same as road accidents. Some, like opening a door on to another vehicle or a pedestrian, may be more common in parking lots.

Causes include:

• Driver distraction like cellphone use
• Over speeding on main pathways
• Backing into an approaching vehicle or feeder lane
• Backing into pedestrians or shopping carts
• Reckless and negligent driving
• Inexperienced drivers
• Poor lighting
• Over-crowded lot, with multiple obstacles, shopping carts, goods, children and elders
• Exiting into/from a main thoroughfare outside carelessly
• Back-overs in which passengers who have just alighted are hit by their own car driver

In most cases, in case of accidentally hitting a parked car, the person responsible for the accident is required to leave a note with their contact information, otherwise the case is treated as a hit and run. Our 24×7 injury attorneys can conduct their own investigations, examine CCTV footage or speak to eyewitnesses and ensure that the driver at fault can be identified. All drivers have a duty of care to drive as carefully in a parking lot as they would on the highway. When you contact a personal injury lawyer, they can ensure that your rights as a victim are safeguarded.

Challenges of Enforcing Parking Lot Safety

One of the main issues with parking lots is that most of them are privately owned, which means that it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the premises.  Government agencies can enforce DUI, driving without valid documents/licenses, hit and run violations.

Parking lots are busy places, especially during the day. Tired and distracted shoppers, hyperactive kids, teens distracted while on the phone/texting, abandoned shopping carts and a host of other hazards lurk.

Many accidents are just fender-benders but you’re entitled to compensation and our car accident lawyers can assist.

What To Do

• If someone is injured, get medical help immediately.

• If the other driver does not stop, it will be treated as a hit and run case.

• Get as much information about the at-fault party as possible. Names, address and contact telephone numbers apart, make a note of the car’s make, color and model. Get the license plate number and take photos of the vehicles’ position when the crash happened.

• The police need to be informed, however minor the collision. It may look as if no one’s hurt or the damage is minimal, but this situation could change. You may discover that there is indeed a more serious injury that requires more medical attention than you first assumed. The damage to your vehicle could be greater than what it appears to be on the surface and your garage can give you a better assessment. In many cases, the police may not actually come to the spot, but may make a file noting. This would be sufficient for insurance and medical claims.

• Inform your insurance company and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Our accident injury lawyers available 24×7 can be of assistance immediately.

• Never chase or confront a driver. You could end up with worse injuries, if he/she is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Ensure that you don’t make inadvertent statements like “Oh I just didn’t see you,” or “I’m so sorry, this is my fault.” Such statements may be used as admissions of fault and could weaken your own case for compensation later.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

A “hit and run” accident occurs when  the driver of a vehicle intentionally leaves the scene of an accident without identifying themselves, stopping to offer help, rendering aid to the injured or providing contact and insurance information. If damage has been caused to another person’s property or vehicle in the absence of the owners, the obligation still remains on the driver to leave a note providing contact information. Almost all countries and jurisdictions consider this to be a crime. In the early days of the automobile, road conditions were poor, people wore goggles and driving gear that made them difficult to identify and vehicles did not have license plates. However, today, no driver can leave the scene of an accident without exchanging information or waiting for the authorities to arrive. This is a violation of the  law. Our accident injury lawyers available 24×7 can assist you immediately. Your insurance company has to compensate you for damages, medical expenses and rehabilitation.

When You Are the Victim of a Hit and Run

Our free consultation injury lawyers can advise you on the steps to be taken. Whether the damage caused was minor or serious, as the victim of a hit and run, the rage and confusion that one feels could prevent one from thinking on one’s feet. But even if there are no witnesses, poor visibility and the other car was too fast to note down the license number, there are still certain things that you can do to ensure that your insurance company compensates you for the damages. If you are injured, call for medical help immediately. Otherwise:

• Stay calm
• Try to remember as many details as you can – the make, color, model of the vehicle
• Note any distinguishing features like bumper stickers, decals etc
• Anything you remember about the driver and other passengers regarding age, sex, race etc
• Check if there are traffic cameras nearby
• Note down whatever part of the license number you remember
• If there are witnesses, talk to them and note down the details they remember
• Get contact information of witnesses
• If your car was legally parked and was hit, check if there is CCTV camera footage or eyewitnesses
• Take photographs of the damage and injuries
• Contact a 24×7 personal injury lawyer immediately

The next priority is to inform the police. Since a hit and run is a serious criminal offense, it needs to be reported immediately so that there is a possibility of stopping the driver. If you are not injured and if you were driving at the time, ensure that you move your vehicle to safety and wait patiently for the police to arrive. Find a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible so that they can advise you correctly.

Finally, it is your duty to also inform your insurance company about the accident. This should be done after a police report has been filed and only then will your insurers take your claim. Hit and run accidents are handled by your own insurance company as there is no other party that can be cited.

What Not To Do

• Never chase, obstruct or try to confront the other driver
• If you’re not injured, don’t block traffic, move your vehicle to the side after taking photos
• Never try to settle with the other driver if you’re able to catch them

People usually flee accident scenes because they are not insured or they don’t have the proper valid licenses. This is why it is obligatory on every driver’s part to keep a current license and insurance policy.

Insurance Claims

In most cases, the hit and run accident is treated as being caused by an uninsured motorist. Our car accident lawyers  can ensure that if your policy has coverage for damage by uninsured motorist, your insurer will have to make a pay-out. Typically, they may delay, deny or minimize your claims, try to reduce the extent of damage etc. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can assist you with filing your claims on time and in the proper format, backed by strong evidence.

If You Have Caused An Accident

In some cases, you may be the person responsible for the accident. In such a case, you have not only a moral but also a legal duty to remain at the scene of the accident and render all possible assistance to those who are injured. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime if the accident seriously injures or kills someone. Apart from criminal liabilities, you could also face civil action.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

As the victim or the plaintiff in a personal injury case, it is in your interest to seek the maximum possible compensation for the losses that you have suffered as a result of the  negligence of another. The defense on its part would stringently oppose or seek to reduce such claims.  Final settlement seeks to balance the two views. However, apart from this, there is a lesser known element of tort law that all plaintiffs must inform themselves about. This is the plaintiff’s duty to mitigate. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can advise their clients about these and other aspects of their case.

What is the Duty to Mitigate?

The defendant in a personal injury cases or the persons/agencies alleged to be at fault have a duty to observe the rules, act reasonably and follow safety norms. However, the plaintiff also has a duty to avoid incurring further damages by acting in a reasonable manner. For instance, in a slip and fall accident, if the plaintiff refuses medical treatment, but later sues for damages because he/she has lost the function of a limb, then this is deemed by the court to be a failure to mitigate. Plaintiffs thus have an “obligation to reduce damages,” but no obligation to choose cheaper treatment.  The treatment chosen should be the most effective and reasonably priced one available. They should act promptly, in good faith and take reasonable steps to reduce their losses.

What is reasonable and cost-effective can be debated on merits during negotiations or trial.

The defendant must prove the plaintiffs failure to mitigate in that:

• There were steps the plaintiff could have taken to reduce the loss
• The plaintiff failed to take them
• It was reasonable for the plaintiff to have taken such steps promptly
• The extent to which losses would have been reduced if such action had been taken
• They engaged in risky behavior which increased loss

Duties of the Plaintiff

Our free consultation injury lawyers can advise victims or their relatives to take immediate and appropriate steps to reduce their pain and suffering, seek medical attention, exercise due diligence and ordinary care to ensure that they select proper hospitals, doctors and treatment. Once they recover, they should take all necessary steps to continue working. If they have been dismissed from their jobs due to long absence/hospitalization, they should seek alternate employment. If they are unable, due to disability, to continue doing the work they previously did, they need to take reasonable steps to secure other employment to reduce their financial burden. Our serious injury lawyers can ensure that the plaintiff’s duty to mitigate obligations are reasonably fulfilled and recorded.

Refusing/Disregarding Treatment

A controversial area in tort law that our accident injury lawyers, available 24×7 can advise about, is the plaintiff’s or their relatives’ attitude towards medical treatment. When multiple surgeries are required, the victim may refuse further treatment. They may choose alternative or non-conventional treatments. This could result in further deterioration of the person’s condition. Under such circumstances, the plaintiff cannot claim compensation for the more serious consequences.

Some plaintiffs have an over-riding fear of surgery and may want reassurance that the operation would be 100% successful, which is obviously impossible to give. The judge may decide to investigate whether this fear existed prior to the accident or not.

The injured have a duty to accept treatment that is recommended by a qualified medical practitioner, in good faith, and one that has a good record of success.

In the case of non-routine surgery and treatment, the plaintiff is not obliged to undergo such procedures especially if it is hazardous or has known risks but the question arises about whether such treatment would have brought the person back to normal.

The Thin Skull Argument

Our 24×7 injury lawyers have the experience and knowledge to ensure that all victims of accident/injury receive the best and most appropriate medical treatment. It is a well-established proposition in tort law that the defendant must take the plaintiff as they find them – which means, whatever the previous history or condition, the damages suffered should be compensated for. This is the famous “thin skull argument” that states that even if the plaintiff had a skull as thin as an eggshell, if they are injured they would suffer extremely grave consequences as compared to others, and the defendant is responsible for this greater harm.

The duty to mitigate and other complexities can be best explained by  a personal injury lawyer from our firm.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help.TM (416 931 5015)

Peel police were called in on a hit-and-run accident that involved a cyclist in Brampton. They arrived at the crime scene early in the morning to identify the victim who was allegedly struck  down by a driver who did not stop. The cyclist died in the incident which happened between 5:50am and 5:55am on Thursday morning.

The victim cyclist was identified as Hardeep Singh Pahra, 30 who was married with two children. He was a recent immigrant to Canada and was riding his bike to work when he was hit by an unknown vehicle on Steeles Avenue that is on the west of Albion Road.

Constable Dave Elson commented that the area is very popular with morning commuters who use that stretch of road to work. He appealed for witnesses to step forward to shed further light on this incident between 5:45am and 6:00am. He added that it is crucial for the public to assist in this matter in helping the police locate the driver who was responsible for the mishap. The public is requested to call the police in the investigations.

Legal Assistance on Road Accidents

Brampton residents could always call on Singh Barristers for professional help in filing insurance claims.   Our personal injury lawyers are who are well versed with hit and run avcidents.  Our 24/7 car accident lawyers are experienced in handling such cases in Ontario to bring the responsible parties to justice while assisting the personally injured or beneficiaries of the deceased to make the necessary claims from insurance companies and other relevant parties.

Losing a loved one in a road accident is devastating especially in hit-and-run accidents. Our wrongful death lawyer  would assist in bringing the responsible party to justice and assisting the families of the deceased.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.

Being involved in an accident brings about a host of emotions that could cause the drivers and passengers to be confused and lose their memory some time until they are able to recollect their composure.  Many issues run through the mind which may trigger panic and anxiety from police reports to insurance claims.

It is a fact that car insurance rates tend to spike after an insurance claim on accidents which do not augur well with drivers. Insurance premiums are expected to increase with drivers who are found at fault in an accident unless no claims are submitted and the drivers make personal repairs.

Actions to be taken at the Accident Scene

There may be quite a bit of confusion once an accident happens. Tempers may fly and panic may set in amongst drivers and passengers regardless of who is at fault. There may be a lot of finger pointing and denials, but more important and relevant actions must be taken immediately at the scene of the accident.

A cool head and temper is vital to perform the necessary in an accident to allow the following processes to be activated smoothly even before the police arrive. Panicky drivers may wish to speak to a car accident injury lawyer immediately to obtain legal advice before making statements to the police or insurance company.

Drivers involved in a car accident must remember the following points in executing the right steps of action for their own benefit:

1) It is crucial not to admit fault or discuss it at the scene

2) Quickly record the facts for further investigation by relevant authorities

3) Take sufficient photos of the damage to all involved parties from all angles

4) Secure names of involved parties in the accident with their contact information

5) Take down contact details and statements  from witnesses

6) Make a police report

7) Contact a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer from our firm.

Determining Fault by Insurance Companies

Drivers who want to make an insurance claim to cover the damage inflicted through an accident would require their insurance company to be notified for approving the claim. However, the claim process may be lengthy and tedious with a long investigation with:

• Statements from drivers and passengers
• Statements from available witnesses
• Checking out photographs of the accident at the scene if available
• Assessing the damage on the vehicles and individuals
• Consider all road rules and posted signs around the accident scene

These stringent steps of investigation converge to determine fault and the cause of the accident from the collated data and information. Insurance companies in Ontario tend to apply the province’s Fault Determination Rules in determining fault in an accident.

Singh Barristers have lawyers who are well versed with these rules to help accident victims file their insurance claim.  If drivers with an accident claim need a personal injury lawyer to assist them, call our 24/7 Injury Hotline to arrange a free consultation.

Some road accidents could be caused by all involved drivers where respective insurance companies may agree on shared fault determination for their respective clients. Hence, the damage cost could be borne equally by all insurance companies or in various ranges depending on the degree of fault determined by the insurance adjusters. Our car accident lawyer will carefully review the facts and circumstances of the accident and will be able to give an opinion on liability.

Some insurance companies may exercise a no-fault insurance policy where the insurance company concurs to the claim regardless of who is at fault in the accident.  However, drivers may find their renewal premiums higher unless they seek out competitive insurance offers in the market.

Disagreeing With Insurance Company’s Fault Determination Decision

It is the driver’s right to disagree with the insurance company’s fault determination as written in the insurance contract; the driver could submit an appeal against the insurance company’s decision.

Our free consultation injury lawyer who is skilled in car accidents and insurance claims would help the driver in the appeal process with supporting evidence and documents that would not make the driver liable for the damages incurred from the accident. We have experienced personal injury lawyers who are familiar in understanding and applying these fault determination rules.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.

A scary but true fact is that of all cases diagnosed world-wide, the rate of mis-diagnosis is 40%. This means that if you’ve been to a doctor, it’s only six times out of ten that your problem has been diagnosed correctly! It could be a case of mis-diagnosis or of missed diagnosis – both these are failures to diagnose illness, injury or medical condition.

Yet, in spite of these statistics, studies have shown that of all the reasons leading to claims of medical malpractice, the Number One reason for malpractice suits against doctors is that of failure to diagnose the problem or a delay in arriving at a conclusive diagnosis. The most common instances where this is alleged to have happened is in cases of cancer, heart attacks and meningitis (in children) and the most common outcome has been tragically, death. You will need the services of a reputed, experienced, knowledgeable team that includes a Richmond Hill personal injury lawyer (or one that’s local to your area across Ontario) to ensure that you get the maximum compensation.

Diagnosis

In simple terms, diagnosis is a process of arriving at a reason that explains the patient’s symptoms. It is performed by any health-care professional as the first line of treatment and successful treatment or management depends on accurate diagnosis. It is conducted by physicians, therapists, medical specialists, optometrist, scientists involved in health-care, dentists, nurses, nursing assistants, etc. The word comes from the Greek terms that mean “to know through” and the process involves a range of techniques. These range from physical examinations, investigating the patient’s history, testing of body fluids and emissions, chemical tests, other tests like scans, X-rays, imaging, etc.

The biggest challenge in diagnosis is that symptoms are often non-specific and common to many conditions/illnesses. Hence, a process of differential diagnosis is conducted, wherein a few options are considered and then eliminated according to the doctor’s experience and skills and constitutes a medical opinion, based on available facts. Though it may not cover other areas like causes and prevention, it provides useful leads to managing both these. In most cases, it is considered provisional and subject to change.

In ideal terms, a diagnosis should be a professional, objective and completely fact-based report. In reality, it is influenced by several other factors like ethics, power, financial status, doctor-patient relationship, communication, available resources, test results, knowledge and skill, experience, training etc.

Errors in Diagnosis

Medical statistics report that every person may experience at least one diagnostic error in their life-time and if they’re lucky, this could be for a minor issue. However, mis-diagnosis or failure to diagnose a severe condition can result in tragedy. They usually occur when the symptoms are not sufficiently conclusive, the doctor fails to take all options into consideration, too much or too little significance is given to any one aspect of diagnosis or the condition is extremely rare. If you or a loved one has been the victim of such a failure to diagnose, consult our 24×7 injury lawyers for a free evaluation of your claims.

In general, the lack of diagnosis may result in several issues:

• The doctor may become dismissive of your symptoms and attribute it to your own psychological problems or hypochondriac nature
• Doctors may give a false label or a “trash-can diagnosis” just to satisfy the patient
• The symptoms may worsen till you get a correct diagnosis
• You may receive symptomatic treatment which doesn’t address the underlying problem.

A personal injury lawyer can conduct their own investigations and establish the facts.

Failure to Diagnose – the Legal Perspective

As a patient, you consult a doctor with the full expectation that they would be able to correctly diagnose your problem and provide a plan for the right treatment. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a failure to diagnose, find a personal injury lawyer immediately, who has the skill and experience in the area of medical malpractice law. They would be able to assess your case, provide a genuine and practical evaluation of your claims, and assist you with the process of filing a suit for compensation.

Our free consultation injury lawyers can assist you with filing the claim in the stipulated time, along with gathering evidence, arranging for expert testimony and providing you with representation at all stages of the case. You require expert help from our experienced personal injury lawyers in dealing with insurers, hospital administrators and top-class legal minds that a large and financially strong institution can muster.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.

Broken bones are painful with a long time to heal properly. It is even more challenging with a broken wrist which could have stemmed from an unfortunate slip and fall incident. Such personal injury could be accorded favorable financial compensations if substantial proof could be garnered for a personal injury litigation which our Barrie personal injury lawyer or Kitchener personal injury lawyer could take on readily.

Wrist Injuries that could be Compensated

The wrist is a crucial part of the human anatomy with eight carpal bones and ligaments that are instrumental in hand movements. Many individuals take the wrist movements for granted until the wrist becomes injured.

Severe wrist injuries could stem from slips and falls which could have been avoided if proper measures of safety have been implemented by responsible parties. Hence, our dedicated team of serious injury lawyer professionals is on hand to assist in the legal process of making the necessary compensation claims from the responsible parties or insurance companies.

Wrist injuries are also common from motor vehicle accidents with fractured wrists being a common outcry. It is possible to fracture any of the eight bones forming the wrist and facilitating wrist movements while the ulna and radius arm bones may be adversely impacted. A broken wrist could be caused by

• Traumatic slips and falls
• Intentional violence
• Third party negligence
• Auto accidents
• Defective products
• Workplace incidences

As an established legal firm specializing in personal injuries, we are ready to assist with our skilled accident injury lawyer available 24×7 to file a legal case for compensations for:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Daily inconveniences
• Physiotherapist and recovery treatments
• Recuperation expenses

Broken Wrist Symptoms and Treatments

Pain is a very common symptom of broken wrists, which could be discomforting or excruciating. Other symptoms include:

• Bruising
• Deformity of hand and arm
• Inability to move the fingers
• Numbness
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tenderness

This type of traumatic hand injury should be medically treated as soon as possible as a delay could lead to decreased hand and wrist strengths for gripping and carrying functions. Wrist fractures could also bring on arthritis later in life.

Light wrist injuries could normally be handled by patients with simple home remedies that include:

• Elevating the injured wrist on something that is above the heart level to ease pain and swelling in the first couple of days
• Put an ice pack on the injured wrist for 15-20 minutes in every 2-3 hours for 2-3 days
• Taking standard painkillers from the local pharmacy or drugstores to ease swelling and pain

However, it is best to consult pain specialists or broken bone experts for a clearer diagnosis and treatment as many drugs have side effects that may worsen the patient’s health.

A broken wrist could be treated through:

• Cast or splint setting of misaligned or displaced bones between wrist and hand
• Surgery to realign severe fractures or bone displacement
• Prescription pain medication
• Physical therapy designed to improve wrist movement and strength

Broken wrists patients are wise to consult the right medical experts on healing their injured wrist quickly as it may take months to heal from a broken wrist, especially if it is a serious injury stemming from a car accident. Patients may want to find a personal injury lawyer to assist them through the complex legal process of making claims to a quicker and total healing of their wrist injury.

Our car accident lawyer is skilled and experienced in securing the right evidences to seek favorable compensations that would cover the whole duration of recovery to avoid unnecessary financial burdens on the patient. Our trained and qualified lawyers have the right medical connections to understand each different case of personal injury to collate the best of evidences for a satisfactory legal outcome.

Seek the Best in Legal Compensations

We are confident of assisting patients of broken wrists in claiming their rightful financial compensations to cover all medical expenses and therapies for a full recovery of their wrist and return to their vibrant normal lifestyle before the incident.

Our law firm is reputed in the market with a strong proven record in securing the best of financial compensations for personal injuries such as broken wrists. Our 24×7 injury lawyer is on the phone for an emergency call by patients with broken wrists to file the legal processes in procuring favorable compensations accorded in and outside the courtroom.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.

A summer day in Toronto can find temperatures soaring to 31C but you could perceive and feel the heat as much higher. A Canadian concept first proposed in 1965, known as the “humidex” has been cited by Environment Canada as one that combines humidity and temperature and assesses them according to how they feel to the average person. It’s a comfort-threshold that varies from person to person. This summer’s humidex advisory for Toronto puts the scales close to a sweltering 39C and people are looking forward to cooling off with air-conditioning, whether it’s in their cars, homes or workplaces.

However, a recent class action lawsuit filed by plaintiffs in the US claims that auto giant Toyota was aware of the defects in a particular model that led to the system becoming a breeding ground for mold, giving off foul odors etc that could pose potential health hazards. In spite of knowing this, the company did nothing to fix the problem. This falls under Defective Products liability and if you’re the victim of such a product, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. 

Car Air-conditioning Problems

Most people are unaware that their car air-conditioning systems are a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. As the car gets older, or if the the air-conditioning system is not used very often, it provides a fertile area for bacteria, fungi, mold, micro-organisms, insects etc. Refrigerant gases pass into the evaporator, heat absorption from drivers and passengers takes place and condensation occurs. Usually this occurs behind the door panel or dashboard, causing bacteria to proliferate, foul odors that trigger headaches, flu symptoms and a feeling of malaise known as the “sick car syndrome.” Micro-organisms that cause respiratory problems are commonly found in car air-conditioning systems. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you to identify the exact cause of your ill-health.

Defective Products Liability in Canada and Car Air-conditioning Systems

Personal injury lawyers for the plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer was fully aware that this model has a defect in the heating and ventilating systems but failed to disclose this defect to purchasers or leasers of the vehicle.

Product liability has become much more widespread today, as the global market expands. Defects can occur at any stage during manufacturing, storage and distribution. Canadian manufacturers are liable to their clients not just in breach of contract, but also in tort since they may have breached or violated the duty of care owed to customers with regard to consumer goods. Distributors are similarly liable, since they cannot blindly back the claims of the manufacturer and must take prudent steps to conduct their own research into a product before taking up distributorship.

Defective product liability claims hinge on the following factors:

• Manufacturing Defects
• Design Defects
• Failure to warn users about these

Canadian law does not consider “strict liability” with regard to product defects and the cause of action is limited to tort of negligence. Federal regulations strictly mandate that defects and incidents of serious injury caused by products have to reported. Jury trials are quite rare and it’s usually a single judge that hears such a case. Punitive damages are generally not available and general damages for “pain and suffering” and non-pecuniary losses are capped even in severe cases to $340, 000.

The “duty to warn” is a continuous one and applies to products at the manufacturing stage and also defects that may arise later.

The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act passed in 2011 imposes certain duties on those who manufacture, import or sell consumer products in Canada. All parties in the distribution and manufacturing chain must be recorded and preserved for a period of seven years.

This act is enforced through fines and penalties including criminal convictions.

How We Can Assist

If you or a loved one develops health problems directly caused by a defective air-conditioning system in your car, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. “How do I find a personal injury lawyer?”  is a question that most victims of such defective products face. Personal recommendations are ideal, or you could consult local bar association directories and search through some of the law-firm/lawyers’ websites on-line.

Product liability claims require extensive and intensive research on a multi-disciplinary level. In the case of defective air-conditioning systems, the case has to be backed by the expert testimony of medical, engineering and automobile experts. Specialized information from bacteriologists, microbiologists etc would strengthen your case further. Our Kitchener personal injury lawyer can ensure that a strong case is assembled so that you receive maximum compensation.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.

The recent case of a Brampton man who was arrested following a fatal crash on Highway 403 has brought the issue of impaired driving sharply into focus. This was an extremely serious accident, which killed one person and critically injured another. The impaired driver faces charges of causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death, possessing a controlled substance, driving over the alcohol limit causing death and bodily harm among other charges.

Impaired Driving Facts and Information

When a person who is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substance operates a vehicle this is known as impaired driving. The vehicle may be a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, snow-mobile or off-road vehicles. Alcohol/drugs reduce one’s ability to concentrate, vision, alertness, reaction time and judgment. It also makes a person sleepy, disconnected from reality which is why there is a feeling of over-confidence and there is a tendency to break rules.

An impaired driver may ignore warnings of friends and family and become aggressive if prevented from doing what he/she wants. Apart from endangering their own lives, impaired drivers are a risk to other vehicle drivers, pedestrians, road users and property in their path. The victim in such circumstances is the innocent driver or pedestrian who suffers injury/death following a vehicle crash.

Ontario Impaired Driving Penalties

Ontario has extremely harsh regulations and penalties for impaired driving and is reputed to have one of the strictest drinking and driving laws in North America. In addition to the criminal code penalties, the Ontario Highway Traffic Act imposes its own set of penalties based on previous such records. These include remedial measures, assessment, educational and treatment programs and installation of Ignition Interlock Device even for first time offenders. All these are subject to the different conditions which the impaired driver is considered eligible for.

Different laws apply for learner drivers and experienced ones. Even if the vehicle is stationary, the driver may be charged if the BAC level is confirmed. Apart from alcohol, taking certain prescription drugs may also affect your driving ability hence you should be aware of the side-effects of any drugs you take before driving, even if they are over-the-counter ones. Illegal substances consumed before driving can lead to impaired driving charges. If someone else drives your vehicle while drunk, it could be ignition locked, so you must be careful about lending your vehicle.

The Zero BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) law mandates that drivers cannot have any level of alcohol in their blood if they’re operating a vehicle, regardless of whether they’re novice drivers or drivers above/below 21.

Penalties include immediate license suspension on the spot for 24 for any BAC above 0. If convicted, the driver must pay $60 – 500 fine with 30 day suspension. In case you’re a novice driver caught with any BAC above 0, your license is canceled with immediate effect and you’ll have to take all tests and go through the licensing procedure again.

If you are the Victim in an Impaired Driver Crash

You may be an innocent victim of a drunken driver crash as it happened in the Brampton case, as a driver or an unwary pedestrian. In a split second, your entire life and that of your family’s could change for ever. Impaired driving can cause minor, major or fatal injuries and have to be thoroughly assessed in personal injury litigation. These include:

• Broken bones/fractures
• Brain/spinal cord injury/trauma
• Organ damage
• Muscle, skin and ligament damage
• Concussion
• Internal bleeding
• Severe wounds
• Psychological trauma
• Loss of sensory ability
• Death

In all these cases, you are entitled to compensation as Ontario laws are very strict and designed to protect victims. Our personal injury lawyers have wide-ranging experience, skill and knowledge in this area of law and if you’re a victim of such an unfortunate incident, you should contact our law firm as early as possible.

How We Can Help

Our free consultation injury lawyers can begin by making a thorough assessment of all aspects of your case and giving you a genuine, honest appraisal regarding the kind of claims you can make.  This area of law is quite complex and there may be several different charges that need to be filed, as in the Brampton case. You may require the services of specialists like catastrophic injury lawyers who can put together a strong case to get you the maximum possible benefits that are due to you and your loved ones. In case of death, the next of kin can file charges and get legal representation to safeguard their rights.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured by a drunk driver in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.