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Monthly Archives: May 2014

Teenage driver guilty of careless driving in fatal Ontario crash

In March 2013, a teenager was driving a 2009 Acura SUV in an easterly direction on Lake Shore Boulevard East in Toronto when his vehicle went out of control, crossed over three lanes of traffic, took out a guard rail and plunged its five teenage occupants into the Don River. One of the occupants, 16, was under water for about a half-hour. After police divers and Toronto fire fighters were able to free the teenager, he was transported to St. Michael’s Hospital but died about five hours later.… Continue Reading

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Ontario Snowmobile Accident and Loss Transfer / Liability Dispute Between Insurers

The Issue: Sometimes after an Ontario car accident, insurers fight each other over who is “responsible” for paying the injured person(s) Accident Benefits claims.

The Background

This is not usually a concern of those in car accidents, but it is interesting to consider some of the background dealings that arise from car accidents.

With car accidents in Ontario, the people involved usually have an entitlement to Accident Benefits regardless of fault – i.e. the driver who caused the accident is usually entitled to the same level of benefits as the innocent victim.… Continue Reading

Adding PTSD To Your Claim > 3.5 Years After a Thunder Bay Car Accident

The Issue: Can a husband, not involved in the car accident nor present at the crash site, develop PTSD as a result of the shock and emotional upset of his wife being involved in this very serious accident and dying shortly thereafter from her injuries?

Can that husband add the PTSD claim to his Statement of Claim, by amendment, some 3.5 years after the car accident?

Why This Matters

When a person is involved in a car accident, it is a common sequelae for many victims in Ontario to suffer from emotional anxiety and distress and, in the course of seeking medical treatment, a diagnosis of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is fairly common.… Continue Reading

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Truck driver faces criminal charges after death of officer

An Ontario Provincial Police officer died when the vehicle that he was driving was hit by a semi-truck. Now, the truck driver is facing criminal charges due to the fatal accident. His court date is scheduled for July 3.

The collision occurred on Feb. 13 on Highway 17 near Blind River. Allegedly, the accident occurred when the 36-year-old constable’s SUV was hit by the semi-truck. The constable had worked with the OPP detachment unit approximately 12 years at the time of his death.… Continue Reading

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Suing Unidentified Ontario Driver: Corroborative Evidence Required

The Issue: In this interesting case, the plaintiff driver hit another car from behind. She sued her own insurance company, alleging that another vehicle, whose identity she does not have, drove dangerously in front or beside her, causing her to take avoidance maneuvers and thereby hit the car in front of her: Chmielewski v Pishchak, 2014 CanLII 7592 (ON SC)

This summary judgment motion, brought by the insurer responding to this unidentified driver claim, was based upon the provisions related to Ontario’s insurance coverage regarding unidentified vehicles – the OAP-1 and the OPCF R44.… Continue Reading

Insurer Denies $1M Coverage for Renewing Ontario Driver’s License 4 Months Late

The Issue: Many people have forgotten to renew their driver’s license in time, being notified only when they are stopped by police on a routine traffic check or have to use their Driver’s License as identification to apply for car insurance or some other service.

Why This Matters

Most people would not imagine that their insurer would seek to void their insurance coverage – denying them $1 million in insurance coverage – for this type of ‘honest’ mistake. Particularly when the payment of the car insurance premiums has been up to date.… Continue Reading

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