Toronto Personal Injury Law Blog

Ontario’s current insurance system regulating car accidents includes a “test” or threshold by which only certain injuries can successfully claim damages for pain and suffering arising from a car accident.

That is, only “serious and permanent” injuries can be awarded damages for your pain and suffering.  Lawyers in this area continue to focus on cases that deal with this Bill 198 threshold issue for guidance on what qualifies as serious and permanent pain and suffering damages – i.e. chronic pain, anxiety, depression, inability to sleep (insomnia), radiating pain into your legs / arms / neck / head, being scared of cars and being unable to drive, constant pain in your back, neck, shoulders, etc.… Continue Reading

If you hurt someone unintentionally or cause damage or loss as a result of your unintentional actions, then hopefully you have homeowner’s insurance to protect you and respond to a lawsuit on your behalf.

Homeowner’s insurance is very important insurance and, in our view, no one should be without homeowner’s insurance.

The importance of homeowner’s insurance is that it potentially provides you with a legal defence (in a lawsuit) and may cover you for any unintentional negligent acts which end up hurting someone or causing them loss or damage. … Continue Reading

In personal injury lawsuits, getting to Trial often takes years.  This is usually a result of a combination of the litigation process and also a queue for Court time once parties consider themselves ready for Trial. *

A common problem in car accident lawsuit is that several cars can involved in an accident.  Examples include: several cars rear-ending each other on a highway or at a red traffic light or cars losing control and colliding with several cars.

Who is responsible when several cars are involved in a car accident?… Continue Reading

Toronto experienced several pedestrian/car accidents yesterday, including a very sad situation of a young 28 year mother who died while pushing her baby in a stroller. It appears that the 83 year old driver missed the red light facing the vehicle and caused this accident. Early reports are that the deceased Mom pushed her baby safely away just prior to being hit and killed. This story has been extensively reported upon, including by the Toronto Star and the National Post.

What Happens Regarding this Driver?… Continue Reading

Ontario’s private auto insurance regime is set to change again and today the Ontario government released their proposals on the types of reforms which may be implemented eventually.

See the Ontario government’s press release today. The 41 reforms are detailed in two information circulars accompanying the press release: “reforns” and “new options”.

Ontario’s current regime, commonly referred to as the Bill 198 regime, came into effect on October 1, 2003. As outlined in our April/09 blog, the extensive review process included recommendations from various stakeholders and resulted in FSCO’s recommended last Spring.… Continue Reading

With the growing popularity of alternative vehicles in Ontario, the government is undergoing a review of various forms of transportation.  This includes electric bikes (“e-bikes”) and/or scooters, mopeds, motor tricycles, motorized wheelchairs, low speed vehicles and those unique machines named Segway transporters.

You can read the Ontario government’s outline of these different types of vehicle and the requirements which surround each.

As a commuter, I now see e-bike riders daily in good weather, wearing helmets, driving in the curb lane just like a bicyclist.… Continue Reading