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Posts Tagged: accident benefits

Ontario’s Accident Benefits System Changes Now in Effect – Part 4

Further to our various previous blogs, including on March 9, 2010, the changes to Ontario’s SABS (statutory accident benefits Schedule) have now come into effect.

Much has been written on the topic, including the recent Globe and Mail articles on August 10, 2010 and July 15, 2010.

The changes come as part of the government’s designated 5 year review plan.  Given the insurer’s financial difficulties over the past years with the cost control of handling claims, including the rising cost of handling each individual claim, changes were expected.… Continue Reading

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Housekeeping – Ontario’s New Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) – Part 2

For most people involved in motor vehicle and car accidents, housekeeping has been eliminated as part of the Ontario SABS (Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule) effective September 1, 2010.

The current legislation, which has been in place for years, was a total benefit of $10,400 if you qualified for the maximum amount.  The current benefit makes available up to $100 per week in housekeeping benefits for the first two years after a car accident.

This entire benefit has been eliminated except for the most serious situations, which are catastrophic impairment situations.… Continue Reading

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Ontario’s Car Insurance System Set to Change (Again)

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

Ontario Accident Benefits (SABS) – The Role of Doctors and Their Medical Assessments

If you are injured in a car accident in Ontario, you will likely have access to Ontario’s no-fault insurance benefits plan, which is the Statutory Accident Benefits Regime (SABS) or more commonly referred to as “Accident Benefits”.

When you claim Accident Benefits, you likely will be asked to undergo a medical assessment by a doctor or medical practitioner to evaluate your condition and provide an opinion as to your entitlement to Accident Benefits.

If you are assessed by a medical doctor at the request of the Accident Benefits insurer, is that doctor an expert or a fact witness?… Continue Reading

Car and Road Laws are Getting Tougher in Ontario

Some of Ontario’s laws are attempting to make car and road use safer in our province. Changes include the prohibition of cell phone use while driving and prohibition of smoking in a car with minors present.

Most recent are the changes in Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, which has imposed speed limiters upon all tractor trailers operating in the province.

Speed limiters prevent tractor trailers and other large commercial vehicles from exceeding 105 km/hr.

The speed limiter law is found in s.68.1 of the Highway Traffic Act as well as the accompanying Regulation.… Continue Reading

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Hit by an Uninsured Car in Ontario, who do you sue?

What happens when a pedestrian is hit by an uninsured car?  What if that pedestrian does not have her own car (i.e. at home) and therefore she has no insurance coverage herself?

And what happens if the pedestrian is sprawled on the front hood of the uninsured car when together, they immediately hit a taxi that is properly waiting to make a left hand turn at that same intersection?

Which insurance company will respond to the pedestrian’s tort lawsuit seeking damages? … Continue Reading