“It won’t happen to me.” The reality is that hundreds of thousands people in Ontario suffer injuries unintentional accidents every year. Even relatively minor injuries can lead to large medical expenses, lost income, lost social life, and pain and suffering.
Find out what the six common accidents causing personal injury are, the mistakes victims make, and why you should get in touch with a lawyer near you immediately.
Car accidents are one of the most common causes of personal injury, with thousands of Ontarians suffering serious harm every year. Nearly 2000 fatalities occur on Canadian roads annually, and there are nearly 90,000 collisions involving personal injury.
Car crashes cause a wide range of injuries. Whiplash and soft tissue damage can leave you in pain for weeks or months. Even a minor accident can have lasting physical and emotional effects.
More severe collisions often result in spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Fractures, internal bleeding, and psychological trauma, like PTSD, are also common.
Often, people suffer hairline fractures and less obvious injuries that may not be immediately obvious. Left untreated, they can become significant health concerns. Make sure you visit a doctor after a car accident even if you don’t notice any obvious injuries.
Ontario provides Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS) to all those involved in an accident, even if they don’t have their own insurance.
Slip and fall accidents are another common cause of personal injury. Slip and falls can occur on personal property, such as in homes; commercial premises such as shopping malls; municipal property, such as sidewalks; and on transit, such as trains or buses. In many cases, the accident is covered by the Ontario Occupier’s Liability Act. In some cases, it may be covered by other laws, such as the Ontario Municipal Act.
Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act requires property owners to maintain a safe environment. If you’re injured because of unsafe conditions, you may be able to file a claim for compensation.
With slip and fall accidents, two things are paramount:
– Filing the claim or notifying the other party of your intention to file a claim within the limitation period (anywhere from 10 days to two years after the accident).
– Gathering evidence to prove the accident was caused as a result of the occupier’s negligence or recklessness. This includes your doctor’s notes after an initial medical examination, photographs of the scene and cause of the accident, eyewitness statements, and more.
Motorcycle accidents are the third biggest cause of motor vehicle fatalities (after car and pedestrian accidents). Even if the accident isn’t fatal, a motorcycling accident can cause in life-altering injuries.
Head trauma, even with a helmet, can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries. Spinal cord damage is another major risk, sometimes leading to paralysis. Fractured bones, road rash, and internal injuries are also common. Recovery can often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
From a legal standpoint, Ontario’s insurance system treats motorcycle accidents much like car accidents. However, it’s not uncommon for insurance companies trying to blame motorcyclists. Many injured riders also make the mistake of not documenting the scene properly or delaying medical treatment, which can weaken their claim.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, protecting your legal rights is essential. Speak to a catastrophic injury lawyer without delay, and especially before you consider any compensation offer from the insurance company.
Every year, nearly 300 pedestrians are killed in Canada, with thousands more suffering serious injuries. Many of these incidents occur in busy urban areas, near intersections, or in parking lots.
The injuries suffered in pedestrian accidents are often severe and life-changing. Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries are common. Unsurprisingly, fractured bones, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries are common too, given pedestrians have no protection.
Drivers are legally required to be cautious around pedestrians, particularly at crosswalks and in school zones, under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. In fact, the driver is presumed guilty unless proven otherwise.
If you have been injured by a driver—car, truck, motorcycle, e-scooter, or e-bike—you should speak to Niagara Falls car accident lawyers immediately. You are entitled to receive SABS, regardless of whether you have auto insurance or not.
While most pets are well-trained and non-aggressive, incidents still occur. Some of those most vulnerable to pet attacks are children, who may be unaware of a pet’s mental state. Their smaller size means they are less able to fend off attacks.
Ontario law holds pet owners responsible for their animals’ actions. That means if you’re bitten or attacked, you may have the right to compensation. Ontario has strict liability laws when it comes to pet attacks. Under the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, a dog’s owner is automatically responsible for injuries caused by their pet, even if the dog has no history of aggression.
One of the most common mistakes people make is accepting an informal settlement from the pet owner without understanding the full extent of their injuries, and pain and suffering. Before you do, speak to personal injury lawyers to ensure you are not left uncompensated for a large medical bill and PTSD after the attack.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence causes harm to a patient. Misdiagnoses, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, birth injuries, and device failures can all give rise to a medical malpractice claim.
Though the physical and emotional impact of medical malpractice can be great, malpractice cases require significant resources to prove. To succeed, a survivor must prove that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and that this failure directly caused their injury.
Hospitals and insurance companies aggressively defend malpractice claims, which is why you need to approach experienced medical malpractice lawyers.
For over 70 years, Chown, Cairns LLP has helped accident victims and survivors receive the care and compensation they are entitled to. Our lawyers provide creative legal strategies that help you receive compensation efficiently.
Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to discuss your needs with a seasoned personal injury lawyers and understand your options.