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Ontario Drug Impaired Driving Laws Get a Welcome Makeover

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A 2016 study released by Statistics Canada contains some alarming numbers on drug-impaired driving. Out of a total of 75,000 impaired driving incidents reported across Canada in 2015, nearly 3000 of them involved drugs and seven of these resulted in fatalities. However, Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) sources contest these figures and say that many more drug-impaired drivers are not detected. Other studies have figures that may bear this out, since random road samples collected from drivers in British Columbia alone reveal that 7.4% drivers were drug-impaired. Police sources say that 40-50% of fatalities caused by impaired drivers have a link to drugs or a mix of drugs and alcohol. The number for Toronto are equally disturbing as such incidents seem to be on the rise. In September 2016, a total of 58 drivers were charged with impaired driving, while the total for the previous year period was just 19. As with alcohol-impaired drivers, drug-impaired drivers pose
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Ontario's New Road Safety Updates: Impact across the Board

The Making Ontario Roads Safer Act 2015 proposed a new and more stringent set of laws that intend to make Ontario's roads among the safest in North America. This new legislation aims to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities in the province's roads. The newly updated laws under the Transportation Statute Laws are hoped to effect systemic changes in motorist behaviors regarding cyclists, pedestrians and other road-sharers. Concurrently, the new amendments will also have their impact on motor vehicle accident lawyers and legislation of cases related to accidents. One of the main areas of focus in these new regulations is the alarming increase in incidents of distracted driving, mainly due to negligent use of cellphones etc. These rules were urgently required because: Current collision trends indicate that collisions and fatalities caused by distracted driving may exceed those caused by alcohol/drug-impaired driving   Statistics also show tha
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Understanding the Statutory Deductible: Your Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Statutory deductibles are those deductions made according to certain legislation  mandated by federal and provincial governments. Some examples include income tax, employment insurance premiums, Canada Pension Plan contributions etc. These amounts have to be submitted to the proper authorities. In the case of insurance settlements , when the plaintiff is injured in a motor-vehicle accident , the compensation amount received by him/her for non-pecuniary damages such as pain and suffering are subject to certain statutory deductibles. Such deductibles significantly affect the final bottom-line of the award in personal injury claims. These statutory deductibles are intended to ensure that only very serious cases come to trial, since there is immense pressure on the legal system. Along with the statutory deductible, a threshold limit was placed on “permanent and serious” injuries that had to be fulfilled in order to qualify for compensation. Statutory Deductibles In Ontario
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Medical Evaluations: Whom Do They Really Benefit?

Car accident victims in Ontario may find that the province's insurance system almost seems to punish them for making a claim! This observation was made by FAIR (For Accident Insurance Reform) the organization that supports accident victims through advocacy and education. Such organizations help to advocate the cause of insurance industry reforms. Another important area is to ensure that equitable funding is allocated to all the parties involved – claimants, insurers, health-care providers and the legal representatives. A landmark case in this issue was Macdonald vs Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2006. During the course of testimony, it was revealed that a doctor's medical report was rewritten by a company that had retained the doctor to conduct the defense's medical evaluation. The case is now used as a yardstick for arguments against Ontario's accident benefits and auto insurance systems. What Are Independent Medical Evaluations? When an injur
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Insurance Company Faces Flak After Denying Benefits To Injured Girl

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The mother of a young North Vancouver girl who was hit in the eye with the ball while playing soccer is locked in a battle with her insurance company. The insurance company has refused to make a pay-out citing certain technical points. 12-year-old Emily Laprise suffered a detached retina as a result of the accident. A surgeon was able to repair this, but was unable to fix the tear in the retinal lining of her left eye which has left the youngster with lack of vision in the lower field and also the problem of double vision. Emily's mother, Nancy Desrosiers, a former ER nurse, has dealt with many cases of children in trauma. She says, “You can see how injuries can truly change people's lives. So I made sure that when I had children, I got insurance for them.” Ironically, this doesn't seem to have been of benefit to Emily and her mom. Desrosiers had purchased insurance from Industrial Alliance, the fourth largest firm in Canada and had every hope of a settlement
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Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers: Accidents Can Have Serious Consequences

Helping You Rebuild and Reclaim Your Life Toronto personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers regularly meet clients whose lives have been completely shattered by a car accident or a slip and fall accident. Such disasters happen without warning and in those few seconds, the lives of injured victims and their families can be significantly altered. Accidents impose enormous physical, financial and emotional burdens on people connected with the injured person and involved in their care. Unfortunately, accidents are almost always preventable and avoidable, typically caused by someone else's fault or negligence. Contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Toronto if you or a dear one has been injured in an accident. You may be entitled to compensation. We provide realistic, genuine and comprehensive advice, assistance and advocacy that can help you recover and reconstruct your life to the maximum. What Is A Personal Injury Lawsuit? There could be several ben
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Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
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Mississauga Car Accident Lawyers: How Much Money Will I Get?

All Your Questions Answered Mississauga personal injury lawyers Singh Barristers meet clients who have been seriously injured in car accidents. Such accidents usually happen like a bolt from the blue and they can leave a trail of destruction behind them. It's not just the injured victim who is affected, but often the entire family faces a variety of problems. If the victim was the sole income earner, or contributed significantly to the family's pooled resources, being away from work for extended periods or becoming permanently unable to work can put an enormous financial burden on them. Added to this, high medical and rehabilitation bills, the need for continuing treatment, medication, prosthetics, therapy etc make things even more difficult. Accidents can also cause serious emotional difficulties. Sleep disturbances, anxiety or panic attacks, mood swings, depression, alcohol or drug dependency, breakdown of relationships etc are issues which require psychiatric
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Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada
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