With winter on the horizon, drivers would be wise to prepare their vehicles for the onslaught of weather conditions that are going to undoubtedly affect their car trips both near and far. Creating a kit to keep in your car provides a safety net for you and your family in the event of an emergency.

The Government of Canada has shared these useful tips to help make sure your emergency car kit is fully stocked:

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Always have winter safety and emergency equipment in your car. A basic car kit should contain the following:

• Food that won’t spoil, such as energy bars
• Water—plastic bottles that won’t break if the water freezes (replace them every six months)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing and shoes or boots
• First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
• Candle in a deep can and matches
• Wind‑up flashlight
• Whistle—in case you need to attract attention
• Roadmaps
• Copy of your emergency plan

Items to keep in your trunk:

• Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares                                                 “

When it comes to road safety, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Although everyone hopes for the best when navigating winter driving conditions, by preparing an emergency car kit, you can prepare yourself for the worst.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

While dogs are often praised for being “Man’s Best Friend”, it’s not uncommon for our furry friends to go rogue. In fact, when canines bite or attack, especially unprovoked, it can be extremely traumatizing for the victim.

Here’s what the experts at the Canadian Kennel Club had to share surrounding how those who have been wounded by a dog attack can proceed legally:

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For serious bites, go to a doctor and/or veterinarian as quickly as you can or call 911. If you have the opportunity, before you leave, follow these steps:

• Write down information about the dog and the owner. If this is not possible because the dog is a stray, or the person with the dog has run away, try to remember information such as what the dog looks like, or maybe even the dog’s name. This may seem strange in the heat of the moment but often an owner will call its’ dog’s name before s/he runs away.
• Take pictures of the wound/s and document the situation by writing down as many details as possible.
• Talk to witnesses and ask for their contact information.

 Legal Liability

In Ontario there is a Dog Owner’s Liability Act, which states that the person who suffered the damage does not have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent or that the dog’s behaviour was in any way caused by the owner. Nor does the owner have to have any knowledge of the dog’s propensity for biting people, which he or she required under the previous “one bite” rule (a dog was allowed one bite before an owner could be accused of negligence in preventing their dog from biting). The only thing that must be proven under this new legislation is that the dog bit or attacked someone, and the owner is automatically liable for the dog’s actions. The amount of the “liability” (i.e., damages paid) may be determined by a number of factors, one of which would be whether or not the dog was provoked. The judge may lower the damages paid if s/he deems that the victim teased or irritated the dog to the point that it became aggressive.”

Suffering from a dog bite can be psychologically and physically painful.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

Anyone who has suffered a personal injury can tell you that the road to healing can be lined with potholes. High medical expenses, missed work, emotional trauma, chronic pain, you name it – the fact of the matter is that personal injury victims battle every day to keep moving forward while facing a multitude of setbacks.

Fortunately, personal injury litigators are dedicated to easing the stresses of sufferers by assisting them in seeking the financial compensation necessary for the recovery process. There is no specific formula for determining the damages a sufferer has faced, but there are many factors that contribute to the final settlement that most injury victims receive.

Here’s how damages are measured in a personal injury case:

Medical Expenses

If a victim has suffered an injury that involves medical treatment, including future expenses such as any rehabilitation sessions, the costs will be included in their compensation. Furthermore, doctors’ notes and invoices work towards helping a patient’s case, as they prove the severity of the injury.

Loss of Income

Many injury sufferers are forced by their symptoms to take a leave from work to recover properly. However, in the face of medical bills, that loss of income can hit an already vulnerable individual very hard. Therefore, loss of income is also factored into the compensation equation.

Disability

Unfortunately, for many people that have been involved in an accident, living with a disability becomes their everyday reality. This dramatic life change has a long list of expenses attached to it that personal injury lawyers seek to have covered by compensatory damages.

Pain and Suffering

This umbrella term covers everything from physical to emotional duress. For instance, if a plaintiff was paralyzed in a car accident and became depressed due to the life-altering disability they went on to face as a result of that accident, they can claim emotional distress.

Permanent Disfigurement

If a sufferer is faced with the reality of permanent disfigurement after an accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, they can likely receive compensation for such disfigurement.

Personal injury compensation is an extremely complex and detailed subject. While the above are simply a few examples of how damages are measured, they are the most common issues that sufferers face.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

As convenient and environmentally friendly as the option is, nobody loves the idea of riding on public transit. Feeling akin to a sardine is far from exciting, and frequent delays can be immensely frustrating. Regardless, public transit is a helpful service, even if riders are at the mercy of it.

While streetcar, bus, and subway rides are typically very smooth, occasionally an individual is injured during their post-work commute. In the event that you are injured while riding in a public transit vehicle, this valuable information can assist you on the road to seeking compensation for your injuries:

Speak to the Driver

Nobody on public transit wants any trouble, and everyone on it is willing to do his or her part to avoid it. While commuters simply wish to arrive home safely, vehicle operators just want to complete their workday without unnecessary headaches. In the event that you are injured on a public transit vehicle, it is imperative that if possible, you immediately report the injury to the driver so that he or she can report it to their senior. Furthermore, focus on obtaining as much information as you can about the vehicle you have been injured on so that you have something concrete to bring to the courts instead of simply claiming you were injured on “a bus”.

Difficulties in Collecting Compensation

After you’ve suffered your injury, there is potential that you can collect Statutory Accident Benefits from the public transit company you were relying on to get you home safely. Unfortunately, problems have been known to arise for those seeking compensation for this type of injury if the vehicle they were riding in didn’t crash into another motor vehicle.

This is challenging for some, as most whiplash or slip and fall public transit injuries are catalyzed by the event of the driver slamming on the breaks to avoid colliding with another vehicle.

While some public transit accident victims do experience issues in receiving compensation for their pain and suffering, our personal injury lawyers are here to ensure that doesn’t happen to you. As with any legal issue, all it takes is a strong team of litigators dedicated to proving your case. If you’ve been injured on a public transit vehicle, it’s vital that you don’t waste time deciding if you wish to seek compensation. This is due to the fact that there can be limitation periods after an accident in which the sufferer must report their injuries if they hope to receive the justice they deserve.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

In the present day, it’s no secret that anything you post online goes onto your digital permanent record. Deleted posts, while not visible to your friends or family, never fully disappear. Therefore, it is extremely imperative that those who enjoy sharing photos, status updates, and location information with their social media audiences be mindful about what they choose to post.

You wouldn’t want your boss to see your long-winded status update complaining about the new office policy, would you? Our guess is no. However, job security is no longer the only thing that can be threatened by social media – personal injury claims are too. Allow us to explain:

Inconsistent Images

Social media is not typically the most authentic place. Your feeds have given you the opportunity to present the most envy-inducing version of yourself to anyone who views them, and most people take advantage of that power.

Including defense attorneys.

If your life were dramatically altered after a car accident-related brain injury, chances are that you wouldn’t post or feel like posting when you were in the midst of dealing with painful side effects. Mental health issues caused by the accident will likely go unmentioned on your Facebook timeline, and details about the physical injuries you sustained will not be described in detail, if at all.

So how does it look to an opportunistic defense attorney, when on the one evening you decided to go to your friend’s annual Labour Day barbecue, multiple photos were taken and posted online that made it appear that you were out and about, having the time of your life?

This is where many sufferers who are seeking compensation for their injuries misstep. If you’re claiming the accident has dramatically affected your emotional life, but meanwhile, you’re trying to portray a carefree and happy image on social media, the defense could use that as evidence to have your case thrown out.

Proper Protocol

If you experience a personal injury, it is wise to avoid posting anything on social media from the day you are injured until the day your case has been settled in court. Despite your abstinence from social media, friends and family still have the power to post updates and images related to you. Therefore, it is highly advised that you speak to those within your inner circle about the potential risks associated with your social media presence, and ask them to avoid mentioning you online. Furthermore, while having airtight privacy settings is a good security step to take, the settings may not protect you from the defense gaining access to your posts.

Social media can be great fun, however, suffering after a personal injury is far from it.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

As far as cars go, there is a wide selection of technologically innovative models on the road right now that assist in elevating their driver’s socioeconomic image. For teenagers, having a vehicle is a symbol of independence that often leads to popularity, and as we look at older generations, there is little difference in the way having an expensive vehicle can affect social status.

However, carmakers can spend as many hours as they’d like creating newer, more advanced models to roll out onto the market, but no vehicle will ever provide its owner with the same amount of “The Effortlessly Cool Factor” that a motorcycle can.

Motorcycles, in all their glory, are a symbol. They’re relatively low maintenance, super fast, and even fuel-efficient. Unfortunately, motorcycles are far more dangerous for riders than vehicles are for drivers. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to get into fatal collisions.

While many riders never get into a collision, the reality is that if you love riding your motorcycle, you should be doing so with caution. Here are some helpful tips for reducing your risk of injury or collision while you’re hitting the open road on your motorbike:

Don’t take Risks

It seems quite obvious, but for many riders, the appeal of speeding and weaving through traffic on the highway can be very strong. In fact, this dangerous behaviour not only puts your life in danger, but the lives of every other vehicle on the road. If you are riding a motorcycle, you are not exempt from the basic rules of the road. It’s as simple as that.

Buy Antilock Breaks

You’d presume that on motorbikes, which are proven to put riders at a higher risk than vehicles do to drivers, antilock breaks would be a staple. However, they are noticeably absent on a wide variety of bike models. This lifesaving feature prevents riders from experiencing loss of steering control due to locked breaks. According to IIHS, in fatal motorcycle collisions, antilock break systems are 37 percent less likely to be installed on the bikes that crashed. Do yourself a favour and make the investment. You’ll be thankful you did.

Wear a Helmet

No matter how many studies are published surrounding the lifesaving benefits of helmet use, there will always be individuals who choose to forego wearing one. It is our advice to not be that person. Even head injuries that are not fatal cause sufferers to experience life altering physical and mental health issues. As a rider, investing in and wearing a helmet that covers your entire face is the best way to practice prevention and protect yourself when you’re out on the streets.

While the aforementioned tips are far from the only steps that you as a rider can take to minimize your risk of injury, taking them will place you on the right path to becoming a defensive and cautious motorcycle rider. Motorcycle crashes can be devastating to riders and their families.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

Another summer has come and (nearly) gone. For parents, back to school season is one filled with both immense excitement and relief. But as the warm weather fades into your rearview, it’s imperative that you keep your eyes on the road ahead when dropping off and picking up your children from school. School buses are back on the roads, and children have been known to forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Plus, heavily crowded school drop off and pick up zones are known to be a nightmare for those navigating their way through them.

To avoid accident or injury, be sure to educate yourself with these useful “back to school” driving pointers:

Sharing the Road with School Busses

 They’re large, they’re yellow, and you can’t miss them. However, many drivers are unaware of these common safety precautions they should be taking when sharing the road with school busses:

• Increase the following distance between your vehicle and the bus, so that you have more time to stop if necessary.
• If passing a bus, do so with immense caution and keep and eye out for children who may walk into traffic without realizing the risks associated with their actions.

Drop off Zone Safety

 In the hours before and after school, rushed parents are often doing their best to navigate their way through densely congested pick up and drop off zones. Here are some of the best rules you should be following in order to safely move through a school’s drop off zone:

• Do not double-park.
• Opt to carpool if it’s a possibility, as it cuts down on traffic at the school.
• Do not pick up or drop off your children anywhere but the designated area.

A Word on Speeding

While speeding is frowned upon at all times, speeding within a school zone is especially reckless. As a parent, you are aware that children behave impulsively. Therefore, it isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario where a child crouching behind a parked vehicle on the road during a harmless game of hide and seek jumps out onto the road. You can never predict how children are going to behave, and this is why school zone regulations must be followed.

While the summer months may have been a well-deserved break from homework help, PTA meetings, and driving through the dreaded drop off zones – classes have commenced. As a driver, it is vital that you stay focused on the road and drive cautiously through student-populated areas. Unfortunately, not all drivers take the caution necessary to keep roads safe.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.

The future has arrived. Due to powerful innovators, past pipe dreams of technologically advanced inventions are quickly becoming reality. Furthermore, the auto industry is a major innovative player. While it has produced awe-inspiring machinery advancements over the years, driverless cars will be the most groundbreaking product the public has seen to date.

In a typical vehicle, the driver controls everything from speed, lane changes, and direction. The margin for human error is so large that each week, millions of car accidents take place across the globe. Distracted driving is a becoming a serious issue that governments must combat, as too many lives have been lost or dramatically altered due to vehicle collisions that could have been avoided.

Driverless cars, on the other hand, will be safer due to the highly intelligent computers that will be operating them. However, there are ethical questions that car manufacturers must address quickly surrounding these autonomous vehicles that are set to hit the streets in mass quantities in the near future.

Programmed for Accidents

While there are presently already plenty of self-driving cars on the streets, they will be unable to be released en masse until auto innovators have made this ethically troubling decision: Who should the car save in the event of an unavoidable accident?

Let’s say that you went out in the next few years and bought yourself a self-driving car. In the months, even years after you’ve made your purchase, you’re completely satisfied with the vehicle and all the convenience it has brought into your life. Everything about the car is great, until one day while driving your typical route to work you find yourself approaching what will undoubtedly be an unavoidable collision. Five pedestrians have run out into the street, and the only way your car can avoid hitting them is to steer itself into the nearby brick wall, killing you in the process.

The Undecided Answer

This is where things become difficult. Of course, minimizing the death toll is important, but not many people will want to purchase a car that is programmed to kill them despite the risk of accidents being higher if they bought a regular vehicle.

Automakers will soon decide, albeit after conducting meticulous research, how to approach this ethical dilemma. Regardless of their decision, there will certainly be many more aspects to consider when seeking compensation for driverless car related injuries.

If you have been injured, and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone for free. We will offer you a free claim assessment.

What child doesn’t love going to the playground? It isn’t just the slides, swings, and sand pits that can provide hours of fun. The playground gives children opportunities to socialize with their peers, exercise, and simply enjoy their carefree age. However, as cheerful as children are at the playground, there is always a risk of injury when they are at play.

Each year, more than 28,000 children are injured on Canadian playgrounds. To help ensure that your child remains safe, the Canadian Safety Council advises that parents take note of the “5 S’s of playground safety”:

Structure

 Playground structures are evolving to be made out of higher quality materials. Many older ones, however, are less advanced. Before you allow your child to run free on a play structure, ensure that:

• All staircases or steps have good traction.
• Swing set seats are made of soft material with spacing of at least two feet apart.
• Swing sets are situated a good distance away from the main playground.
• The slides are not metal, as hot metal in the sun has the potential to burn skin.

Surface

If a child falls from a play structure, what the ground surface is made of can be a deciding factor on whether a child gets injured. Surfaces should be shock absorbing, and ones made out of wood chips, shredded rubber, and sand can minimize the risk of falling-related injuries. Asphalt, dirt, concrete, and grass, however, are unsafe. Furthermore, surfaces should be 12 inches deep, and surround the entire playground radius.

Supervision

As a parent, you know that supervision is a critical part of keeping your child safe. Since children are not always aware, or ignore completely the risks of climbing unsafely on playgrounds, it is the parent’s job to ensure that their child is playing safely.

Site

Unfortunately, playgrounds are a common place for teenagers to go at nightfall. Once you arrive, be sure to scan the site and look for any broken glass, or nails and bolts from the equipment laying around.

Safety

Before allowing your child to participate in playground games with his or her friends, take the time to go over any playground rules posted at the park. By ensuring that your child understands the risks associated with playing on the structure before they take off, you can dramatically reduce their desires to engage in risky behaviours. Furthermore, most playgrounds have separate areas for different age groups, and parents of toddlers should make sure their child stays away from the larger structures designed for older children.

While parents can certainly do their part to keep their children safe at the playground, sometimes a child’s injury is simply due to lack of maintenance. There is only so much injury prevention a parent can practice, so cities must do their part to properly maintain their playgrounds.

Fast dial #1000 free from your cell and we’ll get you the support you need.