EXPERIENCE MATTERS IN CAR ACCIDENT LAW

There are many types of large commercial trucks travelling Ontario’s roadways including transport trucks (18 wheelers), package delivery trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, farm equipment and construction equipment. The large number of commercial trucks on our roads and highways means there is a greater likelihood that these vehicles will be involved in collisions. Trucks are significantly larger than other vehicles; their greater momentum, combined with a more complex structure and function, makes it more difficult for drivers to stop their trucks in response to an emergency situation on the road.
Unfortunately, accidents involving these oversized vehicles often have a more severe effect than accidents involving only passenger vehicles
If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you need the help of experienced truck accident lawyers. A truck accident often involves different issues than a regular car accident and can be much more complex. The mechanics involved in determining who was at fault for the accident will differ when the accident involves a large vehicle with different brakes and operating systems than a passenger vehicle. Often the repair and upkeep of the truck is not the responsibility of the driver, but of the owner of the commercial vehicle, which involves adding another person or corporation as a party to any resulting litigation. The damage caused by commercial vehicles is often greater than that caused in other accidents, so there may be more at stake.

Typical winter conditions, combined with an extensive recreational trail system, make Ontario a snowmobiler’s paradise. Unfortunately, accidents can happen at any time, even when using a recreational vehicle. Many snowmobile accidents are considered preventable and involve the consumption of alcohol, riding after dark, riding on thin ice, or a combination of these factors.
Snowmobile accidents often result in serious bodily injury or death, even if the riders involved were wearing helmets. Accidents may cause riders to be thrown from their sleds, resulting in serious trauma such as concussion, spinal cord injuries or fractures.
If you have been injured in a snowmobile accident, the experienced snowmobile accident lawyers at Girones are available to help you. Even though they are used primarily for recreational purposes, snowmobiles should be insured. If you are in an accident while riding your snowmobile you are entitled to accident benefits through your insurance company. You may also be entitled to sue another person who is responsible for causing the accident. This may be another rider who caused the accident by consuming alcohol, driving at night without lights or driving recklessly. You may also be able to sue the owner of the property on which you were riding if:

• The accident was caused by a dangerous situation on the property, such as dangerous trail conditions,
• The owner knew about the danger and did nothing to fix it or to warn you, and
• The owner invited you onto the property to snowmobile.

The law dealing with snowmobile accidents can be complex and may differ significantly from the law dealing with a regular motor vehicle accident. There are time limits to file for accident benefits and to begin a lawsuit, so consult an experienced snowmobile accident lawyer as soon as possible.

In Ontario, we are fortunate to have a vast number of lakes and rivers, including the Great Lakes water system, at our disposal. As a result, boating, fishing, waterskiing and other water sports are extremely popular during the warmer months. While everyone who operates a motorized boat in Canada must have a Pleasure Craft Operator’s License, or boat license, accidents still happen. The Lifesaving Society reported statistics in 2000 indicating that over one quarter of all boating-related deaths in Canada occur in Ontario. Most deaths resulting from boating accidents are caused by the victims’ failure to wear a PFD. Boat accidents can also result in trauma, particularly in the case of a collision with another boat or obstacle.
The popularity of many Ontario waterways means that anyone operating a boat must watch out for obstacles, other watercraft (particularly those in smaller craft such as canoes, kayaks or inflatable boats), and swimmers. Because boaters need to be alert and focused on possible dangers, many boating accidents occur when the operator has been consuming alcohol or when visibility is poor. Accidents may also occur when an owner has not kept the boat in adequate repair, or when the operator is not sufficiently familiar with the body of water.
Insurance for boaters is not mandatory in Ontario, as it is for most other forms of recreational vehicle. However, many boating accidents are covered under homeowners’ insurance. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages if you have been injured in a boat accident, or if a family member has been seriously injured or died. Your law relating to your accident may be quite complex, particularly if the boat was uninsured, the operator didn’t have a valid boat license, or the boat was borrowed from the owner. The experienced boat accident lawyers at Girones can help you to preserve and enforce your legal rights.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), also known as four-wheelers or quads, are a popular form of transportation in Ontario. They are frequently used for farming and yard work, hunting and fishing, and pure recreational riding purposes. Ontario’s extensive trail systems have led to widespread recreational use of ATVs throughout the province.
Riding an ATV requires skill and experience. In Ontario, approximately 15 people visit a hospital emergency room every day due to an ATV accident. Children and inexperienced or unlicensed ATV riders are responsible for many ATV accidents. Other common causes of ATV accidents include:

• Riders who are unfamiliar with the trails
• Riding too fast for the terrain
• Improper use, such as carrying more passengers than the ATV is designed to carry
• Traveling illegally on roads or highways
• Alcohol consumption, and
• Traveling in poor visibility, such as after dark.

Those involved in ATV accidents often suffer serious trauma including brain and spinal cord injuries. Crushing injuries are not uncommon in accidents where the ATV rolls over, as ATVs typically weigh up to 500- 800 lbs, depending on the model. Leg fractures are the most common injury resulting from an ATV accident.
If you have been injured in an ATV accident, you are entitled to receive accident benefits from your insurance company. In addition, you may have a legal claim for your damages if someone else was responsible for causing the accident. Accidents involving recreational vehicles such as ATVs can be quite complex because ATVs are more likely than motor vehicles to be uninsured or driven by unlicensed drivers.
Your injuries may be severe and leave you unable to support yourself and your family. The ATV accident lawyers at Girones Lawyers can ensure that you receive the compensation that you need to promote a full recovery.

Because motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on Ontario’s roads and highways, they may be more difficult for other drivers to see. Even safe and responsible riders wearing the proper safety equipment, including a helmet, can be involved in a serious accident.
Motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries than other motor vehicle accidents due to:

• The rider being thrown from the motorcycle
• The rider being crushed or dragged under the motorcycle
• The rider having little protection from larger vehicles, the roadway or any other solid obstacles.

The experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Girones understand the complexities involved in this type of accident and will help to protect your rights so that you can concentrate on recovering. A severe injury may introduce new complications to your daily life. You may be unable to work or require certain accommodations in the workplace. You may require weeks or months of rehabilitation and therapy. You may require the use of mobility devices or aides such as a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb. You may require help around the house to complete your daily tasks. The last thing you want to deal with at this time is money. Unfortunately, your road to recovery may include many unexpected expenses.
The lawyers at Girones will analyze your case and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This may include both statutory accident benefits and compensation from suing the driver or drivers at fault for the accident. It is important that you consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. There are time limits within which applications for benefits and lawsuits must be filed. If you are physically unable to travel to see your lawyer, accommodations can be made. Delays may cost you more than you can afford to lose. Contact Girones Lawyers today.

In Ontario, all vehicle insurance policies contain no-fault accident benefit coverage. As a result, anyone involved in an accident can claim certain accident benefits, no matter whose fault the accident was. Accident benefits are even available to pedestrians and passengers in vehicles, who may not have their own motor vehicle insurance.
The no-fault benefits to which you may be entitled after a car accident, include:

• An income replacement benefit, which may compensate you for a portion of your lost income if you are unable to work due to the injuries you sustained in a car accident
• A caregiver benefit, if you were a caregiver for a child and are unable to continue fulfilling those duties after your accident
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses, which will generally be limited to $50,000 unless your injury is classified as either minor or catastrophic
• Attendant care benefits, if you need help in your home to perform personal tasks such as bathing or getting dressed, and
• Death benefits and funeral expenses if a family member was killed in the accident.

Successfully claiming no-fault accident benefits may not be as easy as it sounds. Sometimes insurance companies will deny your claim for a particular benefit, or discontinue a benefit before you have fully recovered. Other times, your claim may be disallowed if you fail to provide your insurance company with the proper supporting documents. The process can be frustrating. After an accident, you may have your own injuries and rehabilitation to contend with in addition to the rehabilitation or deaths of family members. The last thing you want to deal with is a denied benefits claim.
The expert no fault-benefits lawyers at Girones are familiar with the ins and outs of accident benefits claims. They can help to file your application for benefits and they can help you out if your claim is denied or discontinued. They will make sure that you receive the compensation that you and your family need following an accident.