Brampton personal injury lawyers know that driving across the border whenever a free weekend comes up is one of the favorite pastimes for folks on both sides of the border between Canada and the USA. Heading for the big cities, picturesque highways, tourist destinations and parks with family and friends can be great fun. Ontarians especially enjoy easy access to New York and Michigan states which are some of the most popular driving destinations.

However, unexpected disasters can happen in the shape of car accidents and they create a host of issues for those unfamiliar with rules and regulations in another country. Accidents are the result of someone else’s fault or negligence and the injured are entitled to claim damages from the at-fault party. Ensuring that your rights are protected, establishing liability and jurisdiction etc can be difficult. It’s important to immediately contact a 24×7 injury lawyer with experience, expertise and knowledge in handling similar cases to safeguard your interests and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Ontario Residents In Cross-Border Accidents

In an accident that involves Ontario residents in the US, there could be several complications. For instance, the at-fault party may be uninsured or under-insured. Some states in the US have lower minimum requirements for auto insurance as compared to Ontario.

Ontarians who have suffered injuries anywhere in the US can access their own accident benefits under the SABS (Statutory Accident Benefits Scheme) which provides coverage regardless of fault. This is payable by your own insurers through your own auto insurance policy, which offers Ontarians coverage up to $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries and income replacement of up to $400 a week. However, States like Michigan offer similar benefits, and recent cuts in benefits by the Liberal government in Ontario have had many injured victims opting to claim no fault benefits in Michigan.

Instituting a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party could pose several issues. Ontario laws specify that the catastrophically-injured victim must have a permanent serious impairment of bodily/mental function according to certain criteria. There are also deductibles that could reduce the final figure significantly. Pain and suffering damages can also be claim.

The main issue is that American drivers carry relatively low liability insurance. The Ontarian driver’s own insurers may have to step in to make good the difference in case of a large claim. Hence, Ontarians should ensure that they have adequate coverage.

If children are injured in the accident there may be further complications to accessing the parent’s insurance. If the car was rented, the rental company also has to be involved in the legal process. Your credit card company may also have provided automatic travel or car rental insurance.

Other complex issues like location, jurisdiction, avoiding a multiplicity of proceedings, protecting the legal rights of Ontarians, etc raise a host of medical, legal and insurance issues.

An experienced Brampton car accident lawyer or Brampton slip and fall injury lawyer can assist you and provide the right information and advice in such cases.