The devastating head-on collision that occurred near Brampton on October 10, 2016, killing four people has brought into sharp focus many important issues that concern traffic safety. The sheer scale of the tragedy that engulfed three young people, one of them a teenager, has caused shocked eye-witnesses to reflect on the fragility of human life, its impact on the families of victims and the community at large.

The accident took place late in the evening, when three young people were driving home after a family Thanksgiving dinner. Their 2016 Kia collided with a 1998 Pontiac being driven by a man in his late 40s who also lost his life. A disastrous fire that broke out following the crash prevented horrified onlookers from providing assistance.

As no survivors are alive to relate how and why the accident happened, the police and traffic authorities have to conduct thorough investigations to arrive at the necessary conclusions.

When such catastrophic accidents happen, the family-members of the deceased undergo unimaginable physical, financial and emotional trauma. In the period immediately following the fatal events, family-members are often simply too overwhelmed to think of legal/insurance matters.

However, many of these issues have to be dealt with in a timely manner. If someone dear to you goes through such a tragedy, it’s important that they contact a Brampton personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Family Law Act

Ontario’s Family Law Act gives certain family-members of a person who dies in motor-vehicle collisions rights to claim compensation for wrongful death. This includes compensation for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages.

Eligible family-members include: spouse, children, grand-children, parents, grand-parents and siblings. Pecuniary damages are awarded only if the claimant was financially dependent on the deceased. However, a top-rated accident lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of each individual case and advise you accordingly.

Ontario’s Statutory Accidents Benefits Scheme also provides up to $6000 for funeral expenses.

All claims are judged on their merits, including the age and occupation of the deceased, the claimant’s mental/physical health, degree of relationship and contact, etc.

A free consultation injury lawyer would be able to advise family-members on further procedures to be followed. 

Forensic Reconstruction Experts

Accidents are usually caused by someone’s fault or negligence and the victims are entitled to seek compensation from those responsible. In cases like the Brampton collision, the findings of a crash reconstruction specialist are of immense value to fix liability and establish the negligence that caused the crash.

The police and independent investigators may both use forensic reconstruction experts, but police investigations focus on determining criminal liability – e.g. drunken driving, speeding, unlicensed drivers, hours-of-service violations (in case of commercial vehicles) etc.

Independent forensic experts – usually retired police officers, automotive technologists/engineers, doctors, private detectives etc –  determine the negligence to fix financial liability.

They document every single detail available at the accident-site, compile documentary/photographic/video evidence available, eye-witness testimony, statements of family-members/those who were last in contact with victims etc. These findings are finally assembled and analyzed by a multi-disciplinary team and logical conclusions are drawn to determine the exact causes of the fatality.

Top Toronto accident lawyers have the funds/resources to employ skilled forensic reconstruction experts whose valuable inputs can back your compensation claim.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333 or Text a Personal Injury ‎Lawyer 24/7 and get instant help. (416 931 5015)