With automobile technology growing at an amazing pace, the impact is being felt across various sectors. One of the front-line trends is the use of telematics in your vehicle to create a blend of computer systems and communications.

These systems are similar to “black boxes” in airplanes and they provide information about driving behaviors. The sector that most benefits from such information is the insurance industry, because it provides useful clues in case of accidents, making fault determination more objective and easier.

If you or a dear one has been injured in a motor-vehicle accident, get in touch with a lawyer near you. You may be entitled to compensation and one of the pieces of evidence to establish that the other party was at fault or negligent can be the telematics feature in their vehicle.

What Are Telematics Systems?

This technology is used primarily for providing user-based insurance policies. Installing this feature allows the insurer to tailor the insurance policy based on driving behaviors and patterns of that particular driver. The data is recorded each time you take your vehicle out. Telematics tracks, records and evaluates:

• Distance
• Time of day that the vehicle was driven
• Driving behavior including acceleration, braking and turning

These systems were first introduced in Canada in 2013. They are endorsed by the Canadian Automobile Association. There are two approaches that have been adopted:

1. The vehicle-owner installs a device given by the insurance-company in the car’s diagnostic port. This device transfers relevant information to the insurer or a designated third party.
2. The vehicle-owner downloads an app on their phones which transmits the required data to the designated party. Separate data is transmitted for different drivers.

This provides the insurance company with the data necessary to assess the risks. Drivers who display safe and better habits can save anywhere between 10-25% on premiums. There have been certain concerns about the functioning of the app and its use, but for people with high premiums telematics could be the way to save a few bucks.

Privacy Concerns

The collected data is subject to very strict policies regarding privacy and confidentiality. It should be used by the insurers only to assess driving patterns based on the three factors of time, distance and behavior. All programs are regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the insurance regulator. The insurance policy provided must be compliant with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

When and Why You Need An Injury Lawyer?

In spite of these new technologies, accidents can and do happen. Unfortunately, they’re usually caused by someone’s fault or negligence. The injured victims and their families face enormous physical, financial and emotional burdens. Typically, the injured person is unable to work and earn an income due to the nature and extent of their injuries. Hospitalization, medical and rehabilitation costs can cause a serious financial crisis. If the injuries are permanent or long-term, this causes further hardship. Added to these, there is huge emotional pain and suffering as well.

Based on the injuries, their impact on life and the extent of negligence/fault, the injured are entitled to seek compensation, among other categories, for:

• Income loss
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Property damage
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Wrongful death

Under certain conditions, family members can also claim compensation under the Family Law Act.

Ontario regulations require all drivers to possess insurance. Under the law, victims can avail of the no-fault, statutory accident benefits scheme where the settlement is paid by their own insurance company. Additionally, victims can also file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver with the help of an experienced lawyer near you.

In both cases, it’s wise to get the help of an injury lawyer to claim your insurance. This is because insurance-companies, even your own, may not always act in good faith. They are for-profit organizations focused on prioritizing their own business interests. Hence they may delay/deny/dispute/dismiss your claim for various technical reasons. If you have suffered long-term or permanent injuries, or there are multiple parties involved in the accident, the chain of liability is unclear, and/or the insurers refuse settlement or engage in unfair tactics, it’s essential that you have the advice, assistance and advocacy of the most rated injury lawyer in 2018.

Since there are several complex medical, legal and insurance issues involved in the claims process, your trusted lawyer in Toronto or your trusted lawyer in Brampton can help to get the full settlement that you deserve. We also help to protect your rights and entitlements and help you on how to find information for your injury claim.

How To Find The Best Lawyer For Your Injury Claim?

Ensure that you get a satisfactory and successful outcome by hiring the right personal injury lawyer. When you want to know how to find the best lawyer in Brampton or how to find the best lawyer in Toronto:

• Get recommendations from trusted sources like friends, family or work-colleagues.
• You can also browse through law-firm websites and cross-check the testimonials, reviews and reputation.
• Their track-record of successful settlement is a deciding factor.
• You need a lawyer/law-firm that specializes in personal injury claims similar to yours.
• Insurance-companies take your claim seriously when they know that you’re represented by the best.

They should also have the resources to fund your case on a contingency-fee basis. Personal injury cases require extensive and intensive preparation, independent investigations, access to traffic and police records, getting expert witnesses and also building a robust claim with the right documentation, medical evidence etc. These involve costs to be borne initially by the lawyer/law-firm and will be adjusted against the final settlement.