Brampton Personal Injury Lawyer: Most Common Injuries Sustained In Winter 2018-2019 Auto Accidents

What To Do Right Away? 

Statistics show that nearly 30% of automobile accidents in Canada happen during the winter season. Snowy and icy conditions prevail in Ontario, from December through to March, with January being the coldest. Often, heavy snowfall, icy rains, sleet and winds add to the harsh conditions. Together with poor visibility and difficult driving conditions, all these elements together make the risks of winter driving that much higher.

Though Ontarians are experienced winter drivers, accidents can and do happen. Many of these are avoidable and preventable. They may be caused by someone’s fault or negligence. If you or a dear one has been injured in a winter automobile accident, ensure that you get immediate medical attention. Following this, get in touch with a lawyer near you as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation.

Why do Winter Accidents happen?

Weather conditions can challenge even the most experienced drivers. Multi-vehicle pile-ups are common during this season and they bring their own set of hazards. Inexperienced drivers and tourists may not prepare adequately for winter conditions or maintain the right precautions. Some of the typical reasons for these accidents include:

Speeding: Though it seems a no-brainer that you need to drive slower and more cautiously in winter conditions, speeding is one of the most common reasons for accidents. “Lead-foot driving” or failing to compensate for changing terrain or weather conditions causes a majority of winter collisions. Night driving, rural roads and unfamiliar routes contribute too.

Uncleared Windows/Windshield: Clearing the ice/snow from all the windows increases your visibility all around. Many drivers clear their windshield and rear windows but fail to clean up all the windows, reducing their peripheral vision.

Bad Planning: Whether it’s a daily commute to the office or a holiday trip, planning is a key element in safety. Drivers need to keep a margin of spare time to compensate for unexpected weather conditions, traffic blocks etc. As a result of stress and anxiety, you could be tempted to take risks and indulge in risky driving behaviors.

Poor Winter Driving Habits: Following too close, failing to take precautions on slippery roads, not understanding the problems of braking on icy roads, over-acceleration, stopping unexpectedly in a lane, etc are reasons for collisions. In winter driving, pumping the brake slowly is better than jamming them on suddenly. If you have an anti-lock braking system, you need to understand its features well before taking your car out in hazardous conditions.

Failure to check weather conditions: You’re the best judge of whether you really need to take your vehicle out or not. Often, it’s less stressful to take public transport. Otherwise, it’s essential to check weather conditions on your local news feed before you start.

These are some of the usual reasons for winter driving accidents. If you suffer injuries in such an accident, get help from an injury lawyer to claim your insurance. 

Typical Injuries

 Winter automobile accidents result in a variety of injuries, ranging from simple cuts, bruises, sprains and lacerations to serious, life-threatening or life-altering injuries. Injuries are based on the nature, severity, the amount of safety restraints used and type of crash.

  • Head-on collisions cause head, upper body and facial injuries. Neck injuries and whiplash are also seen. Chest and abdominal injuries and knee/leg/foot injuries  due to impact are common.
  • Rear-ender injuries are usually in the head/neck region. Drivers may suffer chest/abdominal injuries due to impact from the steering-wheel, while passengers may suffer facial/foot/leg injuries too.
  • In T-bone collisions, the persons sitting on the side of the crash can suffer severe fractures of shoulder, pelvis, legs. They may also have internal bleeding and organ injuries, along with head injuries.
  • Other collisions like rollover are the most serious, where death or catastrophic injuries may occur.
  • Side-swipe collisions are the least likely to cause serious injuries.

What To Do?

  • Ensure that you stay calm and turn on your hazard lights if they’re working
  • Control your emotions and don’t confront the at-fault driver or jump out of your own vehicle to assist immediately
  • Call emergency traffic authorities and medical services
  • Never leave the site of the accident
  • Whatever the type of injury, it’s essential to get immediate medical attention. Never move injured people without expert medical supervision. If the vehicle is in an unstable condition it can increase the risks manifold. It is important to use the right safety equipment and move the injured person only by those with medical training and experience
  • Take photos of the location, landmarks, position of vehicles, damage, injuries etc
  • If possible, move your car to the side of the road
  • Otherwise, stay inside your car so that you avoid exposure to the cold
  • If your engine is not damaged, turn on the heater, keeping windows slightly open
  • Exchange details with the other driver regarding vehicle number, insurance and personal contact information
  • Avoid talking to insurance company representatives, even your own, without advice from your trusted lawyer in Toronto or your trusted lawyer in Brampton

When And Why You Need An Injury Lawyer?

Most people fail to realize that insurance-companies are focused on protecting their own business interests. They may not always act in good faith when you make an accident injury claim. Instead, they could deny/delay/dispute/dismiss your claim on a number of technical grounds.

One of the first questions you should ask if you’ve suffered injuries in a motor-vehicle accident is “How to find the best lawyer in Toronto?” or “How to find the best lawyer in Brampton?”

We are available 24×7 and can handle all the complex medical, legal and insurance issues, paperwork and procedures related to your claim, ensure you meet filing deadlines and present a robust claim backed by the right evidence and documentation.

The Most Rated Injury Lawyer in 2018 – We’re there for you!

FAQ: What Questions Should I Ask My Brampton Personal Injury Lawyer?

When you have been injured in a car accident or a slip and fall accident, you may find that you face a financial and emotional crisis apart from the physical injuries that you have suffered. Serious injuries may require hospitalization, a series of operations and clinical treatments, different follow-up treatments and medication, physiotherapy, psychological counseling etc. All these are expensive and you may not have the financial resources to sustain them, especially since you’re unable to work. Being unemployed also means loss of family income, whole or contributory. These aspects can have a devastating impact on yourself and your family.

Under the law, accident victims are entitled to seek compensation and benefits available to them. You need help with your motor vehicle accident claim to ensure that your rights and entitlements are protected and that you get the best possible settlement to take care of your present and future needs. If you’ve suffered long-term or permanent disability, you need lifetime support and care. These are aspects that an experienced Brampton car accident lawyer or a Brampton slip and fall accident injury lawyer can help you with.

We Address Your Concerns And Answer Your Queries

Before you start the claims process, there may be several doubts in your mind. Brampton personal injury lawyers provide an initial, free, no-obligations consultation. This two-way interaction helps us to understand your circumstances, the nature and extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, the potential value of your claim and what strategies we can adopt for success. It helps clients by setting their minds at rest that we can provide them with the best advice, assistance and advocacy, protect their interests and safeguard their rights.

Let’s look at typical queries that clients may have:

Q: Do I have a valid claim?

A: Each case is unique. We base our assessment on the facts and circumstances of your individual case. Personal injury claims are hinged on:

  • proving fault or negligence of the at-fault party
  • evidence of injuries sustained in accidents caused by the negligence
  • losses caused by the injuries

We provide you with a genuine, swift and comprehensive assessment that allows you to decide what steps you need to take next.

Q: Do you have experience in handling such claims?

A: Like other professions, the law also has areas of specialization. Personal injury is a branch of civil law that deals with disputes and settlements. In this sector too, lawyers and law-firms tend to gain experience and expertise in certain areas like motor-vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, defective product, dog bite, long term disability claims, medical malpractice, wrongful death etc. Based on the circumstances of your case, you need to ask your personal injury lawyer about their experience, knowledge and expertise in handling cases similar to yours. You also need to know what our previous record in such cases has been.

Q: What are my chances of a successful outcome? How much will I get?

A: While it’s impossible to accurately predict success or the exact figure that will be settled on, from our experience with previous cases, we can offer an educated guesstimate. Ultimately, the success of a claim depends on the strength of evidence that’s presented. We can conduct independent investigations to help gather proof to back a robust claim. This includes accessing police and medical records, assembling testimony from experts and eyewitnesses, ensuring that all documentation is in order, making sure that paperwork is filed accurately and within the prescribed deadlines, protecting your rights and safeguarding your interests.

Q: Who will handle my claim?

A: This is a very important question. Many firms conduct initial meetings and consultations with senior partners. Later, your claim may be handed over to a junior lawyer or less experienced associates. Ensure that you get clarity on the lawyers who will handle your claim. We ensure that our experienced, knowledgeable lawyers handle your case. Establish a firm line of communication with them and insist on regular updates. This helps you to stay involved and informed and gives you a better chance of staying in control.

Q: How much will the entire process cost?

A: Most people are reluctant to get involved in the legal process because they think it’s going to be horrendously expensive, lengthy and unpredictable. Personal injury lawyers and law-firms take up cases on a contingency fee, No Win No Fee arrangement. This means that clients don’t pay any fees upfront. Unless your claim is successful, we don’t charge any fees and only bill you for expenses. Besides this, we can also help to fund your medical expenses and take soft loans to help meet household and caregiver expenses. When your claim is satisfactorily settled, these amounts can be adjusted against the final figure.

We advise clients to make a note of all the questions they have in mind before they meet us for a consultation to help them get clarity on all important aspects.