The lawyers and staff at Iacobelli Law Firm extend a heartfelt Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our clients, colleagues and friends. Although for many of our clients, the holidays may be difficult to enjoy due to injury or loss of loved ones, but we hope that the spirit of the season will bring some comfort and joy. Merry Christmas.
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After a car accident in Ontario, the first concern is for the well being of everyone involved in the crash. The primary focus will be on medical attention and treatment for anyone that has been injured in the car accident. The nature and severity of the injuries will dictate the type of medical treatment rendered. Among other things, treatment may include admissions at hospital, surgeries, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc. Often times, the health recovery and medical attention can take many months or even years following an accident. The injured person may be disabled (temporarily or permanently) from returning to ordinary activities such as work, household chores, and recreation. The situation often leads to stress and, sometimes, financial hardship for the injured person and their family. Faced with health issues, financial losses, and stresses following an accident, families often have little choice other than to commence an injury claim for insurance benefits. The insurance regime for motor vehicles accidents in Ontario is extremely complex and ever changing. Nonetheless, it is important to take appropriate steps early after a car accident to commence your claim and preserve your rights. The initial insurance claim following a car accident is typically with your own auto insurance provider. Ontario auto insurance policies include some coverage for health care expenses and income losses following a car accident. This coverage is available without regard to fault. One of the first steps an injured person will need to take after an accident is to provide notice to the insurance company; advise the insurance company of the accident and let them know about injuries. This can be accomplished by making a phone call to the insurance company and reporting a claim for injuries. The insurance company will then provide a claim number and assign an adjuster. The insurance company will also send out several forms that need to be completed and returned to the insurance company. Although these early steps sound simple, they can have a major impact upon the amount of benefits available through the auto insurance policy and, as such, it is important to have the advice of an experienced car accident lawyer before submitting forms or other information to the insurance company. The insurance benefits available will depend on the adjuster's assessment of injuries and whether the claimant meets the policy definitions for benefits. In addition to the claims for their own insurance benefits, an injured person may also be able to advance some claims against the at fault party, which are covered by the other vehicle's insurance. In light of changes that have been made to Ontario's auto insurance policies, most accident victims will be required to advance claims against the at-fault party and their insurance policy. This is because of major cuts to the benefits available under first-party insurance. The result has been that much of the benefits needed by accident victims has been pushed over to the other driver's policy. This creates even more complexity and challenges for the injured person. If you have been injured in an accident, and have questions about your rights, call us for a FREE consultation. We can answer you questions and help you make informed decision for your future. To learn more contact Iacobelli Law Firm toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our contact form here to request your consultation. There are reports that a female pedestrian was killed after being struck by a vehicle in North York. This Toronto fatal pedestrian accident occurred on the evening of October 3, 2017 around 5 pm near Sentinel and Assiniboine roads, in the York University Heights area. Sadly, the pedestrian, a 25 year old woman was killed.
Iacobelli Law Firm offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of the young woman that was tragically killed in this pedestrian accident. This tragedy reminds us that, although it is sometimes routine to cross the road as a pedestrian, caution and diligence must be exercised at all times. Also, the wrongful death lawyers of Iacobelli Law Firm reminds motorists to exercise caution in residential or urban areas. While pedestrians sometimes cross at controlled crosswalks or intersections, it is common for pedestrians to also cross at other areas in urban settings. Drivers must be cautious as the law in Ontario places a presumption that a driver is negligent whenever a pedestrian or cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle. With the changing season and the reduction of daylight hours, pedestrian accidents increase significantly every year. Unfortunately, during the morning and evening rush hours, which are the busiest times of the day for pedestrian and vehicle traffic, there is a lack of sunlight in the fall and winter months. The reduction in daylight hours is a significant cause of increased pedestrian accidents during the fall and winter in Ontario. Pedestrians and drivers should remember to use extra caution with the changing daylight hours. If you or a loved one were seriously injured, or if a loved one was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident you may be entitled to bring a claim for damages. To learn more about your rights following a serious pedestrian accident, speak to one of our dedicated injury lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm. Consultations for prospective clients are Free and without any obligation. To learn more call us at 416-900-1070 or request a consultation using our online request form here. A common question among car accident injury victims is whether they are entitled to bring an insurance claim for losses in the event that they are injured while a passenger in a vehicle operated by their spouse. In Ontario, passengers of vehicles are permitted to bring insurance claims for their injuries. Anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario will be able to advance a Statutory Accident Benefits claim irrespective of who is at fault for the accident. In fact, even the at-fault driver would normally be entitled to insurance benefits for injuries sustained. A passenger that is injured as a result of a motor vehicle accident may also be entitled to bring additional claims in tort for injuries and losses. This claim is different than the Statutory Accident Benefits claim and can provide for greater compensation for losses, including pain and suffering, income losses and care costs. A spouse is allowed to make this claim against their husband or wife and it will usually be handled by the insurance company. Similarly, children can also make claims for injuries caused by the driver even if it is a parent. It is important to know that all accident claims are unique and the particular facts and circumstances will need to be considered by an experienced lawyer. If you have questions about your rights following an injury from an Ontario motor vehicle accident, you should consider speaking with a lawyer. There are deadlines to bringing claims in Ontario, so time is not your friend in these circumstances. To learn more or to request a FREE Consultation with the Ontario Car Accident Lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm, call us at 416-900-1070 or complete our online contact form here. Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+ The team at Iacobelli Law Firm wishes all of our clients, colleagues and friends an enjoyable and safe long weekend. As a summer long weekend in Southern Ontario, this weekend will be sure to result in busy highways as families go to cottages or on vacation. The OPP and municipal police agencies throughout the province will have extra enforcement officers on the road in an effort to keep motorists safe. If you are travelling, please remember to drive safe and avoid drinking and driving. Our office will also be closed for the long weekend, and we will return to regular hours on Tuesday August 8, 2017. Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Collision Investigation Unit are seeking witnesses following a serious collision involving a cyclist in the Town of Aurora. This motor vehicle and bicycle accident occurred on Monday, July 31, 2017, at approximately 2:25 pm. According to information released by the York Regional Police, officers were called to the intersection of Yonge Street and Edward Street for a report that a cyclist had been struck. It was reported that the cyclist, a 14-year-old boy from the Town of Newmarket, was suffering from serious injuries and he was transported to hospital. The driver of the vehicle that struck the cyclist, was operated by a 35-year-old woman from the Town of Richmond Hill. We are pleased to learn that the medical condition of the 14-year-old boy has improved and his injuries are now considered non-life-threatening. At this time, the circumstances of the accident remain under investigation by the York Regional Police. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police are being asked to come forward and anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Collision Investigation Unit by calling 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7704, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com, or text your tip to CRIMES (274637) starting with the word YORK. The accident injury lawyers and staff at Iacobelli Law Firm wish the young victim of this accident a complete and speedy recovery. We also remind drivers to be extra cautious on the roads, and leave plenty of space for cyclists and pedestrians. Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+ Iacobelli Law Firm is pleased to announce that Lisa Burk has joined our team at our Richmond Hill Ontario office. Lisa brings years of experience as a law clerk to our practice. Lisa is a litigation clerk, and will assist clients and our lawyers with personal injury, insurance and accident benefits matters.
If you are a Canadian citizen injured in a Florida car accident, you may have rights to claim benefits in Florida and in Ontario. Ontario auto insurance policies provide for medical and rehabilitation benefits caused by car accidents in Florida, even if the accident is caused by another vehicle. Your Ontario auto insurance policy will even cover you if you are in a rental car, or if you are a passenger in a Florida vehicle. In addition to Ontario accident benefits coverage, Ontario residents may also have claims against the at fault vehicle owner and/or driver's insurance policy. These claims will generally involve Florida law, but sometimes may need to be advanced in Ontario if their is insufficient insurance coverage on the at-fault vehicle. When Ontario residents are injured in Florida, the process can be difficult to navigate because of the multiple insurance claims, regulations and laws. A lawyer with experience in Florida and Ontario may be able to help. We have offices in Ontario and Florida and can assist you with advancing your claims in Ontario, and those which will need to advance in Florida. To learn more and speak with a Lawyer for Canadian's Injured in Florida contact us for a Free Consultation. Denied Life Insurance Claim? A Toronto Lawyer for Life Insurance Denial May Be Able to Help7/3/2017 What are your rights if a life insurance company denies your claim for life insurance proceeds after the death of a loved one? Life insurance is purchased for peace of mind, and to provide some financial support to loved ones in the event of an unexpected or untimely death. Unfortunately, sometimes insurance companies deny valid life insurance claims without appropriate justification. Far too often, the denial goes unchallenged and insurance companies save millions in unpaid claims, all while retaining premiums paid. Often times the denial of life insurance claims will be based on some apparent inconsistency in the medical records and application for life insurance. For instance, did the applicant accurately disclose all of his or pre-accident health issues. Other times, the insurance company may say that the claims falls under an exclusion. While some denials are valid and enforceable, there are many life insurance denials that are not appropriate. If a life insurance company has denied your claim as the beneficiary, you owe it to yourself to have the denial reviewed by a lawyer. At Iacobelli Law Firm we have had success in obtaining life insurance proceeds after the life insurance company has denied the claim. For a Free Consultation call the life insurance denial lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here. The consultation is absolutely free and there is no obligation. |
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