We are saddened to learn of the tragic death and injury to so many innocent pedestrians today in the North York area of Toronto.   Early reports indicate that 9 people are dead and 16 others are injured, as a result of a van mounting the cut and mowing down pedestrians on Yonge Street near Finch in North York on Monday April 23, 2018.  The area remains closed for the investigation. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.  On behalf of the staff and lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm, we offer heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the those who were killed in this senseless tragedy.

You were injured in a car accident in Ontario, reported it to your insurance company and now you received an envelope full of forms, what do you do now?  Should I speak to a car accident lawyer or fill out the accident benefits forms on my own? These are some of the questions you may be asking yourself, if you were injured in a car accident in Ontario.  The accident benefits forms themselves are standardized, so you will need to complete the same documents irrespective of which insurance company you are with.  So whether you are insured with Intact, Aviva, State Farm, Allstate, Certas or any other car insurance company licensed in Ontario, you will be asked to complete and submit the same forms. The initial form that you will need to complete and submit to your insurance company is the Application for Accident Benefits or OCF-1.  This form is completed by or for the injured person that is claiming accident benefits.  The other important forms that will need to be submitted quickly are the Disability Certificate (OCF-3) and, if you are unable to return to work, the Employer's Confirmation Form (OCF-2).  There are a number of different health care providers that can complete the Disability Certificate, but lawyers will often have preferences to the specialty or credentials of the health care provider depending on the nature and circumstances of the injury. If you require assistance with activities around your home due to your injuries, you should also have an assessment for attendant care needs performed by an occupational therapist, which will require the submission of additional forms. 

While there is no requirement to have a lawyer assist you with your injury claims following a car accident in Ontario, it is a good idea to get some advice.  Often, injury victims that complete the forms on their own and deal with the insurance company directly end up receiving far fewer benefits.  With that said, there is certainly no harm in meeting with a lawyer to learn more about the process, and the benefits that are available to you so that you can make an informed decision before deciding if you want to handle the insurance claim on your own.  Most people injured in car accidents in Ontario will ultimately benefit from the advice and guidance of an experienced Ontario car accident lawyer.  Car accident injury claims in Ontario are complex, with many rules and timelines that must be satisfied in order to receive compensation.  There are frequent changes to the law regarding car accident compensation.

Our Ontario car accident lawyers offer free consultations to car accident injury victims.  We can meet with you to review the circumstances of your case and will even assist you in completing your accident benefits forms for free.  There is no obligation beyond the initial consultation, and anything you share will remain confidential.   
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By: Andrew Iacobelli
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On Thursday March 22, 2018, a pedestrian was struck and killed in Richmond Hill.  This recent pedestrian accident fatality occurred on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at approximately 5:35 p.m., at the intersection of Hwy. 407 and Yonge Street.

First a foremost, the lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the woman who tragically died in this accident.  

The pedestrian accident is under investigation by the York Regional Police.  According to reports, the female pedestrian was struck by a white 2016 Mercedes Benz SUV.  The  pedestrian was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.The driver of the Mercedes, is a 54-year-old woman from Toronto.
Any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police are asked to please come forward and contact York Regional Police 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.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of a fatal accident in Ontario, it is important to learn about your rights.  To learn more, contact the fatal accident lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm for a free, no obligation, consultation by calling 1-866-234-6093.