This time of year there are many people in southern Ontario enjoying their motorcycles. Few summer activities are more enjoyable than taking to the road by motorcycle - meeting up with fellow riders, or taking a scenic ride. For many motorcyclists, riding is a hobby, a source or recreation, and passion. Unfortunately, for some riders this season will result in tragic injury, or even death. Many motorcycle accidents in Toronto and throughout Ontario are the result of other drivers simply not paying attention. Despite efforts to remind drivers to be on the lookout for motorcycles, there are countless accidents where cars and trucks simply fail to see a motorcycle. These motorcycle accidents often involve cars and trucks turning across the path of an approaching motorcycle, or making lane changes and striking the motorcycle. When a motorcycle crashes into a car or is knocked down, the outcome will often be serious injury, and sometimes even fatal. Many accidents could be avoided by simply being patient and courteous while driving. Take your time and look before turning, as there may be a motorcycle nearby.
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Iacobelli Law Firm is pleased to announce that Andrew Iacobelli has been certified as a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to lawyers who have won million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. Membership acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases. A recent article in the Toronto Star suggests that some Ontario personal injury lawyers may be charging contingency fees in excess of what is permitted under Ontario law. There is also a class action proceeding against a prominent Toronto personal injury law firm, alleging improper billing practices on personal injury settlements. In short it is alleged that some injury law firms "double dipped" by charging their clients both a percentage of the settlement and also charging for "costs" contributed by the defendant/insurance company. If the allegations are proven, some law firms may be found to have collected millions of dollars in improper fees. Read the Toronto Star Article here.
Iacobell Law Firm is pleased to assure our clients and prospective clients that, at our Ontario injury law firm, we have never charged more than an agreed upon percentage of the net proceeds. I learned of the Toronto Star article from a former client who sent me an email with a link to the article along with a very kind note thanking me for being fair and decent. The note was much appreciated, and helps to renew my belief that the most important rule in life is the golden rule. Our firm has never charged fees in the manner described as "double dipping" where clients are charged a contingency fee percentage plus additional fee in the form of costs. Our Contingency Fee Retainer clearly describes the method in which fees are calculated, and further informs the client of their right to have their bill assessed by an Ontario court should they so desire. The allegations of "double dipping" and improper billing have almost certainly had a negative impact on the professional reputation of the entire personal injury bar. This is unfortunate because most injury lawyers that I have known are ethical and treat their clients with the utmost sincerity, respect and fairness. Furthermore, in the absence of contingency fee retainers, it would be exceedingly difficult for many victims to obtain justice against a defence mounted by multi-billion dollar insurance companies. In light of the allegations of widespread improper billing, and in an effort to help restore confidence in the personal injury bar, Iacobelli Law Firm is pleased to offer free review of accounts and contingency fee retainers. If you had a case settled with another Ontario personal injury law firm and are unsure whether you were fairly charged contingency fees, call us for a FREE REVIEW of your account and contingency fee retainer. Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+ Investigators with the York Regional Police Major Collision Investigation Unit have laid charges agains the driver involved a fatal single-vehicle collision, which occurred in the City of Markham on November 18, 2016.
This fatal accident occurred on Friday, November 18, 2016, in the vicinity of 14th Avenue and Markham Road in the City of Markham. Sadly, a 17-year-old woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Range Rover vehicle, a 22-year-old woman, was taken to hospital suffering from minor injuries and a 21-year-old woman who was a passenger was taken to hospital suffering from serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving Causing Death on the day of the collision. As a result of further investigation, officers have laid additional charges related to impaired driving, as follows:
This recent fatal collision is a sad reminder of the dangers of driving while impaired. Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the young woman that lost her life in this crash. With the holiday season, Iacobelli Law Firm would like to remind you to enjoy your time responsibly. Please do not drink and drive. In Ontario, dog owners are liable for damages if there dog bites or attacks a person or domestic animal. You can see the news story and video on CityNews that aired on November 15, 2016 here.
In Ontario, the Dog Owners Liability Act makes the owner of a dog liable for damages resulting from a bite or attack by the dog on another person or domestic animal. Where there is more than one owner of a dog that bites in Ontario, the law makes all owners jointly and severally liable for the damages caused by the dog. It is significant that in Ontario, the liability of the dog owner does not depend upon knowledge of the propensity of the dog or fault or negligence on the part of the owner. If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite or attack, contact Iacobelli Law Firm for a free consultation and to learn about your rights. The staff at Iacobelli Law Firm wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving we have much to be thankful for. In particular, we would like to give thanks to our clients for their trust and confidence during their challenging and difficult times. We know that for many victims of accidents life may seem bleak and may be especially difficult during holidays. We hope that you will discover the blessings in your life on this Thanksgiving and everyday. Iacobelli Law Firm is reminding drivers that Ontario school children are back to school. Over the past few years there have been several tragic accidents involving school children that have been struck by motor vehicles. Motorists are reminded to be alert especially during early morning and afternoon, when many children are walking to and from school. In the GTA many police are implementing increased presence within and around school zones. For instance, the York Regional Police have launched Operation ABC (Always Be Careful), a traffic initiative that was launched in 2006 in partnership with the York Catholic and York Region District School Boards. This initiative aims to educate motorists, students, parents and teachers about the importance of pedestrian safety in school zones. Wishing all of our students and educators a productive and safe school year. In my practice as a motor vehicle accident lawyer, I have been involved in a number of cases in which the accident, or events leading up to the accident, have been captured on video. In the past, this was usually the result of surveillance cameras within the vicinity of the collision. Increasingly, however, we are meeting clients that have onboard cameras. These are either dash cameras or, in the case of motorcyclists, cameras mounted to their helmets. Most often, the video corroborates entirely our clients version of events. Although police often get it right, and charge the appropriate party, this is not always enough to convince insurance companies. Sometimes, the at fault driver gets off the charge on a technicality. Later, the at fault driver may attempt to skirt liability by changing the facts about how the accident happened. The ability to look at video can be the difference in some heavily contested cases.
This afternoon, I met a responsible motorcyclist that was out riding with a helmet mounted camera. I think it is a great idea to use these cameras. Hopefully, you will never need the footage to prove fault in the context of an accident. Think of it like all your safety gear-you hope you never need it, but you'll be happy you had it in the event that you do. In my experience, cameras are particularly beneficial for motorcyclists. Although the majority of motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles, are the fault of the larger vehicle, there remains a public bias against motorcycles. We have been involved in countless cases where the other driver and their insurance company attempt to blame the motorcyclist for changing lanes or driving to fast. Witnesses often get it wrong when motorcycles are involved. The video footage usually proves this, and demonstrates that the motorcycle was driving appropriately. If you have questions about a motorcycle accident, call our motorcycle lawyers for free consultation at 1-866-234-6093. If you are involved in a car accident in Ontario and call 911, you will be asked if anyone is hurt or requires the service of an ambulance. If you are not sure, it is better to err on the side of caution and request the ambulance. At the very least, you will be assessed at the scene of the car accident. If you feel any symptoms following the accident, or if the collision was severe and resulted in property damage to the involved vehicles, it is best to go to the hospital and be assessed by a doctor. Often times, symptoms can set it much later following an accident. Sometimes symptoms can become severe in hours or days following the accident. Serious injuries may not be immediately recognized at the scene of the accident. If you were injured in a car accident, and declined to go to the hospital by ambulance, then you should have a family member or friend take you to the hospital within 24 hours of the accident. Again, it is better to be cautious and get assessed by a medical professional. If you are injured in an accident, and want to consider the option of making an insurance claim, again it is important to have a doctor assess your symptoms and offer treatment advice. Ultimately, the insurance company will be relying on medical records to asses the nature of your injuries. In the absence of medical treatment, the insurance company will conclude that you are either uninjured or that your injuries do not merit any compensation. . To learn more about your rights following a car accident, call us for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced Ontario personal injury and car accident injury lawyer at 416-900-1070 or complete our online contact form here. Connect with Andrew Iacobelli on Google+ |
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