Iacobelli Law Firm Client and Crash Survivor Authors Book to Help Other Car Accident Victims7/3/2021 Over the years as a personal injury lawyer, I have had the privilege of representing some extraordinary individuals and their families. I am often amazed and inspired by the perseverance and courage of our clients, as they struggle to put their life back together after a sudden and unexpected life-changing accident. Today, I would like to introduce you to one such client- Dawne McKay -an accident survivor who turned the negative experience of a serious car crash into an opportunity to help others. I met Dawne while she was still a patient at a Toronto trauma hospital. Dawne was about to be discharged, but she had a long way to go to recover from her injuries. Our first priority was to arrange for home health and support services to help Dawne have the best chance of making a good recovery. Over the next few years Dawne and I worked closely together as she tried to rebuild her life. During that time and through to today, I have had the great pleasure of seeing Dawne rebuild her life- and while her life would never be the same as it was before the accident, she built a new life with purpose. Before authoring a book, Dawne started a support group on Facebook for Crash Survivors. This was initially a source for her to connect with other survivors to share experiences and support one another. The group has grown tremendously over the years, and now has members all over the world. Dawne also started a newsletter with helpful articles from survivors, health care provider, lawyers and others. Most recently, in 2021, Dawne published her book for crash survivors, titled Talk Crash To Me: What to Expect After Surviving a Motor Vehicle Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery. I had the great honor of reading the early drafts of the book and seeing first hand all the love and hard work that Dawne put into creating this book for accident survivors. I was also honored when Dawne invited me to contribute to the book by providing perspectives from an injury lawyer. Those contributions are contained in chapters dealing primarily with the legal rights of car crash victims and the process of obtaining compensation for your losses. Overall, however, the book is one of practical advice, inspiration and courage from one crash survivor to others. I am not aware of any other book like it- written by a crash survivor for survivors going through the same journey. I am so impressed with Dawne and her message from crash survivors, that we often give copies to our clients that have been seriously injured. Dawne's experiences provide inspiration and encouragement from someone who has been in their situation. We also recommend the crash survivors support group for any of our clients in need of support from a community of crash survivors. If you are a crash survivor and are feeling overwhelmed with your current situation, I highly recommend Talk Crash To Me: What to Expect After Surviving a Motor Vehicle Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery. The book is available for order from Amazon. If you are an existing client of Iacobelli Law Firm, ask us for a free copy. We are so pleased to share this book with our clients. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident, you should not delay in getting advice and answers to your questions. We take calls 24 hours per day and 7 days a week, even on holidays. Call us anytime, day or night at 1-866-234-6093 or request a Free Consultation by completing our online contact form here. The consultation is Free and there is absolutely no obligation on your part. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way".
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At Iacobelli Law Firm, we are so pleased when we receive such wonderful reviews and testimonials from our clients. It indicates to our team that we have done our job well and it also gives us an opportunity to review our firm’s office procedures to make sure our clients are well taken care of during their recovery because that it our number one goal. Most recently, one of our clients provided a heartfelt and in depth review of the service and support that she received from our firm. We are pleased to share this review with you. Dear Andrew: We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dawne for taking the time to write us this great review. Her words, courage and outlook are inspiring and helps us to renew our commitment to our clients. Dawne, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your journey and your road to recovery - we wish you all the best in the future.
If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and would like to speak with an experienced lawyer, call toll free anytime 24/7 at (866) 234-6093 for a free consultation with one of our lawyers, or you can request a Free Consultation by filling out our online contact form here. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Cyclist Hit by Car in Ontario - Learn About Your Rights from a Bike Accident Injury Lawyer6/21/2021 Ontario has a terrific cycling culture - people ride bikes for recreation, fitness, and as a mode of transportation. Cycling is popular in urban cities and rural communities throughout Ontario. Many municipalities have also made improvements to accommodate the increasing popularity of cycling. Although cycling is usually safe and fun, there are accidents involving cars and bicycles. When a cyclist is hit by a car or truck in Ontario, the consequences can be serious, often resulting in injuries and, sometimes causing the death of the cyclist. Here we will discuss the rights of an injured cyclists that is hit by a car or truck in Ontario. If you have lost a loved one due to a cycling accident with a motor vehicle, read about your rights here. Your Rights to No-Fault Accident Benefits Following a Bicycle Accident with a Car If you were a cyclist involved in a crash with a motor vehicle you are entitled to claim for Statutory Accident Benefits in Ontario. These benefits are available insurance benefits for all cyclists injured in a car accident, without regard to fault. Accident Benefits can provide coverage for income loss, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and other losses depending on the nature and severity of the injuries. Accident Benefits may be administered by your own insurance company, the insurance policy on the vehicle that was involved in the accident, or the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. There are time limits to apply for and receive certain accident benefits, so it is important to speak with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. At our firm, consultations are Free and confidential, so that you can make an informed decision as soon as possible to preserve your rights to compensation for your losses. Your Rights to Sue the At-Fault Driver for a Bicycle Accident with a Car In addition to the no-fault accident benefits claim, an injured cyclist can also bring a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover money for their pain and suffering, and economic losses. In most cases, the accident benefits claim alone will not adequately compensate the victim of a bicycle accident, so a tort claim will be advanced as well. These claims are also handled and ultimately paid by any valid insurance coverage on the at-fault vehicle. A tort claim for compensation can be challenging to advance, so it is in the best interest of the victim and their family to seek the advice of a lawyer as soon as possible. Proving it was the Car's Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Ontario In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act creates a reverse onus on a driver who impacts a cyclist on a public roadway. This reverse onus provision is outlined in section 193(1), which provides as follows: "When loss or damage is sustained by any person by reason of a motor vehicle on a highway, the onus of proof that the loss or damage did not arise through the negligence or improper conduct of the owner, driver, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle is upon the owner, driver, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle" Therefore, a driver that causes injury to a cyclist in Ontario is presumed negligent and has the burden of proving otherwise. This is significant, as most negligence claims put the burden of proof on the injured party. Is it Worth Bringing a Claim if I am Injured as a Cyclist If you did not sustain any injuries, of if your injuries are very minor, then you probably would not need to advance a claim. If, on the other hand, you experienced injuries from the impact with the car and require medical treatment, then you should speak to a lawyer to explore whether you have a claim for money compensation. Although every case is unique, in our experience we find that most injured cyclists are fairly compensated for their losses and injury from the insurance company if they have a lawyer and commence legal proceedings. To determine what fair compensation means for a cyclist hit by a car in Ontario, an experienced lawyer would assess your damages and provide you with guidance through the process. Request a Free Consultation with a Lawyer Call us today - our phone lines are answered 24 hour per day and 7 days per week. We accept clients throughout Ontario. If we can help you, we will provide you with an informed Free Consultation where you can ask questions and learn about your rights. If you decide to hire us, and we accept your case, you pay us nothing up front and pay us nothing for the duration of your case until we recover money for you. If we are unsuccessful, you pay us nothing. Call now to see if we can assist at 866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Form and is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Fatal Pedestrian Accident in King Township on May 21, 2021 Results in Impaired Driving Charges5/27/2021 On Friday May 21, 2021, a pedestrian was struck on Davis Drive North of 2nd Concession in King Township. The pedestrian was a 19 year old man, who sadly succumbed to injuries. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian was black Toyota Tundra pickup truck operated by a 53 year old man from Barrie.
This fatal pedestrian accident was under investigation of the York Regional Police, and the 53-year-old driver was arrested and has been charged with impaired-related offences. First and foremost, the injury lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of the pedestrian that was tragically killed in this accident. This recent fatality is another example of the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while impaired. In Ontario, if a pedestrian is killed due to the fault or recklessness of another driver, some immediate family members will be able to bring a claim for wrongful death. This claim is a civil action and will only result in the recovery of money for losses experienced by the family. This course of remedy is different and separate from any criminal justice that may be pursued against the at fault driver. In a civil wrongful death case, damages (money) is usually paid by the insurance company that insured the vehicle involved in the crash. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car crash and want to learn more about your rights in a wrongful death claim, call us 24/7 to request a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. You can also request a Free Consultation now, by completing our online contact form here. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". As a Property Owner Can I Be Sued If My Walkway Pavers are Uneven and Someone Trips and Falls?5/26/2021 Do you have interlocking pavers at your home or business that are sinking, raising, or otherwise forming a trip hazard? Now is the time to make repairs, before someone trips and falls. If someone is injured due to a trip and fall on your property, they will be able to sue you to recover for their harms and losses. This includes claims for money for pain and suffering, as well as economic losses such as lost wages, healthcare expenses, and household services expenses. To recover for a trip and fall injury, the injured party must be able to establish liability. That is, they must prove that the owner of the property was negligent. In the case of uneven pavers with no signage or markings to warn pedestrians, there is certainly a good chance that the property owner will be found responsible and required to pay the injured party for their harms and losses. Although many trip and fall accidents are relatively minor events, do not underestimate the harm that can result from pavers or other walking surfaces that are uneven or otherwise in disrepair. Some trip and fall accidents result in serious orthopedic injuries, like broken ankles, wrists, and elbows, often requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation. In some instances, a trip and fall can lead to head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and in rare circumstances, even death. If you have been given notice that someone was injured on your property it is important to notify your insurance company immediately. Most claims for personal injury arising from a trip and fall accident are defended and paid by the homeowner or commercial insurance policy for the property. Need Help After a Trip and Fall Injury? Call Our Injury Law Firm 24/7 to Request a Free Consultation If you have questions about a trip and fall accident in Ontario and would like to speak with an experienced lawyer, call toll free anytime 24/7 at 866-234-6093 or a free consultation with one of our lawyers. You can also request help by completing our online contact form here. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Unless you work in the legal profession, you may be wondering why there are so many staff members working on your personal injury case. The roles of our staff members differ, but they all play an integral role in the success of your personal injury case. We are pleased to share with you a break-down of each role and how important each individual is to running our successful award-winning law firm. What is a Law Clerk? Law Clerks play a crucial role in assisting lawyers with the preparation of legal and court documents. Being a law clerk is all about client service at Iacobelli Law Firm. Our Law Clerks help others and answer any concerns our clients may have and have an important role in our firm. Some skills that our law clerks have are:
What is an Articling Student? Many clients ask us what an articling student is. Articling is the first and most significant step in their legal career and our students play a key role in our firm’s success. Some skills are:
Paralegals vs. Legal Assistants Paralegals and legal assistants perform many of the duties for a lawyer. They do legal research, draft pleadings and other court and legal documents. They help with trial preparation and can usually assist clients by answering many of their questions. Paralegals in Ontario are permitted to give legal advice and can represent clients in some legal matters. The duties of a legal secretary are typically more limited. They may draft correspondence and usually organize files and perform word processing, transcribing the lawyer's dictation from audio devices and follow their directives for other tasks. They take phone calls but are not usually entrusted with answering client questions. More commonly, they will draft those questions in a memo that is passed on to the lawyer, so he or she has a full understanding of the client's concerns and needs when the lawyer returns calls. Legal secretaries set appointments and calendar court appearances and events in each case. Lawyers rely heavily on legal assistants to help with cases, communicate with clients, and keep the office running smoothly. It’s a key role in our legal system. They may also take care of other administrative tasks. Establishing a great team at Iacobelli Law Firm is a high priority for us. It takes working as a team to gain successful results. Our Team is an incredibly compassionate group of people, and routinely go above and beyond to help a client in need. If you have been seriously injured an accident, Iacobelli Law Firm understands how difficult and life-changing it can be for you and your family. We are a dedicated Ontario Personal Injury Law Firm that provides compassionate and competent legal counsel for the injured and we offer a FREE Consultation so please feel free to call us at 1-866-234-6093. We are honored to serve our clients and our community. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada as well as offices in Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident in Ontario, Canada, you may be entitled to compensation. Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, spine injuries, and are sometimes fatal. In these situations, the victim may be entitled to make claims for their injuries, treatment expenses, income loss, and other expenses and losses from both their insurance company and an insurance company for any other at-fault or partially at-fault vehicles involved in the accident. Motorcycle accident claims can be complex and often require the commencement of litigation (filing of a formal lawsuit) before the insurance company will consider paying out the claim. An experienced personal injury attorney with knowledge and experience in motorcycle accident claims can help you maximize your recovery. These claims can take many months and sometimes years to conclude fully, so make sure you have the right lawyer guiding you through the process. Ontario Wide Representation for Motorcycle Accident Victims Iacobelli Law Firm represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Ontario. We are a dedicated personal injury law firm with experience maximizing the financial recovery and compensation for motorcycle accident victims. If you are injured, do no delay. Get advice as soon as possible. We offer Free Consultations with no obligation and virtual consultations are available. Contact our office anytime at your convenience 24 hours a day and 7 days per week. Call us now for a Free Consultation at 1-866-234-6093 or complete an online contact form to request a call back. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Canada and the United States. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". After being involved in an unexpected bicycle crash, you may need ongoing medical treatment because certain injuries may not be detected right away. Other injuries do appear right away and they may require lengthy treatment that cannot be administered in a single emergency department visit so if you have been involved in a bicycle collision, you must seek immediate medical attention from paramedics on the scene or by an emergency visit. Once you have received any necessary medical treatment on the scene of a bicycle collision, be sure to get information from the officers on how to obtain a copy of their reports. In the event of a hit and run, try to get any identifying information you can. A license plate number is most helpful as the actions you take immediately following a bicycle collision are critical to protecting your rights. Take photos of the scene yourself to ensure it is fully documented. You should also take pictures of your injuries and any damage done to your bike if you are able. As a personal injury lawyer, I am frequently asked: What is the law in Ontario when someone riding a bike gets hit by a car? Although a bicycle is not a motor vehicle, a cyclist will still have legal rights and benefits following an accident with an automobile. If you are injured in a bicycle accident in Ontario involving a car or truck, you can receive Ontario no-fault auto accident benefits. You can also advance a claim against the owner/driver of the vehicle that hit you in order to recover your losses and damages. A no-fault claim (also known as accident benefits claim) is between the bike accident victim and the auto insurance company. It would be the responsibility of the auto insurance company to cover your benefits, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and attendant care. Even if you did not have auto insurance coverage at the time of the accident, you will be able to claim for no- fault benefits. The insurance policy responsible for these benefits will depend on the circumstances, and be determined based on priority rules. In addition, the bike accident victim can also bring a tort claim against the driver and owner of the vehicle that caused the accident. The insurance company for the other vehicle will defend and pay the claim. The damages available in a tort claim following a bike accident include pain and suffering as well as economic losses and expenses. Delay Those Repairs! While you may be tempted to get your bike repaired and in riding shape as soon as possible, it may be best to delay repairs until you have spoken to a personal injury lawyer. Repairing your bike before the insurance adjuster has had a chance to examine the damage may compromise your right to recovery. Many insurers will not agree to pay for the damage until they have not had the opportunity to inspect the bike themselves, so it is critical that you do not do repairs until your claim has been fully processed. Instead of rushing to get repairs, document the damage in as many ways as possible. Take photographs and videos and have local repair shops provide estimates for repairing the damage. It is also important that you do nothing to further damage your bike. Do not ride it or leave it outdoors until the damage has been fully evaluated. If the condition of your bike worsens after the collision due to your actions, you may compromise your claim. Bicyclists are out on our roads more than ever and if you are a cyclist, here are some tips for staying safe on your bicycle.
Riding defensively can only get you so far. At some point you may be at the mercy of drivers on the road. Take extra precautions while biking in traffic, crossing the street, and assume motorists turning right can’t see you. Wait until they are aware of your presence. Drivers are more distracted than ever, which means it is a bigger risk to those who share the road with them. The immediate aftermath of any traffic collision is confusing, chaotic, and overwhelming. By knowing what to do, you can keep control of the situation, ensure your recovery and protect your legal interests by hiring a personal injury lawyer. If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, Iacobelli Law Firm understands how difficult and life-changing it can be for you and your family. We are a dedicated Ontario Personal Injury Law Firm that provides compassionate and competent legal counsel for the injured and we offer a FREE Consultation so please feel free to call us at 1-866-234-6093. We are honored to serve our clients and our community. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". The short answer is yes, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care will advance a subrogation claim for motor vehicle accidents that occur in the United States. This may seem surprising since the Ministry does not have a claim for subrogation when an Ontario resident is involved in a motor vehicle accident in their home province of Ontario. When an Ontario resident is injured in a motor vehicle in the United States, however, the Ministry will be entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses paid by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) related to the car accident injuries.
US lawyers representing residents of Ontario, Canada must be aware of this right to subrogation and should request an OHIP decoded summary of services along with a statement of the subrogation amount being claimed. In addition, any other private health insurers (collateral benefits), including travel health insurance, or extended health carriers, may also have claims for subrogation. Before settling a file on behalf of an Ontario resident, lawyers must be sure to communicate with the Ontario Health Insurance Plan to resolve the subrogation claim. If the policy limits on behalf of the at-fault vehicle are not sufficient (underinsured motorist), we may be able to assist. Iacobelli Law Firm regularly works with attorneys in the United States with the Ontario first party benefits and UIM claims. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your Canadian client injured in the United States, so feel free to call Andrew Iacobelli any time at 1-866-234-6093. To learn more about your rights, call us 24 hours per day 7 days per week at 10866-234-6093 or visit out website to request a FREE CONSULTATION. Andrew Iacobelli is an experienced personal injury lawyer who established Iacobelli Law Firm with offices located in Ontario, Canada and Florida, U.S.A. Andrew restricts his practice to the representation of personal injury victims in claims involving serious injuries and wrongful death. Andrew is the author of "Are You a Canadian Injured in the United States? Claim the Damages and Insurance Coverage the Right Way". Motorcycle accidents are not the same as other motor vehicle accidents. In motorcycle accidents, there is a greater risk of more serious injuries, including broken bones, rashes, and sometimes catastrophic injury or death. There is a lot on the line - you want to make sure your best interest is being represented and that you are heard. Because of the greater monetary exposure to the insurance companies in motorcycle accidents, they often try to defeat or minimize motorcycle accident claims by blaming the motorcyclist for the accident. Even if the accident is clearly the fault of another driver, in motorcycle accidents there is almost always an attempt to shift some of the blame on the motorcycle rider. It is so important to hire a lawyer with experience with motorcycles and experience in representing motorcycle injury victims. We know motorcycle accidents and we understand how motorcyclist's ride. This understanding and compassion can make a major difference in the outcome of your case and the compensation you receive. Experience is important, but you also want to consider a hiring a lawyer that you can trust and get along well with. These cases can take time, and sometimes years, to fully resolve. Make sure that you find a lawyer that respects you and listens to your point of view. Also consider whether the law firm has the resources and experience to identify the issues and spend the time and money to advance your case. Our law firm has the resources and experience to identify and collect the important evidence to help prove your claim. Lawyer Andrew Iacobelli has extensive experience representing riders injured in a motorcycle accident both in Ontario and in the United States and he is a Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. For a Free Consultation with no obligation call us 24 hours per day 7 days per week. We serve all of Ontario and can meet with you immediately in person or virtually by video. Get informed so that you can make the right decisions for your future. Call now at 1-866-234-6093 or request a Consultation online. |
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