As our Personal Injury Lawyers welcome a New Year, our Team would like to acknowledge those that may have suffered tremendous losses this past Holiday Season by having the unfortunate experience of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Our thoughts are with everyone that continue to recover from such a life-changing event. 

Although there were several incidents across Ontario, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you how important it is when you find yourself a witness to an accident on our roadways. One incident that comes to mind is when Hamilton Police reported that a 68 -year-old man was killed in a collision while walking with an 89-year-old woman when they were stuck by a motorcycle this past Saturday.

First and foremost, the wrongful death lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Hamilton Police reported that people who walked right by the accident scene not only did not help the victims but also reportedly took items belonging to the victims and other motorists just drove right by or through the accident scene itself without stopping.  These days, especially around the holidays when traffic increases and the more time you spend on the road, the greater chance of being a witness to a motor vehicle accident. Whether you were driving behind a fender-bender or walking by a crash that may have taken place, here’s how you can be a good citizen and help.

Safety First
Whether you are walking or driving and a motor vehicle accident takes place in front of you, make sure you walk or pull over to a safe area. If you are driving and witness a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle, stop when it is safe to do so. Don’t assume that someone else has called 911. Report the collision yourself and explain that you were a witness. Give your name, contact information, location and any other important facts over the phone. While it’s important to help others, you should not endanger your own life in the process. Only pull over and exit your vehicle when it is safe to do so. Do not stop your vehicle in the middle of the road or you could risk causing another accident. Put on your hazard lights immediately.

Use Caution
If you feel it’s safe to get closer to the scene of the accident to see how you may be able to help, keep in mind that if you see someone hurt you should not attempt to move them as you could make their injuries worse and you may also be held liable if you cause further injury to someone at the scene. When you make it to the scene, if someone is hurt or scared, you can act as a source of comfort until an emergency response team arrives or set up road flares to block off the accident scene. Never touch any personal belongings at the scene of an accident.  Every item at the scene is of high importance in a police investigation as they re-construct the accident scene.  Every bit of information and evidence is crucial to their investigation and you could be criminally charged with theft.  If you are a witness to a Hit-And-Run-Driver, never try to stop or pursue them. He or she could be dangerous. Write down or take a photo of the license plate number if you can and call 911 immediately.

Your Self- Care
You can help the authorities and those involved by giving an account of what you witnessed. Or, in more tense situations, especially if someone was driving inappropriately or recklessly and caused the accident, the victim(s) will benefit from you giving a statement to the police as a witness. Always be mindful of your own safety and try to stay calm.  Being a good citizen and helping victims even if you weren’t involved in the collision itself, can be distressing. If you saw a serious or fatal collision, you may still be thinking about the scene days or weeks later and it’s normal to remember your role in the incident. However, if you feel guilt or suffer anxiety to the point where it is affecting your sleeping patterns, you could be suffering from trauma and will need to speak with your family doctor.

In the event of a serious accident, it is understandable that as a witness, you may not know how to help those involved. By remaining calm and providing whatever assistance you can while keeping yourself safe, you may be able to make a difference and potentially save someone’s life.  How you act in those pivotal first few minutes after a car accident can have a meaningful impact on both the victims and the emergency response team. 

Iacobelli Law Firm realizes how difficult it is to recover from a serious injury and you do not have to face the consequences alone. Our Team at Iacobelli Law Firm strives to make sure that you are set up with the appropriate care that you need while you recover from your injuries. We provide compassionate and competent legal counsel for the injured throughout Ontario and 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.

On Monday January 22, 2018, York Regional Police responded to a motor vehicle on pedestrian accident that occurred at the intersection of Mulock Drive and Sandford Road in Newmarket.  According to reports, a Honda struck a 51 year old female pedestrian.  Although the victim was transported to hospital, sadly she succumbed to injuries.  

First and foremost, Iacobelli Law Firm offers sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this recent fatal pedestrian accident.  

​The pedestrian accident was under investigation by the York Regional Police Major Collision Investigation Unit, and officers were seeking witnesses.  Any witnesses who have not yet spoken with police are being 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.

During the winter months, there tends to be an increase in serious pedestrian accidents.  Visibility may be reduced as a result of fewer daylight hours and poor weather.  Nonetheless, motorists need to remain attentive at all times to ensure the way is clear of pedestrians.  Most pedestrian accidents we see actually occur at controlled intersections, where the pedestrian is crossing appropriately. Unfortunately, drivers making right and left hand turns, sometime fail to observe pedestrians that are crossing.  These pedestrian accidents may result in charges to the driver and civil claims being advanced by loved ones.  Ontario law allows for family members to make a civil wrongful death claim where a pedestrian has been killed by an inattentive or otherwise negligent driver. These claims are typically covered by insurance.

If a loved one has been tragically killed in a fatal pedestrian accident, you may be able to claim for your losses.  To learn more about your rights, call us for a confidential consultation. Our consultations are always free and there is no obligation.  To learn more call the injury lawyers at Iacobelli Law Firm at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here to request a call. 

Pedestrian accidents in Markham, Richmond Hill and York Region are, unfortunately, quite common. Serious pedestrian accidents seem to be more prevalent during the winter months, as visibility is reduced by early sunsets and poor weather.  Accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists often result in serious injuries, or even death.  Our York Region personal injury law firm represents many pedestrians that have sustained serious injuries.  Some of the serious injuries we see in pedestrian accidents are multiple fractures, as well as brain injuries.  Without question, some of the most serious injuries that we see involve pedestrians that have been struck by a motor vehicle.

Following a serious pedestrian accident, you may be overwhelmed with obtaining appropriate treatment and rehabilitation to maximize your chance of recovery.  In addition to your medical team, however, it is important to have an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer working for you to help preserve your rights for your immediate and longer term future.  A serious accident can have major consequences on employment, income earning, and your way of life.  The insurance company will want to minimize or eliminate any claim that you may have, and will mobilize quickly and efficiently in an effort to defeat your claim.  Following a serious accident, insurance companies will start preparing a defence to your claim even before you make a claim.  After all, insurance companies are in the business of risk management.  

In accidents involving serious injuries or death due to pedestrian and motor vehicle collisions, it is extremely important to have the advice and counsel of an Ontario personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Ontario, contact Iacobelli Law  Firm to speak with an Ontario lawyer.  We offer prospective clients a free  consultation with a personal injury lawyer. There is no obligation, and the consultation is completely confidential. Call us toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here. 

There are reports of a a fatal pedestrian collision in the City of Markham.  This pedestrian accident occurred on Tuesday, February 5, at approximately 9 a.m. at the intersection of Carlton Road and Central Park Drive. According to York Regional Police, a black Mitsubishi was travelling southbound on Central Park Drive, and made a left turn onto Carlton Road where it struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk.  Sadly, the pedestrian, a female resident of the City of Markham, succumbed to her injuries at the scene. 

First and foremost, Iacobelli Law Firm offers its sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of the pedestrian that was tragically killed in this Markham accident.  

Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians remain quite common in Ontario.  Pedestrian accidents occur on roadways, parking lots, and often when pedestrians are on the sidewalk and are hit by vehicles exiting driveways.  Of course it is a shock and devestating to the family and friends whenever a pedestrian is injured or killed.  This kind of tragedy is entirely unexpected.   Drivers need to be more attentive to pedestrians, particularly at intersections and near crosswalks.  

In Ontario, when a pedestrian is injured or killed because of motor vehicle, there are civil remedies available.  These are claims against the at-fault driver, which are typically covered by automobile insurance policies.  Ontario law creates a presumption of negligence whenever a pedestrian or cyclist is hit by a car.  That is, the driver of the vehicle is presumed to negligent, and has the burden of proving otherwise.  This is an exception to negligence and tort law.  Nonetheless, pedestrian claims are often vigorously defended by the insurance company.  When a pedestrian is killed, the family members can make claims for their losses, including loss of guidance, care and companionship of their loved one.  

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal pedestrian accident in Ontario, it is important to seek the advice of Ontario car accident lawyer.  A knowledgeable lawyer will be able to answer your questions and provide guidance about your options.   Although it is difficult to consider insurance claims at the time of tragedy, it is important to seek advice early as there are strict time limits for advancing claims.  Once the limitation period expires, the claims are forever barred.  

Iacobelli Law Firm is an Ontario personal injury and insurance law practice, with offices in Richmond Hill / Markham area and Toronto. We provide a free consultation to familes that have lost a loved one in fatal car accident or fatal pedestrian accident.  To request your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call us at 416-900-1070 or toll free at 1-866-234-6093 or complete our online contact form here. 

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