Vehicle / Car Accident Lawyers

The Highway Traffic Act imposes obligations on drivers to be mindful of their surroundings and to drive with care so as not to jeopardize the safety of other motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately, every year, thousands of motorists are seriously injured on the road. These accidents are often avoidable and are caused by inattentive, careless or even reckless motorists.

The law permits anyone injured as a result of a car accident to seek compensation for accident benefits as well as damages in tort for their injuries for pain and suffering and monetary losses. Many people do not know that the law, including the Insurance Act and Accident Benefits Schedule, impose significant legal barriers to compensation for victims of motor vehicle accidents. These include a statutory threshold for compensation and a statutory deductible. For the most part, insurers continue to fail to fully disclose these legal barriers and the general public is kept in the dark.

Our team of lawyers have years of experience successfully overcoming the legal barriers and have helped our clients obtain compensation for their injuries. Our lawyers have argued complex legal issues in Court. A number of our lawyers have also had experience working as counsel for large insurers. We have the knowledge, experience, resources and proven track record to help you fight for your legal rights and to ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Motorcycle Accidents

Every year, we hear about serious motorcycle accidents in the news. These accidents occur due to a multitude of reasons, often related to inattentive motorists as well as dangerous road conditions.

The law permits riders and passengers who are injured on a motorcycle to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. At Grillo Law, some of our lawyers are avid motorcyclists who, like thousands of motorcycle riders in Ontario, appreciate the vulnerability of motorcyclists and the importance of road safety. We have more than 30 years of experience handling serious motorcycle accidents and we are dedicated to helping those who are injured on the road in motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle riding is an extremely enjoyable and popular pastime, and becoming increasingly common as the summer weather approaches. However, sometimes we find that clients take for granted how dangerous motorcycle riding can actually be. Here at Grillo Law we want to ensure that our clients and riders can enjoy motorcycle riding safely and responsibly.

There are a variety of causes in a motorcycle accident, and the majority of the cases we see come down to driver negligence. Negligence on the part of car drivers, such as failing to pay attention or failing to yield, is especially prevalent as more motorcyclists and drivers share the road and drivers fail to account for the other users of the road.

Motorcycle Safety

The stakes for motorcycle riders are high as they lack the physical protection of modern automobile body frames, bumpers, or airbags and other safety features. Studies have shown that motorcyclists in Ontario are up to three times more likely to be injured in a collision than people in automobiles, and 10 times more likely to suffer “serious injuries” in an accident. Accordingly, the average cost for medical treatment of a motorcycle crash is ranked nearly twice as much as those of an automobile crash.

Using proper safety equipment while riding is imperative. Serious motorcycle accident injuries predominantly come from serious head injuries, and wearing a helmet can significantly decrease the risk of death in an accident. Statistics indicate that riders who do not wear a helmet are up to three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries. Also consider ensuring that your motorcycle is optionally equipped with the latest antilock braking technology, which can further reduce the rate of fatal crashes.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, dealing with the opposing parties and insurance claims can be an arduous and tricky process, no doubt in part due to a “risk factor” stigma that is associated with motorcycles. As a result, our best advice is that if you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, that they immediately contact a personal injury firm in order to scope their legal options and begin the process to legal and personal recovery. Here at Grillo Law we will not stop until we have fought for what is fair and you receive the just compensation you deserve in a timely manner.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Every year, many innocent people fall down and sustain serious injuries as a result of the negligence of others. We have represented thousands of individuals in Ontario who have sustained significant injuries as a result of slip and fall and trip and fall accidents.

In Ontario, both common law and statutes like the Occupiers’ Liability Act and the Ontario Building Code impose important obligations and duties on occupiers like landlords, tenants, contractors, maintenance companies and their agents and employees to ensure they maintain a safe and clean environment for patrons to use. Despite the law, occupiers often neglect the safety and well-being of others, which is why slip/trip and fall accidents are very common. Unfortunately, these types of accidents can result in very significant injuries including fractures, tears, ligament damage, and neurological damage, which can result in life-altering functional impairments along with financial hardship to you and your family.

Our experienced legal team understands that the importance of conducting all necessary investigations in order to help prove your claim. This includes obtaining demonstrative evidence such as photographs and video footage, interviewing witnesses, obtaining relevant data, taking measurements and working with engineers and architects, to prove your claim.

Our team understands that your rights to healthcare services are paramount and we will ensure that you receive the medical and rehabilitative care that you require while we prosecute your claim for your personal injuries resulting from a slip/trip and fall accident.

Long-Term Disability Claims

Many employers offer private insurance benefits through a long-term disability (“LTD”) insurance provider. Some individuals purchase their own disability insurance policies. In either case, disability law involving access to benefits under disability insurance policies can be complicated. If you have sustained injuries that prevent you from returning to work, your disability insurance provider must compensate you for the time you are off work and unable to return to work, subject to the oftentimes complex policy wording.

An employee will usually qualify as being disabled if he or she is unable to perform the duties of their usual occupation. Meeting this requirement will trigger entitlement to disability benefits. Some policies will impose more difficult or stringent tests for disability.

In many cases, disability insurers fail to honour their insurance contracts and refuse access to benefits including payments for loss of wages, which can result in detrimental financial hardship.

If an LTD denial is successfully prosecuted, an agreement can be made to either reinstate the denied benefits with a retroactive payment or make a lump sum payment for all benefits available for the duration of the policy as negotiated. At times, litigation may have to be commenced through a law suit and by claiming damages for the insurer’s breach of contract and breach of their obligations to adjust your claim in good faith.

Medical evidence must be adduced to establish that injuries fall within the scope of coverage provided under an LTD policy and meet the specific definitions for disability to give access to benefits. A claimant who has a medical expert report will have a stronger claim than one who does not.

Our team of lawyers have more than 30 of years of experience prosecuting improper denials of benefits by short-term and long-term disability insurance providers. Our network of medical experts and healthcare professionals will also ensure that you receive the healthcare benefits you need to help you with your recovery while we fight for your rights.

Contact our offices for your private and confidential consultation with one of our lawyers.