Ontario Insurance Premiums

Ontario insurance premiums have risen by unprecedented levels over the past three years leaving Ontario drivers with some of the highest provincial premiums.

A recent report published by the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) and York University professor, Fred Lazar revealed that not only are we paying more for insurance, we are getting less benefits.

The report uncovered shocking annual increases allowing for huge profit for Ontario insurance companies when compared to other provinces.

Since 2017, Ontario’s regulators approved nine separate premium increases triggering the 20% rate increase.

“Over the last eight years of the previous Liberal government, (insurers) cut the benefits available in car insurance products 17 times,” said Ontario Trial Lawyers Association President, Allen Wynperle. “Drivers are not getting many benefits, but are paying higher prices,” he said.

The report calculated the profits generated on home, commercial, and auto insurance combined for each province. The total of all three came nowhere near the profits that Ontario insurance companies are making on car insurance premiums alone.

As a result, the OTLA is demanding reform to the Ontario insurance system to make it fair and affordable for all.

“If people go to their MPPs and register their dissatisfaction in large enough numbers, the government and the insurance companies will take notice,” said Wynperle. “At the end of the day (Ontario voters)

have the control in their hands to change the situations, but they have to act and express their outrage or it’s just going to continue as it has for many years.”

Tips for Getting the Best Insurance Quote

1. Safety first. Consider adding simple safety features such as snow tires. They can impact your rate.

2. Bundle your services. Some insurance companies will give a discount if you sign up for multiple policies. Get a quote for comprehensive coverage for your home, boat and motorcycle or rental insurance along with your car insurance.

3. Safety ratings matter. Cars with excellent crash test ratings and low theft scores generally get better rates.

4. Opt for a higher deductible. Higher deductibles get better rates. Consider $500 or $1,000.

5. Shop around. The market is very competitive in Ontario. Make a few calls before you commit.

Back pain, sprains, herniated disks and spinal cord injuries.

Back pain affects people from all over the world. Whether they work at a desk, travel for business, or work on construction sites, the risk of back pain is high. Injuries are common in car accidents or slip and fall injuries, and can range from strains and sprains, to herniated disks, to serious spinal cord injuries.

Back pain statistics in Canada

Approximately 80% of all Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their lives.  An estimated 34 to 59% of Canadians will experience an acute or subacute  pain episode. In Canada, chronic lower back pain is one of the most likely reasons for a trip to the doctor for people under the age of 60. Twenty-five per cent of the population is living with chronic back pain at any given time.

Unfortunately, many people with pain are not getting the appropriate help. They are either living with pain or they live with it until it becomes unbearable. This can result in damage that cannot be repaired or that takes a long time to recover from.

For those living with back pain as a result of a workplace injury, slips and falls or car accidents the costs are sometimes unseen. In addition to the pain and suffering, victims may also have to deal with loss of income for time taken off work, medical expenses, prescription medicine, physio therapy, transportation costs and attendant care among other things.

Long-term disability

Often times, people are forced to apply for long-term disability in order to spend adequate time recovering and healing from pain and to pay for the associated costs.

Sadly, those suffering often find their claims denied.  This makes the situation more difficult and leads them to spend longer periods of time living with back pain, without medical attention.

If you are suffering from back pain and your claim has been denied, our lawyers offer free advice on making a claim for compensation. We have experience in successfully settling back injury claims for all types of injuries and all types of clients. We are happy to offer you a free consultation to discuss your back injury compensation claim with you, answer your questions and be able to tell you where you may be entitled to back injury or spinal injury compensation. Call us today at (613) 978-9549.

*source: cmajopen.ca

Distracted Driving 

Distracted Driving in Ontario

These days, it seems very foreign to see someone talking on a cell phone while driving.  Since 2009, Ontario drivers have been banned from using hand-held devices that create distracted driving behind the wheel. 

Since then, the use of cell phones and other personal electronics has risen and driver distraction has increased with the introduction of smart watches, GPS systems and on-board information screens.    

Sadly, in Ontario, deaths from collisions caused by distracted driving have doubled since 2000 with distracted driving being the number one cause of road deaths in Ontario.   

Currently, if a driver is caught using a hand-held device, they can expect a $490 fine and three demerit points. 

On January 1, 2019, new  laws will take effect in Ontario with escalating sanctions, increased fines and license suspension.  At the same time, the list of activities that count as distracted driving has also expanded.   

Effective January 1, a distracted driver will receive a summons with a court date where fines for a first offence can be high as $1,000. 

• First offence: 3 days suspension and $1,000 fine 
• Second offence: 7 days suspension and $2,000 fine 
• Three or more offences: 30 days suspension, $3,000 fine and six demerit points 

New Distracted Driving laws

Under the new law, anything that causes a driver to be less focused on the road constitutes distracted driving, this includes: 

• Simply holding an electronic device in your hands (hand-held communication during driving is against the law) 
• Using a cellular phone to talk, text, check maps or switch playlists 
• Eating (there may not be a licence suspension, but the RCMP warn you could be fined or given six demerits depending on the food) 
• Reading books or documents 
• Typing a destination into the GPS 

As we head into the new year, we can all resolve to end distracted driving and to keep our roadways safe for all.  Turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode before you get in the car.  If you need to, put the phone in the glove compartment or in a bag on the back seat. Consider using an app that blocks incoming calls and text while you are driving.  If you must respond, or have to make a call or send a text, carefully pull over to a safe area.   

If you, or a loved one, has been involved in an accident or injured due to distracted driving call us today.  We understand, we care and we are here to help. 

Changes to Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and Catastrophic Injury

Automobile insurance is constantly changing . It seems that the government continues to strip away at some of the most vital services required for injured people, especially those who are severely injured and need it most, those with a catastrophic injury. The new definition will apply to all accidents in Ontario on or after June 1, 2016. The Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (“SABS”) provides accident benefits for people who are  involved in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario. Regardless of whether or not they were at fault, or whether or not they were a driver, passenger or a pedestrian. 

Definition of Catastrophic Injury Impairment

Many of the changes are in the area of Catastrophic Injuries. The most significant of the reductions in Accident Benefits are in the Medical and Rehabilitation and Attendant Care benefits for individuals with catastrophic and non-catastrophic injuries.

There are also new measures used to assess whether or not someone is deemed “catastrophic”. 

1- Paraplegia or Tetraplegia

The two scales or measures that are the primary source for the catastrophic determination for spinal cord injuries are the The ASIA -International Standards for Neurological Classification for Spinal Cord Injury as well as the SCIM Spinal Cord Independence Measure Version III  The definition of “catastrophic impairment” has been revised to reflect current medical studies.  

2-Residual Neuro-Urological Impairment or Urological Impairment

3-Loss of vision of both eyes

4-Traumatic Brain Injury

When assessing whether or not a patient has sustained a catastrophic brain injury, the appropriate health professional must conduct, among other things, the following clinical interview: a Structured Interview for the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

5-Traumatic Brain Injuries for person under the age of 18 at the time of the accident

The scale is dependent upon imaging of the brain, extent of admission to a rehabilitative facility and the King’s Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury, as published in Crouchman, M. et al

And where 2 or more years have elapsed since the accident, or where, after 3 months, a physician is of the belief that the patient’s condition is unlikely to improve and,

6- Physical Impairment

55% or more physical impairment of the whole person pursuant to the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition (1993)

7-Mental or Behavioural Impairment Combined with Physical Impairment

A mental or behavioural impairment, excluding traumatic brain injury, that, when the impairment score is combined with a physical impairment described in paragraph 6, results in 55 percent or more impairment of the whole person.

8. Mental or Behavioural Impairment

An impairment that, in accordance with the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th edition, 1993 results in a class 4 impairment (marked impairment) in three or more areas of function that precludes useful functioning or a class 5 impairment (extreme impairment) in one or more areas of function that precludes useful functioning, due to mental or behavioural disorder.

Along with these tests, a patient must also undergo a neuropsychological assessment and must meet the following criteria to obtain what is deemed “catastrophic status”. The patient must have positive MRI findings, vegetative or disability rating on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (as mentioned above) , significant decreased activities of daily living via client interview, interview of treating practitioners (mentioned above)  and/or a file review of collateral medical documents. 

The definition and criteria for a catastrophic injury can be confusing and complex.  We have provided a quick snapshot here.  Our personal injury lawyers are happy to speak with you to go over any specific questions you may have.