OTTAWA BUS ACCIDENT — Ottawa police have charged a OC Transpo bus driver after an accident that sent a pedestrian to hospital in April 2012.  The charge was: “failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian using an authorized pedestrian crossover.”

A 32 year old man was hit by the bus on April 4 near the Baseline and Woodroffe transit stations.  His serious injuries were life threatening.

Did you know that it is very difficult to settle a case against the City of Ottawa without starting a law suit?  Unlike traditional motor vehicle accidents where you may be able to settle directly with an adjuster, OC Transpo cases usually requires an experienced personal injury lawyer to get the case done.

If you need help with your bus accident case, let us know:  info@ottawalawfirm.ca or call 613 233-4529.

I was injured in an Ottawa accident where I was driving without proper insurance on my car.  Can I sue?

Even if you did not cause the Ottawa car accident, you cannot usually advance a claim or sue the at-fault party if you were knowingly driving without insurance.   Whether or not you were “knowingly” without insurance is something you should discuss with a personal injury lawyer if you have suffered serious injuries.

However, you may still be entitled to accident benefits, medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits.

If you suffered serious injuries and had no insurance, request a personal injury consultation by calling 613 233-4529.

In an Ottawa accident? Here are some basic steps to take right away to protect yourself.

Get the other driver’s information, including:

• Name
• Address, Telephone
• Vehicle licence plate,  make and model
• Driver’s licence  number
• Other driver’s  insurance company and policy number

If the other driver tries to deny you any of this information, call the police.

Never admit you were at fault or agree to pay for any damage.

Take photos of the accident scene, your car and your injuries.

Make sure you get the name and phone number of any witnesses.

Go to a doctor if you have been injured.  It is much harder to make a claim later on if you have not seen a doctor within the first week of your accident.

Call the police.  We generally do not accept cases where the police were not called to the scene.

Report the accident to your insurance company.

Get free legal advice from a personal injury lawyer to see if you have a viable claim.

Of all the possible accidents, the hit and run accident is often the one that grabs the most headlines and attention.  Society tends to accept that motorcycle accidents do happen but, not taking proper measures and responsibility when you have been involved in a motorcycle accident is seen as a slap in the face to our moral conventions.  Not only is it a criminal offence in Ontario to flee the scene of an accident, it also puts an added, unneeded strain on the victims of the accident, who often have enough to deal with financially, physically and emotionally.

If you have been involved or injured in a motorcycle collision and a victim of a hit and run, it presents some major challenges.  Often you are dealing with serious injuries and health issues, which should always be the number one priority of any accident victim.  In addition to this there is the added burden of trying to remember what happened and providing details to help apprehend the hit and run offender.  If at all possible, do your best to remember as much about the accident and the vehicle that caused this accident as possible.  Sometimes the smallest detail can be the most important.  If your injuries do not permit you to remember, do not worry.  The Ottawa Police and OPP, as well as crime scene investigators will use witnesses and evidence left at the scene to find and bring to justice this criminal offender.

It is important to remember that you are a victim of a crime.  As soon as possible you or someone you trust should contact a qualified personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and start working towards the compensation you are entitled to.  The person responsible for your accident could be held liable for any and all of the following.

• Medical bills and expenses
• Loss of personal income (both time and wages)
• Therapy and continuing treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological damage

If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit and run motorcycle accident in Ottawa or within

Ontario it is important to know your rights.  Please check out the following website http://www.personalinjuryottawa.ca/ or contact the personal injury lawyers of Auger Hollingsworth at  613 233-4529 for a free, professional legal consultation.

If you are ever in an Ottawa accident, you may have to take part in an examination for discovery as part of your legal proceedings. Understanding what this process entails and knowing how to present yourself can help you achieve success in your lawsuit.

What is an Examination for Discovery?

Examination for discovery is an important component of most civil lawsuits. Essentially, it is a process where both parties involved in the lawsuit are questioned about the issues surrounding the lawsuit. While each party is questioned by the other party’s lawyer, and the answers are given under oath, examination for discovery is not in itself a trial.

What is the Purpose of Examination for Discovery?

The basic purpose of an examination for discovery is to allow each party and their lawyers to learn about and understand the other side’s case.

Throughout their questioning, the lawyers for each party will typically be trying to accomplish a few basic things, including the following:

-   Understand the other party’s point of view, and more fully define and narrow the issues involved in the lawsuit.

-   Discover if there are any areas where both parties are in agreement, possibly allowing a pre-trial settlement to be reached.

-   Obtain an admission from the other party that later can be used in their client’s favour while at trial.

What Should You Wear to an Examination for Discovery?

Many clients wonder what they should wear to attend this part of their legal process. Though it is not an official trial, it is still very important to make sure that you are appropriately dressed. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you look well-groomed and presentable. Essentially, you want to wear neat, clean, conservative clothes. You do not necessarily have to wear a suit, but you should look as neat as possible, and avoid any offensive slogans on your clothing. This is a very important part of your legal process, and it is crucial that you are as prepared and presentable as possible.

If you or someone you know has been in an Ottawa accident, a good injury lawyer can help you to better understand your legal options, and help you navigate all aspects of the legal process, including the examination for discovery.

To speak with an Ottawa personal injury lawyer at Auger Hollingsworth, please call us at 613-860-4529, email us at info@personalinjuryottawa.ca, or use our contact form.

In the contex of a motor vehicle accident, including a car-pedestrian, car-bicycle, motorcycle or truck accident, the term “catastrophic injury” has a very specific meaning.

When you are injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, you are entitled to statutory accident benefits.  These benefits are usually paid by your own auto insurance company.   Since 2010, there have been three levels of benefits.  One of those levels of benefits is for people who have been deemed or found to have suffered a catastrophic injury.

Some injured victims are automatically in the catastrophic category because of the injury they have suffered.  Those injuries include: paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation, blindness and certain types of traumatic brain injuries.

Other accident victims will qualify for catastrophic benefits if a specially trained medical practitioner (or more often a team of medical practioners) assigns an impairment rating of 55% or more.  This impairment rating is typically completed after 2 years, although in some cases it can be completed earlier.

If the injured person is “catastrophic”, either because he or she has one of the listed injuries, or meets the impairment rating test, he or she qualifies for a higher level of accident benefits.  Most notably, the “medical- rehabibilitation benefit” jumps from $50,000 to $1,000,000.00 and there is an increase in the attendant care benefit. Certain benefits also last longer.

Sometimes there is a dispute between the injured victim and the insurance company as to whether or not the injured person has been catastrophically injured.  An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate that dispute through the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and / or the Ontario Court system.   If you would like to speak to Auger Hollingsworth about your claim and whether or not you qualify for catastrophic benefits, call us at 613 233-4529.

OTTAWA- On February 2, 2012, an Ottawa cyclist was hit by a car driven by, what some witnesses claim was, a drunk driver.  The 31 year old cyclist was riding in Ottawa on Carling Avenue near Archibald St. when he was struck.  He was rushed to hospital with critical head injuries, according to paramedics who were on the scene.  Police are investigating and charges are pending.

Police responded to a call from employees of the LCBO in Ottawa’s Hampton Park Plaza who refused to serve the driver as he appeared heavily intoxicated.  They then notified police when they saw him getting behind the wheel of his car.

Ottawa has seen its share of car-bicycle related accidents the last few years and this latest incident is a reminder of how quickly tragedy can occur to the more vulnerable commuters who share our streets like bicycles and motorcycles.  While it is up to police and all drivers to help maintain safety on the road, if provides little comfort when that safety fails.  Legal action is often the strongest recourse.

The young man who was struck this afternoon and his family will need to contact a professional, qualified personal injury lawyer.  They will need to deal with injury compensation and claims benefits for injuries and work loss amongst many other legal issues.  While secondary to health and recovery, it is a crucial form of financial recovery, compensation and justice for such accidents.

With each tragedy comes the hope that something good will come from our education.  This latest incident inOttawawill once again open a number of issues:  The prevention of drinking and driving and reviewing increased penalties, the safety of all cyclists and the need for more bike lanes and the importance of legal representation, compensation and resources for the victims.

Let us hope this latest incident can provide all of us with some insight on these important issues in hopes of preventing and helping victims in the future. If you or a loved one has suffered a cycling injury, contact the personal injury lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth for a free no charge consultation.  Call us at 613 233-4529.

OTTAWA ACCIDENT LAWYER- On January 3, 2012 two people, including an Ottawa man, were killed in a head-on crash involving a tractor trailer on Highway 17.  The accident happened near Alfred, Ontario early in the morning.

It is reported that a pickup truck and a transport truck collided on the County Road 15 and Peladeau Road at about 3:15 a.m.  Unfortunately both drivers died at the scene.   Early reports suggest that neither driver was wearing a seatbelt, although that has not been proven.

The driver of the pickup truck has been identified as 31-year-old Ghislian Landry of Orleans. The driver of the tractor trailer is 50-year-old Gordon Wray of Oshawa.   Our condolences to their families.

The road was re-opened Tuesday afternoon after about 12 hours. Police said they are  trying to determine the cause of the car accident.

On Friday December 17, 2011, Ottawa Fire Fighters extricated a 22 year old man from a BMW after a  two-vehicle collision on Baseline Road at Rockway Crescent.  The man is described as having suffered a fractrued pelvis, chest injuries and multiple lacerations. He was taken to the hospital in serous condition. The driver is reportedly not seriously injured.

This is not the first serious accident our Ottawa personal injury lawyers are aware of at this intersection.  For a small intersection, it poses numerous visibility issues.  If you are driving at Baseline and Rockway, please use extra caution.

If you have suffered  a serious injury and wish to have a free consultation, please contact our firm at 613 233-4529.

If you or a family member has been injured in a motor vehicle accident by another driver who does not have insurance,  or has inadequate coverage, don’t assume that you can’t bring a claim.

In many cases, your own insurance or the insurance on the car you are riding in can provide benefits. This type of insurance is called uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance.  It may be available to protect passengers in your vehicle or when you or a family member is injured as a bicyclist or pedestrian.

Even if you don’t have insurance yourself, you may be entitled to compensation from the person that hit you or from another insurer.  There is even an insurer of last resort that is administered by the province.

Accessing uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage is not straightforward.  There are many issues that may impact your ability to obtain compensation.

In a hit and run situation or a situation where there is no insurance or inadequate insurance, an experienced personal injury lawyer is a must.  Contact the lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth at 613 233-4529 for more information or to schedule a consultation.