Important Things to Do Right After a Car Accident

Following the steps below and hiring Accident Lawyers in Toronto right after an accident can lessen your fear and confusion about the situation you are in.

·         Stop -If you are involved in a driving accident, STOP your vehicle. By Canadian laws it is illegal to drive away from an auto accident. Leaving the accident scene may lead to criminal actions against you.

·         Remain Calm-It is very important to stay calm so that you can better handle the situation and be able to determine the next steps to take.

·         Do NOT Claim Fault-Even if you believe you are at fault, DO NOT say that you are at fault, nor voluntarily accept responsibility for the vehicle accident, just wait for your auto insurance company to asses the accident information and make their determination.

·         Call the Police – 911-By law, the police must be called if there are any serious car accident injuries or car damages over $1000. Failure to call them could mean a jail term, up to a $1000 fine, demerit points and other legal actions.

·         If the police do not go to the car accident scene, you will have to take your car to the nearest police station to file a car accident report.

·         Do NOT Repair Your Car-Wait until you have been given the go-ahead by your car insurance company, or directed to do so by the police before making any repairs on your car.

·         Call Your Auto Insurance Company-As soon as possible after the car accident, report the collision to your auto insurance company. According to law, you have up to seven days after the car accident within which to call your insurance company and report your car insurance claim to them.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents, and Tips to Avoid Them

Thousands of car accidents occur annually in Canada only and most of these accidents could be easily avoided if the drivers are only properly educated and cautious about these incidents. Below is a list of the common causes of car accidents:

• Cell phone use – Chatting on a cell phone while driving with the use of a hands-free cell phone or the use of Bluetooth technology does not guarantee that an accident won’t occur. Pull into a parking lot to answer any important calls if necessary.  
• Changing CD/Radio –These activities have shown to contribute to higher incidences of car accidents.   If you have a short distance to travel, it may be a good idea to insert in your favorite CD before beginning the trip.  For a longer trip, a mixed CD is a good option.
• Eating in the car –eating often leads to disaster when driving.  If you must eat, do so while stopping for gas.
• Drinking while driving – Driving while drinking intoxicating beverages is strictly prohibited in Canada. While drunk, a driver’s senses are reduced making him prone to accidents.
• Drug use – Illegal drugs are not the only kind of drugs that create problems; cold medications and those used to alleviate headache pain can also impair driving ability.
• Speeding – The faster a car speeds along a highway, the higher the probability of a fatal accident. What many people fail to consider is that the faster you travel, the harder it becomes to stop.  

Claiming for insurance benefits is a tough battle against insurance companies. But if you hire a Toronto Accident Lawyer, you can let it run like an autopilot.