Do you know what to do when the worst happens to you?

Read Martin Law's new blog here and be prepared for spring falls.

Martin Law knows your serious injury is never just an accident.

Martin Law sees the same offenders every spring including:

• wet floors left unmopped;
• curled mats and floor runners; and
• worn mats never meant for high traffic entrance use but repurposed from storage by managers trying to cut corners.

When you've been seriously injured in a fall, you need help now.

Martin Law has 4 top tips:

1. Go To Emergency: make healthcare your first priority. Get taken care of. It also documents your injuries. Both are critical. Then see your family doctor. Your doctor provides badly needed follow up care and her notes continue to document your pain and treatment;

2. Get Pictures: ask a witness to take a photo with your own phone of the water or mat that made you fall. If you can't do that, ask a friend to go back to the store and take those photos when it's safe. Photos are really helpful. Photos let everyone see what happened;

3. Get Names: witnesses are usually standing right there. Ask for names and telephone numbers. Because as time passes, so do memories and willingness to help; and

4. Make the Call: many local injury lawyers provide a Free Consultation. Call your local injury lawyer first. If she lives in your community, she knows the stores, your neighbourhood and local weather patterns. Successful injury claims take time. Talk to your local lawyer and find out if she's a good match for you. You need a good working relationship with your injury lawyer. You need to know that lawyer is approachable, will pick up the phone and actually return your call. Providing support and advice to the injured is a privilege.

Spring falls are just as devastating as winter ice falls.

Your fall will have a devastating impact on your life.

       Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

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Developments That Impact You . . .

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Martin Law is celebrating 22 years of dedicated service to the people of Central and Eastern Ontario!

And Celebrating 27 Years Called to the Bars of Ontario & Alberta in 2024!

  27 Years a Lawyer . . . 27 Years Legal Experience

Shelley Martin, Martin Law Office, Belleville, Ontario, has been in practice for 27 years.

She is Your Community Injury Lawyer for Central & Eastern Ontario from Picton to Peterborough and all points between.

Called to the Bars of Ontario and Alberta, Shelley is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and graduate of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, L.L.B. and B.A.(Hons). She was a Don in Residence at Queen's University for two consecutive years, while a senior undergraduate student and first year law school student, and cared for over 40 undergraduate students each year.

She completed her legal training and articles in Toronto, Ontario, with Dingwall, McLauchlin. In Alberta, she served articles of clerkship with the Alberta Court of Appeal & King's Bench (Calgary) and completed articles with Alberta Justice, Appeals & Special Prosecutions.

She has a broad range of litigation experience including past experience as a Provincial Court Crown Prosecutor, Traffic Court Prosecutor, and as an associate with law firms practiced commercial litigation, civil litigation and family law. She has attended before both the Court of Appeal for Ontario and Alberta Court of Appeal. While in law school, she also obtained her truck driver licence and air brakes endorsement.

Born in Bancroft, Ontario, and raised in both Bancroft and Tweed, Ontario, she is proud to call both North Hastings County & the Bay of Quinte her home.

Are you ready for time change trouble?

Read our new Martin Law Blog here and find out what the fuss is about.

Then call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand today.

We lose precious road safety.

What's the Problem?

Drowsy Driving. Everyone needs enough sleep to drive safely. Driving requires all of our skill and attention

Distracted Driving happens when we forget driving is our only job behind the wheel. It's easy to forget when we're tired. Foggy minds struggle to override our instinct to take that call and read that text.

Health Emergencies happen. Studies show some of us are much more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack in the days after a time change. Any serious health emergency is scary. Suffering a major crisis when driving down the road or highway is horrifying for driver and for everyone else who shares that road.

How to Cope?

Drivers can make small changes this week to make it easier for our bodies to cope. Bed time, waking, exercise and meals can be tweaked to allow our bodies to gradually ease into change. We can give sleep the attention it deserves and hide that phone and ipad at bed time.

While every little change counts, our efforts can't stamp out the risk completely.

When you've been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. Make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre if no officer attends at the scene.

Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that your car crash is never just an accident.

Ice strike is no joke. That sudden, terrifying strike can do more than crack a windshield. It can destroy lives.

Catch up on Martin Law's latest blog here. Be in the know this winter and every winter.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand today.

An ice strike can be absolutely terrifying. And life changing. As well as physical injuries, some innocent drivers will struggle for years with a fear of returning to our icy roads.

What can we do today to be the good driver we all hope to meet on our winter roads?

Circle Check

Take the time each morning to visually inspect your ride. Walk all the way around. If there's snow, it's got to go.

Clear It Off

Brush that ice and snow off the car. If you can get into a garage or covered shelter, take the time to park in safety the night before. And a good sturdy snow brush and ice scraper safely stowed in your car will be the tools you need to get that car cleared properly.

Clean It All

All of the windows and mirrors need to free of snow. It takes time to do a good job. Budgeting time in the morning before your commute is a reality for winter drivers.

Tunnel Vision

Doesn't work. Carving out a little window in the snow to peer through doesn't cut it.  

Racked

SUV and car roof racks are a natural trap for snow and ice. While some drivers may love that sporty look or think they might actually haul extra stuff up there one day, the reality for most winter drivers is not so wonderful. Roof racks are time consuming ice traps that must be cleaned clear before driving.

Brake Safe

Hard stops will loosen any remaining ice and snow and fling it right onto the innocent drivers around us. Safe and deliberate driving for tough winter weather conditions is the right course.

What To Do When Injured By Flying Ice?

When you've been injured by another driver's negligence and inattention, call the police and get to the hospital. If you can safely get the plate number of that at fault driver, take it down. Exchange insurance information if he actually stopped at the scene. Report the crash and damage to your local police or collision reporting centre. Then call your experienced local injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Martin Law knows flying ice is never just an accident.

When you've been seriously injured, call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand today.

Are you a number or a person?

At Martin Law, you are a person first and never a file number.

Martin Law is your hometown injury lawyer delivering personal, practical and efficient results. Don't settle for being a number.

Your lawyer should know you and call you by your first name.

Martin Law knows what hometown values mean.

Shelley Martin, Martin Law Office, Belleville, Ontario, has been in practice for 27 years.

She is Your Community Injury Lawyer for Central & Eastern Ontario from Picton to Peterborough and all points between. Called to the Bars of Ontario and Alberta, she is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and graduate of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, L.L.B. and B.A.(Hons). She was a Don in Residence at Queen's University for two consecutive years, while a senior undergraduate student and first year law school student, and cared for over 40 undergraduate students each year.

She completed her legal training and articles in Toronto, Ontario, with Dingwall, McLauchlin. In Alberta, she served articles of clerkship with the Alberta Court of Appeal & King's Bench (Calgary) and completed articles with Alberta Justice, Appeals & Special Prosecutions.

She has a broad range of litigation experience including past experience as a Provincial Court Crown Prosecutor, Traffic Court Prosecutor, and as an associate with law firms practiced commercial litigation, civil litigation and family law. While in law school, she also obtained her truck driver licence and air brakes endorsement. She has attended before both the Court of Appeal for Ontario and Alberta Court of Appeal.

Born in Bancroft, Ontario, and raised in both Bancroft and Tweed, Ontario, she is proud to call both North Hastings County & the Bay of Quinte her home.

Talk to the Lawyer . . . From Start to Finish!

• Experience
• Service
• Compassion
• Accessibility

When you pick up the phone, you want a lawyer you can speak with directly and frankly. You need good communication and great rapport. A good working relationship leads to positive results.

Call Martin Law for your FREE CONSULTATION.

CALL: 613.966.3888 / TOLL FREE: 1.888.889.7226

Recover what you deserve.

While compensation for your injuries will never make you whole, it can provide much needed assistance for your future.

It is your future. Take control now.

Martin Law will help you through your injury claim . . . one step at a time.

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More Comfortable Online? Use Our Online Portal to Get in Touch.

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Find Out Where You Stand Today and Every Day.

Martin Law is Your Community Injury Lawyer.

Serving Our Communities For Over 20 Years.

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Your time is valuable. When you need to talk to a lawyer, call Martin Law to speak to an actual lawyer directly.

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*Shelley M. Martin Law Office Professional Corporation

It's the New Year and car crashes are happening every day on our busy winter roads and highways.

What's Happening?

Poor driving choices by distracted winter drivers. We know that drivers are to blame. Winter happens every year. Snow, ice and bad visibility happen every winter. We can't just blame the weather. Drivers are making bad choices in bad driving conditions.

What does your local injury lawyer see every winter?

Martin Law's New Year Countdown:

1. Distracted Driving

We have one job. Drive. Smart phones and in-car infotainment systems take our eyes and minds off the road. Texts and calls are equally dangerous. There is no distracted driving lite. Those few seconds of inattention cause other drivers decades of pain and loss.

2. Speeding

A heavy foot on the pedal leads to tragedy on winter roads. Slow down. Drive in control for snow and ice. We know speed kills.

3. Only Me

We are in this together. All drivers need to share the road. Snow plough and tow truck drivers have a dangerous job. On any given day, we could be the driver who desperately needs their help. Let's show our appreciation for their hard work by slowing down and moving over. Our emergency responders and police services need room to get the job done in safety. Pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists are also on our busy streets. We know they're out there. When we drive defensively and anticipate others, we save lives.

Canadians know our winter weather is the worst. We know it. We need the will to drive in safety. We protect others and save innocent drivers when we make our busy roads better roads for all.

When you've been seriously injured by a driver this winter, call your experienced injury lawyer. Martin Law knows winter isn't to blame.

Your car crash is never just an accident.

Call Martin Law. Find out where you stand.

What does your local injury lawyer see?

Read Martin Law's new blog here and be in the know before you head out on our winter roads.

Martin Law knows your car crash is never just an accident.

You are not alone. Call Martin Law for your Free Consulation today.
 

Please drive safe on our busy winter roads.

Let's give everyone we meet on our streets a chance to share a happy and healthy New Year 2024 with their family and friends.

Sending heartfelt thanks and gratitude this Christmas season and always.

We thank our communities and neighbours for their support.

 And in once again making Martin Law the Top 3 Belleville Injury Lawyers by threebestrated.ca

Drive safe when visiting family and friends over the holidays.

Crowded stores are stacked high with merchandise in every aisle.

Martin Law knows holiday shopping is one of the worst times of the year for fall injuries.

Read our new Martin Law blog here and get the information you need.

Martin Law knows holiday falls are never just an accident.

Find out where you stand today.

It's that time of year again. When everyone treks through the stores and malls. Looking high and low for that perfect gift. And while you search the shelves, know this busy holiday season is the absolute worst for severe store slip and fall injuries.

Merchants know holiday shopping must put them in the black just to survive. Extra stock is stacked on pallets in the aisles. Shelves are overflowing. If it's in the building, it's in the aisles so shoppers can grab it and max out those cards. But wet winter floors don't mix well with narrow aisles crowded with wooden pallets. Slips, trips and dangerous falls happen when seasonal shoppers get caught unaware.

All businesses that invite you onto their property have a duty to keep that property reasonably safe. It makes no difference if it's a big box store, warehouse grocery store or your locally owned Mom and Pop shop, all shoppers are entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety when they step into that store. When you fall and suffer serious injuries, that business, property owner and any maintenance company may be held responsible for your injuries.

That store owner or franchise operator may not actually own the property. The true property or commercial real estate owner may also be liable for your injury and loss. A store may have a maintenance company helping them keep the floors clean or the parking lot free of ice and snow. That maintenance company may also be responsible for your injury. There may be at least three or more companies liable for your loss.

What are the usual offenders Martin Law sees every year?

• water, snow and slush on the floor
• a loose, worn or bunched up entrance mat; and
• wooden shipping pallets in the aisle

If you are hurt when shopping this holiday season, know where you stand. Call and get the legal information you need. Your family may also have claims as a result of your injuries under Ontario's Family Law Act. There are limitation periods or time limits to be aware of when considering that lawsuit.  Don’t risk losing your right to obtain compensation for your fall injuries.

Severe store slip and fall injuries can and do happen every holiday season.

Get critical medical help first. Then call Martin Law to get your legal help.

Martin Law knows serious store fall injuries are never just accidents.

Don't let your holiday fall ruin your New Year and your life.

Martin Law has placed in Belleville Top Three Injury Lawyers for over 5 years by threebestrated.ca.

Martin Law is your 100% local Belleville injury law firm.

100% locally owned and operated by a lawyer who actually lives in the City of Belleville, supports local businesses and workers, and calls the Bay of Quinte and Hastings County her home.

Shelley Martin was born and raised in Hastings County.

Martin Law is your community injury law firm. We are your neighbours.

We are thankful to be recognized for over 20 years of dedicated service to personal injury survivors.

Call us for a Free Consultation. Find out where you stand.

Read more at:

https://threebestrated.ca/personal-injury-lawyers-in-belleville-on

Call: 613-966-3888 or TOLL FREE: 1-888-889-7226

For Your FREE CONSULTATION

Your time is valuable. When you need to talk to a lawyer, call Martin Law to speak to an actual lawyer directly.

Or if you would like to be contacted to discuss your injuries, please complete the ONLINE FORM BELOW:

If you wish Martin Law to call to discuss your case, please provide the following contact information and a short description of your injuries.

• Ontario Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA)
• Ontario Automobile Insurance Accident Benefits
• Brain Injury Canada
• Parachute Canada
• Ontario Brain Injury Association
• Brain Injury Association of Quinte and District
• Brain Injury Association of the Ottawa Valley
• Pathways to Independence
• The Law Society of Ontario
• The Canadian Bar Association
• Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Ministry of the Attorney General
• Ontario Superior Court of Justice
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation Reported Road Conditions/511
• Track My Plow - Ontario Provincial Road Snow Plow Updates
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
• Vision Zero Initiative
• Vision Zero Canada
• Crash Support Network

We remember the sacrifice of the dead and the living who gave so we could live in peace and prosperity.

Join us as we join Canadians across the country when we pause, reflect and remember.

So what's the problem? Plenty.

When drivers lose an hour of sleep, we all lose out on road safety.

Check out Martin Law's latest blog here and be in the know before you drive next week.

At Martin Law, we know a car crash is never just an accident.

We know that driving drowsy is always a threat. But every driver fights to stay awake and alert when the time change disrupts our normal sleep pattern.

Each and every driver is at risk of a catastrophic car crash for over a full week after that time change.

What's So Bad With Falling Back?

Sleeping Behind the Wheel happens when drivers don't get the rest they need. To stay focused and alert, everyone needs a good night's rest. Reliable and predictable sleep patterns are crucial to avoid drowsy driving;

Distracted Driving cranks up the threat. Foggy brains make it too easy to automatically reach for that phone and take a call or text. When drivers are drowsy, it is easy to forget the one and only job behind that wheel is to just drive; and

Medical Emergencies behind the wheel increase. Heart attacks and strokes strike some right after the time change. Disrupted sleep patterns can trigger underlying health conditions. No one wants to be that driver. And no one needs to meet a stricken driver on our busy highways.

What To Do?

Some drivers can choose to reduce non essential travel during this week. If you don't have to be out on the roads as much, don't be.

That isn't an option for many workers who have to commute to work.

When you've been injured in a car crash, and you suspect the at fault driver was driving drowsy or distracted, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then ensure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

At Martin Law, we know a car crash is never just an accident.

Those little ghosts and goblins are getting ready to hit our busy streets and neighbourhoods once again.

But before they do, let's brush up on our safe Halloween driving skills.

Read Martin Law's new blog here and be in the know about Halloween driver safety.

Martin Law wishes you and your little goblins a very safe and happy Halloween this year and every year.

Halloween is sneaking up on us. Have you noticed Halloween isn't just for kids anymore but is also a major adults night out. Whether driving to a party or to your friend's place for an all night scary movie marathon, it's critical to share the road and our neighbourhoods with those little trick or treaters.

If you are behind the wheel this Hallows' Eve, remember Martin Law's Top 5 Tips:

1. Take It Slow. Just slow it down. Plan to leave a few minutes early and take the time to drive in safety through that traffic and van loads of kids bound for the suburbs;

2. Get Ready to Stop. Kids are excited and may not be paying attention to cars as they rush from door to door. A child might run out in front of your car. Be the adult driver you want your kids to meet on busy streets. As the adult driver of a vehicle, you always have that last clear chance to avoid a tragedy;

3. Stay Out of the Suburbs. Avoid packed suburbs and especially new built housing developments. Tract housing is a magnet for van loads of rural kids who can hit hundreds of doors quickly and efficiently. The peak witching hours of 6pm-9pm are jammed with children rushing from house to house and darting across busy streets. If you don't have to be there, don't be there;

4. Put Your Phone Down. No night is a good night to drive distracted. And on busy Halloween night, the danger is critical; and

5. Drive Sober. Booze and fun cocktails may be part of your adult Halloween party plan. If so, your plan needs a designated driver or cab.

It takes a community to make Halloween safe for kids and adults alike.

Be part of your community and do your part.

Before you get behind that wheel, remember the choices you make will save lives.

Take a few minutes to plan ahead so every family can have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Autumn is no exception. Particularly when rain leads to wet and slippery store floors.

Know what to do when it happens to you.

Read Martin Law new blog here and check out our practical fall checklist.

Then call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

At Martin Law, we know your injury will change your life.

Martin Law proudly serving our communities for over 20 dedicated years.

Guess what your injury lawyer knows?

Our slick and icy winter isn't the worst season for pedestrians.

We know fall injuries happen year round.

Autumn rain leads to slippery floors when property owners fail to maintain their premises in safety.

What are the most common slip and fall hazards we see?

• wet floors when rain is tracked in and left unmopped;
• bunched up runners and hall mats; and
• old repurposed mats never meant for high traffic commercial entrance use but recycled from the back room to save money and cut costs.

When you are injured by any of these offenders this fall, let Martin Law help you find the path to legal and medical recovery.

Here are your Martin Law Top 6 Tips:

1. Get to Emergency: Medical treatment is your top priority. It documents your injury and starts a written record of your treatment. Then follow up with your family doctor. Your family doctor is your primary day to day treatment provider and your medical record keeper;

2. Take Names: Someone always sees something. Get names and contact information. Details fade with time. Friendly and helpful witnesses will become more reluctant to get involved with every passing day;

3. Get Pictures: ask a witness to take a pic on your own cell phone of what caused you to fall before you leave the scene. If you forget to do that, ask a family friend to go back - if they can do so in safety - and take photos. If the property owner asks them to leave, they must leave. While it's best to have a picture of what caused your fall, a picture showing the offending mat or step fixed and repaired a day later also shows the owner/occupier of the property knew it was a problem and tried to hide it. Sometimes property owners go back to their old habits after a few weeks. Photos are a big help for your case;

4. Stash It: carefully bag your ripped clothes, broken glasses, and any other personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash anything;

5. Make Notes: write down exactly what happened that day and how the fall happened. Go through step by step including the events leading up to the fall and what happened after you fell. Write it down out with as much detail as you can remember. Take time and do it now before you forget; and

6. Call: Martin Law your experienced local injury lawyer. We provide Free Telephone Consultations. Make that call today.

Fall injuries are serious injuries. A bad fall will change your life.

Be smart about your injuries and your claim. Get the help you need.

Call Martin Law to find out where you stand.

Crash Support Network's newsletter provides car crash survivors with valuable resources and badly needed support.

Thank you Dawne for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful and supportive community.

Martin Law has been fortunate to contribute a number of articles to Sharing Our Recovery over the years.

We are always humbled by the quality, honesty and practical advice provided by fellow contributors.

You can read Martin Law's article here in this issue of Sharing Our Recovery.

You can also find the home page for Crash Support Network at this link.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and be in the know.

We need every driver's help when it comes to taking care of our kids' safety.

We can all pitch in to keep our kids safe for back to school.

The kids are back in school and those buses are back on the streets. School bus safety is everybody's business. No one wants to be that driver who blows through a school bus stop sign. And no one ever wants to be the driver that seriously injures or kills a child.

Let's remember to:

1.         Stop

Just stop. Stop when the lights are flashing. Cars in both directions must stop for a school bus when lights are flashing. Failing to stop could kill a child. Failing to stop will bring hefty fines and demerit points.

2.         Watch the Speed Limit

Obey those posted speed limits. Know that school zones and streets near playgrounds have reduced speed. Many communities in Ontario now have posted Community Safety Zones where fines are increased for driving infractions in places that local government considers high risk and of special concern. Streets near schools, playgrounds and parks are all likely candidates. Our communities know child safety is a high priority concern and are actively working to make our streets safer for kids.

3.         Be Crossing Guard Smart

Our kids count on crossing guards to guide them safely across traffic. For the safety of our children, and the guard, please slow down, be aware and watchful.

4.         Take Time

We know that back to school means more traffic, buses and slower commutes to work. Plan an extra 15 or 20 minutes for your morning commute. Avoid the temptation to rush by padding your drive with a little extra time.

5.         Just Drive

Put down the phone. Keep your eyes and mind on the road and off the phone, GPS and infotainment system. Driving in safety is the only thing that matters.

It takes a neighbourhood to raise a child. Good neighbours are good drivers when they put the safety of kids first.

This fall, and every fall, we can all be ready for back to school.

We can all put child safety first.

We have one job.

Helping you get the support and resources you need after your injury.

While compensation for your injuries will never make you whole, it can provide much needed assistance for your future.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

It is your future. Take control now.

Their family doctor medically suspends their drivers licence because of their car crash injuries.

Losing your licence after you've lost everything, is a nightmare.

Martin Law knows the fallout victimizes car crash survivors all over again.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here to see our practical tips for when it happens to you or someone you love.

Then call Martin Law for your Free Consult.

Find out where you stand.
 

Throughout Ontario, and particularly in rural Ontario, your truck or car is everything. Your wheels are life. There is no public transit in most areas of rural Ontario. It doesn't exist. We are completely dependent on our car to feed ourselves and buy basic supplies and necessities of life. Losing that driver's licence forces crash survivors to beg family, friends and neighbours for help. It isolates the isolated and cuts off the injured at a time when they need all the social and community support they can get. Through no fault of their own, crash survivors are victimized all over again.

So what can a crash survivor do when their licence has been suspended due to medical conditions caused by the crash?

Let's take at look at 4 practical tips:

1. Your own car insurance adjuster can arrange and pay for transportation, usually by cab, for your pre-approved medical and rehabilitation appointments like regular visits to your family doctor, physiotherapy, massage therapy and gym membership. This must be applied for and arranged in advance and be approved by your accident benefits adjuster. Again, this is easier said than done. After 20 plus years helping the injured in my practice, we've seen how this shakes down. The majority of adjusters either work in the suburbs of Toronto or Ottawa either in office or at home. Their personal and professional knowledge of rural Ontario is zippity. There is a complete lack of understanding of how far rural insured live from treatment. There is no appreciation of distance. After first dismissing their rural insured with helpful suggestions to take a bus, take a subway, walk or ride a bicycle to those medical appointments, most adjusters then reluctantly approve and set up transportation. Most insurance companies have contracts negotiated with large Toronto or Ottawa cab companies. So when their injured insured needs transpo, they send a cab from Toronto or Ottawa into the woods or down a gravel country lane. They do not support locally owned cab companies that know the local roads and conditions. This is problematic for many reasons as the drivers frequently get lost despite GPS and smart phones, are confused by 911 lane numbers, are usually late, sometimes don't show at all because of terrible driving conditions on the 401 highway, are robbed of tips from lucrative short runs, and personally despise taking these calls. Cab drivers are not paramedics and do not want to physically help the injured passenger in and out of their cab. They don't want blood, urine and vomit staining their cab. They fear the cleanup. They just don't want any part of it. This makes insurance based transportation a hostile, difficult and draining experience for the injured. It exists. Sometimes it even works for a while. But it doesn't work well and usually ends badly;

2. Community based pickle buses often designated for seniors may run a preset loop from a common pick up and drop off point. That requires the insured to find transportation to and from the meet up location and efforts to schedule grocery shopping and required errands around a set once or twice weekly bus schedule. It often means long hours waiting for the bus in town and a full day of hurry up and wait exhaustion. Community busing is an incredible resource for many and is often staffed by hardworking volunteers. But it isn't a practical setup for the injured who physically and emotionally just can't deal with it;

3. Pay out of pocket for any local cabs and rideshare and keep receipts. To be submitted to your injury lawyer and ultimately included as part of your expense claim made in the tort lawsuit against the insurance company paying for the at fault driver who hit you. Many injured do this. While it works, it may take years before your tort claim is resolved and you are reimbursed. That means years without repayment when injuries prevent the injured from making a living or any income at all. When basic living expenses are already stretched thin, this may not help much when dollars matter and financial help is needed the most. Your family may also have companion Family Law Act claims in your lawsuit against the at fault driver. When they take the time to drive their out of pocket expenses for gas, mileage, meals as well as lost income for time off work or childcare should be submitted in that claim. Your injury lawyer should discuss this with you; and

4. Speak to your family doctor about how to set up a driver exam so you can get back on track with getting that licence reinstated. It's critically important the injured have a good working relationship with their family doctor. Your family doctor is the gateway to your health system and recovery. Getting that licence reinstated is never easy. Severe crash injuries take time to stabilize. A lot of time. It may take years before your family doctor is prepared to support your reinstatement. That's a devastating situation for any injured person to be in.

There are no easy solutions to this mess particularly for the rural injured. What insurance companies have worked out in the cities to cut costs and budget just doesn't work well in rural Ontario. But rural Ontarians are still forced to pay mandatory car insurance even when they don't get the same benefits and service as their city cousins after a car crash. They don't complain. Most rural drivers are stoic and just try to work it out. Some car insurance adjusters know this and count on it. All stake holders and all rural consumers in Ontario should be speaking with their provincial members of parliament and raising their concerns with local media. In the meantime, hardworking family doctors and their office staff do their best with the limited resources they have and the legal and professional responsibilities they bear. Your injury lawyer should be aware of the practical problems you deal with in your day to day struggles after the crash. And your injury lawyer should be willing to help.

This local, community injury lawyer knows the struggle is real.

Martin Law knows crash survivors in rural Ontario should not be hit over and over again by their own car insurance company and a system that does not know and does not care to know about the realities of rural life.

When you've been injured in a car crash, call Martin Law to find out where you stand.

Not at Martin Law. We know summer is the busiest season of all.

When you've been seriously injured in a car crash or slip and fall this summer, call Martin Law.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consulation at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

Your summer injuries won't wait.

But just how much of a threat does the pack pose to innocent drivers?

Running with the wolves leads to:

1. Speeding: a leading cause of injury and death on our busy roads when drivers push the pedal to the metal to keep up with the pack;
2. Pass Not In Safety: overtaking cars may only be done in limited circumstances. Never on a double line. Never on a curve or corner. Never on the crest of a hill or rise. And never in the face on oncoming traffic;
3. Head On Collisions: with innocent drivers who have no opportunity to avoid a crash on the crest of a hill and around bends in the road;
4. Following Too Close: and not having enough room to stop in safety particularly at speed. Rear end collision be darned. At speed, fellow drivers will be crushed in the scrum;
5. Chain Reaction: leading to multiple crashes and pile ups when drivers racing at speed in close proximity have nowhere to go and nowhere to stop to avoid a collision;
6. Cyclist Injuries and Fatalities: as slow moving cyclists are chewed up and spit out by the pack; and
7. First Responders and Ambulances: blocked and slowed as they rush to those in distress.

Where do they roam?

Wolf packs run in the country as well as our cities.

Reckless drivers unfamiliar with our local roads assume they can open up and rip down the roads once they escape the city. But it is a myth that Ontario's country roads and highways are quiet and empty. In this area of Hastings County, Highway 62 North is a major transportation corridor serving the needs of a diverse group of people. Log trucks, cement trucks, fuel trucks, hydro truck convoys, farm machinery and pony traps from our local faith based communities all share that highway. Drivers never know what they'll find when they crest that hill or round that corner. Add deer, moose, wild turkey flocks and errant cows and horses to that mix and you've got a horrible crash just waiting to happen. Because we don't know what's over that hill and around that bend, we must respect our highway rules and regulations. It's that simple.

Leave the pack behind this summer and just drive safe.

Be the driver you wish you'd meet or your child would meet on our busy roads.

If you've been injured in a car crash and suspect the other drivers were running in a pack,  call your experienced local community injury lawyer and be in the know.

Experienced injury lawyers know car crashes are never accidents.

This local lawyer was born and raised in rural Ontario and knows the danger is real.

Martin Law always provides a Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand today.

The pack. Is back.

Be aware this summer. Read Martin Law's latest blog here.

Be the alpha driver. Don't follow the pack.

Lead by example. Don't be afraid to drive safe.

Martin Law is your 100% local Belleville injury law firm.

100% locally owned and operated by a lawyer who actually lives in Belleville, supports local businesses and workers, and calls the Bay of Quinte and Hastings County her home.

Shelley Martin was born and raised in Hastings County.

Martin Law is your community injury law firm. We are your neighbours.

We are proud of our work and humbled to be recognized for over 20 years of dedicated service to personal injury victims.

Call us for a Free Consultation. Find out where you stand.

Check us out:

https://threebestrated.ca/personal-injury-lawyers-in-belleville-on

Serving our neighbours and communities for over 20 years, Martin Law provides a Free Consultation.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

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Find out where you stand today.

Every big box store and grocery store has them. Wooden skids stacked sky high with goodies. Blocking every shopping aisle. Narrowing the aisle so it's barely passable. Making an obstacle course of every shopping trip. But skids aren't just an inconvenience. Skids are a serious threat to shoppers.

Why do retailers do it? Why do franchise owners and managers junk up their stores with big ugly wooden skids?

Skids slow the quick budget shopper hoping to just pop in and out for a bag of milk. They make us slow down and force us to look at the 'deals' stacked on the skids. We wind our way through that store and pick up more than we intended before we hit the register. And with slim profit margins on most basic items, owners can't afford to keep extra stock hidden away in the back loading bay. Expiry dates, limited flyer sales windows and short staffing mean owners pile it all on and move it out onto the floor. Those ugly wooden skids were never designed or built for food display. But skids have been repurposed for exactly that job. In most cases, there are just as many skids on the floor as there are rotating through the bay. That's just business in today's competitive grocery and retail market. But it's created a real danger and threat for consumers.

Trips and falls over skids lead to complex fractures and concussions. Heavy items can and do fall on the heads of unaware shoppers and their children. Store injuries are serious injuries and will severely impact an innocent shopper's quality of life.

Any business that invites you onto its property is required to keep that property reasonably safe. You have a reasonable expectation of safety when invited into a store. The retail norm used to be merch safely and orderly stored on shelves with clear and generous aisles permitting safe passage for shoppers and carts. Managers took pride in clean and neat stores where their customers could easily find what they're looking for. Those days are gone. Now customers enter a warehouse. They enter without the safety equipment and training needed to navigate a truly hazardous environment. When a business purposely places huge loaded skids in aisles, it invites judges and juries to find that business recklessly disregarded its duty of safety to its customers. This may attract an additional and substantial costs award. Risk management used to mean minimizing the chance of injury to the innocent. Now it means playing the odds. Routine customer injury is a known risk willingly assumed to maximize sales and cut payroll. Practical business pressures are a reality. Retail is a tough business. But those pressures should never be an excuse for recklessly endangering the health and safety of customers.

Falls are also a tough business for the injured and for our stressed health care and emergency care teams. Falls are the most common cause of injury hospitalizations in Canada. Today's rough warehouse shopping experience ain't improving that reality any time soon.

If you have been seriously injured by a skid in a big box or grocery store, know that you have options. Your life will be seriously impacted by your injuries. Your family, job, income and quality of life will suffer when you suffer serious trip and fall injuries.

Get immediate medical treatment for those injuries. Then see your family doctor for follow up care. Check out Martin Law's companion blog here for a practical checklist for those injured in slips and falls.

Then call your experienced community injury lawyer for your Free Consultation.

Store injuries are serious injuries. Those injuries can be severe and life changing. Don't dismiss your  injuries and loss just because you tripped and fell on a stupid skid on your weekly grocery shop. Don't let anyone tell you that your injuries count for nothing just because they happened in your local grocery store or big box store. Those skids should not have been there. Hazards are hazards.

You are not alone. Know there is helpful information and support available for you.

And they're causing a lot of pain and grief for innocent shoppers.

Find out why in Martin Law's latest blog here.

When you've been seriously injured in a store, call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Martin Law is your local community injury lawyer serving our neighbours for over 20 years.

But did you know that Martin Law has a Free Blog with practical checklists?

Check out our Blog here to get started.

Once you've read the Blog, contact us for a Free Consultation here.

Or call us toll free at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 at a time that's convenient for you.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer serving our neighbours for over 20 years.

Martin Law has answers.

Answering your call and providing Free Consultations for 25 years.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer.

Serious injuries happen when store owners and managers fail to maintain those surfaces in safety.

Every spring Martin Law sees:

• wet floors when rain is tracked in and left unmopped;
• curled mats and floor runners; and
• mats never designed for high traffic entrance use repurposed from storage by managers trying to keep on budget.

When the worst happens and you've been seriously injured in a fall, you need information.

Martin Law has 5 practical tips:

1. Get Help: go to emergency and get those injuries taken care of. Medical records document your injuries. Medical records provide independent proof that you were hurt. After you leave the emergency room, see your own family doctor. She provides critical follow up care and will become your regular record keeper;

2. Pics: ask a bystander to take a photo with your own phone of the mat or water that caused that fall. Get their name and telephone number. If that isn't possible, ask a friend to go back to the store and take those photos when it's safe. Pictures help everyone understand what happened;

3. Find Witnesses: because someone is always there and always sees. Get names and numbers. As weeks pass, recollections become fuzzy. Some witnesses may also become reluctant to help out;

4. Stash It: hang on to your damaged clothes. Don't wash anything. Pack them up in a paper bag or box. Store them in a safe place where you can find them; and

5. Make the Call: many experienced local injury lawyers offer a Free Consultation. Your local lawyer lives in your community and knows the store layout and the local weather. Make sure it is a lawyer who is speaking with you. Make sure you get along and are comfortable with that lawyer. Most serious injury claims take time to resolve so you need a good working relationship with a lawyer who is approachable, actually returns your call and answers your questions.

A spring fall can be just as serious as a bad winter fall on the ice. Serious fall injuries will absolutely have a devastating impact on your life.

Call your experienced local injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

When you've been seriously injured in a fall, you need help.

Free read Martin Law's latest blog here so you know what to do when the worst happens.

Then call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Just give me the info.

We get it. Injury law in Ontario is a dog's breakfast. It's not easy.

So when the injured call us and need help, they need straight forward talk.

Martin Law has practical easy to read checklists and guides on our website blog right here.

Read up and find out what we know.

Then call us at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 to find out how Martin Law can help you today.

We've been asked for an updated practical car crash survivor checklist, and Martin Law delivers.

Read Martin Law's new blog here and be in the know.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer serving our neighbours for over 20 years.

Practical is valuable.

You asked for another easy to read, no nonsense guide. Martin Law delivers.

Here's Martin Law's updated car crash checklist:

1. Go to the Hospital: serious injuries are the norm in a car crash and an ambulance is likely already on the way. But sometimes shock and the unwillingness to accept that a car crash has actually happened, can make some victims deny obvious injuries. Immediate emergency medical attention is necessary. Getting medical attention is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. It's critical. After you get emergency treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor will be your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper;

2. Call the Police: they may already be on scene or may meet you at the hospital. Ask the officer who takes your statement for I.D. including name, badge number and the department worked for. Ask for a public information card with the station phone number. Request a copy of the full, long form Motor Vehicle Collision Report. This is the long page that has the crash diagram on it. It will have the at fault driver's name, address and insurance information as well as critical witness information and list any charges laid against that at fault driver;

Did You Know? If you think you may have contributed to the crash or even caused the crash, you need to call a criminal defence lawyer right away. This is extra important when someone has been hurt. Never admit guilt at the scene or at the hospital. You may not know what actually happened and you could be wrong. Let the officer know you wish to cooperate but be firm about speaking with a defence lawyer first. Also make a call to your insurance company as admitting liability can impact your coverage. Make those calls;     

3. Call Your Own Car Insurance Company: and let your car insurance company know about the crash. Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) are available in Ontario and, along with other benefits under your policy, may help pay for some immediate medical and rehabilitation expenses. You paid a hefty premium for them and you deserve them. Check with your agent or broker to confirm you had also purchased the optional, additional SABs. If you have them, use them for your recovery. If you haven't had a car crash yet, and are just reviewing this checklist to keep for the future, call your insurance agent now and find out the price of adding optional, additional accident benefits coverage. Most drivers in Ontario are shocked to discover standard basic coverage is not what it once was and are equally shocked to discover the price to top up and increase that coverage is not very expensive. Multinational car insurance companies and their investors count on strapped Ontario consumers to only pay for the cheapest package available. Then they count on us to never take the time to review that policy or shop around when it is renewed each year. We've been conditioned to say no when our agent offers more coverage for fear we're being sold more than we need and spending more than we can afford. But Ontario drivers need real coverage before that crash happens. Be a smart insider consumer and find out how little it costs each year to get the extra coverage you need. Once you've taken care of yourself, let your family, friends and your Ontario MPP know about it;

4. Take Selfies: your bruises, cuts and scrapes will fade with time but if you can see them now, you can feel the pain now. Capture your visible injuries now. Ask a trusted family member to take those pics;

5. Bag It: carefully bag and store your torn jeans, shirt, glasses, damaged hearing aid, watch, phone and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the crash. Don’t wash those clothes. Don’t iron them. Just leave them as is. Place them in a safe, easy to find spot in your home. Write a note to yourself to help you remember where you put them;

6. Take Notes: set aside some quiet time to write out exactly what happened that day and how the crash occurred. Even if you have little memory of the crash, write down what you can. Do your best to go through the happening of the crash step by step including the events leading up to it and what happened after. The details are fresh in your mind now. Your written account of what happened to you is your property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or investigator if you don’t want to. You can choose to share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share and with whom; and

7. Keep It: put all receipts for out of pocket expenses in a ziplock bag. If in doubt, keep the receipt. Another simple practice is to get a cheap notebook and tape or staple your receipts in each day. Don’t forget to use that notebook as a diary. Write down what your day was like living with your injuries. Record your medical appointments including the name of the doctor you saw, what she told you and the name of any prescription. Record the impact of your crash injuries on your day to day life and your family’s lives. If you can't take your kids or grandkids to hockey practice because of the pain, write it down. This is your diary of your pain and your loss. It is your property and you have the freedom to choose to share it with your lawyer.

Know Your Lawyer:

Call your local experienced injury lawyer to discuss your injuries. Some injury lawyers offer a free initial telephone consultation. Make sure you are talking to a real lawyer and not an assistant. Protect yourself and make the call.

Car crash claims have a limitation period - a time limit - when a lawsuit must be started or you risk losing your right to obtain compensation for your injuries and loss. Call a lawyer to get this timely information for your case. Don't put it off and risk running out of time.

For more information contact: Martin Law Office at http://www.injurylawyerontario.net

Shelley Martin, Martin Law Office, Belleville, Ontario, has been in practice for more than 20 years. She is Your Community Injury Lawyer for Central & Eastern Ontario from Picton to Peterborough and all points between. Called to the Bars of Ontario and Alberta, she is a member of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and graduate of Queen's University L.L.B. and B.A.(Hons). She completed her legal training and articles in Toronto, Ontario, with Dingwall, McLauchlin. In Alberta, she served articles of clerkship with the Alberta Court of Appeal & King's Bench (Calgary), and completed articles with Alberta Justice, Appeals and Special Prosecutions. Born and raised in Bancroft and Tweed, Ontario, she is proud to call both North Hastings County & the Bay of Quinte her home.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to contact us online?

Use our contact link right here.

Martin Law is your Community Injury Lawyer.

Serving our Communities for over 20 years.
 

Your road safety is at risk.

Read Martin Law latest blog here and be in the know.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer. Find out where you stand.

Know when those phones and clocks move ahead an hour, we lose more than an hour of sleep.

We lose road safety as drivers beside us fight to stay awake and alert.

All are at risk of car crashes for at least a full week after the time change.

What's The Deal?

Drowsy Driving is a big issue. Sleep is needed to drive safely.  

Distracted Driving is a leading cause of injury and death on our roads. It's too easy to forget that driving is the only job when we don't get our sleep.

Heart Attacks and Strokes are more likely. Sleep loss can trigger underlying or pre-existing health conditions. No one needs to deal with a critical health emergency behind the wheel. No one needs to meet a stricken driver on the road.

What to Do?

A few basic steps can be taken to help our bodies cope with Daylight Saving Time.

Bed time and waking can be gradually moved up at least three days before that time change.

Sleep can get the priority it deserves by reducing the use of tv and phone before bed.

Smart drivers may also reduce non essential driving the week after the time change.

However some drivers have no choice but to be on the roads.

Awareness always helps but there is no guarantee. When we spring forward, we risk a serious car crash.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then ensure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre.

Call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Martin Law has the info you need.

With helpful and easy to read checklists, our Martin Law Blog provides practical information when you need it the most.

Read Martin Law Blog here and be in the know.

Find out where you stand today.

Unpaid and often under appreciated, caring family members step up to help the injured every day.

But physical and mental exhaustion is a reality and caregivers need help.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and find out how to help the helpers.

Many Canadians find themselves drafted into second jobs as unpaid caregivers for injured family. When family comes first, we push ourselves to be there for our injured partners, children, parents and siblings. But the fight to take care of everyone and everything has limits. Burnout happens as physical and emotional stress takes its toll. Supportive friends and our healthcare partners can let family caregivers know they are never alone.

Resources are available to support our caregivers including:

• Dedicated Groups like Ontario Caregiver Organization and Wounded Warriors Canada offer a helping hand. Their websites and online resources provide practical strategies to ease that stress;

• Family Doctors have links to local services that can support you in your own community. Talk to your doctor and reach out for help. Your family doctor and healthcare team understand that mental and emotional health are critical to your physical well being. Human beings are whole beings. Medical care is holistic and embraces mental health; and

• Your Community Injury Lawyer supporting your family with that injury claim knows you are giving your all. Pick up the phone and let the lawyer know you are struggling. Experienced injury lawyers know that serious injuries are lifetime injuries and family caregivers will continue to struggle for decades. In addition to your Family Law Act companion claim in the main action, you may be encouraged to reach out for appropriate professional support including to your family doctor and a local community therapist.

You are never alone.

A caregiver's needs should never take backseat to anyone else's needs. Once strength is found in support, the benefits to all including your injured loved one are real.

Caring for caregivers is in everyone's best interest.

Caregivers must be allowed to ask for and receive critical support.

If you or your family have been seriously injured in a car crash or fall, call your experienced community injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

Martin Law has an extensive blog on this website that provides practical and helpful information to the injured.

Read our Martin Law blog here and then call us at 613.966.3888 for your Free Consultation.

Martin Law answers your call.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

We also have an easy to use website portal right here.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer serving our communities for over 20 years.

Find out where you stand.
 

Shame the same driving offenders have made our New Year countdown list again.

Read our Martin Law blog here and know what your injury lawyer knows.

Let's resolve this year to drive safe to protect our families and communities.

The New Year is here. So are the same driving offenders. The big tell is just how extreme those bad choices became last year. Just when you think it couldn't get worse, it did.

This New Year, we resolve to let you know what your injury lawyer knows.

What were the top 3 worst choices made by at fault drivers in our communities?

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving tops that list again. Smart phones and paired in-car infotainment systems have become such an ingrained part of our lives, that drivers will not drive without them. Many drivers cannot imagine turning off the phone. Ever. But one phone is not enough. Two phones are in that car. A personal phone plus the business phone. Forbidden to make personal calls on the company dime, drivers have their own phone within reach. Juggling two phones behind the wheel is madness. And when your injury lawyer sees multiple phones in the hands and laps of at fault drivers who have crashed and seriously injured innocent drivers, we understand just how bad that 'bad' can be. Even when drivers hide or take the phones after the crash, we see the cell phone records. All drivers know driving safe is the only job behind that wheel. They know it, but still drive distracted. Innocent drivers and pedestrians are paying the price;

2.  Speed

Tough winter road conditions mean we must drive for the conditions. Budget an extra 20 minutes for that slow commute and take it easy. Slow down. Drive with care. Speed is a factor in more than 70% of the car crashes we see regardless of the season; and

3. Drugs

While alcohol remains a real threat, prescription drugs and over the counter painkillers play a big role in many cases. Impaired driving is impaired driving whether its booze or chemicals. When we see a laundry list of 15 or more prescription drugs on records from multiple pharmacies, we know what's up. A cocktail for the road in our communities usually doesn't come from the bar. It's from the pharmacy.

Winter driving is hard. It demands our full attention and respect.

Some drivers are making choices that will kill or severely injure innocent drivers and pedestrians.

We know that a car crash is never just an accident.

Winter is never to blame. The at fault driver is to blame.

If you've been injured on our busy winter roads, call your experienced community injury lawyer.

This New Year, resolve to get the help you need.

Find out where you stand this winter.

Let's make a resolution this New Year to just drive safe.

Please drive safe on our busy holiday roads.

The best gift is to always arrive alive for family and friends.

We know it. They know it. And they still do it anyway.

Winter crashes are not Mother Nature's fault. At fault drivers are always to blame.

Read Martin Law's new blog here and know what we know.

When you've been seriously injured in a car crash this winter, don't accept that snow or ice is to blame.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation. Find out where you stand.

Bad drivers drive real bad in winter.

That's the takeaway. Right off the top. And we shouldn't be surprised.

Every winter, injury lawyers see the same driving offenders. Their injured clients pay the price. Challenging winter weather makes bad drivers really bad. But it's not Mother Nature's fault. It's their own darn fault.

Good, experienced drivers know to slow down, leave room, drive defensively and leave early to give themselves the time they need. They get their vehicles ready for winter. That truck has been in the garage for service. Snow tires are on. Fluids have been checked and topped up. Brakes checked. Lights checked. All the basics have been taken care of.

But our driving habits are just as important as that maintenance.

Winter driving is deadly driving when drivers don't clean up their act.

When that snow flies, Martin Law knows:

1. Distracted Drivers: are still distracted. And worse, they're distracted in the ice and snow. Juggling two phones behind the wheel is a nightmare. Doing it in the snow is madness. When visibility is impaired and stopping distance is just a skid, drivers need eyes and minds on the road;

2. Selfish Drivers: are still speeding, tailgating, burning ambers, making unsafe turns in front of oncoming traffic and riding the horn. Hard winter conditions mean we all have to look out for one another. Going goblin gets innocent drivers killed; and

3. Impaired Drivers: are still zoned out from booze, pain pills and no sleep. In our communities, cocktails are probably not from the bar but from the pharmacy. More times than not, we learn at discoveries the at fault driver was driving high on a laundry list of pain killers, prescription meds and over the counter pills that number ten, fifteen or twenty different substances. Those drivers are out on our roads year round. Put some snow and ice under their wheels, and innocent drivers and pedestrians will be injured for life or die.

If you are injured this winter in a car crash because of another driver’s negligence, don’t buy the line that the weather's to blame. That at fault driver is to blame. Stop blaming Mother Nature. Bad driving conditions make bad drivers real bad. But the buck always stops with the bad driver.

If you are injured in a car crash this winter, don’t accept the excuse that it was an accident. Crashes don’t just happen. And crashes are not accidents. Innocent drivers shouldn’t carry the burden of other drivers’ bad behaviour.

Call your experienced community injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

What We Collect

If you give us personal information by completing the online form on this website, we will keep it confidential in accordance with our Privacy Policy. When you give us personal information via this website, you agree to the storage and use of your information.

Use & Disclosure of Personal Information

When you give us personal information, we use it to provide you with information about our services. We do not give your personal information to third parties for any marketing purpose.

Our Privacy Policy is effective September 6, 2016 and should you continue to use this website, you agree to the terms of that Policy and any subsequent revisions or changes to it.

Protecting Personal Information

Martin Law takes all reasonable precautions to ensure that your personal information is kept safe from loss, unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. Among the steps taken to protect your information are:

• Restricted file access to personal information;
• Safeguards including security software and firewalls to prevent hacking or unauthorized computer access;
• Internal password and security policies; and
• Office security including locked office entry and locked paper filing systems.

*Please note that this website may have links to websites controlled by other parties. Those other websites are subject to their own privacy policies and we are not responsible for their privacy standards.

Updating Information

Since we use your personal information to provide information to you, it is important that your personal information be accurate and up-to-date.

Please contact us should you need to change your information or should you have any questions.

Martin Law answers your call.

We provide a Free Consultation.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to contact us online? Reach out right here on our website.

Call Martin Law to speak directly with an experienced injury lawyer.

Find out where you stand.

Thank you for your service.

We remember.

Read our new Martin Law blog here for our latest update.

Savvy drivers know we lose weeks of road safety when we lose sleep.

Be in the know this fall.

When you need info, Martin Law answers your call.

Every driver loses weeks of safe driving when our phones and clocks drop an hour this weekend.

Drowsy driving can happen any time of year but spikes the weeks after our clocks fall back.

Disrupted sleep means many drivers fight to stay awake on our busy roads and highways.

Even well-rested drivers risk a catastrophic car crash when we share the road with drowsy drivers.

A strong movement is growing in both Canada and the United States to drop time change for good. In the States, the Sunshine Protection Act may stop the clock. Daylight Saving Time would be permanent. The clocks wouldn't change twice a year. Some Canadian provinces have similar legislation pending and may follow suit once more jurisdictions in North America make the change.

This fall may be our last time to change.

Until that happens, drivers will continue to struggle with this dangerous 'social jet lag'.

What's Bad About Falling Back?

Falling Asleep behind the wheel happens when routine sleep cycles are disrupted. All drivers, regardless of experience and skill, must get the sleep they need to stay alert.

Multi-Tasking kills. When sleepy drivers automatically answer that phone or text, eyes and minds are pulled from the road. Distracted driving happens when our drowsy minds automatically respond to that phone. Drivers have one job. We forget to just drive when we don't get our sleep.

Health Emergencies increase. Heart attacks and stroke happen more frequently after the time change. Underlying health conditions are tripped when sleep patterns are disrupted. No driver needs a deadly health crisis behind the wheel. No innocent driver or pedestrian should be in the path of an incapacitated driver.

What To Do?

Savvy drivers try to limit non essential driving the week after the time change.

But many of us must drive for work, family and medical appointments. While experienced drivers always drive defensively and watch for problems, it may not be enough to keep us safe.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and suspect the at fault driver was driving drowsy or distracted, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre.

Then call your experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows a car crash is never just an accident.

When it's time to get the info you need, Martin Law answers your call.

But don't be surprised about Halloween safety.

Catch Martin Law's drive Halloween safe tips right here.

Remember to share the road in safety this Halloween night.

But Halloween has a dark side when adult drivers fail to keep proper watch for children.

Brush back the cobwebs and put safety first with Martin Law's checklist:

1. Slow Down. Know that traffic will add a few extra minutes to your drive and leave early so you can arrive on time and alive;

2. Drive Defensively. Be ready to stop. Kids will be distracted as they run from door to door. As the adult driver, only you have the last clear opportunity to avoid a tragedy when a child runs out in front of your vehicle;

3. Stay Out of the 'Burbs. Avoid jammed suburbs during the witching hour of 6pm-9pm. Van loads of rural kids are dropped off for easy trick or treating and add to the chaos. If you don't have to be in the suburbs, then don't;

4. Just drive. Turn that phone off. Don't be that distracted driver; and

5. Drunk driving is scary. Plan ahead and pick a sober and responsible designated driver. Take a cab.

When you take the wheel on Halloween night, know that extra care and attention is required.

Your attention will save a child's life as well as your own.

Martin Law answers your call.

Providing Free Consultations for our communities for over 20 years.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand.

Martin Law sees the same offenders every year.

Be in the know read Martin Law's updated Slip & Fall Checklist here.

We know fall injuries are devastating.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.
 

After more than 20 years in practice, Martin Law sees the same offenders every fall including:

• wet floors left unmopped;
• curled floor runners and entrance mats; and
• repurposed mats never meant for high traffic entrance areas.

When you've been injured in a fall through no fault of your own, you need experienced help.

Here are our Martin Law Top 4 Slip & Fall Tips:

1. Doctor First: for first aid and care. It also documents your injury. After emergency, see your doctor as soon as you can. Your family doctor provides continuing care and will be your main record keeper. Medical records support your injury and are essential for your case;

2. Take Photos: ask a witness or bystander to take a pic with your own phone of the water or mat that hurt you. If you can't do this, ask a friend to go back and take pictures when they can do so in safety. Pictures are very helpful. Pictures give a judge the chance to go back in time and understand what happened. Don't just rely on the store's security camera. Local stores routinely tape over footage every day. Your pics may be the only contemporary photo evidence out there. And if you have good pictures that support your claim, it's a good thing to be the one and only;

3. Take Notes: write it all down. Starting from the beginning, go step by step through that day. Do it before you lose the details. Always remember your notes belong to you. You may choose to share your notes with your lawyer. Your lawyer may help you decide when to share with the insurance adjuster and insurance company; and

4. Witnesses: are always around. Take names and phone numbers. Ask early because accurate memory fades with time and witnesses are less motivated to help as the weeks pass.

Martin Law knows fall injuries are devastating. Your injuries will have a lifelong impact on your life.

When you fall, call your experienced local injury lawyer for the help you need.

Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

You've talked with the insurance company but nothing's happening.

Call Martin Law 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

A part of our communities for over 20 years.

We live where we work. Find out where you stand.

Are you ready to stop for our kids?

Be prepared for back to school and read Martin Law's latest blog here.

Be the good driver you were meant to be.

Please keep your eyes and mind on the road.

Be ready to stop for that bus.

It's back to school time and it won't be long before we see that big yellow bus on our streets. School bus safety is always critical for our kids. But before we meet that bus, it's time for us adult drivers to school ourselves on bus safety.

Let's remember 6 Top Safety Tips:

1. Stop

Just stop. If we remember one thing, it's just stop. When those lights are flashing and the stop-arm is extending, stop for safety's sake. Cars traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus when it's lights are flashing. Failing to stop could kill a child. Failing to stop also brings big fines and demerit points.

2. Slow Down

We know the posted speed limits in our neighbourhoods. If in doubt, slow it down. School zones and streets near playgrounds have reduced speeds that need to obeyed and are enforced.

3. Be Patient

Back to school always means more traffic with school buses and parents carpooling the neighbours' kids. Before that bus rolls, remember to budget at least an extra 15 minutes for that morning commute.You'll need it to get through the extra traffic in safety.

4. Step Up

As the adult driver of your car, you have the last best chance to avoid a tragedy. Be prepared to stop for a child. Anticipate the worst when you see kids walking or biking. We are the adults. We know how to drive smart and drive defensively.

5. Just Drive

Driving is our only job behind that wheel. Our cars are not offices. Our cars are not party central. We can't and shouldn't do everything. We can only drive to save lives; and

6. Remember When

You were a kid. How excited you were to see your friends again after a long, hot and boring summer on your own. Children are always excited to play with their friends and are always distracted. We have the experience and maturity to protect children when they forget to take care.

We know communities raise children.

Join our community to keep our kids safe.

Be aware. Be watchful.

Be prepared for back to school.

Free read our checklists and top tips right here.

Then call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer.

Serving our communities and the injured for over 20 years.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer.

We live where we work and know these roads and highways.

Serving our communities for over 20 years.

Speeding, risky passing and distracted driving all make for one dangerous summer on our local roads.

When stressed out, impatient drivers push hard to get where they want when they want, everyone else suffers.

Slow down. Take a deep breath. Read Martin Law's latest summer blog here.

If you've been seriously injured on our roads, call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand.

Most drivers out on our roads and highways this summer have noticed a real change in driving behaviour. And it's not for the good. Drive fast and live big seem to be the new normal. It's a dangerous normal for everyone else on the road. Revenge travel isn't just for airports and exotic destinations. For everyone who still puts in the 9 to 5 grind or longer this hot summer, weekend and overnight road trips are the great pacifier. But when stressed out drivers anxious to live large and escape for even a few stolen hours hit our busy roads, their impatience is a real threat to everyone they meet.

3 big points make that threat clear:

1. Speed: kills. Speeding raises the safety stakes for all drivers who share our busy roads. When drivers can't stop in safety, serious car crashes are difficult to avoid. The severity of that crash, and the deadly injuries that result, rise exponentially with velocity and force of impact. Arrive alive means everything to innocent drivers who share our roads. Driving faster is not better. For anyone;

2. Pass in Safety: overtaking cars is never routine. There are clear, limited exceptions when a driver may pass. Blind corners aren't one of them. Double lines are marked for a reason and are not to be crossed. Fuel tankers and huge log trucks demand respect and patience. Just because everyone else is passing, doesn't mean we should join the parade. And it doesn't make it right. Our roads and highways exist for more than pleasure cars. Roads are a critical part of our supply chain. Farm trucks with trailers, tractors, combines, horse carts and pony traps have every right to be on our country roads. Our few minutes of inconvenience should never result in a lifetime of pain and grief for the innocent. If we have to think twice about whether passing is safe or smart, then we shouldn't do it; and

3. Distracted Driving: piles on. When are eyes and mind aren't on the road in front of us, crashes happen. Smart phones, complicated infotainment systems, crying kids and whining pets make for dangerous drivers. Our problems in the car should never become everyone else's problem on the road.

Experienced injury lawyers know summer roads are the worst. Our emergency responders and police have known for years. Pandemic stress, anger and FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out - have driven bad to worse. Take a deep breath. Slow down. Drive safe this summer.

If you've been seriously injured on our busy summer roads and suspect the at fault driver was speeding, passing badly or on the phone, call your local community injury lawyer who knows our summer roads are deadly roads.

Martin Law answers your call. Find out where you stand.

Martin Law answers your call.

When you have questions, Martin Law has answers.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your FREE CONSULTATION.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer.

Find out where you stand.

Serious crashes happen when drivers speed, don't pay attention and fail to stop in safety.

Read up on Martin Law's latest blog here and find out what your local injury lawyer knows.

And if you're a passenger who was seriously injured when your driver hit a deer, don't just write off your injuries to bad luck.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation and find out where you stand.

Everyone in this neck of the woods knows deer strikes are just part of life. Everyone has hit a deer. Everyone has had a deer run out in front of the car. Everyone has had a near miss. It's an accident. It just happens. It's an act of God. It's an inevitable accident, right? Wrong.

When deer and wildlife take us by surprise, we drivers always have the last clear chance to avoid a deadly crash. And when you are a passenger, you are completely dependent on your driver to operate that vehicle responsibly and with care and attention. Your driver holds your life in his hands. He is responsible for your safety. And when deer strikes happen, he is responsible for your injuries and pain. Don't blame the deer. Blame the driver.

Why does the buck stop with the driver? Let's count the ways:

1. Speed: All must drive in control and be able to make an emergency stop in safety. This means obeying the speed limits and driving for the conditions. Speed limits are posted for a reason. And in rural and forested regions, limits are there to protect drivers, their passengers and our wildlife. When we speed, we lose our ability to brake in safety and in control. Speed kills. It kills drivers, passengers and animals;

2. Distracted Driving: When our eyes are on our phone, complicated infotainment screens, screaming kids or playful pets, they aren't on the road. When a deer leaps out in front of our car, we need every second available to stop in safety. We lose those precious seconds when we aren't watching out for what's right in front of us;

3. Scout Ahead: Scan the open road and anticipate where your vehicle will be in the seconds ahead. See a rock cut up ahead? Scan for movement. See a forest access road, cottage drive or rural gravel road up ahead? Slow down and watch for wildlife. Deer, moose and critters will take the path of least resistance. They have runs or regular paths that cross our highways. They are creatures of habit. Anticipate where they may be and where they may cross your path;

4. Signs: Many deer crossing signs are posted on our highways. Keep a watch for those yellow signs. Slow down and be aware. Those signs save lives when drivers pay attention and respect;

5. Ask Locals: When you stop for gas or a bite to eat, ask the attendant in the station or your server about deer and moose in the area. Locals know and will help. Locals know how deadly animal strikes can be. They wouldn't wish that on anyone. You wouldn't go for a swim in the ocean without first asking others on the beach about undertow and what lies beneath. Why would you drive into our woods without asking what's out there? This is particularly true when your drive places you in or near our provincial or national parks. Know that large animals call our forests home and are on the roads. Know that flies force deer and moose onto the bare shoulder of the highways where they can catch a breeze and a break from their torment. Know that deer run together and when you see one, there are sure to be another two or three right behind.  When you slow for deer get your flashers on and be aware of cars traveling behind you. Know that traces of road salt left from winter salting attracts deer and moose to that road. Know that elk were introduced years ago to Central East Ontario and add to the large animal population. Know that hitting a moose head on with your vehicle will break its legs and throw the dead weight of that huge animal through your windshield and into your face and lap. You may not survive it. The moose won't. You may not have cell service to call for help. You may not be able to use or raise your hands to dial that phone. You will be at the mercy of the next driver who passes your wreck. Local EMS, police and park wardens wish you knew what they know and what they've cleaned up. It's that simple. And that graphic; and

6. Seatbelts: Save lives. A violent collision with a large animal, or a high speed attempt to swerve that rolls you into the ditch or trees, will launch unbelted driver, passengers and pets through windshields. It is the driver's responsibility to insist that every passenger in his car buckles up and every child is appropriately strapped in a car seat. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that every passenger arrives alive.

Our summer roads are our deadliest roads. The danger continues well beyond the city limits of our busy four laners and highways. Country roads look quiet. Our forest roads and highways look sleepy and peaceful. They aren't. Don't be fooled.

Deer strikes are not just accidents. The buck always stops with us drivers. Drivers make the mistakes not the animals. Drivers have the last clear chance to avoid a collision. If you were a passenger in a car that hit a deer or moose and you've been seriously injured, don't just write it off to bad luck. Call your experienced local community injury lawyer and be in the know. This local lawyer was born and raised in rural Ontario and knows the danger is real.

Martin Law always provides a Free Consultation. Find out where you stand.

Road safety matters to all who share our holiday roads.

Please slow down and enjoy the drive in safety.

Martin Law wishes you and your family a great and safe long weekend.

Martin Law has expanded its social media reach to provide the injured with the most practical and helpful info available.

We took the plunge and launched our pinterest article collection earlier this month.

Check our Martin Law's latest right here and be in the know.

Our first responders, paramedics, emergency room nurses and trauma teams also know the score.

Be in the know this summer.

Catch up with Martin Law new blog here and know what we know.

Drive safe for everyone's sake this summer.

5 points make that summer danger clear:

1. Speed: When there's so much to do and so little time to do it, Canadian drivers put the pedal to the metal and drive. But there's a terrible price to be paid for fast cars and speeding down the open road. We know that speed kills and the freedom to enjoy our roads must be done responsibly and safely;

2. Traffic: Our summer roads are packed to the max when everyone and their dog try to escape the cities and 'burbs for the beach. Cyclists, pedestrians and children also rush to the streets to while away those long summer days. Traffic makes trouble. When it's busy, all drivers must pay full attention to the road;

3. Distracted Driving: We have one job behind the wheel. Just drive. Smart phones, complicated infotainment systems and screaming kids pull our eyes and minds off the road. Driving a car is a huge responsibility. When we take the wheel, we take the lives of everyone else in hand. That's a sobering thought. It should be. Injury lawyers see the broken bodies and broken lives of innocent drivers and pedestrians. We know the score. We wish all drivers could see what we see. We wish all drivers knew what we know;

4. Drunk Driving: Booze and cars never mix. MADD Canada reminds us that impaired driving destroys the lives of thousands of innocent drivers and pedestrians each and every year. Generations of Canadians have been impacted by drunk driving. If we want to arrive alive, we can't start the party and celebrate summer until we arrive at our destination; and

5. First Timers: Summertime is a heck of a time to hook up a camper or trailer for the first time to your truck. Towing is not for newbies. Ask experienced RV'rs and campers for help. Take a course. Do your homework. Learn the ropes before you head out hoping for the best. Don't let your need for escape put you and everyone you meet in danger. Be smart before you tow.

Everyone craves the summer sun and needs a break. But summer fun comes with responsibility. The next time you answer the call of the open road, take care before you join the exodus to cottage country or the local beach. That summer road is deceiving. Drive safe for safety's sake this summer.

If you've been seriously injured on our summer roads because another driver put his needs before your safety, call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law always provides a Free Consultation so you can find out where you stand.

Martin Law has the goods.

Call for your Free Consultation.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Martin Law is your local community injury lawyer.

Serving our communities for over 20 years.

Find out where you stand.

Crash survivors struggle with the endless parade of medical procedures and assessments.

Experienced injury lawyers know help and support is available.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and discover you are never alone.

The first step for lawyers and survivors to know is that the exhaustion and fear is real. We know that real fear demands real answers.

There is no easy fix or magic solution.

But a combination of practical strategies, tailored to that individual survivor, may offer some relief:

• Let Them Know: give your doctor, examiner and their staff a heads up that because of the car crash, you are chronically tired, in pain, and fear these appointments. Know in advance how many tests will take place and what those tests involve so you know up front and have the chance to wrap your mind around the day. Your own treating specialists and family doctor should be sympathetic and supportive. They know what you've gone through. You should never ever be just another billing number;
• Bring a Friend: ask a trusted friend or family member to ride shotgun and come with you to the appointment. A strong and supportive shoulder to lean on may give you the strength you need to get through the day;
• Get Help: as the months pass after your crash, your fear may become so deeply entrenched that it's time for you to talk about it with your family doctor and ask her for a referral to community resources. Your own accident benefits insurer may fund therapy and counseling with a local, community based psychologist or therapist. There is help. Ask your family doctor and your injury lawyer how to find the help you need;
• Community Support: no matter the size of your community, there is bound to be an informal, welcoming support group that knows what you're going through. It may be a weekly coffee club. It may be a group of fellow survivors at the gym or poolside after aquafit. Network with the people you already to know to find out what they know;
• Online Support: connect with friends, family and social media to find reputable web groups led by car crash survivors who know and understand what you're going through. Lurk a bit until you are comfortable connecting. When you're ready to talk, you'll know. They have the experience and time to understand; and
• Telemedicine: the pandemic has kicked open the door for both virtual consults and telecare. Whether a telephone appointment, or an online meeting, it may be possible that some of your medical appointments and exams can be done online in the privacy and security of your own home. Your smart phone, ipad or laptop may be the key to a less stressful experience. This may not work for everyone, and may not be best for your lawsuit. But talk to your injury lawyer about it. Experienced injury lawyers have already had some blowback from defence lawyers and insurance companies when those insurers argue that online assessments, even when prompted by pandemic safety issues, aren't as credible as in person assessments. Check out the pros and cons with your lawyer to decide if online or telephone appointments might work for you.

Your fear is real. You don't have to suffer in silence. And you are never alone.

Your family doctor and your experienced injury lawyer should be your first call. They should have the experience, know-how and time to help or at least help you find the help you need.

Experienced injury lawyers know that your fear is real.

Call your experienced injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

Martin Law is here for your call.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

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Martin Law is Your Community Injury Lawyer.

Providing support for the injured in our communities for over 20 years.

Falls from wet floors and curled mats happen every spring.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and be in the know.

Call your experienced community injury lawyer for your Free Consultation and find out where you stand.

Martin Law sees the same offenders every spring including:

• wet floors where rain is tracked in and left unmopped;
• curled mats and floor runners; and
• thread bare mats never meant for high traffic entrance use but repurposed from storage by managers and owners trying to save a few bucks.

When you've been seriously injured in a fall, you need help.

Martin Law has 6 top tips:

1. Get To Emergency: immediate treatment of your injuries is the first priority. And it documents those injuries. After the emergency room, make an appointment with your family doctor. Your GP provides crucial follow up care and is your key record keeper;

2. Take Pics: remember to ask a witness to take a photo with your own phone of the puddle, water or mat that made you fall. If you can't do that, ask a friend to go back to the store and take those photos when it's safe. Pics are incredibly helpful and give everyone a window into what happened;

3. Witnesses: are usually right there. Ask for names and numbers. As time passes, memory fades and some witnesses may become hesitant to get involved;

4. Take Note: write it all down. Go through that day step by step. Please do it before you forget key details. And know that your notes are your property. You can decide to share your notes with your lawyer. She can help you decide when to share with the insurance adjuster;

5. Keep It: store those torn clothes and damaged belongings. Don't clean or wash a thing. Keep as is. Bag them in a brown paper bag or in a cardboard box. Store then in a safe place in your home where you will remember where you stashed them; and

6. Pick Up the Phone: most experienced injury lawyers offer a Free Consultation. Call your local community injury lawyer who knows the stores, the local weather and knows your community. Kick the tires and find out if the lawyer is a good fit for you. Many serious injury claims take time to resolve so you need a good working relationship with a lawyer who is approachable, actually returns your call and answers your questions.

Spring falls can be just as devastating as winter ice falls.

They will have a devastating impact on your life.

From work to family, your injuries will change every part of your life.

Your injuries deserve serious attention and help.

Call your experienced local injury lawyer and get the help you need.

Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

When you have questions, Martin Law has answers.

At Martin Law, we know that your questions are critical.

When you've been injured, you need info.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Prefer to stay online? Use our website portal right here.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer.

Providing Free Consultations for over 20 years.

That hour of sleep counts for much more than a little extra snooze.

Our road safety is a big problem.

Read Martin Law's latest blog and know why this time change matters to you.

We risk our road safety as well as that of all other tired drivers sharing that road.

What's the Big Deal?

Drowsy Driving is the big one. We must have adequate sleep to drive in safety. Driving is a complex task. It demands all of our attention and skill.

Distracted Driving is one of the greatest threats drivers face. It is easy to forget that driving is our only job when we are dead tired. Sleepy brains can't easily override that instinct to read that text or answer that call.

Health Emergencies are more likely. Stats show that some of us are more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke right after the time change. Losing sleep is stressful for our bodies and it may be more than some drivers can handle. Having a massive health crisis is frightening. To have that crisis behind the wheel when driving at speed is truly terrifying for everyone including other innocent drivers and pedestrians sharing that road.

What To Do?

Every driver can make small changes before Sunday to make it easier on the body to adjust.

We can gradually move up our bed time and waking, meals and exercise until our bodies are more in line with the coming change.

We can make sleep our priority and put away the phones and tablets at bed time.

But these small changes can't eliminate the road risk completely. It takes many days for drivers to slowly adjust to change.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

When family is seriously injured in a car crash or slip and fall, close family usually step up to provide daily care and assistance.

Their constant love and support is critical for the injured, but the physical, mental and emotional toll on those caregivers is rarely acknowledged.

This Family Day, support caregivers in your community.

For more information, read Martin Law's recent caregiver blog here.

Family Day is no holiday for caregivers and their devotion and care must be acknowledged.
 

Martin Law Blog has answers.

Martin Law writes for the injured and not for other lawyers.

We have practical articles and checklists that will help you when you need it the most.

Read Martin Law Blog here to get the basics then give us a call for your Free Consultation.

Its a free read and you can't get better than that.

Martin Law knows that a crash is never just an accident.

Find out where you stand.

When drivers don't take the time to clean off that car, innocent motorists and pedestrians pay the price.

Read Martin Law's new blog here and find out what to do when it happens to you.

Martin Law provides a practical and helpful step by step guide.

We write for the injured and not just other lawyers.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

What To Do When It Happens To You?

When it happens to you, and you are injured by flying ice:

• call the police and get the emergency medical help you need;
• if at all possible, get the licence plate number of the at fault vehicle;
• if the at fault driver stops, exchange insurance information;
• report the crash and your injury to the local police or your collision reporting centre;
• have a close friend or family member take pics of your injuries and the damage to your car;
• keep a notebook or a diary of your pain, lost work and wages, out of pocket expenses and receipts, and the impact of those injuries on your life and the lives of your family;
• write out the happening of the crash in as much detail as possible. Do it as soon as you safely can once you've been to emergency and your doctor. Details fade with time so it's important to write it out sooner rather than later;
• keep your damaged clothing and any other personal items. Don't wash them or try to clean them up. Store them in a paper bag or cardboard box in a safe place in your home where you can remember where you put them; and
• call your experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand. There are time limits to start an injury lawsuit. Call early so you are aware and know what to do.

Experienced injury lawyers know that accidents don't just happen.

A crash is a crash and never an accident.

Mother Nature is not to blame for another driver's laziness.

If you've been seriously injured by flying ice or snow, then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Get the information you need.

But before too much time passes, call your experienced community injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Martin Law has provided a free consultation for 20 years.

When you've been hurt, you need answers.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your free consultation.

Martin Law knows that a car crash or slip and fall is never just an accident.

Call Martin Law to get the help you need when you need it.

If you are injured this winter in a car crash because of another driver’s negligence, don’t just chalk it up to Mother Nature. Poor driving conditions mean all must drive with care. It’s that simple. No one gets a free pass for bad driving in bad weather. The snowflakes aren’t hiding anything. And you are not out of luck because the at fault driver decided to just blame it on the weather.

The MTO reminds us that everyone behind the wheel must adjust to winter conditions. They highlight the three key elements of winter driving: 1) stay alert 2) slow down & 3) stay in control. This should be common sense to Canadians. But you would be surprised how many drivers forget the basics when it comes to winter driving.

All drivers must drive according to highway and weather conditions. A safe following distance must be maintained between you and the vehicle in front of you to avoid situations where you may have to hit the brakes suddenly. Too many drivers rush and drive too fast for poor winter driving conditions. Sometimes telling themselves, “I have to drive faster to get home before the storm gets worse.” That kind of logic puts every other driver on the road in peril.

While driving too fast for poor road conditions may not be spelled out as a traffic infraction (unless over the speed limit), if combined with other unsafe driving like failure to stop at a stop sign, turn not in safety or running a red light, and a serious collision results, police may well lay charges. A careless driving charge is also a possible. Make no mistake: an Ontario Highway Traffic Act charge against the negligent driver certainly helps an injured Plaintiff’s case.

But even if there isn’t a charge when a collision and injuries result, our insurance companies and ultimately our Courts must determine fault. In the eyes of an insurance company, it is always the driver’s responsibility to keep the vehicle under control no matter the road conditions. In some cases, fault may be divided up on a percent basis between both drivers in a collision. But this doesn’t clear a driver of fault. It may only recognize that fault is shared to some degree. The buck stops with the at fault driver.

If you are injured in a car crash this winter, don’t just accept the negligent driver’s excuse that “He couldn’t do anything about it.” Or, “It just happened.” Crashes don’t just happen. Innocent drivers shouldn’t carry the burden of other drivers’ bad behaviour in the winter time or any time.

Call an experienced personal injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Cell phones remain one of the most common distractions for drivers.

Statistics show that drivers texting on their phone are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash event compared with non-distracted drivers (CAA).

In fact, the most recent studies tell us that some parents are texting their teen when they know their child is behind the wheel and fully expect that child to text right back despite the danger. (SADD) Parents wanting an update now, just like Employers wanting their workers to crank it up a notch, multi-task and return client or dispatch texts behind the wheel, are adding a whole new level of urgency to the discussion. And the circle of liability, or who is responsible for that car crash, may be widening.

It seems like many drivers and those in their circle just don't get it. And it looks like many just don’t take it seriously. Teenage drivers, some Moms & Dads, Employees & their Employers included. But if you are injured because another driver chose to text while driving, then you need to know where you stand.

It is against the law to text, talk, email or change your playlist on your phone or device while behind the wheel. Ontario has distracted driving laws in place and hand-held cell phone legislation is a part of that law. And for teenagers subject to graduated licencing, the penalties are even greater.

But for those injured in a car crash because another driver texted behind the wheel, distracted driving becomes careless driving very quickly.  If you were injured because another driver was texting or talking on his phone, or even if he was using his hands-free (eg Bluetooth) device and caused the crash, you should talk to an experienced injury lawyer and ask if she offers a free consultation.

When distracted driving causes a serious car crash, victims have the right to pursue compensation for their pain and damages suffered at the hands of a texter.

Don’t accept that texting & driving is “just a thing” and nothing can be done about it.

Find out where you stand.

If you are injured and notify an insurance company that you intend to start a claim, know that your Facebook, Twitter and other social media posts will be put under a microscope by private investigators working for the insurer.

It is very common for insurance companies to hire private investigators and part of their job is to look at your posts & tweets. Why? Insurers want to see if the information you put online contradicts the information you give in your claim. If it does, or even appears that way, you’ve handed the insurance company more ammunition.

Blatantly false claims don’t get far with the Courts or the personal injury bar. However, an injured person’s online posts don’t always reflect that person’s true condition. Some injured people are candid and up front about their pain, loss and limitations when they post. But we are also beginning to understand that other people try to keep up appearances and go out of their way to look a lot more happy, positive and together on social media than they really are. The problem is that an injured person could quickly find themselves being penalized for looking fine online.

Can I use my privacy settings to keep everything private?

You can certainly increase your privacy settings but it isn’t a complete safeguard. Insurance companies and defence lawyers are also increasingly requesting court orders to get access to an injured person’s social media posts. Our Courts are conscientious and do recognize that an injured person’s privacy interests are important. Each case is different and it can be a real challenge for the Court to strike a balance between privacy and producing relevant documents and evidence.

So what to do?

Think about the message you are sending before you post.

And don’t allow Facebook friend requests if you don’t know that person.

The bottom line?

The bottom line is that injured people should avoid making personal posts on Facebook and Twitter until their claim is resolved.

Insurance companies know it is difficult for injured people to go cold turkey and give up Facebook and Twitter. And for many injured people, especially in rural Ontario, Facebook and Twitter may be their only social outlet and contact with others. Insurance companies know this.

Know where you stand.

If you are injured, the business and the property owner may be liable for your injury and that injury's impact on your life.

Likely suspects include ice or snow, water on the floor, an errant floor mat or merchandise on the floor posing a tripping hazard. It may also be important that the store knew about the hazard beforehand and whether the store had an inspection system in place so should have know about the hazard. Sometimes a store may have a maintenance company helping them keep the property clean or the parking lot free of snow. That maintenance company may also be responsible for your injury.

If you are hurt in a store, get the legal information you need. Your family may also have claims as a result of your injuries under the Family Law Act. There are limitation periods or time limits to watch out for if you need to start a lawsuit. Don't risk losing your right to obtain compensation for your injuries.

Injuries can happen for any variety of reasons. Every slip and fall and injury is unique. Once you get medical help for your injury, call us to get legal help for your future.

Call for your consultation. Know where you stand.

We Know that Driving Anxiety is Real

It is particularly difficult for rural Ontarians, with little or no access to public transit, to get back on the road for work, medical appointments, running the kids to hockey practice, errands and for even basic social contact.

Some victims experience panic attacks. Others have a sense of doom and fear another inevitable car crash. Still others have flashbacks to the day of their trauma.

Driving Anxiety may be accompanied by the troika of Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Chronic Pain. This constellation of impairments tends to cluster around a victim of a car crash.

Know that you are not alone.

What's the answer? The reality is that there are no easy answers. And there are no quick fixes.

Many victims of car accidents just try to forge ahead. Others seek advice and find a supportive framework to help them with their fears.

One or, more likely, a combination of the following may help:

• Driving Courses: sometimes getting back to basics with a driving instructor helps victims to get a handle on the wheel. It may also re-build confidence;
   
• Psychotherapy and Counselling: ask your family doctor for a referral to a specialist and ask about community resources unique to your area. Funding for therapy may be available through your Ontario Accident Benefits via your own car insurance policy;
   
• Peer Support Groups: community support groups can be as simple as an informal coffee group but provide immense support, advice and empathy. If they've been through it, they can understand and perhaps offer common sense coping strategies to help you find your way on the road back to driving;
   
• Online Support Groups & Websites: reputable web groups via contacts on Facebook & Twitter can be a lifeline to victims isolated by fear and location. Network with your friends, family and co-workers and find recommendations for a good group; and
   
• Medications: your family doctor is the best resource. Ask her and find out what is right or wrong for you.

Remember that you are not alone. You don't have to re-invent the wheel. Ask for help.

Find out where you stand.

Martin Law has been a part of your community for over 20 years.

My family has lived and worked in Eastern and Central Ontario, in our Hastings County, Bancroft, Baptiste Lake, Algonquin Park, Tweed, Port Hope, Frankford, QuinteWest and Haliburton, Peterborough County, for nearly 200 years. We have been business men and women, lumbermen and loggers, nurses and emergency room nurses, teachers, served in the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Expeditionary Forces and deployed overseas. We are, and always have been, your neighbours.

Serving the people of Belleville, Bancroft, Madawaska Valley, Brighton, Trenton, Tweed, Madoc, Haliburton, Peterborough, Campbellford & Trent Hills, Stirling-Rawdon, Kingston, Napanee, Gananoque, Picton, Prince Edward County, Cobourg and the surrounding areas within Central and Eastern Ontario, Martin Law gives you the help you need.

Smart and caring personal injury legal advice is our business.

At Martin Law, we will help you get the compensation and settlement you need from the insurance companies. You deserve results.

Every year, Martin Law sees the same bad driving offenders behind car crash injuries.

Read our new blog here and know what your community injury lawyer knows.

When you've been injured in a winter car crash, call Martin Law.

Martin Law knows that a crash is a crash and never an accident.

Winter is here again and car crashes are happening on our snowy highways and streets.

What's Up?

Bad driving choices by distracted winter drivers are happening. And drivers are to blame. Our northern winters are a reality. We know that snow, ice and poor visibility are the reality every winter. Municipalities and cities must also bear their share of responsibility for maintaining our roads in safety. But we know it's never Mother Nature's fault.

Bad choices behind the wheel make for bad crashes. It's that simple.

What does your community injury lawyer see every winter?

Martin Law's New Year Countdown:

1. Distracted Driving

Drivers have one job. Just drive. Phones and complicated onboard infotainment systems that entice drivers to scroll through multiple screens pull our eyes and minds off the road. Seconds of inattention will lead to years of pain and misery for the innocent drivers we meet.

2. Speed

Winter driving conditions are challenging. Slow down, drive defensively and drive in control for the snow and ice on that road. Speed limits are there for a reason and winter conditions may demand lower and slower speed for safety.

3. I'm Number One

Nope. All drivers need to share the road. We are truly in this together. Thank your tow truck and snow plough drivers by slowing down and moving over. Let's recognize the dangerous and demanding work done every day by our local emergency responders and thank them for their service by giving them the room they need to do the job in safety. Cyclists and pedestrians are a part of our winter roads and have every right to be there. Anticipate their presence on our roads and drive in safety. And leave a safe stopping distance between your car and the one in front of you. Slick winter conditions demand space to stop slowly and in control.

Our winter weather is notorious. We know it. And we know how to drive in safety to save ourselves and all we meet on our roads.

When you've been seriously injured by a driver this winter, call your experienced personal injury lawyer who knows that winter isn't to blame.

A crash is a crash and never an accident.

Call  Martin Law and find out where you stand.

When you make your New Year Resolutions, resolve to get the information you need.

Martin Law is your community injury lawyer providing free consultations to the injured.

If you are seriously injured in a car crash or slip and fall, call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

This New Year, get the information you need.

Let's say goodbye to 2021 and welcome a new and more promising 2022.

It's free to read and provides helpful info for the injured and their caregivers.

Check out the blog here and be in the know.

You can even subscribe to know when our new blog is posted or simply free read when you want.

Know what we know and find out where you stand.

Please drive safe on our winter roads.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 Free Consultation.

Prefer to stay online?

Use our portal here to request a call back at a time that works for you.

Martin Law is your experienced community injury lawyer.

Find out where you stand.

Millions of Canadians pull second jobs as unpaid caregivers to the injured in their family. They juggle full time work, their own kids and homes while providing hours of unpaid work for their parents, siblings or partners.

But the stress and struggle to be everything to everyone can quickly reach a boiling point. Aware friends, neighbours and healthcare professionals can reach out and let caregivers know they are not alone. Practical resources exist to care for the caregivers including:

• Professional Associations like Brain Injury Canada, Ontario Caregiver Organization, Ontario Caregiver Coalition, Young Caregivers Association, Family Caregiver Alliance, Wellness Together Canada and Wounded Warriors Canada may be a huge first step toward support and self-help. Their websites and blogs may provide practical strategies to ease the burden. They may connect you with thousands of other hardworking caregivers across North America who know what you are going through and will remind you that you are never alone;

• Your Family Healthcare Team and Doctor are plugged in to many local support services in your own community. They have access to practical resources that may make all the difference. If you healthcare provider hasn't already picked up on your stress and exhaustion, now is the time to make that appointment and let her know. Reaching out for help is sometimes the biggest but best stride you can make for your own health and well being; and

• That Experienced Injury Lawyer handling your loved one's claim knows that all in the family including parents, grandparents, children, spouses and siblings are stretched to the max just trying to deal with their loved one’s car crash or slip and fall injuries. As well as your Family Law Act companion claim in the main action, your injury lawyer may offer you the encouragement you need to make that call to your family doctor or to find a community based therapist who can give you the appropriate professional support you need. Injury lawyers know that family caregivers who struggle to help during the lawsuit will continue to struggle for years after the case has ended. Serious injuries last a lifetime.

You are not alone. But self-help doesn't end with awareness.

Your needs are just as important as everyone else's. The strength you find from support benefits everyone including your family and your loved one in need of critical daily care. Caring for the caregivers is a win-win for everyone.

Never forget that you are always allowed to ask for help.

When family is seriously injured in a car crash or fall, it impacts everyone.

When the stress of being everything for everyone is too much, caregivers need help.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and discover the practical steps to self-help.

Caregivers must always be allowed to ask for help.

And communities need to listen.

Injured in a car crash?

Call Martin Law for your Free Consulation.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to contact us online?

Use our direct link here to request a call back at a time that works for you.

When you have questions, Martin Law has answers.

We remember those who served in our Armed Forces.

We remember those who serve today.

Remembrance Day Matters.

Drowsy driving is a year round threat. But when we put the clock back an hour, that threat is a clear and present danger for more than a full week.

Before you fall back this fall, read Martin Law's blog here.

Be in the know for fall road safety.

Drowsy driver is a year round threat. But when time change messes with regular sleep patterns, every driver on the road struggles to stay awake and stay focused on road safety.

And every driver is at risk of a devastating car crash for more than one full week after the time change.

What's So Wrong With Falling Back?

Falling Asleep behind the wheel happens when drivers don't get the sleep they need. Drowsy driving is the worst offender. Otherwise good drivers become tired drivers when sleep cycles are disrupted by the clock. Every driver needs dependable sleep patterns to stay focused and alert.

Distracted Driving increases the threat. Drowsy brains make it dangerously easy to automatically take that call or send that text without thinking about the risk. Sleepy drivers forget their one and only job behind the wheel is to just drive.

Heart Attack and Stroke behind the wheel increase. Some drivers are at greater risk of health emergencies right after the time change. Messed up sleep patterns may trigger underlying health conditions. And no one ever wants to meet that stricken driver who has lost control.

What Can We Do?

Drivers in the know may choose to reduce non essential travel during this week.

But essential workers may have little choice but to commute to work to serve and protect our communities. When our first responders, truckers, grocery store workers and health care workers continue to risk their safety to help us through the pandemic, it is our responsibility to know when we are just too tired to drive in safety.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you believe the at fault driver was driving drowsy or distracted, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre.

Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Safe driving skills may be rusty as last year's trick or treating was put on hold for covid safety.

If driving enroute to your own grown up Halloween fun, please slow down and know that excited youngsters may run across your path as they roam from house to house.

As the adult driver, you will have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy. Drive defensively for safety's sake.

Martin Law wishes our communities a happy and safe Halloween.

Your community injury lawyer serving Central and Eastern Ontario for over 20 years.

Get the information you need when you need it.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to stay online?

Use our easy portal here to ask us to call you at a time that works for you.

Find out where you stand.

Thank you nurses, doctors, all hospital staff, paramedics and particularly our local pharmacists who worked so hard this year and every year to provide essential and critical care for our communities.

Please travel safe and be safe this Thanksgiving Weekend.

It's all about the floor.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here so you know what to do when it happens to you.

The same offenders show up every fall including:

• frayed and curled floor runners and entrance mats;
• repurposed mats never intended for high foot traffic use; and
• slick floors where the rain is tracked in and left unmopped.

When you've been seriously injured in a fall, you need to know where you stand.

Here are our Martin Law Top 6 Fall Tips:

1. Medical Care: is the first priority so your injuries can be taken care of. It also documents your injury. After emergency, see your family doctor for continuing care and to ensure your pain and limitations continue to be treated and documented;

2. Pictures: get pics before you leave the scene by asking a witness or bystander to take a quick photo with your own phone of the mat or water that caused your fall. And if you forget, ask a friend to go back to the site and take photos when it is safe to do so;

3. Take Names: of witnesses. Get names and contact information. Memory fades with time and as months pass, some may be reluctant to get involved;

4. Take Notes: and keep a record. Start from the beginning and work yourself through that day. Please take the time to do it now before you forget the small things. And know that your notes are always your property. Share your notes with your lawyer so she has as much detail as possible;

5. Keep It: store your ripped clothes and any other damaged items from your fall. Don't wash or clean anything. Just store them safely in a box where you can find them when you need them; and

6. Call For Help: call your experienced community injury lawyer for a free consultation. You need information. You are not alone.

Severe fall injuries will have a devastating and lasting impact on your quality of life.

Call an experienced injury lawyer who knows fall injuries are serious and will take your injuries and questions just as seriously.

Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

But those Fall roads present a whole new challenge when tired drivers are caught out in the dark.

Check out Martin Law's throwback blog Driving in the Dark here and beware phantom drivers.

Let's get those lights on for safety so driving North of Forty isn't so scary.

Martin Law has your answers.

Martin Law has been serving our communities for nearly 20 years.

Our blog is a library of practical information written for the injured and not for other lawyers.

When deciding how to reach out to an injury lawyer, read our blog first.

Check out Martin Law and our people first blog articles right here.

Find out where you stand.

That big yellow bus is rolling again, and all drivers must be ready to stop in safety.

Want the bottom line?

Distracted driving remains the big offender.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here to brush up on all the usual suspects and discover a couple that may have slipped your mind.

Whether back to school season, or any season, adult drivers must always be watchful for our kids' road safety.

Transport Canada reminds us that September is the most dangerous month for pedestrians. Back to school may be the most wonderful time of the year for exhausted parents, but it is also the most dangerous time for our kids. This September, let's make adult drivers do the real adulting and be responsible for child safety on our streets.

We know that distracted driving is the biggest threat to our kids when they get on that bus. Blow-bys, or when drivers fail to stop for those flashing lights and sign, puts children in immediate and grave danger.

Let's count the ways distracted driving puts everyone's child in danger:

1. Smart Phones: in the hands of drivers are a threat to everyone on our busy roads. Drivers have one job behind the wheel. Texting and talking must wait. For more information, follow this link to Martin Law's recent blog two phones one very distracted driver;

2. Infotainment Systems: are bright, flashy and addictive. But just because your ride has a touch screen with GPS, stereo, online shopping and gaming, doesn't make it safe to use when behind the wheel. Put it in park before you play. Better yet, set your preferences before you leave the driveway and keep your eyes, hands and mind only on the road. For a deep dive into onboard infotainment check out Martin Law's blog infotainment injury;

3. Fast Food: who hasn't run late and missed breakfast. But juggling a hot cup of coffee and a donut or breakfast sammy behind the wheel is not a good plan. Make driving your only focus for that morning commute;

4. Fur Babies: demand love and attention 24-7. They don't understand that you can't play behind the wheel. But you do. Keep pet rides to needed trips only. Please safely secure your pet in the backseat. For a closer look at pet distraction read Martin Law's blog canine as your copilot; and

5. Your Kids: tired, cranky and fighting in the backseat, they easily pull eyes and mind from the road. When they run late, miss the bus, and argue with you as you try to rush them to school on your way to work, your mind and eyes just aren't on the road. As the registered owner of that vehicle and the responsible driver behind the wheel, you are responsible for the conduct of your passengers including your kids. And you are always in control of how you respond to stressful backseat brawls. Pull over in safety to a parking lot and calm down. Never let bad behaviour escalate to the point that it impacts your ability to drive in safety. To find out just how bad it can really be, see Martin Law's recent blog kids behaving badly.

Back to school safety starts with making small choices that have big consequences for child safety on our streets.

This school year, we can all resolve to be part of the solution and drive smart.

Let's be ready for back to school by putting down the phone and putting an end to distractions in the car.

The buck stops with adult drivers to stop for that bus and protect our kids.

When you have serious injuries, Martin Law has serious answers.

We have provided thousands of Free Consultations to the injured in our communities over the past 20 years.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Know Where You Stand.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and catch our top 6 tips to leverage that consultation.

Call your community injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

My firm has provided thousands of free consultations over the past 20 years. And over that time, we've learned a thing or two about how to get the facts we need to give you the information you need.

Here are our top 6 tips to make the most of your talk with an injury lawyer:

1. Ask Questions: you need answers and may not know much about insurance companies. But chances are you have some really serious concerns including is there a time limit to start a lawsuit, what's a deductible and how much is it and what do I do after I'm released from the hospital? All of these are important and time sensitive concerns. And when you engage with us over the phone or in office, we get a better sense of how any future work partnership will pan out. Many injury cases take more than three years to complete. That's a long term relationship. The more you can help us, the better we can help you;

2. Go Right Ahead and Interrupt: if the lawyer is talking too fast, you didn't understand the point or if words go flying by in Latin or whatever, then jump in and politely interrupt. Ask the lawyer what she means. Ask for a concrete example. Ask how that little nugget of information actually impacts you. If that lawyer won't take the time, rushes ahead or gets annoyed, then you have your answer. Move on and look for another lawyer who will take the time to give you the information you need. A good experienced injury lawyer will appreciate that you are really listening and you are seriously interested in your case. And make sure you are talking to a real lawyer. A legal assistant or paralegal can have great practical experience and be very helpful but they aren't a lawyer. Ask first so you know who you are talking to;

3. Tell it Like it Is: no car crash or slip and fall is ever cut and dry. Every case has its nuances or bugaboos. If there is something bothering you about what happened, or you think you may have somehow contributed to your injury, then let us know. We need to deal with it up front. People are human beings and sometimes mistakes happen. We can explain mistakes but we can't hide them. And who knows, maybe that mistake really doesn't count for much at the end of the day. But be straight forward during your consultation so we have all the information we need to help;

4. Take Notes: free consultations with lawyers don't happen every day. The information you get may be detailed and you'll need to review it later when deciding whether you want to hire that lawyer. Have a pad of paper and pen handy when you make the call. We understand. A sudden and devastating injury will have a big impact on concentration and recall. Give yourself the help you need and take a few notes. There's no law against helping yourself;

5. Give Yourself a Chance: to absorb the information. Choose a quiet and private place in your home where you can talk freely without interruption from kids, pets or co-workers. Make sure your smart phone is fully charged and you are comfortable before you dial; and

6. Try Again: if you don't click with the lawyer you are talking to or feel rushed or even dismissed, call another more experienced injury lawyer who will take the time to give you the help you need. Many injury lawyers provide consultations. But not all injury lawyers do it well. And not all injury lawyers take the time to give you the information you really need. Some forget they are talking to injured people in pain and exhausted after a terrifying injury. Talking to the injured is not just another day in the office. It is a privilege to be trusted to help.

If you've been seriously injured in a car crash, call your experienced community injury lawyer who will take the time to give you the information you need.

Providing information is a skill. It is learned. It can't be taught. Experienced injury lawyers know how to answer your questions.

Find out where you stand.

Those warm sunny days and bright blue skies lull drivers into a false sense of security.

Speed and distracted driving play havoc on our roads.

If you've been seriously injured in a car crash this summer, we can help.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

Prefer to contact us online?

Use our direct portal right here and request a call back at a time that works for you.

Call for your Free Consultation.

Don't settle for less.

We write for the injured who need to know where they stand.

We have a large online blog that is free for the injured.

We write about issues that actually matter to the injured in our local communities.

Martin Law knows what matters most to you.

Want some background info before you call us for your Free Consultation?

Check out our blog right here and see what we know.

After months and months of togetherness at home, many families are escaping to the open road with kids in tow.

How bad can it be?

Pretty bad when kids behave badly in the backseat and frazzled parents are driven to distraction.

Read all about it in Martin Law's latest blog right here.

If you've been injured by a distracted driver, find out what you can do about it.

Call your local experienced injury lawyer and get the help you need.

Most of us know about distracted driving. Smart phones. Texting. Even messing with the GPS or onboard infotainment system. Most drivers know. And tragically most drivers still do it. But that phone isn't the only offender. When frazzled parents drive distracted by their kids, crashes happen.

We've all been there. Stuck with screaming kids. Or sniping teenagers. Behaving badly. On a sugar high and bored beyond belief in the backseat. But being there doesn't make it right. And when innocent drivers, pedestrians and cyclists are seriously injured by stressed out parents, it isn't OK. Whether its Mom, Dad or junior in the backseat, meltdowns on the road cause crashes.

Distracted driving is distracted driving. The driver and registered owner are still responsible for the safe operation of that motor vehicle. Kids will be kids may be acceptable under your roof. But it isn't acceptable when it distracts you in your car. Driving is our only job behind the wheel. Multi-tasking doesn't work on our busy highways. Parents juggle so much caring for their kids. But they can't do it safely behind the wheel.

In this summer of revenge travel, more families than ever will be hitting our busy roads with kids in tow. Road trips are the rage. But innocent drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should never be put at risk by families focused only on their own travel fix.

When kids go bad and are absolute rotters on the road, it's time to pull over in safety in a parking lot and take a break. Getting off the road and in park may be the only safe choice. It's got to be better than allowing a bad situation to escalate. Taking your eyes off the road, turning your head, or glaring in the rearview mirror will kill or seriously injure another person.

If all this sounds familiar because you've been hit and seriously injured by a driver distracted by his kids, don't accept that kids will be kids and nothing can be done about it. Driving distracted, whether by kids, pets or phones, is not 'just a thing' to be shrugged off. When it causes a crash and causes you pain, your job, your life savings and your relationships, it's time to find out where you stand.

Call an experienced community injury lawyer who understands that a crash is never an accident.

It's your life. And your future.

Summer is the deadliest driving season.

Slow down, drive with care and arrive alive for family and friends this week and every week.

Always relied upon but often overlooked when many thanks are due.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Prefer to contact us online? Use our link to request a call back when its most convenient for you.

Martin Law has provided Free Consults throughout the pandemic.

We answer the phone and your questions.

Don't settle for being ignored. Your injury matters.

When they juggle two phones behind the wheel, everyone on our busy highways suffers.

Read Martin Law's new blog here and find out why distracted driving is more dangerous than ever.

We know better. We know that distracted driving is the number one killer on our roads. One phone in the hands of a driver can cause terrible suffering and pain for the innocent on our highways. Two phones in the hands of a driver is madness.

But that's exactly what experienced injury lawyers are seeing. Every time I go to an examination for discovery and examine the at fault driver who hit my injured client, I now have a 50-50 chance of finding out that driver had not one but two phones in that car.

Why Two Phones?

Because that driver had one work phone and one personal phone. Employers, usually always government but sometimes private businesses, give employees smart phones so they can be reached when ever and where ever they may be. Usually private calls and texts are forbidden on that work phone. So the employee carries around both his work phone and his personal phone. And if that employee is driving a work or fleet car, then he likely won't also pair his personal phone to that car for fear of being caught out making personal calls or texts on company time. Before we ever get to that discovery, we know when an employer is involved. If the employer business or government owns the at fault car and is the named insured for that car, that employer is already a named defendant in my lawsuit. Often I have already collected enough evidence to know that the government department or private employer is also to blame for the crash. The circle of liability, or who is responsible for that car crash and my client's injuries, has widened.

The Goods

As well as after crash photos taken of the interior of the at fault vehicle by the insurance company's investigator, usually as part of the motor vehicle loss report for appraisal, repair or salvage, cell phone records tell the tale. While it's a gift to find a photo showing a phone or two somewhere in that car, or charging cords, a portable charger, power bank, or car charger adapter on the seat or floor or in the driver's seat caddy, phones are usually pocketed by the at fault driver before the police and ambulance arrive. But the data in cell phone records can't be hidden. Although some cell phone companies only allow retrieval of records for a limited amount of time so requests for those records must be made in a timely manner to the defence.

The Bottom Line

It is against the law to text, talk, email or change your playlist on your phone or device while behind the wheel. Ontario has distracted driving laws in place and handheld cell phone legislation is a part of that law.

When innocent drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are struck and injured in a car crash because another driver phoned or texted behind the wheel, distracted driving becomes careless driving pretty darn quick.

If you've been seriously injured because another driver was texting or talking on his phone, you should talk to an experienced injury lawyer and ask if she offers a free consultation. And if you find out that the at fault driver who hit you was working or driving to and from work, then definitely let that injury lawyer know so she can quickly take steps to find and preserve the evidence you need to successfully resolve your case.

Innocent victims of distracted drivers should never accept that distracted driving just happens. It doesn't just happen. At fault drivers make conscious decisions to drive distracted. When they have two phones behind the wheel, they have clearly made the selfish decision to put both their work and personal life ahead of your safety. That's not acceptable in any community or on any road that we share.

If you have been seriously injured by a distracted driver, call your experienced community injury lawyer. Find out where you stand.

Car crashes and slip and falls don't just happen.

And the pandemic is no excuse for the negligent behaviour that caused your injury.

Your injury matters. You matter. The pandemic is no excuse.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Prefer to contact us online? Use our link here to request a call back when its most convenient for you.

Martin Law has been answering your call throughout the pandemic.

Don't settle for being ignored. Your injury matters especially during the pandemic.

Our nurses see us through the very worst of times.

Their hard work and support is essential for our communities.

They are so very much appreciated.

Passengers are just as frightened of that vehicle.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and find out what practical strategies exist to help you on your road to recovery.

Martin Law knows that your fear is real.

Their fear is genuine. Passengers also need our help and understanding.

Passengers make up a huge class of injury survivors. Front seat passengers always come to mind but the reality is that so many passengers are also victims of bus, shuttle, taxi, uber and other ride share crashes. Motor vehicles are a way of life and essential to get to work and medical appointments. Whether your partner is driving your car, or you use transit or ride share, getting back into some kind of motor vehicle may be unavoidable after your crash.

Their fear is real and complex. When a driver gets behind the wheel again, there may at least be some small sense of control. But passengers sit passively. Trusting in their driver. Waiting and fearing for another crash to happen. That sense of helplessness and hopelessness can be overwhelming.

So what can family, friends and professionals do? Our support is always needed and deeply appreciated. But there really is no one easy or perfect plan to fix a fearful passenger.

Every passenger is just as unique as the crash that made them fearful.

An injured passenger should always know that:

• You Are Not Alone: You didn't make this up. You are not pretending. And you never need to suffer in silence. Many crash survivors are struggling with the same fear. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Community and online support is just as real as your fear;

• Your Family Doctor: knows you and knows your pre-crash medical history. Your family doc is plugged into the most up to date community resources. And you can ask her for a referral to a therapist or specialist. Funding for your therapy may be available through your Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) with your own car insurance policy;

• Online Support: network with friends, family and social media to find established web communities led by crash survivors who know and understand what you're going through. Quietly follow for a few days to get a feel for the group. Trust your instincts. Test the waters. They understand;

• Give Yourself a Break: be kind to yourself and practice some self-care. Be realistic about your progress. Set realistic and attainable weekly goals. Trust in your driver is earned one quiet suburban block at a time. One country mile may do more good than a fearful frenzied drive on that busy highway;
   
• Support Your Partner: driving a crash survivor is a difficult and usually thankless job. Your partner, family or close friend wants to help. But he might not have the skills or the insight. Be honest with your driver. Let them know what you can handle and what you can't. Be a team. Give yourself and your driver a fighting chance to work through your fear together; and
   
• Medication: your family doctor should know you. Find out what is right or wrong for you and if meds are a safe and helpful part of your recovery plan.

You are not alone

Your injury lawyer and your family doctor are great resources. Use us. Let us do our job. Let us help.

Experienced injury lawyers know that drivers are not the only survivors that struggle after a crash. Passengers also need our help. And your driver partner or family member may also need our assistance with their Family Law Act companion claim. Serious crash injuries aren't just broken bones. Severe psychological and emotional injuries are real.

Call Martin Law and find out what we can do to help you and your family.

Martin Law has a blog designed to help injury survivors.

Find practical information and tips in our blog library.

Check it out right here and find out where you stand.

Most drivers couldn't imagine anything more terrifying than a wheel crashing into their windshield. With little time and less room to maneuvre on our busy highways, the odds of an innocent driver avoiding a catastrophic crash and injury are slim to none. But wheel separation is almost never a mystery and the negligence of the vehicle owner so shockingly mundane and obvious that it's hard to imagine why basic common sense service and maintenance steps weren't taken. Vehicle safety is everyone's priority. Owning a vehicle is expensive. And service can't be put off.

What are the Top 5 Tips Everyone Needs to Know About Flying Wheels?

1. Service Fail: Whether rotating tires as part of your annual service or wheel swapping as part of our seasonal switch from winters to all season tires, fasteners and nuts must be tightened properly. Usually this means a follow up visit to the garage for another torque. Most service stations and mechanics are conscientious and know to remind customers to drop back in after service for a second wrench. But the vehicle owner is always responsible for ensuring that vehicle is safe to drive and in proper working order. The owner must take the time for that critical second visit;

2. Bad Maintenance: All vehicles need to be maintained in safety whether a private or commercial vehicle. Wheel rims and tires alike are ground down every day and subject to obvious wear and tear. The freedom of the open road comes with responsibility for maintaining those wheels in safety. While aluminum rims may wear faster, all rims including steel rims need to be regularly inspected. Axels break. Wheel bearings and wheel fasteners fail;

3. Doing Donuts: Got a flat? Replaced it yourself? That spare tire or donut is for emergency use only and is never meant to carry you for days on end. Driving to a service station is priority number one as soon as that spare is on. That service and tire repair or replacement can't be put off for another day;

4. Who's to Blame? The buck stops with the vehicle owner. In Ontario, as in many jurisdictions, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that vehicle is in proper working order and safe for on-road use. Trucking, delivery and courier companies are also responsible for their commercial vehicles. Delivery trucks and vans suffer severe wear and tear because of the miles those drivers and vehicles log. Worn wheels, rims, bolts and worn or bald tires cause crashes. Most companies regularly maintain their fleet and have a complete and comprehensive maintenance log for every vehicle. But not all do their due diligence and comply with the regs when deliveries are due yesterday. Service stations, garages and mechanics may also share liability for poor work. Drivers, both private and commercial, may also be responsible particularly if the job of a commercial driver required a routine safety and circle check of that vehicle. Drivers may also hear an obvious rattle or feel a vibration from wheels or tires on their last legs. Drivers need to take responsibility for prompt repair when given warning; and

5. What Will Your Lawyer Do? Written notice of your injury and loss may need to be provided to all possible defendants on a timely basis. A demand letter requiring the company or private owner preserve the vehicle without making any repairs may be sent. An investigation should be commenced and photos of the defendant's wheel, tire and vehicle as well as photos of your damaged vehicle and photos of your injuries are important. All police reports and any crash reconstruction reports may be obtained and carefully reviewed with you. Any witnesses to the crash should be identified and contacted. If there is any surveillance, particularly if the commercial vehicle had cameras or tracking, or if the private vehicle was insured on a pay as you go basis and had an insurance data tracker, that is evidence that may prove very helpful. Any injury claim may well name 2 or 3 or more defendants. Insurance coverage is critical and a need to know for any seriously injured plaintiff. Everyone needs to understand, particularly innocent motorists, that the  insurance company is the real defendant, the real boss behind the scenes, and pays any significant settlement or court award.

What's the Bottom Line?

Flying wheels and tires cause horrifying crashes and injuries.

Your loss, and your family's loss, will likely be so severe that an experienced injury lawyer is critical.

If you've been seriously injured by a flying wheel or tire, call an experienced injury lawyer who understands the severity of your crash.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims.

 Find out where you stand.

Catch Martin Law's latest blog here and be aware of flying wheel danger on our busy highways.

Badly Hurt in a Car Crash?

Confused by insurance paperwork?

Martin Law has the answers you need.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or toll free 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer Online? Contact us online here and we'll call you back.

Call Martin Law and know where you stand.

But we lose so much more than one hour of sleep.

Everyone faces a greater risk of car crash on our busy highways and roads for at least one full week after the change.

Why Worry?

Distracted Driving is a killer. Without enough sleep, drivers forget to just drive. Sending texts and answering calls on the phone takes lives. Our infotainment systems and GPS pull our eyes off the road. It's easy to forget to stay focused on our one job when we don't get the sleep we need.

Drowsy Driving is not just a problem for commuters. Whether running the kids to school or making a quick grocery shop, we all need our full sleep to drive in safety. Driving is a skill and a real challenge. W need to pay attention and focus to safely share that road.

Health Emergencies are more likely after a time change. A stroke or heart attack is terrifying at any time. But a sudden health crisis behind the wheel kicks that terror up to a whole new level for the driver and everyone she meets on our busy roads.

What To Do?

Everyone can take small practical steps before Sunday to help sync our bodies with that hour.

We can move our bed time and wake cycle about 3 days before the time change. Meal time and routine exercise schedules can also be changed to help our minds and bodies ease into the loss.

Phones, ipads and TVs impact sleep. Cutting back on our devices a few hours before sleep can help. We can all make sleep a priority.

Practical steps can help, but awareness is critical.

The CDC emphasizes that the danger lasts nearly a week after the clocks change. That Monday right after the shift is truly dangerous. Studies indicate a full 15 to 20% increase in traffic deaths on that Monday after we Spring Forward.

Smart drivers can also reduce non-essential travel and stay off the road right after the time change.

But some essential workers have little choice but to drive.

Everyone can take small steps to improve road safety. And together, we can make a difference.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving distracted or drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre.

Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Take control of your future. Make a difference for yourself.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

But we lose so much more than one hour.

Read Martin Law's latest blog to find out what we can do to improve road safety.

Hurt in Slip and Fall?

When you have questions, Martin Law has answers.

Call for your Free Consultation.

Call 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226

Call Martin Law and find out where you stand.

Your Community Injury Lawyer serving our communities for nearly 20 years.

Let's Support Pink Shirt Day this day and every day.

Mental Health Matters.

Their hard work this year has allowed so many to enjoy family time in safety.

Thank you for your work and commitment. It is much appreciated.

Our hearts belong to those who work day in and day out serving our communities.

Please thank our local Nurses, Doctors, EMS, First Responders and Personal Support Workers.

You have questions. Martin Law has answers.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to contact us online?

Use this link to our portal here.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Find out where you stand.

Overdriving your headlights happens when you drive too fast in the dark. When you drive too fast to stop in the illuminated pool of light right in front of your car, you create a blind crash zone. You literally drive right out of the safety of your own headlights. And too often, you drive right up the back of the driver, cyclist or pedestrian in front of you.

Winter driving demands a special set of driving skills. Those winter tires are never a free pass to drive dumb in the snow. Drive smart and be aware of the dark. You don't have to be speeding to overdrive your headlights.

What can winter drivers do to escape the worst of the winter dark?

Slow Down, Slow Down and Slow Down

Let your headlights do their job. Slow down to drive in safety on dark winter roads. It can be that simple.

See and Be Seen

Make sure your headlights and tail lights are working before you hit the road. Clean off winter salt and dirt on a regular basis. Understand automatic headlights only work if you set them on automatic. Many cars still require that you physically set the lights on automatic. And daytime running lights just do not give enough light for dark winter driving.

Drive For the Conditions

Respect winter. Dark driving conditions are nothing new for Canadian commuters. When you lose the light behind the wheel, use your common sense and lighten up on the gas pedal. Give yourself the time and distance you need to stop in safety.

Know Your Ride

Every driver needs to read their vehicle manual. Every driver should go back time and time again to check out everything from proper tire psi to the engine oil most recommended by the manufacturer. You would be shocked how many defendant drivers in injury claims don't know they have a manual in the glove box. Others don't know what a glove box is. Many manuals are available online if the previous owner forgot to pass it on. Car manufacturers print vehicle manuals for a reason. Your safety depends on knowing how your car works.

 Watch For Signs

Reflective road signs trick us into thinking we can see farther than we can. We can see the sign in the distance. But we can't see the road right in front of us.

Can't See Nothin'

Just doesn't cut it. Mother Nature's driving snow is not to blame for a heavy foot on the pedal.

I've Got Winter Tires I'm Perfect Thank You

Winter tires have great safety benefits, but they aren't a magic bullet and won't save you from every driving trap.

Winter driving is not a walk in the park. We all know it. If you have to drive in dark winter conditions, be aware that overdriving your headlights is a real possibility when you don't match your speed to those dark conditions.

Want more info about the challenges of winter driving?

Read our Martin Law companion blog here.

If you have been injured in a car crash, or are a cyclist or pedestrian and have been hit by a vehicle, and you suspect the at fault driver was driving too fast for the dark road, let the investigating police officer know. If the police don't attend the scene, make sure to let the Collision Reporting Centre know. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Experienced injury lawyers know that a car crash is never just an accident.

Call Martin Law. Know Where You Stand.

Everyone's safety depends on it.

Too often, drivers fail to slow down and drive right out of the safety of their own headlights.

What can drivers do to escape the worst of the dark?

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and understand just how important your lights really are.
 

Every year, bad choices behind the wheel cause winter crashes on our streets and highways.

And the innocent pay the price for those bad choices of distracted and negligent drivers.

Martin Law reviews the Big 5 Offenders.

Read our New Year Countdown Blog here.

This New Year, know what your injury lawyer knows.

It's the New Year and winter car crashes are a reality on our busy streets and highways.

Who's To Blame?

Drivers raise their hands. Blaming winter just doesn't cut it. We have to stop cursing poor old Mother Nature. Snow and drifting snow can't hide the poor choices we make on our winter roads. We know better. But we just keep doing what we do and those winter car crashes keep piling up.

Bad choices behind the wheel make for bad crashes. And every January, the same offenders ring in the New Year on our roads.

What does your injury lawyer see every winter?

Here is Martin Law's New Year Countdown:

1. Speed

Most drivers will not drive for the conditions. Winter driving conditions are the most challenging conditions most drivers will ever face. But when we take winter in stride, our Canadian confidence will get innocent drivers killed;

2. Back Off

When a driver fails to leave a reasonable stopping distance between his car and the one in front, rear end collisions happen. Leave a safe space so you can stop slowly and in safety on our slippery roads. Be ready to stop to save those in front of you;

3. Just Share

Share the road. Everyone is number one and everyone needs to use our streets. Cyclists and pedestrians have every right to be on our roads. And if ever there was a year to be kind and courteous, this is it. Pay back our Emergency Responders, Tow Truck and Snow Plough Drivers by slowing down and moving over. Our EMS and Essential Workers risk all to help us. We help them when we slow down and move over;

4. Be a Prepper

We've all had a lesson in prepping this year. But we've always had to do our winter driving preps. Keeping that car in good repair and getting it into the garage for regular service has always been essential. Driving is a freedom purchased with responsibility. Small things like topping up that windshield wiper fluid, replacing old wiper blades and checking those lights, all pay mighty dividends in bad winter weather. Those small things will save your life and the lives of all you meet; and

5. Just Drive

Distracted driving kills. Few drivers really understand how something so mundane like stealing a quick glance at that phone or screen can destroy another person's life. It doesn't matter if it's a smartphone on your lap or an expensive infotainment system on your dash, both distract you from your one job. We all know that one job is to drive safe.

A car crash is never just an accident. And winter doesn't cause a car crash.

Us drivers are to blame. Winter is never an excuse for the bad choices drivers make on our roads.

When you've been seriously injured by a driver this winter, call an experienced personal injury lawyer who knows that winter isn't to blame.

Call  Martin Law and find out where you stand.

Top 3 Injury Lawyers for Four Years straight by threebestrated.ca.

Martin Law is proud to serve Central and Eastern Ontario including Quinte, Belleville, Prince Edward County and Hastings County.

Lawyer Shelley Martin lives in Belleville and supports local workers and small business.

100% local. 100% locally owned matters.

19 Years Serving Quinte and Hastings County.

24 Years Experience.

Check out our latest ranking right here.

Catch up on the key injury issues and news that made it on our Martin Law Blog in 2020.

Read our blog here and be in the know.

We wish you a healthy and safe New Year.

May 2021 be a much better and brighter New Year for all.

We thank our clients, healthcare partners and providers who work so hard to assist the injured in our communities.

We are grateful for our supporters, throughout our many local communities, and within our virtual online family.

May you have a quiet and thankful Holiday Season.

These articles provide helpful and direct information for the injured.

Read our Martin Law Blog right here.

But no article can replace a Free Consult that allows an experienced injury lawyer to answer your specific questions.

Find our Martin Law contact info here and request a call back if you prefer not to call.

Injured? Find out where you stand.

But our quiet suburbs and neighbourhoods are paying the price as couriers and delivery vans race through our streets.

The pandemic is no excuse for negligent driving.

Read Martin Law's new Blog here and learn our Top 5 Tips.

Know that a courier crash is different.

Always call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims.

The pandemic has changed our lives in every way. How we shop and get our food has also dramatically changed. During shelter in place and lock down, many of us took our shopping online to buy just about everything. One look at the traffic in our busy suburbs, shows us that direct to home commerce is booming. Courier trucks, white panel vans and unmarked cars race along our streets making frequent stops at every other door. Now that we've become hooked on front door delivery, it's unlikely we'll ever give it up. But there is a price to pay for that convenience. Road safety has taken a back seat to our pandemic preps and needs.

Crashes between delivery drivers and motorists are happening in our neighbourhoods. Pedestrians also face an increased risk of being hit. Our suburbs and neighbourhoods are no longer the quiet, safe spaces we used to enjoy just a year ago.

What Are the Top 5 Tips Everyone Needs to Know About Couriers?

1. Speed: Couriers are on the clock and seconds count as they race to meet volume targets and delivery deadlines. Our posted low speed limit suburban streets were never designed for delivery trucks and vans moving at speed. Speed impacts everything from line of sight, turns in safety, lane departure, lane crowding, backing up and mirror checks as well as the ability of pedestrians, children and dog walkers to cross in safety near street corners;

2. Distracted Driving: Smartphones ride shotgun. From GPS address searches behind the wheel to proof of delivery pics and uploads to demanding customers, it's no wonder eyes are not on the road. Throw in calls from dispatch, rerouting to recover parcels left at the wrong door and unfamiliar streets, and we've got a crash just waiting to happen. The upside of connectivity is telematics. Some trucks have onboard tracking that records speed, braking, location and engine performance. Onboard dash cams that record both inside and out of the truck may also be in play. It is critical for plaintiffs' lawyers to secure that data asap as it may be persuasive evidence of the courier driver's negligence;

3. Inexperienced Drivers: The pandemic forced courier companies to source drivers wherever they could find them. For every safety-conscious, experienced and courteous delivery driver, there are ten young, green, impatient and inexperienced ones hustling for a buck. Courier drivers are essential workers and deserve our thanks and gratitude. But the very young and inexperienced drivers give all a bad name. What's worse, those inexperienced drivers will give some innocent motorists and pedestrians a trip to the ER at a time when no one needs the pain, risk and stress;

4. Bad Maintenance: Delivery trucks and vans suffer severe wear and tear because of the miles those drivers and vehicles log. Worn brake pads, bald tires, blown lights and cracked windshields cause crashes. Some larger courier companies regularly maintain their fleet and have a complete and comprehensive maintenance log for every vehicle. But not all independent delivery contractors do their due diligence and comply with the regs when demanding cyber companies need orders delivered yesterday; and

5. Who's the Boss? As well as the at fault driver behind the wheel, there may be at least 2 or 3 additional defendants in a commercial vehicle crash including the courier company, an additional independent courier contractor subbed to handle a local route or overflow and the mechanics or vehicle maintenance company. It is important to quickly discover the limits of all possible insurance policies and note any restrictions. Throw in gig workers - freelance delivery drivers usually ferrying take out and meals to go in their own privately owned car or an Uber - and you have a dog's breakfast of insurance snarls. Some gig workers either don't know, understand or want to understand that additional and often expensive insurance top ups are needed to cover their car when they drive for profit. Their broker may also have failed to quote this critical coverage. Insurance coverage is always critical and a need to know for any seriously injured plaintiff. Because at the end of the day, the insurance company standing behind the driver, company or broker is the real defendant, the real boss, and pays any significant settlement or court award.

What's Your Take Away?

A courier crash is not your usual car crash involving two privately insured car drivers.

A courier crash is different.

And the pandemic is no excuse for negligent driving.

If you drove safe, or were walking carefully in your own neighbourhood, and were seriously injured by a courier driver, call an experienced injury lawyer who really understands that your crash is different than a car on car collision.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims.

 Find out where you stand.

Have questions?

Martin Law has answers.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to contact us online?

Use this link to our portal here.

When you've been injured, you need answers.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

This Remembrance Day, and every day, we remember those who serve and those who gave all.

Join Canadians from coast to coast this Remembrance Day as we remember our veterans.

Time change poses a direct risk to our road safety.

Drowsy driving, distracted driving and health emergencies have just piled on the danger to our essential commutes.

Catch Martin Law's latest blog here and be in the know about time change danger.

We lose weeks of road safety as drivers around us struggle to stay awake and drive safe.

We are all at greater risk of car crash for at least one full week after the time change.

What's The Problem with Falling Back to Standard Time?

Drowsy Driving is the big offender. Disrupted sleep cycles make drivers tired and dozy. We need our regular, predictable sleep patterns to stay aware and awake behind that wheel.

Distracted Driving piles on the danger. Drivers forget that driving is their only job when they don't get the deep sleep they need. When brains are dulled with poor to no sleep, it becomes dangerously easily to instinctively grab that phone, or mess with that infotainment system or GPS.

Health Emergencies behind the wheel are more likely. Many drivers are at a greater risk of stroke and heart attack immediately after the time change. Disrupted sleep patterns may trigger underlying health conditions. No one ever needs to meet that stricken driver who has lost control on the road.

What To Do?

Savvy drivers may choose to reduce non essential travel during this week.

But some have little choice but to be on the roads.

Our essential workers know that commuting to work is a necessity for everyone in our community. At a time when our health care heroes, first responders, truckers and grocery store workers are pulling us all through this pandemic, it is more important than ever to make smart choices behind the wheel.

As long as we have time change, we will have crashes.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy or distracted, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call your experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law always knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Halloween and Saturday night can be a challenging mix on our roads.

If you need to be out and about this Halloween for work or family obligations, please slow down and drive safe for all you meet on our streets.

Please remember our hardworking EMS, nurses and healthcare heroes and don't take risks that will add to their burden.

That is a wealth of free tips and insights for car crash and slip and fall survivors.

Check out our blog right here and spend some quality time catching up on the news that matters most to you.

Injured and want some basic info?

Find Out Where You Stand Today.

All provide a supportive home and environment for the injured in our communities.

Thank you nurses, doctors, EMS, first responders and PSWs.

Please join Martin Law in thanking our health care workers by driving safe this Thanksgiving Long Weekend.

Give our health care heroes a break this holiday weekend.

Drive safe. Stay safe. Stay out of the ER.
 

When you fall, would you know what to do?

Read Martin Law's new blog here and be in the know this fall.

Slip and fall injuries are devastating.

When you've been injured, call Martin Law to find out where you stand.

At Martin Law, we see the same fails every season including:

• wet and slippery floors when the rain is tracked in and left unmopped;
• curled and frayed mats and rubber floor runners; and
• old and worn out mats that were never made for high traffic entrance use but repurposed from storage by cost conscious management.

If you've been injured in a fall, you need help.

Here are our Martin Law Top 5 Fall Tips:

1. See The Doctor: first aid and emergency care is always number one. It documents your injury. And after you go to emergency, go to your family doctor. She provides your essential treatment and is your primary record keeper;

2. Get Pics: before you leave the scene, ask a witness or bystander to take a quick photo with your own phone of the mat or water that caused your fall. If you forget, ask a friend to go back to the site and take photos when it is safe to do so. Photos are always helpful. Photos set the scene. Paint the picture. Words are great but photos give needed context;

3. Witnesses: are always there. Get names and contact information. Ask early and often because memory fades with time. And as months pass, some witnesses may be reluctant to get involved;

4. Keep Notes: write it down. Take it step by step and walk yourself through that day. Make sure to do it before you forget the details. Your notes are your property. You can share those notes with your lawyer and she can help you decide when to share with an insurance adjuster, insurance company or private investigator; and

5. Store It: keep your torn clothes and any other belongings damaged in your fall. Don't wash or clean anything. Just keep as is. Box them up in a safe, easy to find spot at home.

Fall injuries are devastating. They will have a devastating impact on your life.

From work to family, your injuries will change every facet of your life.

Fall injuries deserve serious attention and help.

This Fall, call your experienced local injury lawyer and find the help you need.

Call Martin Law For Your Free Consultation.

Contact Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

Prefer to stay online?

Use our online portal right here.

Martin Law is Your Community Injury Lawyer.

Find Out Where You Stand.
 

Drivers need to be prepared to meet that school bus at any hour of the day in this new normal.

But in a sea of change, some things remain the same.

Remember your old school road safety rules and protect our kids on our busy roads.

Brush up on Martin Law's school bus primer here.

Drive safe and put child safety first for back to school.

Back to school safety has always been a priority but, in this pandemic year, child safety is the issue that matters most for parents and our communities. Social distancing, hand washing, masks and testing are our new realities. But the basics of road safety should never be lost in this new normal. School bus road safety is still critical for our children.

And this year, drivers must be extra aware that new school hours and flexible protocol will mean meeting that school bus at off hours. Drivers need to be vigilant and prepared to stop for the school bus at any hour of the day.

Let's keep these basics in mind and keep our children safe on the road.

We'll pare it down. Direct is best.

What can we do to keep kids safe?

1.  Be Aware

Your work commute will take longer. Plan ahead and budget at least an extra 15 minutes to drive and arrive in safety.

2.  Mind Your Crossing Guard

Children depend on community crossing guards to guide them safely across busy roads. And crossing guards count on drivers to watch and stop so they can get their job done in safety.

3.  Slow Down

Prepare for reduced speeds in school zones and near playgrounds. Follow those posted speed limits.

4.  Just Stop

Cars traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus when it's lights are flashing. Obey that stop arm. If you blow by that bus, you face fines, demerit points and possibly higher insurance premiums. But the real take away is always child safety. You could seriously injure or kill a child. Nothing is worse. Nothing is ever worth that risk.

5.  Drop the Phone

Distracted driving is the number one killer on our roads. Driving is our only job behind that wheel. Everything else can wait. Just drive.

Nothing is more important than a child's safety.

Please be aware. Be prepared for children on our streets.

Be ready for back to school.

Did you slip and fall because a store owner or their maintenance company didn't keep the floors or stairs safe?

When you have questions, Martin Law has answers.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or Toll Free at 1.888.889.7226.

Rather go online? Contact us online here and Martin Law will call you back.

Call Martin Law. Know Where You Stand.
 

They buy or rent RVs to get their share of summer fun and sun.

But that draw of the open road means danger for rookie drivers and all they meet on the highway.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and find out why rookie RV'rs are taking risks on our summer roads.

With borders closed for non-essential travel and cottage rentals booked solid, many Canadians have taken to the open road for their summer vacation. Used RV and trailer sales have taken off as urban dwellers look to road trips to escape the condo and scratch that family vacation itch.

The RV community is a helpful and friendly group. Most owners listing their RV, fifth wheel, trailer or camper will try their best to pass on some basic safety tips and tricks. But along with that experience and wisdom, can pass decades of bad habits. Inexperienced RV owners have hard lessons to learn that may cost them, their family and every other driver on the road.

RV driver safety classes are always a good idea. An RV, fifth wheel, trailer or camper is not your family car. It's a home on wheels with all the bells and whistles. It's also a heavy sophisticated vehicle that out classes all others save transport trucks in terms of weight and size. Your decades of driving experience in your Honda or Jeep mean little in that RV. Every RV'r needs to know how to complete a full circle check, safe highway operation behind that wheel, how to adjust and use those mirrors, safe turning techniques, tire safety and RV care and maintenance.

Just What Do Newbie RV'rs Not Know?

1. Size Matters. The height of your RV will be a big problem when you don't have enough clearance for that bridge. Some navigation apps can help but not all are up to the task. Rely on your knowledge of the exact height of your RV and not your smart phone. Gas up at truck stops with dedicated higher clearance at the pumps and fellow drivers who know to give you the room you need. Say goodbye to drive through windows, hotel and motel porte-cocheres or covered entrance ways and learn to park that RV in safety before grabbing your food or checking in for the night;

2. Life Is Slow Out Here. Slow down, slow down and slow down. RV and trailer tires aren't rated for high speed. Your new wheels are specifically rated for slower speed. Your trailer should never be smoking down the fast lane of the 401 passing truckers left and right. Leave enough stopping space between you and the car in front of you. Don't ride the bumper of that little hatchback. You'll never stop your big RV or rig in time when traffic stops suddenly. Drive safe, drive slow and drive in control in the slow lane of life;

 3.Where the Rubber Meets the Road. Your life depends on your tires. Monitor and maintain those wheels. Tire pressure over and under is dangerous. Invest in highly rated and recommended tire pressure monitors. A tire blow out will happen. Understand it will be much more difficult and frightening to wrestle that large vehicle to the side of the road. Pack a full safety kit including a reflective high vis vest, markers and reflectors. Know when it is not safe to leave that vehicle and change that tire on your own. Consider membership in an established and well regarded RV club that includes roadside service, tire change and towing. While we hope for the best, experienced RV'rs know to expect the worst;

4.Tow Trouble. Your truck must be properly rated to pull the trailer you are towing. Ensure your truck is large enough to safely haul that trailer. Tiny smart cars and compacts should never haul big trailers. Your tow vehicle has to be powerful enough to stop the momentum of that rig. Your tow vehicle must also be maintained and serviced in safety;

5. Drowsy Driving. Long hours on the road, especially when your co-pilot plays navigator only and isn't comfortable behind the wheel, can result in deadly crashes. Stop at rest stops and do another circle check. Take a break. Remember why you bought that RV in the first place. This is a vacation darn it. Not a race. Falling asleep behind that wheel will end that vacation in tragedy; and

6. Distracted Driving. RV drivers can't enjoy the sights and rubberneck like their passengers. Keep your eyes on the road and on the traffic in front of you. Bored screaming kids and sniping teenagers in the back seats are a real threat to everyone's safety and sanity. A lifetime of bad driving habits in your car will kill you in that RV. Your smart phone, GPS, and walkie talkies tethering you to your buddies in the RV behind you, will take your eyes and attention from your one job. Make driving that RV or towing that trailer your only job.

If You've Been Injured By an RV'r?

If you have been seriously injured in a car crash and suspect the RV'r or camper driver was a rookie and inexperienced behind the wheel, let the investigating officer and the collision reporting centre know. Get the medical care you need for your injuries. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Green, inexperienced RV'rs have flocked to our highways and roads this summer. They will probably keep truckin' well into the Fall. Their need for me time and their family road trip should never, ever compromise your safety on our roads.

Call your experienced local injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

Unrestrained dogs in cars make for distracted driving. Driving is a huge responsibility and demands our full attention. No matter how well behaved you hope your dog is, we know our fur babies are complete attention hounds. Unrestrained pets in the car pose a direct challenge to our ability to drive in safety.

The AAA, the American sister of our CAA driving club, hammers it home. Many drivers just don't get that their dogs are distracting them behind the wheel.

In a survey, AAA discovered that more than 50% of dog owners have pet their dog while driving. Almost 20% of drivers allowed their dog to sit in their lap. Nearly 15% of drivers shared that they give food or treats to their dogs behind the wheel and nearly 5% admitted they play with their dog while driving.

The big reveal is that almost 85% of drivers bring their dogs along on road trips. But only 16% of drivers use any kind of pet restraint system.

Indulgent and loving dog owners are distracted drivers when they fail to properly restrain their pet and fail to keep their eyes and hands on the wheel.

Just How Much Damage Can Your Pup Really Do?

1. Two Second Rule. The US NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reminds us that it only takes 2 seconds of unfocused driving to increase the risk of a car crash. Dogs are just as needy as their humans and crave attention. Chances are your dog will always demand more than two seconds of your attention. When you pay attention to your dog, you fail to pay attention to the road. It's that simple. And a dog on lap or underfoot is a crash just waiting to happen;

2.Dog as Projectile is a distinct risk. If you stop suddenly, your unrestrained dog becomes a projectile causing severe injury to you, your passengers as well as your pet. AAA surveys make the risk plain. An unrestrained 10 pound dog can generate 500 pounds of force in a 50-mph crash. An 80 pound dog generates 2,400 pounds of force in a 30-mph crash. That force is going to hit somebody or something in your car with deadly results for all involved. That's scary;

3.Pet Carriers, if properly sized and safely stowed, can secure your dog. But if you don't properly secure and tied down that carrier, it's added bulk and weight adds to the danger in a crash;

4.Your Indulgence Will Kill Your Pet. Airbags will kill your dog. The force of impact in a crash will also likely kill your dog or cause such severe injuries that your pet will suffer needlessly and need to be put down; and

5. Your Indulgence May Seriously Injure Or Kill You and Other Drivers. Distracted Driving is a killer. We know that. Don't let your affection for your dog override your responsibility to yourself and to innocent drivers on the road. Love your dog enough to drive responsibly and in safety for your pet and for all.

If You've Been Injured?

If you have been seriously injured in a car crash and suspect the at fault driver was driving distracted by his dog, then let the investigating officer and the collision reporting centre know. Get the timely medical care that you need for your injuries. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Although smart phones and hand held devices dominate most distracted driving offences, distracted driving is not just caused by devices. And while the investigating officer determines the charge, or if a charge should be laid at all, dog led distracted driving may be considered careless driving if the facts warrant. If that careless driving caused bodily injuries or death, the penalties are severe. In addition, although our Ontario Dog Owners' Liability Act imposes strict liability on a dog owner for damages specifically resulting from a bite or attack, it also permits a civil proceeding in our courts against a dog owner if that owner did not exercise reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from behaving in a manner that poses a menace to the safety of persons. While a car crash injury may be a bit remote for that section, the Act nonetheless underscores that dog owners are fully responsible at law for the harmful actions of their pets. Because in the end, the buck stops with the human.

Call your experienced local injury lawyer and find out where you stand.

Dog led distracted driving is everyone's concern especially when it hurts you and your family.

Martin Law publishes a monthly blog on this website.

Free read our law blog and be in the know.

Our latest articles are here.

Martin Law has the Answers.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or toll free at 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer online? Contact us online here and a lawyer will call you back.

Call Martin Law. Know Where You Stand.

It will also be using Videoconference Appearance Technology (Zoom) for remote hearings.

Find the announcement here.

As always, speak to your lawyer and carefully review these changes together to determine how they impact your claim.

Windows rolled down, heads out the window, and ears flapping in the breeze. What could go wrong?

Plenty when indulgent owners fail to safely restrain their pets in moving vehicles.

No one wins when pups play in trucks.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here to find out why the dog days of summer are so dangerous.

Please drive safe and celebrate in safety.

Find our article on their website here and also in their new Summer 2020 Sharing Our Recovery right here.

We know that words matter.

Let's call a car crash a crash.

If you have been injured in a car crash, call an experienced injury lawyer who knows a crash is not an accident.

Find out where you stand.

Call For Your Free Consultation:

Telephone 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

Or Use Our Portal right here.

Car crash and slip and fall injuries happen every day regardless of COVID19.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your injuries and claim.

Call Martin Law and find out where you stand.
 

Afraid to get behind the wheel? Trying to get someone else to drive for you?

Car crash survivors deal with so much. We know that driving fear is real.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and put your local and online resources to work for you.

You are not alone.
 

It's time to recognize that fear is real. And real fear demands real answers.

For many car crash survivors, getting back behind the wheel is also a real problem. Driving is not just a privilege, it is an absolute necessity for many Canadians. Work, medical appointments, family, groceries and more require that car.

Call it driving fear, anxiety or phobia, but call it real. Some survivors lean on their partners to drive or just stay home at every practical opportunity. But these are short term coping mechanisms. Avoidance is not a true solution.

What is the solution? Sadly, there is no easy answer or quick fix.

Please understand that you are not alone. You do not have to suffer in silence. Not only have many survivors experienced a similar fear, there are many community and online lifelines ready for your call and contact.

Likely no one perfect solution exists. You are unique. Your plan should be tailored to you for the best fit. But a combination of practical strategies may give you the support you need:

• Drivers' Ed: re-build your confidence and refresh your driving skills. Give yourself the power to take back the wheel. A certified driving instructor may give you the practical skills and confidence to get back on the road;

• Take It Easy: set realistic and attainable weekly goals. Once around the block today. A few slow spins around the mall parking lot after hours when the lot's empty. Small, consistent baby steps may give you bite sized rewards. And small accomplishments give you the courage to make sure there is a next time behind the wheel;

• Get Local: your family doctor should know you and your medical history. Your doctor should also know what local community resources are available in your area. Ask your family doctor for a referral to a specialist or therapist and ask about community resources unique to your area. Funding for therapy may be available through your Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs) with your own car insurance policy;
   

• There's An App For That: many motivational or self-help applications are readily available for download on your phone. But no app could ever take the place of a trained, experienced medical professional who knows your history and unique needs. And, as we know, free apps are never really free. The collection, protection or even sale of your personal health information is and should be a real concern for all consumers. Your privacy is precious and once it's gone, it's gone. A highly recommended and well vetted app may play a part in your support strategy but is never a substitute for a therapist or psychologist who understands that your personal information is personal and is required by their professional governing association to safeguard your private records;
   
• Online Support: network with friends, family and social media to find reputable web groups led by crash survivors who know and understand what you're going through. Ghost for a while until you are comfortable connecting. Take it at your pace. They understand;
   
• Listen To You: Know your own triggers. No one in this world knows you like you. If you are having a particularly bad day, forcing yourself into failure may not be a good or safe idea. Know when your mind and body tell you not to get behind the wheel; and
   
• Meds: your family doctor knows you. Find out what is right or wrong for you and if medication is a safe and helpful part of your recovery plan.

You are not alone.

Your injury lawyer and your family doctor are great resources. Use them. Let them do their job. Put their experience to work. Let them help.

Experienced injury lawyers know that crash survivors suffer from many injuries and not just broken bones.

Call Martin Law and find out what we can do to help.

Martin Law knows that car crash and slip and fall injuries have a serious impact on work, home and life.

If you've been injured, call Martin Law and get the help you need.

Call for your Free Consultation at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Prefer to stay online? Use our online portal here.

Know where you stand.
 

They worked hard to protect us before the pandemic. They are working even harder during the pandemic.

We should be working to protect them.

Driving responsibly and within the speed limit respects their hard work and their lives.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and find out what Canadians can do to protect everyone, including our essential workers, on our highways and roads.

COVID19 has brought out the very best and, sadly, the very worst in Canadians. When the majority of Canadians followed directions to stay at home and stay safe, they parked their cars in the garage or driveway. Our highways and roads grew quiet as only essential workers commuted to and from work. And Canadians only took to the road to buy necessities like groceries. But a few drivers thought the open road meant a licence to speed. They were wrong.

Speed kills. This was true before the pandemic. It is just as true now. And our highways and streets are not empty. Nurses, health care workers, PSWs and other critical health care workers have to drive at all hours to get to the hospitals, clinics and long term care homes to take care of us, and the vulnerable amongst us, on the front lines. Truckers, grocery store clerks and shelf stockers are on those roads. Driving to your grocery store to work so you can eat. Food delivery workers are carrying your take out to your door so you don't have to take the risks they take on your behalf. And police officers and emergency services are also on those highways doing their job to keep us safe 24/7.

Car crashes are still happening. The innocent injured are our critical care and essential workers who need to be on our roads. We couldn't afford to lose them before the pandemic. We certainly can't risk losing their essential work and contributions now.

There is never a safe time to speed. Our highways and roads are never truly empty. They are never anyone's personal race track. Speeding, dangerous driving, and stunt driving, endanger the lives of not only the selfish and entitled yahoos behind the wheel, but the innocent drivers and pedestrians they meet. Speeding, and the crash injuries that result, also piles onto our emergency services, nurses and health care workers at a critical time. Their work, and lives, are difficult enough. Thoughtless acts of speed make their jobs overwhelming.

If you are a critical care worker, or other essential worker, and have been seriously injured in a car crash, call an experienced injury lawyer who actually understands just what that crash means to your life, your work and your community.

Find out where you stand.

So do car crash survivors. After years of painful medical treatments and loss of job and career, they've learned the hard way that words matter.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here to find out why it's time to say what we really mean.

A crash is a crash.

Did you catch the news this morning? Chances are you got a link to a story about a traffic accident. It was awful. It was tragic. It was devastating. But it was an accident. It just happened. No one is to blame. Right? Wrong. We know better.

Planes don't just fall out of the sky. They crash. Trains don't just run off the tracks. They crash. And car drivers don't just accidently hit other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. They crash.

A car crash is not an accident.

In recent years, a movement has picked up steam. Advocating for transparency and neutral reporting in the news, it urges reporters, editors and the general public to think twice before automatically using the "A" word.

Accident implies that no one is responsible. Accident means nothing can be done to change it. Accident means it was an Act of God. And we are powerless to stop it. But that's not true. Ask any car crash survivor. They will set you straight. There is a reason why that survivor's life has been turned upside down. Why they were in the hospital for weeks or months on end. Why they suffered through multiple surgeries and then years of painful therapy. Why they missed their kids' graduations, hockey games and weddings. Why they lost their job and career. Why they are afraid to get behind the wheel or on the road at all. Another driver, or another human being responsible for bad road design or maintenance, made a choice. And that choice destroyed another person's world.

Old habits are hard to break. We automatically call a car crash a car accident because that's the way it's always been done. But sometimes we need to ask ourselves why we say what we say. Maybe it's time we say what we mean. It's time to call a crash a crash.

When you suspect that a crash survivor is being blamed for a devastating crash, be supportive. Be in the know. Read Martin Law's companion blog Blaming the Victims.

If you've been seriously injured in a car crash, call an experienced injury lawyer who knows that your car crash was not an accident.

Call Martin Law. Find Out Where You Stand.

While we practice physical distancing, to best protect our clients and communities, we are still just a call or click away.

When you are injured, you need answers.

Call for your Free Consultation:

613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226

Our portal is also available right here http://www.injurylawyerontario.net/contact-us/

We will get through this together.
 

We thank our nurses, doctors, health care and essential workers for their hard work in support of our communities.

While we celebrate Easter in safety, and at home, know that, at this time, and at all times, we are in this together.

But please know that social distancing should never mean social isolation.

The Mental Health Community has retooled to support clients, new and existing, and continues to reach out and provide support.

Tech for good is real as telephone help lines and virtual face apps are mobilized to extend critical help.

Check out Martin Law's latest blog here for details.

Don't hesitate to reach out for help. You are not alone.

Your mental health matters to us now and always.

Formal Title of this Order:

Ontario Regulation made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act; Order Under Subsection 7.1(2) of the Act (REG2020.0160.e 7-TP; March 17, 2020)

This means that many injury and civil lawsuits should not be dismissed by our Courts or tribunals during the COVID-19 emergency when lawyers, paralegals and self-represented litigants can't take critical procedural steps because our Ontario Courts and tribunals are impacted by COVID-19 protective measures.

The Order does not tell us how long these limitation periods will be suspended because we don't know how long the COVID-19 measures will need to be in place. The Order may be renewed if necessary.

The Order recognizes that our Courts, tribunals and decision-makers, have inherent common law discretion and the discretion to tailer this relief measure to the case in front of them for the duration of the emergency.

In particular, the Order itself is clear statutory authority from the Government of Ontario directing our Courts, tribunals and decision-makers to extend this relief to litigants.

This is a huge and welcome relief for Ontario's injured and civil plaintiffs who, through no fault of their own, in a global emergency, feared the loss of their claim, action or proceeding.

Please note that we have not received confirmation that this Order applies to Judge ordered Time Tables or individual Case Management Orders. Should you have concerns about specific orders in your case, please speak with your injury lawyer to best know how your case is proceeding.

Social distancing should never mean social isolation. And mental health professionals, including psychologists and counselors, have quickly retooled their services to provide practical support.

In our larger communities of Belleville, Bay of Quinte, Kingston and Peterborough, psychologists are offering telehealth, telephone support and some are providing virtual online support and counseling. Most have already reached out to their clients to let them know they are still, and will always be, there for help. Most private counseling centres have also published their telehealth outreach on their websites.

If you have been injured, and have a personal injury lawyer, call your lawyer and ask her which counseling services are available right now. For many car crash survivors, already struggling with anxiety and depression because of their crash injuries and loss, Ontario's statutory accident benefits (SABs) may help pay for all, or part, of this continued support.

Online resources with Telephone Help Lines are also available including:

Crisis Services Canada

Kids' Help Phone

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line

eMentalHealth.ca

Difficult times demand community support.

In this time, at any time, don't hesitate to call your local and national community mental health services to get the help you need.

Our Free Telephone Consultation is always available and we encourage you to pick up the phone, or use our online portal here, to request a call back at the time that works best for you.

Martin Law remains committed to providing legal information to the injured in our communities.

We ask that you help us provide that information in safety by using the phone, your smart or cell phone and our online portal so we can keep everyone safe in our communities.

We thank you for your continued support as we work through this together.

Are You Ready?

Studies show that Spring Forward leads to serious safety risks on our busy roads.

Do You Know the Dangers of Spring Forward?

Be in the Know this Spring and read Martin Law's Blog here.

Martin Law knows that your car crash is never just an accident.

When our phones and clocks move ahead one hour, we lose more than one hour of sleep.

We lose a precious measure of road safety as drivers around us fight to stay awake and aware.

Did you know that our safety is compromised for a lot longer than that one hour?

We are all at greater risk of car crashes for at least one full week after the time change.

What's The Problem with Spring Forward?

Drowsy Driving tops the list. We need our sleep to drive safely. Driving safe requires all our skill and brain power.

Distracted Driving remains one of the greatest dangers on our roads. When we don't get the sleep we need, we easily forget that driving is our one job. Automatically reaching for that phone, or playing with that infotainment system or GPS, is hard to resist when our brains are fogged and sleep deprived.

Heart Attacks and Strokes Behind the Wheel are statistically more likely. Some drivers are at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke immediately after the time change. The stress of sleep loss may trigger underlying or pre-existing health conditions. Life threatening health emergencies are scary enough. No one wants to be behind the wheel when they strike. No one wants to meet that stricken driver when he loses control on our busy roads.

So What's the Answer?

Make Changes

We can all take some practical steps before Sunday to help our bodies adjust to Daylight Saving Time. (CDC Blog Daylight Saving: Suggestions to help workers adapt to the time change; March/2016)

At least 3 days before the time change, gradually move up your bed time and waking, exercise and meals until your body is more in synch with the change.

We can prioritize sleep and diminish the glare, distraction and noise of phones, ipads and TVs at bed time by cutting back on our device addiction.

While these practical steps strategies may help some, there is no magic bullet. We are human and it takes many drivers days and days to adjust to the time shift.

Drivers in the know may also take practical steps to reduce non essential travel during this week.

But many drivers have little choice but to be on the roads. When you work, you commute and driving to work, or riding public transit on our highways, is unavoidable.

Small steps can make a difference in our own road safety and that of everyone we meet.

But as long as we have time change, we will have crashes.

Call For Help

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Please Drive Safe this Family Day and Every Day.

Call Martin Law for your Free Consultation.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Rather not call? Contact us online through our portal here.

Know where you stand.

Winter is here and so are winter car crashes on our busy winter streets and highways. But when that crash happens, don't blame Mother Nature. Blame sits squarely behind the wheel with the bad choices drivers make on those winter roads.

Poor choices make poor drivers. Every winter, your injury lawyer sees the same winter offenders.

Just what does your community injury lawyer see every winter?

Here is Martin Law's Mid Winter Countdown:

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving tops our list again. Smart phones and cell phones should never ride shotgun. Winter driving demands our full attention. Full stop. Expensive infotainment systems aren't necessarily better when they pull your eyes and brain off the road in front of you. Just because your new ride is factory loaded with a state of the art infotainment system, doesn't make it safe. When we get behind the wheel, driving safe is our only job.

Smart phones are making drivers dumb. Distraction reaches a whole new level of scary when drivers barrel down the road fighting with their passengers over who gets to use the phone, who gets to place the mobile food order and who is burning up who's expensive data. Everyone gets that a phone just isn't a phone anymore. It's your lifeline to your world and everyone you care about. But nothing is worth your life. Connectivity shouldn't kill you. It certainly isn't worth the life of your child in the backseat and the life of any innocent driver, cyclist and pedestrian you meet.

2. Speed

Drive for the conditions. Slow down. Slippery winter roads mean slow down and drive with care. Rabbit starts and hard stops make it impossible to drive in control. If the flow of traffic is slow, it's slow for a reason. Experienced drivers know #SeeSnowGoSlow is no joke. Sliding through traffic lights and busy intersections is no way to arrive alive for friends and family this winter.

3.Homework Fail

Winter conditions mean extra work. It's just the way it is. Before the snow flies, your car should be in the shop being serviced by a qualified mechanic who can spot problems before they leave you stranded on the shoulder of the road. Take time to top up wiper fluid, replace worn wiper blades and check the oil. Do the 360 and check your lights before you drive. Dark winter driving means you need to see and be seen. Check out the latest road conditions before you leave the house and never check on your phone behind the wheel. Know what you are driving into and ask yourself if you really have to be out on those dangerous roads.

No one said winter driving would be easy. Challenging winter road conditions mean all drivers must rise to the challenge and drive safe.

We know that a car crash is never just an accident.

If you've been injured on our winter roads, call an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Find out where you stand this winter.

And every winter your injury lawyer sees the same offenders.

Our mid winter countdown shines a light on the worst of the worst.

Find out what makes the list this winter. Read our new blog here.

We know that winter car collisions are never just accidents.

Martin Law is your Community Injury Lawyer.

Call for your Free Consultation.

Call 613.966.3888 or 1.888.889.7226.

Don't want to use the phone?

Use our online request form here to schedule a call back from our office.

You are not alone. Find out where you stand.

But dealing with the sudden and terrifying impact of flying ice and a shattered windshield is one of the worst.

What can we do to make everyone's winter commute a safe experience?

Clean that car clear of ice and snow and read Martin Law's latest blog right here.

Be the driver you want to meet on our winter roads.

And if you've been hit by flying ice and suffered a car crash, call Martin Law to get the help you need.

What should you do right now to be a responsible driver?

Brush It All Off

Clean, brush and melt all of the ice and snow from your vehicle. Consider a car cover if parked outside. Make the effort to clean out that garage so you can park in shelter. At the very least, safely secure and carry a good quality car brush and scraper so you can clean that car clear before you drive.

Do the 360

Clean all of the windows and mirrors free of snow and ice. Don't be that driver, you know the one, who just chisels a tiny little porthole to peer through. All of the snow and ice has to go. Budget your time in the morning to take the time to really clean that car off.

Got Racks?

If your SUV or car has a roof rack, be aware this is a trap for ice and snow. You need to take the time and care to push and prod all of that snow crud out of the nooks and crannies on your roof. If you drive it, and love the convenience of hauling extra junk or just adore that sporty off road look, accept the extra work goes with the territory.

Slow Down & Brake Safe

Rabbit starts and hard stops may loosen any snow or ice that you missed and send it flying back onto the driver behind you. Drive deliberately for the winter weather conditions.

What To Do If You've Been Injured By Flying Ice?

If you are the innocent victim of another driver's laziness or inattention and have suffered serious injuries, call the police and get the medical attention that you need. If at all possible, get the licence plate number of the at fault driver. If he stopped at the scene, make sure to exchange insurance information. Report the crash and damage to your local police or your collision reporting centre.

Then call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Experienced injury lawyers know that flying ice and snow is dangerous business. Serious injuries and crash injuries do happen. When you've been hurt by flying ice and snow on our roads, you should never have to bear the consequences of another driver's laziness and inattention.

Top 3 Injury Lawyers for Three Years straight by threebestrated.ca.

Martin Law is proud to serve Central and Eastern Ontario including Quinte, Belleville, Prince Edward County and Hastings County.

Lawyer Shelley Martin lives in Belleville and supports local workers and small business.

100% local. 100% locally owned always matters.

18 Years Serving Quinte and Hastings County.

23 Years Experience.

Check out our latest ranking right here.

Drive safely on our icy winter roads and arrive alive for family and friends this New Year's Eve.

Martin Law wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season.

Martin Law has provided Free Consultations for injury victims in your community for nearly 18 years.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226 for your Free Consultation.

Rather not call? Use our convenient online query form here and ask us to call you.

Call Martin Law to get the help you need.

Find out where you stand.
 

But crowded aisles blocked by shipping pallets piled high with merch make seasonal shopping a real hazard.

Add snow, water and a little slush tracked in by customers and you have a recipe for serious injuries.

Catch Martin Law's latest blog right here and find out why Christmas shopping is so scary.

And if you've been seriously injured in a store this season, or any season, call Martin Law and find out where you stand.

Call for your Free Consultation. Get the help you need.
 

The busy holiday season is here. But while you search from store to store for that perfect gift for family and friends, know this is also the worst season for serious store slips and falls.

For Canadian shop owners, Christmas shopping has to put them in the black. When Black Friday shopping just isn't enough, those stores, and their employees, rely on your holiday shopping spree to make their year. Aisles are bursting with extra stock as shelves overflow with merch. But when wet, sloppy winter floors lead you right to overstocked narrow aisles choked with too much inventory and dotted with irregular wooden pallets, then slip, trips and falls are the result for shoppers caught unaware.

It doesn't matter if you shop in your local Mom and Pop neighbourhood shop, or that big box warehouse store, any business that invites you onto its property must keep that property reasonably safe. You always have a reasonable expectation of safety when invited into a store to spend your money.

And when that injury happens, that business, that property owner and any maintenance company may be liable for your injury and that injury’s impact on your life.

The usual offenders include ice or snow, water and slush on the floor or a loose, worn or dog-eared floor mat. Sometimes it's merchandise on the floor that trips you up. Heavy goods may fall on your head from display towers. Wooden shipping pallets, that should never leave the back loading bay, clog aisles and become an obstacle course for shoppers whose eyes and attention are purposely drawn by the store to brightly coloured merchandise on the shelves and overhead signage. It may also be important that the store knew about the hazard beforehand and whether the store had a routine inspection system in place so should have known about the hazard.

That store owner or franchise operator may not actually own the property. The true property or commercial real estate owner may also be liable for your injury and loss. A store may have a maintenance company helping them keep the floors clean or the parking lot free of ice and snow. That maintenance company may also be responsible for your injury. Know that there may be at least three or more companies liable for your loss.

If you are hurt when shopping this holiday season, know where you stand. Call and get the legal information you need. Your family may also have claims as a result of your injuries under Ontario's Family Law Act. There are limitation periods or time limits to be aware of when considering a lawsuit.  Don’t risk losing your right to obtain compensation for your fall injuries.

Severe store slip and fall injuries can and do happen every holiday season for so many reasons. Get medical help first and then call Martin Law to get your legal help.

Mind those limitation periods and don't let holiday season injuries leave you out in the cold.

Call Martin Law and get the answers you need.

Call 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226.

You can also use our contact portal here to request your call back.

Call Martin Law now and find out where you stand.

Thank You

Truckers do the heavy hauling day in and day out so Canadians get the food and goods we need to get through our cold winter.

But there's no denying that size matters on our winter roads. Truck on car collisions are catastrophic.

Before you roll with the big rigs this winter, be in the know.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and be prepared this winter.

In Canada, it is estimated that approx 15% of highway deaths each year are due to collisions involving large trucks (TIRF 2015; TIRF: Road Safety Bulletin: A Question of Size, 01/2017, Daniel R. Mayhew, Robyn D. Robertson, and Stephen W. Brown). Large trucks are over-represented in highway deaths. Motorists are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in large truck crashes. Trucks are statistically more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes thus spreading the injury exponentially. Trucks just weigh so much more than passenger cars. Size matters. But size alone is not the only culprit.

There are at least 4 common causes of truck on car collisions:

1. Bad Maintenance: Trucks are ground to the ground and subject to severe wear because of the tens of thousands of miles their drivers log. Worn brake pads, bald tires, blown lights and cracked windshields cause crashes. The buck stops with the trucker to do a complete circle check at the beginning of every shift and file a complete and comprehensive maintenance log. Maintenance crews and company garages also need to regularly maintain their fleet on schedule;

2. Parts Failure: when trucks fail, liability may fall on parts manufacturers, truck manufacturers, truck dealers and the mechanic who installed a faulty part and failed to find the defect before installation;

3.Load Fail: trucking industries lay down their own rules for loading truck beds and properly securing cargo. If truckers and loading teams fail to follow the rules, cargo can fly off or fall off at speed causing severe personal injuries to following motorists; and

4.Trucker Error: young and inexperienced male truck drivers bear the lion share of responsibility for speeding, inexperience with harsh winter driving conditions, failure to check loads and generally being unaware of their own physical limits, sleep deprivation and the trap of drowsy driving. And while the majority of truckers are amongst the most professional and experienced drivers on our roads, they are still human. Humans that struggle with substance abuse, fatigue and distracted driving. Professional truckers also struggle with commercial scheduling, may be nanny-sat by fleet managers demanding constant distracting communication and log-ins and required timely deliveries whatever the weather and road conditions.  

Under-Ride

Trucks are also designed with higher ground clearance. This leaves passenger cars and motorbikes at serious risk of under-riding trucks in crashes. Horrifying under-ride crashes continue to occur despite pressure for government action and regulation throughout North America. Victims and safety organizations alike are lobbying to strengthen under-ride protection, including more laws for rear impact guards and have also proposed side under-ride guards. Just what type of guard offers the best protection and the practical distinction between straight trucks vs. tractor-trailers is also up for debate (Driving.ca; How It Works: Truck Guards vs. Truck Skirts, February 20, 2019, Jil McIntosh).

Tech For Good

New fleet technology may deliver badly needed relief with back up cameras, cell phone block and on-board recorders, but face pushback from some experienced drivers who have rolled old school with flawless safety records for decades and view tech for good as yet another expensive distraction and invasion of their space. No seamless tech promise of truck safety is on the horizon. And technology alone can never take the place of conscientious and experienced truckers. Like any industry, tech forward safety initiatives will be a slow, cost-forward and difficult transition.

Education and awareness of trucking dangers is key not only for truckers but for all other motorists. Never under-estimate the challenges of driving a truck. Most of us just couldn't fill their shoes or their seat. Please give truckers the respect and space they need to safely share the road with you.

But if you or your family drove safe, were seriously injured in a truck on car crash, and believe the truck driver or truck company was to blame, remember that these collisions are different. They are unique by nature. Tragically, they are also unique by force, impact and severity of injury.

If you have been severely injured in a truck on car crash, call an experienced injury lawyer who really understands that your crash is different than a car on car collision.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims and find out where you stand.

But dark driving conditions, traffic and children are a bad brew.

Check out Martin Law's latest blog right here to read our top 7 Halloween driving list.

Be ready this Halloween. Drive Halloween safe.

Halloween is almost here. Children big and small dress up for the big event. Halloween has clearly transformed into an adults also night of fun and parties. Now that it's not just for kids, it is critical that adult drivers remember to share the streets with small and vulnerable trick or treaters.

If you take to the roads this Halloween enroute to your party, remember this top 7 list for your safe Halloween:

1. Take it Slow. Plan ahead and leave early to cope with extra traffic. Don't try to make up for lost time by speeding. On this night of all nights, children are everywhere on our neighbourhood streets. Slow down for safety's sake;

2. Be the Adult. Know that children are excited and distracted as they run from door to door in our neighbourhoods. Be prepared for a child to cross in front of you. As the adult driver, you may have the last real opportunity to avoid a tragedy;

3. Back Off the 'Burbs. Don't drive in our busy, clogged suburbs during peak Halloween hours of 6pm-9pm. Suburbs are magnets for truck loads of rural children driven in for easy door to door trick or treating. If you don't have to be there, don't drive there;

4. Just Drive. Put down the phone. Hands and eyes off the in-car infotainment. Make driving your only priority. Don't drive distracted;

5. Don't Drink & Drive. Be the designated driver. Take a taxi. Rideshare with a dependable and sober driver;

6. Share the Halloween Road. Know that children are out and about. Overwhelmed parents are driving carloads of children from street to street. Some are simply out walking in the dark with dog in tow to take in Halloween decorations and lawn displays. Go slow and drive safely; and

7. Be Your Best Driver. Be the driver you would have wanted to meet on the roads when you were a kid. Be the driver you'd want your own children to meet.

Halloween safety starts days before Halloween Night.

Please be thoughtful, think ahead and pay attention this Halloween.

Make this Halloween a safe Halloween for everyone on our streets.

Dooring happens when a driver or passenger opens a car door without first checking to see if a cyclist is coming. When a cyclist strikes a car door and flies over the handlebars and lands on the road, on a car or in the path of oncoming traffic, severe and life threatening injuries happen.

Those injuries can include serious orthopedic injuries (broken bones), brain injury including concussion, traumatic brain injury and skull fractures, spinal cord damage, nerve damage and skin degloving.

Dooring can injure motorcyclists, pedestrians and joggers as well as cyclists.

While every crash is unique, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in safety and this includes opening car doors. Drivers and registered owners of vehicles are also responsible for the conduct of their passengers. Even when those passengers may be children and likely to swing open that door without thinking of the consequences.

Recent advancements in driver assist, sensors and radar may one day reduce the number of injuries by preventing the driver and his passengers from opening a door when a cyclist is near. But the reality is that the vast majority of cars today don't have this feature and it will take time for it to trickle down and become a standard safety feature.

Social media also actively promotes the Dutch Reach: when a driver learns to use his opposite hand to open the door forcing a shoulder check to look for cyclists. While this slowly makes inroads with conscientious and informed drivers, most drivers have not adopted this safe driving technique.

If you are a cyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian, and have been doored or hit by a car, what should you do?

Here are Martin Law's Top 5 Tips:

1. Get Medical Assistance. In a vehicle on cyclist strike, chances are an ambulance has already been called. Get the emergency medical help you need. It is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. After you get treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor is your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper.

2. Make a Police Report. This usually happens at the scene or even at the hospital. Ask the officers who take your statement for their I.D. including names, badge numbers and which police department they work for. Ask for one of their public information cards with station phone number. Get a copy of the report when it is completed. It should have the driver's name, address and insurance information on it. You are entitled to this information. You need this information.

3. Notify the Insurance Company. You should notify the car insurance company in writing within 7 days of the crash. If you are unable to do so because you are hospitalized and under treatment, then you need do this as soon as reasonably possible. Never assume that the at fault driver has notified his own car insurer. You notify the insurance company.

4. Take Pics. Even better if family or a close friend takes them for you. Document your injuries. Bruises and cuts will fade with time. Casts will be removed. Record your injuries before they are no longer visible.

5. Keep a Record. Take time to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the crash happened. Go through it step by step. The details are fresh in your mind now. Details fade with time.

When you've been hit by a car, protect yourself and call an experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law can be reached at telephone 613 966 3888 or 1 888 889 7226.

Prefer to contact us online? Find us at www.injurylawyerontario.net.

Use our handy online contact form right here.

Cyclists have every right to use our roads and should never be treated as second class citizens.

Call us and find out where you stand.

Call Martin Law for the help you need.

Or go online to our portal right here and ask us to contact you.

Call 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226.

Call Martin Law and know where you stand.

Be safe on our busy roads and arrive alive for family and friends.

Early winter driving demands much more than your skill and attention to difficult road conditions.

Early winter conditions demand that every driver see and be seen.

That means you really need to know the vehicle you drive. Don't make assumptions about how your car should work.

Transport Canada reminds us that dark vehicles, or phantom vehicles, are a frightening safety risk not just for their drivers, but for all they meet on the road.

Transport Canada highlights what every driver needs to know:

• just because your dashboard is lit-up, doesn't mean your lights are on. Every car is different. Crack open the glove box and actually read that manual before you head out on the road;
• automatic headlights only work if you set them on automatic. Many cars still require that you physically set your lights on automatic. Just because you have a brand new smart car with all the bells and whistles, don't assume that everything is automatically done for you. No car is magically ready out of the box, or off the dealer's lot, for safe early winter driving;
• a bright dashboard doesn't guarantee that your headlights and tail lights are on; and
• daytime running lights just don't give you enough light to drive safely in the dark.

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation also warns us of another dark driving danger: overdrive.

This means that when you drive too fast in the dark, your stopping distance is further than you can see even with your highlights properly engaged. You may not have enough room to stop safely. Reflective road signs can be deceptive and make you think you can see further than you actually can. Slow down in the dark and drive with care. Do not fall into the trap of over-driving your headlights.

As of September 2021, the Canadian Vehicle Lighting Regulation, should require that all new vehicles sold in Canada have at least one of the following:

• tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights
• headlights, tail lights and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark
• a dashboard that stays dark to alert the driver to turn on the lights

It is anticipated that this new lighting standard will apply to all new vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, 3-wheelers, motorcycles and heavy trucks.

While Fall 2021 may be helpful for brand new car owners, new build regulations don't address the vast majority of older vehicles on our dark roads and highways.

We can hope that mass media and social media will highlight the dangers of phantom vehicles as they pass on the news of this new law over the next year or two. However, common sense and diligence remain squarely on the shoulders of everyday Canadian drivers.

Read your vehicle manual and get those lights on. Light it up. Slow down in the dark and drive smart for the dark conditions. Drive safe for yourself, your family and every other driver, pedestrian and cyclist who shares that road.

If you have been injured in a car crash, and you suspect the at fault driver didn't have his lights on or didn't have the right lights on for the conditions, let the investigating police officer know. If the police don't attend the scene, make sure to let the Collision Reporting Centre know. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Experienced injury lawyers know that a car crash is never just an accident.

Know where you stand.

Are you ready for early winter driving?

Light it up. Drive safe for safety's sake and get those lights on.

Do you know if your lights are on?

If you aren't sure, now is the time to dust off that manual and get in the know.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and see the light.

And that help is just a call or click away with Martin Law.

Use our handy online contact portal right here or call us when you need to speak to a lawyer directly.

Call 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226

Call your experienced community injury lawyer. Know where you stand.

Defence lawyers want the good stuff. Their hope is after surviving a severe car crash, the nightmare of multiple broken bones, years of painful medical treatments, the end of your career, mortgage foreclosure and impending personal bankruptcy, that you're still churning out happy pics online showing how much you love life and how fab you looked last Saturday night. And yes, some injured people do just that. Given the nature of social media, it really shouldn't be that shocking. It's no head-shaker.

For most lawyers, social media is like a sloppy virtual bulletin board. If you post it, you lose it. But is it really? The truth is we've got it all wrong. Social media is not mail. It is not phone records. Social media is not even like an old-time telephone party line. Social media is plain old theatre.

What lawyers and our legal system don't grasp is just how fake most of these personal posts really are. Mining for 'truth' in social media is like panning for gold in a salt mine. Social media truth is fools gold plain and simple. Social media marketers know this oh so well. Maybe it's time that our legal system took a page from these web entrepreneurs and looked long and hard at the value of social media evidence.

Marketers know what's what. Here's what they know and what our legal system should know:

1. Brag Culture: everyone likes to win. And everyone likes everyone to know they are winners. Why post you feel like heck and look worse after a week in a hospital bed? No shower, no shave, no shampoo, no deodorant and the humiliation of being hauled by an attendant to the toilet. Who wants to hear about that. And nobody ever wants to see your GoPro footage of that. No one will ever 'like' that on Facebook. And definitely not #Winning;
2. Self-Fulfillment: everyone wants to feel valuable, belong to a community and share with others. For months or even years, you have nurtured your online self. Are you going to destroy that image and upset the apple cart by tweeting about how much pain you are in and how depressed you are after an hour of grueling physio? Not likely. And definitely not 'likable";
3. Self-Creation: social media gives people a second chance to make themselves in their own best image. People share content to create an idealized online persona. Does sharing this tweet make you look good? Look like a real somebody someone else would like to be friends with? If you look weak, needy and high as a kite on prescription painkillers, you probably won't get 'friended' today;
4. Give the World a Coke: and a smile. If you're old enough to know that phrase, you already get it. People share posts and tweets because they hope the content will improve the lives of their audience. Marketers know how important it is to create easy 'helpful' content that can be adopted, shared with thousands, and immediately make everyone's lives better. What's the chance that a car crash victim's pic of their black and blue legs will make the cut? It won't have social media legs; and
5. Spreading the Good Word: people share information to boost their social causes, political beliefs and brands they love. Tweeting about our own personal pain and struggles just seems selfish and petty in the grand scheme of things. Nobody wants to be seen as a whiner. What's the social good in that? So they hide the pain.

Is this all just armchair psychology? Maybe there's a bit of pop psychology to it. But don't doubt for a minute that social media marketers have the pulse of what's really ticking. For an interesting read, check out Cole Nowicki's  "Social Media and Psychology: 8 Lessons For Marketers" (HootSuite: April, 2019).

And for practical strategies of how to deal with your social media accounts when you've been injured, read Martin Law's Blog, "What Happens On Facebook Doesn't Stay On Facebook."

What's the take home skinny?

Don't take social media posts at face value. And never sacrifice our time-tested Principles of Evidence to accommodate the future. Don't forsake hard won lessons just to look modern and with it. Maintaining our Court's discretion to weigh the value and necessity of such 'evidence' is critical. Automatically allowing frilly and fake theatrical social media posts into evidence just because it's the future, strips our system of all that is good, reasoned and fair. Remembering our Principles of Evidence reminds us of that one Golden Rule: It's Still Hip to Be Square.

Would you know what to do after a serious fall injury?

Read our latest Martin Law Blog here and be in the know.

This law firm sees many of the same offenders every season including:

• slick and slippery floors when the rain is tracked in by shoppers and employees alike but left unmopped;
• dog eared and bunched up mats and rubber floor runners; and
• worn and repurposed entrance mats that were never designed for high traffic entrance use but recycled from the back room by well meaning but frugal management.

When you've been injured, read our short list for help and recovery. Know where you stand.

Here are our Martin Law Top 7 Tips:

1. See the Doctor: medical care is your priority. It also documents that injury and becomes a written record of your treatment. After you go to emergency, go to your family doctor. Your GP provides your essential treatment and is your primary record keeper;

2. Take Names: somebody saw you fall. Ask for their name and contact information. Get that info early because detailed memory fails with time. A witness may also become reluctant to help as the weeks pass;

3. Take Photos: before you leave, ask a witness or companion to take a quick pic with your own cell phone of the mat or puddle that caused your fall. If you were in too much pain and forgot, ask a friend to go back to the site and take photos when it is safe to do so. If the manager tells them to leave, they need to leave. Photos are incredibly helpful for your case. We are visual creatures and everyone in the justice system, including a judge and jury, depends on photos to understand why you were hurt;

4. Keep It: box your torn dress, pants, shirt, glasses, damaged hearing aid and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash your clothes. Just leave them. Store them in a secure, easy to remember place in your home;

5. Write It Down: take the time to write down, step by step, what happened to you that day. Do it now before the details slip away. Your notes are your private property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or insurance company's private investigator if you don’t want to. Share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share;

6. Don't Make Excuses: you have a reasonable expectation of safety when a commercial premise like a store invites you inside to spend your money. Maybe they were kind to you after you fell. Maybe they weren't. The fact that you fell and suffered serious injuries means they failed to maintain their premise in safety. You paid the price for that mistake. Don't you make the mistake of ignoring your own needs and expenses; and

7. Stop Minimizing: pretending you aren't hurt won't make it better. Go to the hospital. Go to your family doctor or clinic. Get the medical help you need. Then get the legal help you need.

What if you fell on a Municipal - City, Town or Village - Sidewalk or Government Property?

Do all of the above but also two more critical things:

• A Notice Letter may need to be sent immediately (within 10 days of the fall) to the Municipality or you risk that a future lawsuit could be barred for failure to properly notify that Municipality; and

• Call Your Injury Lawyer and let her know if there is even the slightest chance you may have been injured on Municipal property. Even if you’ve missed that 10 day notice window, call an injury lawyer now. Don't assume you may be out of time without speaking with an experienced lawyer first.  

Slip and fall injuries are serious and deserve serious help.

Call Martin Law this Fall and get the help you need.

Are you ready to meet that school bus?

Catch up with our latest Martin Law Blog here and be prepared for back to school.

Discover how our local communities are employing tech for good to better protect our kids.

If you were injured this summer, be aware that there may be time limitations for your claim.

Don't let time rob you of your opportunity to receive compensation for your injuries and loss.

Call Martin Law Now for Your Free Consultation.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226

Don't want to use the telephone? Contact us online right here.

Find out where you stand.

It's back to school time and soon we'll be meeting that big yellow bus on our streets. School bus safety is critical for our children. Before that bus rolls, remember to drive safe for safety's sake.

Always remember:

1. Just Stop

Stop when the lights are flashing and the stop-arm is extending. Cars traveling both directions must stop for a school bus when it's lights are flashing. Failing to stop could kill a child. And failing to stop brings significant fines and demerit points.

2. Smile You're On Camera

Some buses now have stop-arm cameras onboard. The Ontario government has also introduced legislation to give prosecutors more bite. Proposed legislation may allow camera footage into evidence, without the need for supporting testimony from the bus driver, and lets municipalities take control and channel fines to support local safety efforts. While camera technology improves every day, it may not yet be sufficiently reliable, particularly in initial pilot projects, for conviction without the bus driver's experienced critical testimony. The admission of video evidence in Court has its own unique challenges including demanding standards for expert led authentication of that video to ensure it is authentic, complete and not been altered whether by error or system or storage protocol. No technology and certainly no data or image is intrinsically infallible or perfect. Whether these initiatives will pass, and whether they will then survive Court scrutiny, is unknown. But what is known is that fail to stop is a sufficiently serious problem, the necessity for tech monitoring solutions on public roads where drivers have little expectation of privacy is clear and our community's will to explore innovative measures to protect our children is very strong. Tech for good is coming. Technology is not just for gamers and instagrammers. Balancing tech's promise of data rich evidence and powerful deterrence against the genuine concern for wrongful conviction through error and misidentification of motorists, will demand our Courts' most thorough consideration and thoughtful exercise as gatekeeper. And experienced injury lawyers will know to specifically request the disclosure of stop-arm camera data should they represent an injured child and their parents or guardians in civil injury claims.

3. Watch the Speed Limit

Know and obey posted speed limits. Know that school zones and streets near playgrounds have reduced speeds.

4. Eyes on the Crossing Guard

Children rely on our community crossing guards to guide them safely across traffic. For the safety of kids, and that of the crossing guard, please be aware and pay attention.

5. Take Your Time

Back to school means more traffic, school buses, parents carpooling the neighbourhood kids and longer commutes to work. Budget at least an extra 15 minutes for your morning commute.

6. Be the Adult

Be ready to stop for children whether they are walking or biking. You are the adult driver. As the driver of a motor vehicle, you may have the last best chance to avoid a collision. Drive smart. Drive defensively.

7. Put Down Your Phone

Make driving your only job. Don't let your smartphone or onboard infotainment system make you a dumb driver. Keep your eyes and mind on the road. Don't multi-task. Just drive.

8. Be Prepared

Slow down, be watchful and be prepared to brake in safety should a child run or bike out in front of you. Children are excited to visit with their friends after a long summer break and are distracted. You have the experience and maturity to pay attention to their safety when they forget.

Communities raise children. Join our community and keep our kids safe.

Sharpen your driving skills. Be aware.

Be prepared for back to school.

Child safety is paramount in our communities as we explore tech for good to best protect the most vulnerable on our roads.

Ontario has proposed legislation to promote stop-arm cameras on our school buses but introducing this video data into evidence in our Courts may not be seamless.

OG defensive driving skills remain the benchmark for road safety.

We know that old school driver safety will never go out of style.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and find out what our communities are doing to harness tech for good for back to school child safety.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or toll free 1.888.889.7226. We're here to assist you.

Don't want to call? Contact us online right here and we'll call you back.

Call Martin Law. Get the help you need. When you need it.

Remember to drive defensively and arrive alive for friends and family this holiday.

Catch our Martin Law Blog here and please make safe driving your only priority.

Free read Martin Law Blog here. Be in the know this summer and every season.

Drones make the news for all the wrong reasons. In the wrong or unskilled hands, they present threats to physical security and privacy that send most of us running for cover. But drones have immense potential for good. Globally, and locally, first responders are harnessing the power of drones to save lives. Emergency services are making tech for good a reality for all of us including:

1. Traffic Crash Assessments: researchers at Purdue University studied the dangers of idling in a long line of highway traffic. Their research highlights that secondary car crashes, which are often worse than the original collision, can be reduced by quickly clearing that original collision site. While old school mapping a serious or fatal crash can take hours, launching a drone to map the scene allows software to complete data collection in minutes, allowing police officers to open the highway faster. Fast is good because being stuck at the back of the jam makes drivers vulnerable to approaching distracted drivers who don't clue in that traffic has stopped until it is too late. These 3D prints of crash scenes are generated by programming drones to fly a grid and record nearly 100 pics in two-second intervals.  Not only do drones allow police officers to move traffic on busy highways and prevent secondary car crashes, they may also give first responders a first critical view of the scene. When seconds count, early and accurate assessments save lives;

2. Drone Defibrillator Delivery: In rural Ontario, pilot projects have launched drones head to head against ambulances to remote locations to answer simulated cardiac arrest emergencies. While the ambulances struggled with traffic, the drones landed at the site three to four minutes before the ambulance even arrived. Those few minutes save lives in rural communities. In Renfrew, Ontario, paramedics are testing to see if drones can be flown reliably in our cold winter weather and deliver critical lifesaving tech. Knowing how to use the defibrillator, especially in stressful, life and death emergencies, is also being addressed through smartphone apps that could coach family and friends of the victim through the key steps; and

3.  Smart Glasses Technology: paramedics in our own Hastings-Quinte, Ontario, are exploring smart glasses that allow them to keep their eyes on the patient, transmit real time data to emergency room physicians and see through a camera on a drone. Paramedics can access standing orders and protocol, maintain their own personal safety by keeping a few paces back from a dangerous traffic scene, active shooting site, or other locked-down high risk location, and assist emergency rooms and disaster centres to triage the injured. Specialized trauma centres can literally see through the eyes of paramedics to best assist the critically injured. This technology holds huge promise for the injured of Eastern and Central Ontario and for emergency services throughout the world.

When employed wisely and with care, drones have immense power to do good in our communities. Data collection and harvesting is essential and integral to their performance. It is also critical that data privacy and rigorous cybertech measures are taken to safeguard the private information of the injured, particularly when that data is captured at what may be that person's most vulnerable and terrifying time of their life.

Experienced injury lawyers will also now know to request all data arising from a car crash or injury and not simply the ambulance call report and emergency room records.

Drone data has the opportunity to assist not only emergency responders and the injured at their greatest time of need, but also the injured when post-crash and injury they seek assistance and support from insurance companies for badly needed funding to get their lives back on track.

The practical and profound use of emergency drones cannot be underestimated. Their potential for good limitless.

Drones For Good is a real thing globally, and locally too.

Our own Hastings-Quinte Paramedics are pioneering life saving technology that may save your life and the lives of your family and friends.

Read Martin Law's latest blog here and discover why Hastings-Quinte and Ontario lead the world in this cutting edge tech.

Call Martin Law at 613.966.3888 or toll free 1.888.889.7226. We're here to help.

Rather not call? Contact us online right here and we'll call you back.

Call Martin Law. Know where you stand.
 

Please share the road with cyclists and pedestrians.

Drive safe to arrive alive for friends and family on our busy holiday roads.

You can find our article on their website right here and also in their new Summer 2019 Sharing Our Recovery newsletter right here.

We hope our Lawyer's Perspective on Examination for Discovery gives car crash survivors and their family and friends insight into this critical step in their case.

Martin Law provides a Free Consultation.

Call us at 613.966.3888 or Toll Free 1.888.889.7226.

You can also go online on our webpage right here and request a call back.

Find out where you stand.

Remember that inattentive and unprepared drivers cause car crashes.

Mother Nature and her stormy ways are not to blame.

• Do Your Homework: follow your local weather and know before you go. Open that app and get that forecast before you leave. Never open weather apps behind the wheel;
• Slow Down: reduce your speed to suit the conditions;
• Take the Time: leave early to arrive alive at your destination. Know that your drive will be slow. Don't pass vehicles in zero to poor visibility;
• Leave Room: increase the following distance between your car and the car in front of you so you can stop in safety;
• See and Be Seen: test your lights before you leave your driveway. Do a circle check. Make sure you can see and be seen 360 by everyone who shares the road. Check those wiper blades. Worn blades won't let you safely see where you are going; and
• Drive Safe: don't drive distracted. Put the phone down. Hands off the infotainment system. Just drive. Be the safe driver you want to meet on the road.

Driving on slick roads is difficult. Throw in high winds and reduced visibility, you've got a real challenge on your hands. You need all of your skill and concentration to drive safe for yourself and all you meet this summer.

Drive safe this summer regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you.

Remember that rain storms don't cause a car crash. Inattentive and distracted drivers cause a car crash.

If you have been injured in summer storms, and believe the at fault driver failed to drive smart and with skill, let the investigating police officer know and then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that Mother Nature and her storms can't be blamed for a car crash.

Know where you stand this summer.

Stay up to date with the news and issues that matter most to you and your family.

Remember the greatest Mother's Day gift is to drive safe and arrive alive.

Need to dust off those safe driving skills? Read Martin Law's checklist right here before you get behind the wheel.

Before you face the fog, read up on Martin Law's latest Blog right here.

Slow down, be prepared and drive safe to arrive alive this season and every season.

Fog dramatically restricts vision. It can dangerously affect our perception of speed. And it can trigger extreme and sometimes paralyzing driving anxiety.

Fog is more likely to occur at night or near dawn. This dangerously coincides with some of the worst hours for drowsy driving.

All drivers should know these fog facts:

• Know Before You Go: follow your local weather and be informed before you get behind the wheel. Don't let fog creep up on you;
• Stay At Home: if you don't have to be on the road, don't brave the fog. Wait until the fog lifts;
• Slow Down: reduce your speed to suit the conditions;
• Pack Your Patience: leave early to arrive alive at your destination. Know and accept that your drive will be slow. Don't pass vehicles in zero to poor visibility;
• Leave Room: increase the following distance between your car and the car in front of you so you can stop in safety;
• Be Seen: test your lighting system before you leave your driveway. Do a circle check. Make sure you can see and be seen front and back by everyone who shares the road;
• Lights Not Brights: avoid using high beams as the micro water droplets in fog reflect light and brights may actually make it much more difficult to see;
• Be Aware: that fog messes with your mind. Fog affects our perception of speed. It can give us the impression that we are driving slowly when we aren't. Drivers unconsciously use passing road signs, street lamps and trees to gauge speed. When we can't see those markers, we lose valuable data; and
• Just Drive: don't drive distracted. Put the phone down. Hands off the infotainment system. Be the driver you hope to meet on the road.

Driving in fog is a challenge. It demands all our skill and concentration.

But fog does not cause a car crash. Inattentive and distracted drivers cause a car crash.

If you have been injured in the fog, and believe the at fault driver failed to drive smart and with skill, let the investigating police officer know and then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Know where you stand. Even in the fog.

Drive safe and enjoy a happy and healthy Easter celebration with family and friends.

Everyone packs up the car for a long weekend with friends and family.

Know that highways and country roads will be at their busiest.

Distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding are real threats to drivers impatient to reach their holiday destination.

Be prepared. Be aware. Be safe.

Read up on Martin Law's Drive Safe For Easter Sake Blog right here.

Be in the know. Drive safe this Easter Holiday Weekend.

But bicyclists are vulnerable especially when cars won't share the road.

Read up on bicycling dangers on our latest Martin Law Blog right here.

Bicyclists are full partners in transit and should never be second class citizens on our streets.

One or two last Winter snowfalls usually roll through before Spring is here to stay.

Keep those snow tires on a little longer. Keep your Winter driving skills sharp. And keep the faith that Spring will arrive.

While you wait, check out Martin Law's top winter driving offenders right here.

Be in the know. Stay safe for Spring.
 

Auto insurance is mandatory in Ontario. Everyone must have it or face substantial penalties for failure to insure. But part of our responsibility, as owners of a motor vehicle, is to not permit that vehicle to be driven or operated upon a highway in a dangerous or unsafe condition. We must keep our vehicle maintained, serviced and in safe working order. We recognize that both the human driver and, critically, the human registered owner of that automobile, bear responsibility for its safe operation on our roads.

Specifically, the owner is liable in civil proceedings (lawsuits) for the injuries and loss sustained by an injured victim. We own that vehicle and we own the responsibilities and consequences that run along with the freedoms of the open road. Human error and negligence isn’t just about poor driving skills. It is also about the failure to maintain that vehicle in safety.

Our Ontario Highway Traffic Act makes it clear that both the driver and the vehicle owner are responsible in injury claims. Tagging that human registered owner with continued full responsibility for the safe maintenance and full insurance of that vehicle may well pave the way to the most secure and seamless transition to our automotive future.

It will take time to usher in this new automotive age in Ontario. Our winter weather in Canada will be a difficult transition for autonomous vehicles developed in the south. A love of control and unwillingness to give up our human connection to the road may also delay adoption. Price points will be prohibitive for many. It will take years before the majority of vehicles on our roads can call themselves self-driving. There are several realistic barriers to the immediate age of autonomous vehicles in Ontario.

As much as both the public and the auto industry would like to believe that self-driving cars will eradicate collisions and injuries on the road, it simply isn’t realistic. For the foreseeable future, drivers will remain responsible for critical decisions behind the wheel and the safe operation of that vehicle. Self-driving cars will not be a licence to sit back and zone out in the driver’s seat. And should we ever cross the threshold to actual fully autonomous vehicles, that is still no promise of injury free roads. Tech dominant vehicles can’t make that promise. Automation is not perfection. Errors occur.

And for those who place their faith in automatic remote updates, please know that automatic satellite updates are no guarantee, particularly in rural Canada. Outside of large urban centres, updates can be delayed by weeks and sometimes months. As a minimum firewall, human owners will have to be personally responsible for either accepting and confirming that mandatory auto updates have occurred or physically driving that vehicle into an approved service station where updates must be verified.

Particularly in this transition phase, some human owners will fail to follow routine, required maintenance schedules and will not confirm service downloads. We know what happens to today’s personal computers and smart devices when we fail to update our programs, ignore the need for up to date anti-virus systems and fail to keep our firewalls upgraded. They crash. Technology is vulnerable to benign human failure, neglect and negligence. More rarely, it is also vulnerable to human malice and acts of intentional harm. There is no accident free, injury free, utopia on the horizon.

We have long shared the road with these semi-autonomous vehicles. But true fully autonomous vehicles are not on our roads. Innovations in automation will trickle down over the next few years.The question remains: Will we have the foresight to keep calm and stick to what’s tried and true within our own tort system? Are we brave enough to hold the course and hold to what we know works to meet this new challenge? A host of future injured car crash victims will hope so.

Let responsibility remain squarely on human owners. It’s where it belongs. The future is already here. Auto technology is now part of our lives. Let’s keep the faith in, and responsibility upon, us humans.

Use a designated driver, cab or rideshare to celebrate in safety.

But what trouble can one lost little hour make?

Drowsy Driving is the big one. Losing quality sleep means losing concentration and attention behind the wheel. Driving safe requires all our skill and all our brain power. Tired driving is a growing epidemic that threatens both the driver and everyone she meets on the road.

Health Emergencies may be another. Studies show that some people are at a greater risk of heart attack and stroke immediately after the time change. The stress of sleep loss may trigger underlying or pre-existing health conditions. No one wants to be that driver dealing with a life-threatening health crisis behind the wheel. And no one else wants to meet that driver on our busy highways when he loses control of his car and rams into oncoming drivers or pedestrians.

Awareness is one thing. Preparation is another.

How Can We Make Our Roads Spring Safe?

Be ready to lose that hour by taking real steps to adjust to the Spring time shift.

Researchers at the CDC suggest that at least 3 days before the time change gradually move up your bed time and waking, exercise and meals until your body is synched with the change.

They also recommend that we prioritize sleep and reduce the glare, distraction and noise of phones, ipads and tvs at sleep time.

While these strategies may help some drivers, they won't work magic. The reality is that it takes many drivers days and days to adjust to the time shift.

The CDCs own studies show that the danger lasts almost a full week or 7 long days after the clocks change. And the Monday after the shift is particularly dangerous. Studies indicate a full 15 to 20% increase in traffic deaths on that Monday after we spring forward.

Aware drivers may also take practical steps to stay off the roads and out of the line of fire. If possible, put off optional road trips and errands until the red zone has passed.

But most drivers are not that lucky. Most of us commute to work by car or public transit. Our jobs demand that we join the herd and head out on the road to make a living. And while taking the bus may seem like a safer option, we know that bus drivers are human and are not immune to the dangers of time change and drowsy driving.

Awareness and practical strategies can help but won't truly solve the problem.

While we have time change, we will have injuries.

Each us of can do our small part to reduce drowsy driving and reduce the chance of horrifying health emergencies behind the wheel.

And every step counts.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you suspect the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Be prepared for spring driving and read our latest Martin Law Blog right here.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.

Check it out here and stay in the know.

Please slow down and drive safe for your family and all families you meet on the highways this busy Long Weekend.

You are not alone.

Work commutes are at an all time high in Canada as the cost of living and housing forces most employees to live in remote bedroom communities hours away from their workplace. But while lower housing costs may be a plus for workers, driving long lonely hours on our dark highways is a decidedly dangerous and costly trend.

Dark to work and dark to home makes Jack a tired driver. And a very dangerous driver.

Driver fatigue is a major factor in car crashes.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police reminds us that 20% of fatal collisions involve driver fatigue. In fact, 60% of Canadian drivers admit that they occasionally drive while fatigued and 15% admit that they fell asleep behind the wheel in the past year.

Transport Canada has crunched the numbers and discovered that not only have 60% of Canadians driven impaired by fatigue, there are obvious root causes for this dangerous driving. Some common sense solutions are:

• get your sleep before getting behind the wheel;
• stay hydrated;
• take regular rest stops every few hours; and
• share the drive with a responsible friend and co-worker.

Transport Canada highlights key warning signs of fatigue including:

• yawning frequently;
• having disconnected or wandering thoughts;
• slowing down unintentionally;
• slow or late braking;
• memory lapses and failing to remember driving the last few kilometres; and
• drifting onto the shoulder of the road or drifting over the centre line.

While social media campaigns make inroads and remind us of the need to be aware and rested behind the wheel, technology still lags behind when it comes to concrete, affordable and accessible solutions.

Driver Fatigue Monitoring Systems are in development and are slowly gaining traction in both urban bus networks and private commercial fleet operations. Driving facing monitoring cameras focus on the face of bus drivers and truck drivers and detect differences between alert face and tired face. Those bus drivers, bus passengers, truck drivers and all they meet on the road will ultimately benefit from in-cab tech, but the units remain expensive and the technology in its infancy. Privacy concerns, particularly the collection and sale of personal data for profit, also need to be addressed in the balance between tech for good, it's potential for significant road safety, and our personal information security.

Until cameras, sensors and driver assist devices become standard, reliable and secure, commuters must default to old school methods of awareness and self-monitoring. But those Transport Canada stats are far from encouraging.

If you have been injured in a car crash, and you suspect the at fault driver was fatigued and driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If the police didn't attend the scene, then make sure it is in your Collision Reporting Centre report. Then call an experienced injury lawyer.

Experienced injury lawyers know that a car crash is never just an accident.

Know where you stand.

Driving in the dark during our long Canadian winters threatens both driver and all he meets on the road.

For the scoop on drowsy driving, catch our latest Martin Law Blog right here.

Don't be asleep at the wheel.

Martin Law has consistently ranked amongst Belleville Top Three Injury Lawyers for the past 2 years by threebestrated.ca.

Martin Law is your 100% local Belleville injury law firm.

100% locally owned and operated by a lawyer who actually lives in Belleville, supports local businesses and workers, and calls the Bay of Quinte and Hastings County her home.

We are proud of our work and thrilled to be recognized day in and day out for 17 years of dedicated service to personal injury victims.

Call us for a Free Consultation. Don't settle for less.

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Make it your New Year Resolution to put winter driving safety first and catch Martin Law's new blog right here.

If you've been injured by a winter driver, don't chalk it up to Mother Nature.

A car crash is not an accident and a crash doesn't just happen.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand.
 

The New Year is here and so are winter car collisions on our streets and highways. While we love to blame Winter and the blustery weather for just about everything, Mother Nature is really not to blame. Winter car crashes happen because of the poor choices drivers make on our winter roads.

Bad choices behind the wheel make for bad crashes. And every New Year, the same offenders stand up to be counted.

What does your injury lawyer see every Winter?

Here is Martin Law's New Year Countdown:

1. Speed

#See Snow Go Slow. This twitter hashtag says it all: speeding in the snow kills. When roads are slick, sliding through intersections and traffic lights becomes a real issue. Reduce speed on snow covered streets. Hard last minute braking is not an option for safe stops;

2. Tailgating

Rear-end collisions happen when a driver fails to leave a reasonable stopping distance between her car and the car in front. Don't fall into the trap of following too closely. Slippery roads make it much more difficult to stop. Drive for the conditions and be prepared to stop;

3. Road Hogs

Share our roads. Pedestrians and cyclists need to use our streets. They are equal partners in transit but rarely acknowledged. Bad driving conditions underscore the need to slow down, be courteous and move over. Respect our Emergency Responders, Tow Truck and Snow Plow Drivers. They risk everything to help us in the worst winter weather. Help them to help you by slowing down and moving over;

4. Homework Fail

Winter driving has never been a carefree Sunday drive. Keep your car in good repair and ensure it is regularly serviced. Top up that windshield wiper fluid, replace worn wiper blades and check those lights before heading out. Every motorist needs to see and be seen. Navigating challenging conditions can become overwhelming when you can't see where you are going. And everyone must see you in the darkness and driving snow;

5.Distracted Driving

Distracted driving now tops the list of deadly driving hazards. Whether a smartphone in your lap or a sophisticated infotainment system on your dash, both pull your eyes and brain off the job of driving. Driving in challenging winter conditions is a demanding job. Make it your one job. Connect with the road and not with the net.

Awareness and social media campaigns do make a difference, but there is little chance that these Big Five Offenders are going away anytime soon.

All motorists must drive according to highway and weather conditions. Crashes don’t just happen.

Car crashes are not accidents. Innocent drivers should not carry the burden of other drivers’ bad behaviour in the winter time or any time.

Call an experienced personal injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Winter is here. The snow continues to fall. Car crashes happen. But crashes are not caused by winter weather alone. Crashes happen because of the negligent choices we make on our challenging winter roads.

Each winter, the same old offenders line up to take credit for crashes on our roads.

What does this injury lawyer see every season?

Here is Martin Law's New Year Countdown:

1.       Following Too Close

Rear-end collisions and fender benders happen when a driver fails to leave a reasonable stopping distance   between his car and the car in front. Poor driving conditions and slick roadways highlight the need for adequate distance. Slippery roads make it much more difficult to stop suddenly. Extra stopping distance is critical in winter driving conditions;

2.       Driving Too Fast

Speeding is a problem year round. But when roads are slippery and covered with slush, skidding and sliding through intersections becomes a real issue. Reduce speed when approaching an intersection. Be pro-active and watch for cycling of lights so you can adjust your speed and come to a controlled, safe stop when necessary. Hard last minute braking in winter driving conditions is a recipe for disaster;

3.       I'm #1 Syndrome

Cyclists and pedestrians also need to use our roadways. Everyone is trying to get to work, get their errands done and pick up the kids. Your needs are not greater than anyone else's. Poor winter driving conditions make it even more imperative to slow down, be courteous and move over. Respect our Snow Plough Drivers,Tow Truck Drivers and First Responders. They risk their lives and their families' security to help motorists in the worst of winter weather. Let them do their job in safety. Impatience and failing to share the road make dangerous driving conditions absolutely deadly;

4.       Winter Homework Fail

Topping up your windshield wiper fluid, replacing worn wiper blades and checking your lights before heading out  on our winter roads can make a world of difference. Every motorist needs to see and be seen. Navigating challenging conditions can become overwhelming when you can't see where you are going. It goes from bad to worse when no one else on the road can see you in the darkness and driving snow; and

5.       Texting & Driving

Distracted driving has now become the greatest problem all Canadians face on our roads. In Central/Eastern Ontario, texting behind the wheel seems to the biggest offender of all. Coping with poor winter driving conditions is a handful in and of itself. With a smart phone in your hand or lap, one hand on the wheel and one eye on the road, difficult winter driving becomes deadly driving.

While social media campaigns and public appeals do make a difference, there is little chance that these Big Five Offenders are going to go away anytime soon.

Be mindful of yourself and others on our winter roads. All motorists must drive according to highway and weather conditions. Crashes don’t just happen. Innocent drivers shouldn’t carry the burden of other drivers’ bad behaviour in the winter time or any time.

Call an experienced personal injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Drive safely on our Holiday Roads.

Martin Law is pleased to thank Picking Up Pieces for the opportunity to participate in their Summer Newsletter.

Shelley Martin's article was just released today on their new Newsletter.

We hope our Summer Driving Checklist provides practical & timely information for all drivers who must share our busy holiday roads.

Please remember to #DriveSafe to #ArriveAlive during these #100DeadliestDays of #Summer.

Shelley Martin's article is now available in their new Winter Newsletter.

We hope our driving anxiety article provides practical and helpful information for all motor vehicle collision survivors.

It is also timely information as our Winter Driving season settles upon us.

Martin Law knows that driving anxiety is real.

Have you thanked your Crossing Guard today?

Each and every school day, our crossing guards line up to protect our children. And every school day, these good men and women walk out into busy traffic to physically stop cars and trucks so our little ones may pass safely. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, our crossing guards put it on the line to make sure our kids get home safely.

So what can we do to show our appreciation?

The thing is, most parents are also drivers. Once we get this, we know what to do.

Drive safe and be courteous and vigilant drivers.

Keep these tips in mind and keep our children safe on our roads.

1. Let Them Do Their Job

Obey your crossing guards. Guards are out there for a reason. Children count on their direction and will follow where they lead. Crossing guards count on you to be courteous and vigilant so they can do their jobs in safety.

2. Slow Down

Obey the posted speed limits paying particular attention to reduced speeds in school zones and near playgrounds.

3. Expect the Unexpected and Prepare For the Worst

Drive in control and be ready to stop for crossing guards. Be prepared to brake for children. Keep in mind that children are walking and biking to school and keep your eyes open. As the adult driver, you will likely have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy. Drive defensively.

4. Drop The Phone

You won't be able to react quickly and slow for a child if you are texting, talking on the phone, setting your GPS, applying your mascara or eating your breakfast behind the wheel. Make safe driving your priority and let everything else go until you park that car.

5. Thank Your Crossing Guard

Take the time to properly thank your crossing guard the next time your paths cross. A heartfelt thank you does a heart good.

You can even nominate your crossing guard to win parachute.ca's Canada's Favourite Crossing Guard Contest. Click here for the link. Ask your favourite crossing guard for permission before entering her name.

Take the time to thank your Crossing Guard today.

A little retro old-fashioned thank you never goes out of style.

But the best thanks is safe driving.

Honour our Community Crossing Guards by being thoughtful and careful behind the wheel.

'Tis the season for winter shopping as Canadians search store to store for those perfect gifts and bargains. But when busy stores overflowing and stacked high with merchandise combine with wet, winter floors, a perfect storm of conditions proves dangerous for unsuspecting shoppers.

No matter a big box chain store or a local retail store, any business that invites you onto its property is required to keep that property reasonably safe. Customers have a reasonable expectation of safety when invited into a store.

When an injury happens, that business and that property owner may be liable for your injury and that injury’s impact on your life.

The usual suspects include ice or snow, water on the floor or a loose, worn or dog-eared floor mat. Perhaps it's merchandise on the floor posing a tripping hazard. Heavy items may topple on shoppers' heads from display boxes and pallets stacked high in the aisle. It may also be important that the store knew about the hazard beforehand or whether the store had an inspection system in place so should have known about the hazard. Sometimes a store may have a maintenance company helping them keep the property clean or the parking lot free of snow. That maintenance company may also be responsible for your injury.

If you are hurt in a store or parking lot, get the legal information you need. Your family may also have claims as a result of your injuries under the Ontario Family Law Act. There are limitation periods or time limits to be aware of if you need to start a lawsuit.

Don’t risk losing your right to obtain compensation for your fall injuries.

Fall injuries can happen for any variety of reasons. Make medical care your first priority and then immediately call us to get legal care.

If you've been injured in a store or parking lot this winter, call for your consultation.

Check out Martin Law's recent fall companion Blog here to learn our top 5 tips and what to do when the worst happens.

Know where you stand this winter.

You are absolutely entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety when invited into a store.

Know what to do should the worst happen.

Read up on our latest Martin Law Blog here and be prepared.

Thank You

That first snow is right around the corner. Drivers are out on the roads anticipating winter driving once again.

Our top 6 first snow driving tips should remind us that winter waits for no one.

1. Get the Forecast: check the road conditions before you get in your car. Many local and national news and weather services carry road reports and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) feature their Reported Road Conditions and Reported Road Closures here. Get that info before you drive. Never open your weather app behind the wheel;

2. Prep the Car: check the windshield fluid, your oil and tire pressure now. Make sure your ice scraper is in the car. Pack a road emergency kit;

3. Make Time: give winter her due and budget that extra half hour or more for your commute. Leave early and prepare for slow traffic and driving conditions. Give yourself the time you need to arrive alive;

4. Clear Off: take the time to brush off the snow. Scrape off the windshield frost. Good visibility is an absolute necessity;

5. Slow Down: reduce your speed to match the new winter driving conditions; and

6. Put the Phone Down: focus on the road. Own that road. Make safe driving your only priority.

All drivers must drive according to winter highway and weather conditions.

Crashes don't just happen. Winter isn't to blame. The buck stops with drivers.

If you are injured this winter in a car crash because of another driver’s negligence, don’t just chalk it up to old man winter. You've done your winter homework. So should everyone else. Poor driving conditions mean all must drive with care.

Call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Catch up with Martin Law's latest blog right here. Don't let winter get the drop on you.

Everyone must drive safe for winter conditions. Winter is never to blame.

If you've been hit by a negligent driver, know where you stand.

Call your local experienced injury lawyer. 

Drowsiness and fatigue have no place behind the wheel.

Before you join the commute this Monday morning, be aware of your limitations. Know the dangers.

Take the time to read our latest Martin Law Blog right here and be in the know.

Drowsy driving is distracted driving. Changing sleep schedules changes safe driving skills for thousands on our roads.

Research shows that it takes drivers days to adjust to the time shift. Some studies suggest the danger zone lasts almost a week - that's 7 full days - after the shift. And studies show a 15 to 20% increase in traffic fatalities on the Monday after that time shift (CDC Centers For Disease Control and Prevention citing Harrison Y. [2013] Sleep Med Rev. 17(4):285-292).

It also shows that those most vulnerable to the time shift are teenagers and young adults who are more likely to fall into the stay up late and sleep late demographic. Those very same young drivers are also more likely to be inexperienced and tethered to their smart phone behind the wheel. This leads to a deadly collision of poor and deeply ingrained driving habits.

So what can we do?

Researchers suggest the we gently and slowly modify our sleep schedules to allow for a gradual transition to change. While this may help the most disciplined among us, it doesn't do much for most.

Social media leads the charge. Awareness is the first step to safe driving. Twitter and common sense urge us to:

• Be #AlertAtTheWheel;
• when tired opt for public #Transpo or #RideShare;
• no #DrowsyDriving;
• #JustDrive and focus on the road;
• because #YouHadOneJob;
• #DropItAndDrive;
• #PutDownThePhone;
• don't #TextAndDrive because #ItCanWait; so we can all
• #ArriveAlive.

Be aware of the danger. Drowsy Driving and Distracted Driving are a potent mix.

When you join the commute this Monday morning, be aware of your own limitations. Be cautious of the limitations of the drivers around you. Drive defensively. Drive smart.

Drive safe and watch for those little ghosts and goblins.

Share the road and slow down for safety sake.

Want to be in the Halloween know?

Catch our latest Martin Law Blog here to refresh those Halloween safety driving tips before the big night.

But are you really ready for Halloween?

Check out Martin Law's 6 Tips For Safe Halloween Driving right here.

Make child and road safety your priority this night and every night.

Halloween is just around the corner. No longer just a kids' trick or treating night out, Halloween has transitioned into an adults also night of fun. As more drivers hit the streets en route to parties, it is more important than ever to share the road and neighbourhood streets with small trick or treaters. Extra care and attention is critical.

When you are behind the wheel on Halloween Night, please remember the Big 6 of Safe Halloween Driving:

1. Slow Down. Leave a few minutes early and give yourself the extra time you need to deal with the congestion and traffic. Don't fall into the trap of rushing on the road because you didn't plan for the crowds and leagues of small children;

2. Be Prepared to Stop. Children are excited and distracted as they race from door to door. Be aware that a child may run out in front of your car. As the adult driver of a vehicle, you have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy;

3. Avoid The Suburbs. Stay out of our heavily congested suburbs during peak hours of 6pm-9pm. Not only are the local kids out and about, van loads of rural kids drive in for easy city trick or treating;

4. Put Down the Phone. Turn off that in-car infotainment. Don't drive distracted;

5. Don't Drive Impaired. Driving demands our full attention. Plan your designated driver. Call that cab; and

6. Share the Road. Be pro-active and remind yourself that small ones are out walking tonight. Impatient and tired parents are also ferrying carloads of kids from block to block. Others are just out walking or driving to see the neighbourhood decorations. Drive defensively.

Think ahead before you get behind that wheel this Halloween.

Your attention may save a child's life as well as your own.

Touch screens. Paired phones. Bluetooth connectivity. Voice activated in-car technology. All these tech goodies draw our eyes off the road and our minds off our one job. Safe driving.

Social media has focused the spotlight on hand held smartphones and texting and driving. It's one of the most deadly threats on our roads. But distracted driving is still distracted driving even when slicked up in a shiny new package. The buck stops with the driver.

Check out Martin Law's new blog right here to learn more.

If you have been injured by a distracted driver, and you suspect the at fault driver was distracted by their infotainment system, call an experienced personal injury lawyer. Just because that driver was behind the wheel of an expensive car with a high tech touch screen display or state of the art voice command system, does not make it OK. It certainly doesn't make it safe. Distracted driving is distracted driving. It's that simple.

Keep Your Eyes On The Road & Hands On The Wheel

All the cool new cars have them. Infotainment systems. In-car technology. Multimedia systems by another name. They usually come standard on new vehicles. Did you know that many systems let drivers scan hundreds of satellite radio stations, pair their smartphone and send text messages, enter and follow GPS coordinates, check their Twitter & Facebook and surf the web all while cruising down the highway? Gone are the days of simply turning the dial to blast air con or jack up the tunes. Even a simple task like changing the radio station or switching from radio to air con could mean navigating through 3 plus touch screens. No wonder consumers are left confused and frustrated. Worse, those very drivers, and those they share the road with, are vulnerable to catastrophically severe car crashes.

Last Fall, the AAA (CAA's sister organization) issued a very public warning. Their AAA studies show that these vehicle infotainment systems take our eyes, hands, minds and attention off the wheel and off the road for prolonged dangerous periods of time. Even basic tasks like programming navigation and changing up satellite radio can distract us for more than 40 seconds at a time. When twinned with AAA's revelation that removing eyes from the road for just 2 seconds doubles the risk for a crash, the threat of on board distractions is clear. As AAA urges car manufacturers to lock these systems while in motion, responsible drivers can be proactive and just say no to onboard distracted driving.

Here's how:

• GPS & Navigation: program your route before you leave the driveway;
• Favourite Tunes? Just set it and forget it;
• Declare Your Ride a Google Free Zone; and
• Go Old School: pull over in safety to make & take that call or text.

Social media has focused the spotlight on hand held smartphones and texting and driving. It's one of the most deadly threats on our roads. But distracted driving is still distracted driving even when slicked up in a shiny new package. The buck stops with the driver. All drivers regardless of income and regardless of ride.

We have the power and obligation to use this new technology responsibly and in safety. If not, the number and severity of car crashes will climb. We know that we can't really have everything all the time 24/7. Multi-tasking is madness behind the wheel. Just because it comes standard in your car doesn't mean it is safe. And it doesn't mean drivers can put their brains in park and ignore the danger.

You can be sure that injury lawyers are watching these developments closely. So should consumers and drivers. When an at fault driver is convicted of distracted driving, one big pillar of our case has been made against their insurance company. Injury lawyers must prove, on the lesser civil standard, liability and damages to make our case. Liability means who is to blame. Damages mean the impact on the victim's life and include pain and suffering and income loss. That distracted driving conviction is a big practical help proving that first pillar or leg of liability.

If you have been injured by a distracted driver, and you suspect the at fault driver was distracted by their infotainment system, call an experienced personal injury lawyer. Just because that driver was behind the wheel of an expensive car with a high tech touch screen display or voice command system, does not make it OK. It certainly doesn't make it safe. Distraction is distraction whether you are putting along in your beater with your phone on your lap or purring along in your Mercedes posting tweets about your fab weekend. Distracted driving is an equal opportunity offender. Your brain is not where it's supposed to be.

Call an experienced injury lawyer. Find out where you stand.

Be aware of heavy traffic on our holiday roads.

Drive safe for friends, family and all you meet on our busy holiday highways.

Free read our Martin Law Blog right here for the latest news.

Guess what? Our icy Winter is not the most hurtful season for pedestrians after all.

Is there no safe season out there? Not really. Injuries happen year round. And Fall rains lead to slick and slippery surfaces when property owners fail to maintain their premises.

What are the most common Fall hazards that this law firm sees?

• wet floors when the rain is tracked in and left unmopped;
• loose, bubbled and bunched up runners and hall mats; and
• store entrance mats never meant for high traffic entrance use but recycled from the back room by store management to save money and control cleaning costs. A bad mat equals a bad injury. It's that simple.

If you are injured by any of these known offenders this Fall, learn how to navigate the path to legal and medical recovery.

Here are your Martin Law Top 5 Tips:

1. Go To The Hospital: Getting medical attention is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. After you get emergency treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor will be your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper;

2. Get Names: there are always witnesses. Somebody always sees something. Get names and contact information. Details fade with time. And witnesses can become more distant and reluctant to get involved as every day passes;

3. Take Pics: hopefully you already thought to ask a witness or helpful Samaritan to snap a pic on your own cell phone of what caused you to fall before you left the scene. If you didn’t, now is the time to ask a family friend or family to go back - if they can do so in safety and it’s an area accessible to the public - to take photos. If the property owner asks them to leave, they must leave. While the best bet is to have a picture of what caused your fall, a picture showing the offending rug, step, etc repaired and in good shape a day later also shows that the owner/occupier of the property was worried and tried to go for the quick fix after the fact. Sometimes property owners go back to their old habits after a few weeks because they don't have time and think it’s just too much bother and that rug, step or whatever is right back in the same bad state it was when you fell. Photos are not just helpful, they are hugely helpful for your case;

4. Bag It: carefully bag your ripped and torn pants, shirt,  glasses, damaged hearing aid and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash those clothes. Don’t iron them. Just leave them as is. Place them in a safe, easy to find spot in your home. Write a note to yourself to help you remember where you stored them; and

5. Take A Memo: set aside a quiet hour to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the fall occurred. Try your best to go through the happening of the injury step by step including the events leading up to the fall and what happened after you fell. Write out in as much detail as you can what people said to you after you fell. The details are fresh in your mind now. Take the time to do it right now before you forget those details. Your written account of what happened to you is your private property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or insurance investigator if you don’t want to. You can choose to share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share and with whom.

What if you fell on an Ontario Municipal (City, Town or Village) sidewalk or Government property?

All of the above. With one very important difference: a Notice Letter may also need to be sent ASAP (within 10 days of the fall) to the Municipality or you risk the possibility that a future lawsuit could be barred for failure to notify that Municipality.

If you think there is any chance that you were injured on Municipal property, you need to call an experienced injury lawyer immediately to obtain specific and timely advice critical for your situation. Even if you’ve missed that 10 day notice window, call a lawyer now. Never give up or assume you may be out of time without speaking with a lawyer first.  

Fall injuries can be severe and life changing. Help yourself by being smart about your injuries and your claim. Be in the know this Fall.

Get the help you need by calling an experienced injury lawyer to discuss those injuries.

Help yourself by being smart about your injuries and your claim.

Check out Martin Law's latest blog right here.

Enjoy your holiday and drive safe to arrive alive for friends and family.

In the excitement to get away for good times, don't forget your road safety skills.

Never forget that our Labour Day Long Weekend is still part of the 100 Deadliest Days on our Summer Highways.

Catch Martin Law's blog here and be aware before you hit the road.

The big yellow bus will be on the road soon. Brush up on your bus safety.

Slow Down. Be Aware.

And don't forget to pack your patience.

Catch up on our Blog here. Be ready for back to school.

Get your school bus primer now and catch up with Martin Law's latest blog post here.

Be in the know before those buses start to roll.

It won't be long before we meet that bus on our roads again. And when it comes to children on our busy highways, it's never too early to highlight back to school safety.

Keep these handy tips in mind:

1.         Flashing Lights Mean Stop

Cars traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus when it's lights are flashing. Your failure to stop may injure or kill a child. At the very least, failing to stop carries a hefty fine, demerit points and likelihood of increased car insurance rates.

2.         Mind Crossing Guards

Children count on their crossing guard to guide them safely to and from school. Those crossing guards count on you to be watchful and stop when needed.

3.         Slow Down

Obey the posted speed limits paying attention to reduced speeds in school zones and near playgrounds.

4.         Plan For Delay

Your drive to work will take more time. Plan accordingly and give yourself at least an extra 15 minutes cushion for your commute.

5.         Expect the Unexpected and Prepare For the Worst

Be prepared to brake for children. Keep in mind that children are also walking and biking to school and be vigilant. You are the adult driver. You will likely have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy. Drive defensively.

6.         Just Drive

We have one job. Driving our car demands our full attention. Texting, talking on the phone, setting the GPS and eating breakfast behind the wheel, is distracted driving. It takes our eyes and minds off the road for too many precious seconds. Just make safe driving your priority.

7.         Be Aware

Back to school can sneak up on the best of us. Be ready for your first encounter with that school bus. Know that once August rolls around, all drivers should be ready to share the road with the school bus.

Our children's safety on the roads is everyone's priority.

Make sure you are prepared for back to school.

Make safe driving your only priority.

Martin Law wishes you and your family safe driving on our busy holiday roads.

Catch our Martin Law Blog right here for the latest news.

Experienced, safety-conscious professional truckers are the Kings of the Road.

Sharing the Road with Truckers is not only a necessity, it is a privilege.

But when a few, inexperienced young truck drivers are distracted behind the wheel, tragedies result.

Read our latest Martin Law Blog here to find out why truck on car collisions are different.

Highway 401 is a major transportation artery in Ontario. And every year, transport trucks play a key role in fatal crashes. Recently, the OPP ran Operation Corridor in our neck of the woods and focused on commercial vehicle safety and the 'Big Four' of aggressive, distracted and impaired driving as well as seat belts. Because when cars and trucks collide, cars and their drivers lose.

Ontario business wouldn't survive without the hard work of the trucking industry. Safety-conscious, professional truckers are taking care of business day in and day out. It's a two way street. All drivers must remember to share the road and give truckers their needed space on our busy highways. However, some inexperienced truck drivers and growing industry demands lead to deadly truck on car crashes.

We know that motorists are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in large truck crashes.  Trucks are exponentially heavier than cars. And those trucks are designed with greater ground clearance leaving passenger cars at deadly risk of under-riding trucks in crashes.

When truck driver error makes the news it makes an impact:

• Inexperienced Young Male Truck Drivers: top the driver list in truck on car crashes;
• Distracted Driving: those same young male drivers are already susceptible to distracted driving and calling or texting behind the wheel. But when commercial truck drivers try to balance personal calls and also deal with scheduling, tethering to managers, monitoring weather and road conditions and timing deliveries, tragedies result; and
• Driver Fatigue: is a known problem in the industry. Many drivers are worried about falling asleep behind the wheel, running a sleep deficit due to long haul demands and prolonged night driving.

The industry and its safety organizations continue to stress improved driver training, especially for new, young recruits. New tech devices show promise with electronic on-board recorders, back up cameras and devices that block phone use.

But until tech promises become practical reality, truck on car crashes will continue. These crashes are different. They can be profoundly more severe and violent.

Truck on car crashes play a key role in the #100DeadliestDays of summer.

If you or your family are injured on the road in a truck on car crash, understand that your case may be different from a car on car crash. Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims. Find out where you stand.

Stay Cool this Canada Day Long Weekend:

Please Slow Down, Just Drive and Share the Road to Arrive Alive for Family & Friends.

Making the Drive this Sunday to see Dad for Father's Day?

You're in good company.

Be prepared for busy, congested roads and highways this weekend.

Read our new Martin Law Blog right here to learn why summer driving is the most dangerous driving of all.

The best gift for Dad is to Be Safe and Just Drive for everyone's sake.

Share the road on your way to celebrate Dad.

Traffic, kids, phones, liquor and even mother sun all rack up the risks.

Read our new Martin Law Blog here and be in the know about Summer's Dark Secret.

Drive safe this summer. Arrive alive for family & friends.

6 key points make the threat clear:

1. Traffic: Canadians love their long weekend escapes to sun, sand and cottage country. Summer roads are busy roads. Drivers aren't the only ones enjoying the good weather. Pedestrians, children and bicyclists join the traffic on warm summer days. Everyone and their dog is out on the roads in the sunshine. Your chance of a severe crash and serious injury is maxed to the limit;
2. Schools Out: and so are children and young drivers. On average, young drivers have little experience behind the wheel. And also on average, more teenagers and millennials are glued to their cell phones and devices. Inexperience and distracted driving is a deadly combination for everyone on the road;
3. Buckle Up: when we think the roads are slick and icy, we naturally reach for that belt to gird ourselves for our stressful winter commute. But we still need that belt after the snow and ice melt. That seatbelt is more necessary than ever on our congested summer roads;
4. Impaired Driving: liquor and cars don't mix. Too many Canadians get the party started before they have even left their driveways. MADD Canada reminds us that impaired driving in Canada kills hundreds and injures tens of thousands every year. The dangers of impaired driving are known to all. It's no shocker. Don't start to celebrate your vacation until you arrive alive at your destination;
5. Stoned Driving: this summer ushers in a new era with the legalization of pot. Questions, both legal and practical, surround how actual impairment will be detected through roadside tests and observation alone. Politics aside, everyone can agree that driving on our busy summer roads requires every ounce of our concentration, skill and experience; and
6. Sunny Days: Sunnybrook Hospital physicians now suggest that bright, sunny days play a shocking role in car crashes. Bright sunshine days hike the risk by approx 16%, across the board for all demographics, and can't be explained by glare at dawn or dusk. Possibly our judgment is skewed by bright sunlight so we feel that need for speed. When we assume the driving is good, we drive faster.  Check that speedometer and obey speed limit signs even when driving conditions are perfect. Sunshine is linked with an increased risk of a life-threatening motor vehicle crash. (From Abstract Jan.2017. Life-threatening motor vehicle crashes in bright sunlight, Redelmeier DA, Raza S. and Your Health Matters, Refresh your driving safety in time for the summer sun, May 15, 2017, Alexis Dobranowski).

Looks are deceiving. Winter isn't that bad after all. Summer, and it's gorgeous bright sunshine, is the one to watch for. So let's make hay while the sun shines and drive safe for everyone's sake this summer. Pass it on to family and friends. Spread the word so everyone can arrive alive this summer.

Remember your basic safe driving skills. Remind yourself of the new challenges posed by our smartphones and car infotainment systems. Don't let today's smart tech make you stupid behind the wheel.

Distracted driving has emerged as one of, if not the, greatest dangers on our highways.

Let's get back to basics and drive safe for Mom:

1. Just Drive. Put down the phone. Let that text or call go until you reach your destination.
2. Share The Road. Busy family holidays make busy roads. Slow down and be aware of fellow motorists and pedestrians, cyclists and children on our sunny spring roads.
3. Get Your Weather Fix Before You Get in Gear. Get up to date weather information and road forecasts before you get in the car. Don't open that app behind the wheel. Know what you are driving into and plan your drive to miss the worst of the bad weather.
4. Do The Car 360. Before you hit the road, take the time to take a look at your ride. Check the tires. Check the oil. Check your lights. Top up your washer fluid.
5. Slow Down & Chill Out. Be patient. Our highways will be jammed on Sunday. Everyone wants to see Mom. And everyone needs to arrive safely.

The best gift you can give this Mother's Day is to arrive safely and arrive alive for family and friends.

Share the road. And let everyone share the gift of safe driving.

You're not alone.

You'll join many adult kids and grandkids as they pile into their cars to see Mom this weekend.

Read our new Martin Law Blog page right here for your safe driving primer.

Remember the best gift you can give Mom is always to drive safe.

Share the road so everyone arrives alive to celebrate Mother's Day.

Even a friendly, supportive smile can go a long way to lift a neighbour's spirits.

Today is also a great day to remember our Caregivers and to give thanks for their 24/7 support and love.

Whether you #PayItForward on social media or in your Community, a little thoughtfulness always yields dividends of good.

And a heartfelt 'Thank You' is always welcome.

A stubborn #Spring means more time to catch up on Martin Law Blog's winter driving tips right here.

See what your Community Injury Lawyer sees every year.

And keep the faith. #Spring will bloom. Sometime soon.

Our community crossing guards are the unsung heroes of our little towns and big cities.

Learn how you can properly thank your crossing guard.

Read our Martin Law Blog. Click on our onsite link right here.

We support our Community Caregivers year round. Send some love their way today and every day.

Click on our onsite link right here to find out more & read our Martin Law Care For Caregivers Blog.

Please #DriveSafe #DrivetoArrive & #BeSafe on our Holiday Roads when visiting Family and Friends.

Driving skills will be rusty. Our Holiday Roads are dangerous.

How can you protect Your Family on our Easter Holiday Roads?

Even the odds. Drop the phone. Do your homework. Pack your patience.

And read Martin Law's Easter Holiday blog. Click on our link right here.

While we hope for the best for our holiday commutes, we know we must always prepare for the worst.

What Can We Do to Protect Our Family on Holiday Roads?

1. Drop the Phone. Just Drive. Let that text or call go until you reach your destination. Be the solution. Never be the problem.
2. Get Your Forecast Before Getting In Gear. Get up to date weather information and road forecasts before you get in the car. Don't open that app behind the wheel. Know what you are driving into and plan your drive to miss the worst of the bad weather.
3. Do Your Homework. Check That Car. Check the tires. Check the oil. Check your lights. Top up your washer fluid.
4. Heads Up For Safety. Watch for children and pedestrians on the road. Be aware that seniors and dog walkers may need more time to cross busy roads and intersections. Share the road with cyclists. Know that wildlife will be crossing roads. Deer are everywhere in this area. And if you see one deer starting across the road, know there are two, three or four more right behind. Pay attention to deer crossing signs and be prepared to stop. Moose are on the move North of 7. Be extra vigilant.
5. Be Patient. Everyone has the same idea and our roads get jammed on Long Weekends. Getting angry with strangers on the road, or getting short with family in the car,  just distracts everyone from safe driving.

Drive safe and arrive alive for family and friends this Easter Long Weekend.

St. Patrick's Day is this Saturday Night.

Families in Ontario are also driving home after a long March Break.

This Saturday Night is shaping up to be a very busy and dangerous time on our roads.

Please drive safely on our busy holiday roads this weekend.

Be Aware Out There. Arrive Alive For Family & Friends.

Sleep loss means drowsy driving for thousands on our roads. And drowsy driving is distracted driving. It's also dangerous driving.

Research shows that it takes drivers days to adjust to the time shift. Some studies suggest the danger zone lasts almost a week - that's 7 full days - after the shift. And studies show a 15 to 20% increase in traffic fatalities on the Monday after that time shift (CDC Centers For Disease Control and Prevention citing Harrison Y. [2013] Sleep Med Rev. 17(4):285-292).

It also shows that those most vulnerable to the time shift are teenagers and young adults who are more likely to fall into the stay up late and sleep late demographic. Those very same young drivers are also more likely to be inexperienced and tethered to their smart phone behind the wheel. Given the epidemic of texting behind the wheel, 'Spring Forward' lends a whole new level of horror to distracted driving.

So what can we do?

Researchers suggest the following:

• starting 3 days before the time shift, gradually move up bedtime and wakening, meals and exercise until you are in synch with the new time; and
• an hour before bedtime, dim the lights and drop the phone, turn off the ipad, tablet and tv to help your body go to sleep.

But how realistic are these suggestions for that young demographic? These are really just the familar time shift techniques used by adult shiftworkers and those preparing for long haul flights. They only work if you are diligent and disciplined enough to follow. They are profoundly unlikely to be popular with teens.

Perhaps the best practical approach is to hammer home what we already know and should be practicing. Using the language and text that teens do know.

Both Twitter and common sense compel us to:

• Be #AlertAtTheWheel. When tired, opt for public #Transpo or #RideShare;
• No #DrowsyDriving: #TakeANap at home;
• #JustDrive: focus on the road. That's it. Because #YouHadOneJob;
• #DropItAndDrive: #PutDownThePhone already;
• Don't #TextAndDrive: #ItCanWait; and
• #ArriveAlive.

This is social media's one big job. It has the tools to get the message out. It's up to us to listen.

Spring highlights the danger of drowsy driving and the real fear of what happens when drowsy driving and distracted driving collide. Own your own driving after we Spring Forward this year.

The life you save may be your own.

Know that Drowsy Driving is Distracted Driving.

Can Twitter, Facebook & Instagram help us get the message out?

Check out Martin Law's latest blog right here & be on the right side of change this Spring.

Please remember to Drive for Winter Road Conditions, Slow Down and Share the Road to Arrive Alive for Family & Friends.

Is it social science? Junk science? Or just common sense?

Check our our latest Martin Law Blog here to delve into the mess of social media mayhem.

Free read our Martin Law Blog here for the latest updates.

Each winter, the same old offenders line up to take credit for crashes on our roads.

What does this injury lawyer see every season?

Read Our New Blog Article here to see Martin Law's New Year Countdown.

Enjoy The Holidays With Family & Friends.

Please Be Safe Driving On Our Busy Holiday Roads.

Round out the Year and ring in the New Year with the latest news.

Our top 5 first snow driving tips may clear the fall cobwebs and remind us that it's a whole new winter world out there.

1. Do Your Homework: check the road conditions before you get in the car. Many local and national news and weather services carry road reports and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) features their Reported Road Conditions and Reported Road Closures at ontario.ca/511. Remember to get your road Intel before you drive. Never open weather apps behind the wheel;

2. Clean it Clear: brush off the snow. Scrape off the windshield frost. Don't make a hard drive worse by rolling with your view obscured;

3. Take the Time: give yourself the gift of time. Leave early and prepare for slow traffic and slow driving conditions. Give yourself the time you need to arrive alive;

4. Slow Down: speed and slick surfaces don't mix. Reduce your speed to match the new winter driving conditions; and

5. Drop it and Drive: put down the phone. Concentrate on the road. You have one job and one job only: Drive Safe.

If you are injured this winter in a car crash because of another driver’s negligence, don’t just chalk it up to Mother Nature. Poor driving conditions mean all must drive with care. It’s that simple.

Read our companion Martin Law Blog No Free Pass For a Crash in Bad Weather so you are prepared when the at fault driver just blames it on the winter weather.

No one gets a free pass for bad driving in bad weather. Crashes don't just happen. All drivers must drive according to winter highway and weather conditions.

If you are injured in a winter crash call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

Check out our Top 5 Tips here on our new Martin Law Blog.

If you are injured this winter in a car crash because of another driver’s negligence, don’t just chalk it up to Mother Nature. Poor driving conditions mean all must drive with care. It’s that simple.

Read our companion Martin Law Blog No Free Pass For a Crash in Bad Weather so you are prepared when the at fault driver just blames it on the winter weather.

No one gets a free pass for bad driving in bad weather. Crashes don't just happen.

All drivers must drive according to winter highway and weather conditions.

If you are injured in a winter crash call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where you stand.

It may look pretty but it's also dangerous.

What to do if the worst happens and you fall through no fault of your own?

Read our new Martin Law Blog here to catch our Top 7 Self-Help Tips.

Know where you stand.

It won't be long before the first skiff of wet snow hits the ground. And the sidewalks. And the parking lots. And the store aisles as hundreds of sloppy wet boots track in the wet stuff.

What happens if, despite your best efforts, you suddenly slip, trip and fall through no fault of your own?

If you have just had a fall because of a business or property owner’s negligence, there are steps you can take now that will be incredibly helpful for you down the road if you decide to hire an experienced injury lawyer:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: medical attention is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury & starts a written record of your injury and treatment. It’s essential. And after you get emergency treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor will be your key day to day treatment provider & your primary medical record keeper.

2. Get Names: there are always witnesses to a fall. Somebody always see something. It’s rare there is absolutely no one. Get their names & contact information. Details fade with time. And witnesses can become more distant and reluctant to get involved as time passes.

3. Take Pics: ideally, you already thought to ask a witness or helpful Samaritan to snap a pic on your own cell phone of what caused you to fall before you left the scene. If you didn’t, now is the time to ask a family friend or family to go back and take photos if they can do so in safety and it’s an area accessible to the public.

4. Take Selfies: your bruises, cuts & scrapes will fade with time. If you can see them now, you can feel the pain now. Record your injuries before they are no longer visible to the eye. Ask a trusted family member to help you with the photos.

5. Bag It: carefully bag your ripped and torn pants, top, coat, gloves, hat, glasses, damaged hearing aid and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash those clothes. Don’t iron them. Just leave them as is. Place them in a safe, easy to find spot in your home. Write a note to yourself to help you remember where you stored them.

6. Take Notes: set aside a quiet hour to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the fall occurred. Try your best to go through the happening of the injury step by step including the events leading up to the fall and what happened after you fell. Write out in as much detail as you can what people said to you after you fell. The details are fresh in your mind now. Take the time to do it right now before you forget those details. Your written account of what happened to you is your private property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or investigator if you don’t want to. You can choose to share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share and with whom.

7. Keep Receipts: keep all your receipts for all out of pocket expenses you incurred as a result of your fall. You would be amazed how quickly expenses add up. If in doubt, keep the receipt. A simple practice is to get an inexpensive notebook and tape or staple your receipts in each day. Don’t forget to use that notebook as a diary. Write down what your day was like living with your injury. Record your medical appointments including the name of the doctor you saw, what he told you and the name of any prescription. Record the impact of your fall injuries on your day to day life and your family’s lives. This is your diary of your pain & your loss. It is your personal property and you have the freedom to choose to share it with your lawyer.

What to do if you fell on a Municipal (City, Town or Village) sidewalk or Government property? All of the above. With one very important difference: a Notice Letter may also need to be sent ASAP (within 10 days of the fall) to the Municipality or you risk the possibility that a future lawsuit could be barred for failure to notify that Municipality. If you think there is any chance that you were injured on Municipal property, you need to call an experienced injury lawyer immediately to obtain specific and timely advice critical for your situation. Even if you’ve missed that 10 day notice window, call a lawyer now.

Remember to call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your injuries. Find out where you stand.    

Thank You For Our Freedom

Thank You For Your Service

Distracted driving by motorists is a huge social problem. But it's too easy and much too simplistic to just toss pedestrians and cyclists into the same mix without looking at all the facts. Most of us would recognize that there is a difference. And most would agree it is particularly egregious when that injured pedestrian or cyclist is a child or teen.

Deep down, all drivers know that they must share the road. We know that pedestrians and cyclists are our partners in road safety. But every once in a while, motorists may need to be reminded of that reality.

Organizations like #VisionZero and it's affiliates like Vision Zero Network, remind us that all is not what it seems and urge us to resist victim shaming.

Motorists, and those who have designed our roads largely with their own motoring needs in mind, must continue to bear the lion's share of responsibility for everyone's safety and well being on our streets. It is motorists who pilot at speed five thousand pound juggernauts down the road. And it is motorists who nearly always have the last clear chance to avoid a crash with a pedestrian or cyclist.

With recent proposals to criminalize walking and texting in Ontario and other jurisdictions, it's important to first look at our existing law and ask if it truly is lacking. Old does not mean archaic or out of touch. Old, established laws aren't always bad. They are forged from decades of human experience and reflection. Our laws exist for a reason. In this case, that reason is to protect the most vulnerable on our roads.

Reverse Onus vs. Contributory Negligence: How Does That Work?

It's not an 'either or' situation. They work smoothly in tandem.

1. Reverse Onus Is King

Reverse Onus is first up on the table.

Drivers carry the burden. Our Ontario Highway Traffic Act has long recognized this reality. Our law makes it clear that motorists bear a reverse onus when they strike a pedestrian or cyclist.

Our Ontario Court of Appeal has explained that a specific act of negligence need not be proven by a injured bicyclist to show liability.

An injured bicyclist or pedestrian is only required to prove 1) the collision occurred and 2) that the collision caused the damages. The onus is firmly on the defendant driver to disprove her own negligence.

In practice, a bicyclist has always been considered a pedestrian for the application of this law.

The defendant driver always bears the bulk of liability and responsibility for the crash unless she can successfully prove that she was not negligent. This is not an easy task.

2. Contributory Negligence

Walking distracted into traffic or riding distracted in traffic isn't smart. And often it's the youngest, most inexperienced and most vulnerable amongst us who do it. For injury lawyers, this raises the issue of contributory negligence. In other words, when the injured do something that may have contributed to their loss.

That contributing action, if proved by the defendant driver, shifts a small proportionate percentage of responsibility for the crash onto the injured. But contributory negligence is only a small percentage of what goes into the negligence bucket to make a crash. The heaviest and biggest negligence bricks in that bucket usually belong to the at fault driver.

In practice, contributory negligence is really just a reduction of what an injured person gets in damages paid at the end of the day.

Contributory Negligence should never and could never exonerate a defendant driver.

The buck stops with the driver. The reverse onus lies squarely on the driver.

So What's The Road Ahead?

The temptation to blame the pedestrian or cyclist is hard to resist. As motorists, we have a deeply ingrained sense of ownership when it comes to 'our' streets. Sadly, our sense of ownership goes hand in hand with a desire to exclude others from our space. But ownership goes both ways. With privilege and entitlement, comes responsibility.

Sharing the road is hard to do. But it's not impossible. And pedestrians and cyclists most certainly do have rights. Our Ontario Highway Traffic Act has long affirmed those rights. Most millennials only know Ontario's HTA as tickets and speed limits. But it is so much more. And if allowed to do it's job, it offers a blanket of protection for pedestrians and cyclists. It's an oldie but a goody. Don't mess with a good thing.

Before we pass new criminal law in the hope of curbing a social phenom, and Ontario provincial quasi-criminal, regulatory law is toothy criminal law in every practical sense, perhaps we should carefully consider what our law already offers. Criminal law is a blunt hammer. There is nothing precise or surgical about it. Once passed, it's impact is sweeping and affects the daily lives of many. Often in ways that it's authors never truly intended. Perhaps the true, most practical answer lies within the strong reach of social media. Not with our Courts. This is a social trend that has captivated social media. Maybe social media should be the one to address it.

Call it #distractedwalking. Call it #zombiewalking. Call it #walkingstupid. But think long and hard before calling it a criminal offence.

If you are a pedestrian or cyclist and have been struck by a car, call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claim. Don't assume that you are to blame just because the negligent driver told you so at the scene. Don't think you are to blame just because your pals online said so. Call to find out where you stand.

Pics of Zombie Walking or Stupid Walking, fill our feeds.

But is this really a thing?

And are new proposed laws to stop zombies in their tracks really the best path?

What about our Ontario Highway Traffic Act?

What to do?

You can read our new Martin Law Blog here and wander into the debate.

Drowsy Driving is Distracted Driving.

When you turn your clocks back this weekend, remember to be aware on our roads.

Be Aware. Drive Safe.

If you are on the roads this Halloween Night, please remember to safely share the road with our young trick or treaters.

Drop the phone and just drive.
 

If you plan to get behind the wheel this Halloween, think ahead. A little extra planning and attention may save a child's life.

Click here to check out Our Top 5 Halloween Safe Driving Tips.

On The Roads This Halloween?

Our Top 5 Halloween Safe Driving Tips

In just a few sleeps, all the little ghouls and goblins will be roaming our neighbourhoods. And as Halloween Night transitions into an inclusive adults also night of fun and festivities, more and more drivers take to our streets enroute to their parties. If you have big Halloween plans, please remember to share the road and our streets with children. Your extra care and attention is critical.

If you are behind the wheel on Halloween Night, please remember the Big 5 of Safe Halloween Driving:

1. Slow Down. Speed kills. Leave a few minutes early and give yourself the extra time you need to deal with the congestion and traffic. Don't fall into the trap of rushing on the road because you didn't plan for the crowds;

2. Stop For Children. Prepare for the worst and expect the unexpected. Children are excited and distracted as they race from door to door. Be aware that a child may run out in front of your car. As the mature adult driver of a vehicle, you have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy;

3. Avoid The 'Burbs. Don't drive in our heavily congested suburbs during peak hours of 6pm-9pm. Not only are the local kids out and about, van loads of rural children appear for easy suburban trick or treating;

4. Put The Phone Down. Better yet, leave it at home. Don't drive distracted; and

5. Don't Drink and Drive. Don't do it. Plan your designated driver. Call a cab. Cars, alcohol and streets full of children are a horrifying mix.

When you get behind the wheel this Halloween, think ahead. A little extra planning and attention may save a child's life.

Why Do They Do It?

Click on Our New Blog Link right here to find out.

p.s. You Have Not Done Anything Wrong

p.p.s. You Are Not The Bad Guy

Insurance companies love surveillance. It's expensive, takes forever, and rarely yields any good stuff or compromising pics. Understand that surveillance happens to 99% of injured victims. You are not alone.

So why do they do it?

You dared to start a claim. It's that simple.

Insurance companies are the real defendants in most injury claims. They pay the adjuster, hire and instruct the defence lawyer, hire and pay their professional defence doctors and ultimately approve any settlement of the claim and write the cheque. Surveillance is part of most adjusters' due diligence checklist. Insurance companies have standard operational policies and procedures to attempt to limit their exposure and limit their payout. It's not personal. You have not done anything wrong. You are simply one of thousands of injury victims in front of their camera.

It is the insurance company's hope that a private investigator can take a photo of you or film video footage of you doing an activity that you said you couldn't do or the ordinary person would think you couldn't do because of your injury.

Insurance companies are playing the odds that they get lucky with a questionable pic that suggests you can do more than you claimed.

The strategy is to attack your credibility and make it look like you are exaggerating your injuries and your limitations. You said you couldn't shovel the snow. Here you are shoveling snow.

What the photo or video doesn't show is the pain suffered during that five minutes of shoveling snow off the porch. The photo also doesn't show why you had to pick up that shovel. Chances are, your wife had a medical appointment and couldn't wade the snow to get to the sidewalk and out to the bus stop. No one else could or would help. Your neighbour was at work. And because of the injury, and the financial hardship that almost always results,  you  didn't have the cash to pay a commercial snow removal company to do the job. You had no choice but to pick up a shovel and live with the pain.

A surveillance photo is simply one frozen moment in time. It's literally a brief, bitten off second in time. Surveillance is never a helpful or rich measure of an injured person's ability to get back to work. Surveillance never shows the pain you are feeling at that moment. It most certainly can never show the pain you will suffer for the rest of your life because of someone else's negligence.

Surveillance never shows context. Surveillance never radiates the pain involved. And surveillance never explains. It is the job of an experienced injury lawyer to explain.

Here's what your injury lawyer will do:

1. Review that Photo or Video With You: a picture is never worth a 1000 words. You have the words. Chances are the photo doesn't show your wife leaning on her cane slowly making her way to the bus stop. Chances are the photo doesn't show you leaning on the shovel, taking deep breaths between shoveling, and holding your back as you try to help your wife off the porch;
2. Ask For a Complete Copy of the Unedited Video Footage: if the insurance company's lawyer wishes to actually rely on this photo and video at Trial, she should be prepared to hand over all of the unedited footage as well as the time logs and records made by the private investigator substantiating his work and his invoice. It is amazing what can be discovered. Time and date sequence often vary between the edited and unedited video; and
3. Hire Your Own Expert: should the surveillance warrant the expense, then the plaintiff and his lawyer may hire their own video expert to review the footage and determine if  it is truly authentic.

No one video or picture is ever a 'gotcha', case-busting bomb. That's the stuff of bad B movies. It isn't real life. And picture perfect cases don't exist for either plaintiffs or defendants.

One last thing: Do you love Facebook and Twitter? Beware.

Because What Happens on Facebook, Doesn’t Stay on Facebook.

Insurance companies consider your social media accounts to be fair game and just a natural extension of their surveillance plan. If they are taking pictures, they are reading your Facebook and Twitter.

What you share with friends, you may end up sharing with the insurance company and the Court.

Read our companion Blog article for specific info about your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Insurance companies know that even injured people are occasionally forced by circumstance and budget to attempt activities and chores.  Life happens. Surveillance is very common. It's a known trick of the trade. Talk to your experienced injury lawyer about it so that you know what to expect. Know where you stand.

Drive Defensively and Plan Ahead to Avoid the Worst of Traffic on our Holiday Roads.

Check out our first Martin Law Injury Blog right here at Injured When Shopping.

Motorists are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in large truck crashes. Why?

Trucks are designed with greater ground clearance leaving passenger cars at deadly risk of under-riding trucks in crashes. Trucks are statistically more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes thus spreading the injury exponentially. Trucks also weigh so much more than passenger cars.

And truck driver error is making the news. Make no mistake, truck on car collisions are different.

Read our latest Martin Law blog here for details.

Everyone's been there. Driving along in your small car and discovering that you are surrounded by large trucks intent on getting to where they're going. Make no mistake: the majority of truck drivers are incredibly conscientious, courteous and skilled professionals. Most have seen everything on the road. And that experience is gold for both the trucker and the drivers around them. But some inexperienced young truck drivers and the demands of the industry, whether intentional or perceived by drivers, are leading to devastating truck on car crashes.

Trucking in Canada is a $65 billion dollar industry and all Canadians are completely dependent on their hard work and long hours to put food on our table, gas in our tanks and consumer goods in our hands. Canada wouldn't function if it weren't for truckers. In a country this large and vast, it's just that simple.

However, cracks are appearing in large truck safety. In Canada, it is estimated that approx 15% of highway deaths each year are due to collisions involving large trucks (TIRF 2015; TIRF: Road Safety Bulletin: A Question of Size, 01/2017, Daniel R. Mayhew, Robyn D. Robertson, and Stephen W. Brown). Large trucks are over-represented in highway deaths. And motorists are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in large truck crashes.

Why?

Trucks are designed with greater ground clearance leaving passenger cars at deadly risk of under-riding trucks in crashes.Trucks also just weigh so much more than passenger cars. Trucks are statistically more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes thus spreading the injury exponentially.

And truck driver error is making the news:

• Young Male Drivers: of large trucks are heavily over-represented in crash studies. Inexperience is a key factor;
• Driver Fatigue: has long been recognized as a major problem in the industry and drivers themselves are concerned about falling asleep behind the wheel. Sleep deficit due to long haul demands, prolonged night driving and predominantly single drivers lagging in sleep and rest compared to fewer team driving pairings, all are problematic;
• Distracted Driving: while the dangers of distracted driving and calling or texting behind the wheel is a known major problem with all drivers, it can be even more of a danger for commercial truck drivers dealing with scheduling, tethering to managers, monitoring weather and road conditions and timing deliveries while juggling personal life and personal calls on the road; and
• Driving High: while this is emerging as a known concern for all classes of drivers, medical marijuana use for pain control on the job has seeped into the trucking industry and there is concern that the normalization of marijuana use in society is leading us to minimize the risk of impaired driving. (trucknews.com  Doctor says fatigue and marijuana challenging for drivers and fleet managers, May 28, 2017).

The industry and its safety organizations are stressing improved, comprehensive driver training, especially for new, young recruits. Some safety tools like electronic on-board recorders, back up cameras, and devices that block phone use, are increasingly available and have been adopted by some in the industry.

But there's a bottom line to this that can't be ignored. Truck on car crashes are different by nature and, tragically, by severity of the crash. It's time to recognize that reality.

If you or your family are injured on the road in a truck on car crash, recognize that your case may be different from a car on car crash. Call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your claims.

Studies, stats and human experience now suggest that the crazy, hazy days of summer are the absolute worst days to be out on our roads.

5 key points make the threat clear:

1. Traffic: huge numbers of Canadians jump in their cars to get out and enjoy our short-lived warm, summer weather. Our summer roads are more congested. More pedestrians, children and cyclists join the traffic on warm summer days. More people and more vehicles are on the roads. Your chances of a crash and injury rise exponentially;
2. Summer Break: most schools are out and so are children and teenage drivers. On average, teenage drivers have less practical experience behind the wheel. And also on average, more teenagers are tethered to their cell phones and devices. Inexperience and distracted driving makes a deadly combination for young drivers and for everyone else they meet on the road;
3. Failing to Buckle Up: the nice weather and clear roads may lull drivers into thinking they don't need that seatbelt. In the winter, when we fear our car may slip and slide off the road, we naturally cocoon ourselves with every safety device available. But given the realities of dangerous summer driving, every driver should be belted in year round;
4. Impaired Driving: MADD Canada reminds us that impaired driving in Canada kills hundreds of people and injures tens of thousands every year. The dangers of impaired driving are obvious to all yet the risk remains high on long weekends and throughout the summer months. Don't start to celebrate your vacation until you arrive alive at your destination; and
5. That Beautiful Summer Sun: very recent studies by Sunnybrook physicians suggest that bright, sunny days play a surprisingly big role in car crashes. Gorgeous, sunny days increased the risk by approx 16%, across the board for all demographics, and wasn't explained by glare at dawn or dusk. One reason may be that our judgment is skewed by bright sunlight and it tempts drivers to speed. When we assume the road conditions are good, we drive faster. The authors warn us to check our speedometer and obey speed limit signs even when conditions are perfect. Bright sunlight is associated with an increased risk of a life-threatening motor vehicle crash. (From Abstract Jan.2017. Life-threatening motor vehicle crashes in bright sunlight, Redelmeier DA, Raza S. and Your Health Matters, Refresh your driving safety in time for the summer sun, May 15, 2017, Alexis Dobranowski).

So many Ontarians have heeded the winter warning to "drive for the road conditions" that we forget that driving safe and within the speed limit is a year round imperative.

Experienced injury lawyers have noticed this cycle for years. As tempting as it is to leave your cares behind in the summer sunshine, don't drop your guard. Our Ontario summer roads and highways can be deadly. Drive safe this summer.

The buses will be rolling soon. Are you ready for back to school?

Catch our new Blog right here to review our 6 back to school safety tips.

The big yellow bus will be out on the roads soon and late August is a perfect time to brush up on our road safety.

Keep these tips in mind and keep our children safe on the roads.

1. Stop For Those Flashing Lights

Cars traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus when it's lights are flashing. Failing to stop carries a hefty fine, demerit points and likelihood of higher insurance rates. Most important, failing to stop could gravely injure or kill a child.

2. Obey Crossing Guards

Guards are out there for a reason. Children count on their direction and will follow where they lead. Crossing Guards count on you to be courteous and vigilant so they can do their job safely.

3. Slow Down

Obey the posted speed limits paying particular attention to reduced speeds in school zones and near playgrounds.

4. Plan For a Longer Commute

Know that your drive to work will take more time. Plan accordingly and give yourself at least an extra 10 minutes cushion to drive and arrive safely.

5. Expect the Unexpected and Prepare For the Worst

Be prepared to brake for children. Keep in mind that children are also walking and biking to school and be vigilant. They are excited to see their friends after a long summer break and may be distracted. As the adult driver, you will likely have the last clear chance to avoid a tragedy. Drive defensively.

6. Quit the Distracted Driving

You simply won't be able to react quickly and slow for a child if you are texting, talking on the phone, setting your GPS, applying your mascara or eating your breakfast behind the wheel. Make safe driving your priority and let everything else go until you park that car.

Everyone can agree that a child's safety on our roads is everyone's top priority.

Be prepared for back to school. With a little forethought and time, we can all be better prepared for back to school road safety.

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Some of the most serious injuries result from summer slips and falls. Icy winter weather is not the only culprit.

Stats Canada reminds us that 30% of all injuries occur in the summer. The likelihood of injury changes with the season and is actually higher in the summer months than winter. The summer is trauma season, and experienced injury lawyers see the spike in trip and falls in stores, parking lots and sidewalks as well as car crashes on our deadly summer roads.

Don't discount your  injuries and loss just because you fell during the summer months. Don't let anyone tell you that your injuries count for nothing just because you fell in the summer.

Click on our link here to read our full blog article including our 7 tips.

Stats Canada reminds us that 30% of all injuries occur in the summer. The likelihood of injury changes with the season and is actually higher in the summer months than winter. The summer is trauma season, and experienced injury lawyers see the spike in trip and falls in stores, parking lots and sidewalks as well as car crashes on our deadly summer roads. Click here to read our Sunshine Trauma Season Part I companion blog article.

The most startling information is that falls are the most common cause of injury hospitalizations in Canada. While sports injuries account for many fall injuries among adolescents, trip and falls top the list for seniors.

Summer falls can be completely unexpected, surprising and sometimes outright shocking. In summer, we reasonably bare legs and arms to cool down in the summer sun and are not bundled up and padded in extra winter clothing. There is no clothing cocoon around us to cushion the fall and reduce the trauma. And when we fall and are injured through no fault of our own, and because of the negligence of property owners and maintenance companies that failed to provide a reasonably safe place for us to walk, then those injuries can be life changing.

Common  summer slip and fall hazards include wet or oily surfaces, spills, rain tracked in and left unmopped, unanchored, loose and bunched up rugs or mats and flooring in need of repair.

Common summer trip and fall hazards include uneven walking surfaces, uncovered cables and cords, wrinkled and bunched up rugs or mats, merchandise temporarily and improperly stored in aisles and poor lighting.

The #1 trip and fall hazard that this law firm sees in injury cases? Store and commercial entrance mats. Mats that are curling, bubbling, frayed, dog-eared and not properly anchored . Many of these mats were simply never designed for high traffic entrance use but have been re-purposed in-house by store management to reduce tracked in dirt off the streets in attempts to control daily cleaning costs.

If you have just had a summer fall because of a business or property owner’s negligence, there are steps you can take now that will be incredibly helpful for you down the road when you decide to hire an experienced injury lawyer:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: if your injuries are visibly serious, an ambulance may be called right away. But sometimes people try to be brave, deny they are hurt and just try to get on with it and with their busy day. The pain grows with every hour and usually a close friend or family member ends up driving them to emerg. Getting medical attention is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. It’s essential. And after you get emergency treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor will be your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper.

2. Get Names: there are always witnesses to a fall. Somebody always sees something. It’s rare there is absolutely no one. Get their names and contact information. Details fade with time. And witnesses can become more distant and reluctant to get involved as time passes.

3. Take Pics: ideally, you already thought to ask a witness or helpful Samaritan to snap a pic on your own cell phone of what caused you to fall before you left the scene. If you didn’t, now is the time to ask a family friend or family to go back (if they can do so in safety and it’s an area accessible to the public) to take photos. Remember: if the property owner asks them to leave, they must leave. While the best scenario is to have a picture of what caused your fall, a picture showing the offending rug, step, etc repaired and in good shape a day later also evidences that the owner/occupier of the property was worried and tried to go for the quick fix after the fact. Sometimes property owners go back to their old habits after a few weeks because they think it’s just too much bother and that rug, step or whatever is right back in the same bad state it was when you fell. Photos are not just helpful, they are hugely helpful for your case.

4. Take Selfies: your bruises, cuts and scrapes will fade with time. If you can see them now, you can feel the pain now. Record your injuries before they are no longer visible to the eye. Ask a trusted family member to help you with the photos. People can be embarrassed if their bruising is in private areas. Do your very best. Don’t forget to take a picture of the sensible shoes you were wearing when you fell. They may be your daily pair and if you need them to wear, take a photo now.

5. Bag the Evidence: carefully bag your ripped and torn pants, shorts, top,  glasses, damaged hearing aid and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash those clothes. Don’t iron them. Just leave them as is. Place them in a safe, easy to find spot in your home. Write a note to yourself to help you remember where you stored them.

6. Write Down What Happened: set aside a quiet hour to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the fall occurred. Try your best to go through the happening of the injury step by step including the events leading up to the fall and what happened after you fell. Write out in as much detail as you can what people said to you after you fell. The details are fresh in your mind now. Take the time to do it right now before you forget those details. Your written account of what happened to you is your private property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or investigator if you don’t want to. You can choose to share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share and with whom.

7. Keep Your Receipts: keep all your receipts for all out of pocket expenses you incurred as a result of your fall. You would be amazed how quickly expenses add up. If in doubt, keep the receipt. A simple practice is to get an inexpensive notebook and tape or staple your receipts in each day. Don’t forget to use that notebook as a diary. Write down what your day was like living with your injury. Record your medical appointments including the name of the doctor you saw, what he told you and the name of any prescription. Record the impact of your fall injuries on your day to day life and your family’s lives. If you couldn’t take your kids to soccer because of the pain, write it down. This is your diary of your pain and your loss. It is your personal property and you have the freedom to choose to share it with your lawyer.

What to do if you fell on a Municipal (City, Town or Village) sidewalk or Government property? All of the above. With one very important difference: a Notice Letter may also need to be sent ASAP (within 10 days of the fall) to the Municipality or you risk the possibility that a future lawsuit could be barred for failure to notify that Municipality. If you think there is any chance that you were injured on Municipal property, you need to call an experienced injury lawyer immediately to obtain specific and timely advice critical for your situation. Even if you’ve missed that 10 day notice window, call a lawyer now. Never give up or assume you may be out of time without speaking with a lawyer first.  

Please remember to call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your injuries.

Summer or winter, your injuries can be severe and life changing. Don't discount your  injuries and loss just because you fell during the summer months. Don't let anyone tell you that your injuries count for nothing just because you fell in the summer. You are not alone. Hazards are hazards year round. And summer is the most dangerous season of all.

https://threebestrated.ca/personal-injury-lawyers-in-belleville-on

Also notable because Shelley Martin LLB is the local lawyer who lives in Belleville and makes it her home.

Celebrating 15 Years of Service to our Belleville, Quinte, Hastings & Prince Edward County communities.

Our Ontario summer roads and highways can be deadly. Experienced injury lawyers have noticed this cycle for years. As tempting as it is to leave your cares behind in the summer sunshine, don't drop your guard.

Did you know that summer driving is dangerous? Read our Martin Law Blog for more info.

Drive safe this summer.

Enjoy the Holiday Long Weekend - Rain or Shine

Drive Safely on the Roads & Arrive Alive to Family and Friends

Ontario road safety organizations remind us that pedestrians are vulnerable road users. Pedestrians are not protected by the cage of an enclosed vehicle and can't benefit from a vehicle's safety features like seat belts and airbags.  Pedestrians are smaller than vehicles and so less visible to moving traffic. A pedestrian is much more likely to be severely injured in a collision with a vehicle. (TIRF Nov/2015)

If this is you, and you have been hit by a vehicle, what should you do?

Here are our Top 5 Tips:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Assistance. In a vehicle on pedestrian strike, chances are an ambulance has been called. Get the medical help you need. It is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. After you get treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor is your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper.

2. Make a Police Report. Most likely, this will happen at the scene or even at the hospital. Ask the officer who takes your statement for her I.D. including her name, badge number and which police department she works for. Ask for one of her public information cards with her station phone number. Get a copy of the report when it is completed. It should have the driver's name, address and insurance information on it. You are entitled to this information. You need this information.

3. Notify the Insurance Company. You should notify the insurance company within 7 days of the accident. If you are unable to do so because you are hospitalized and under treatment, then you need to do this as soon as reasonably possible. If you have your own car insurance, you can notify your own insurer. Even if you don't own a car or have car insurance, you have coverage as a pedestrian either with 1) the Driver's Insurance Company or 2) Ontario's Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVAC). The Fund is a last resort when a pedestrian does not have their own car insurance and the at fault driver has no insurance or is unidentified. Never assume that the at fault driver has notified his own car insurer. You notify the insurance company.

4. Take Selfies. Even better if family or a friend takes pics for you. Document your injuries. Bruises and cuts will fade with time. Casts will be removed. Record your injuries before they are no longer visible to the naked eye.

5. Write Down What Happened. Take time to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the accident happened. Go through it step by step. The details are fresh in your mind now. Details fade with time.

If you've been hit by a car, protect yourself and call an experienced injury lawyer.

Don't rely on the at fault driver to do the right thing. Call and get the information you need.

If this is you, and you have been hit by a vehicle, what should you do?

Read our latest Blog article for our Top 5 Tips.

Too often we overlook, misunderstand or even dismiss the signs of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in family, colleagues and neighbours. We now understand that the tough, old-fashioned Upper Canada maxim of “get over it and get on with it,” just doesn’t apply to concussions and brain injury.

Any concussion, whether suffered once, or repeatedly over a lifetime, is one too many. If you have suffered a concussion as a result of an injury, call an experienced injury lawyer for advice.

A number of regional, provincial and national organizations are also available to provide assistance, information and direction.

Check out our Helpful Links under My Communities. 

And read our latest Blog article for more helpful information.

The Ontario Brain Injury Association reminds us that more than one million people in Canada are living with a brain injury. In Ontario alone, nearly 45,000 people will sustain a brain injury this year. That's a staggering statistic.

A concussion should never been ignored or just chalked up as part of the game. For decades, we’ve dismissed concussions as part of life or just reality. And we’ve done nobody any favour. Not the injured person. Certainly not their family who often are turned to for daily assistance and support. A concussion is not just getting your bell rung or seeing stars. A concussion is a brain injury. There is no cure and never any easy fix.

“Brain injury in Canada is a silent epidemic. In Canada, brain injury is the number one killer and disabler of people under the age of 44.”

“The social, emotional and economic consequences of brain injury are in fact devastating not only to the survivors themselves, but to family members, caregivers, support workers and the community at large – everyone involved with working towards neuro-rehabilitation and recovery. And currently, there are no drugs or techniques that can cure a brain injury.”

braininjurycanada.ca

Car crashes, slips and falls and bicycle collisions are among the leading causes of brain injury in Canada.

In fact, the CDC (US National Center for Injury Prevention and Control) targets Falls as the leading cause of TBI (40 percent) in the US.

The Ontario Brain Injury Association also explains“that eighty to ninety percent of all traumatic brain injury is classified as mild (mTBI),” and tragically that “21% of people with brain injury waited more than one year for rehabilitation to begin; 9% waited more than 5 years.”

Too often we overlook, misunderstand or even dismiss the signs of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in family, colleagues and neighbours. We now understand that the tough, old-fashioned Upper Canada maxim of “get over it and get on with it,” just doesn’t apply to concussions and brain injury.

Any concussion, whether suffered once, or repeatedly over a lifetime, is one too many. If you have suffered a concussion as a result of an injury, call an experienced injury lawyer for advice. A number of regional, provincial and national organizations are also available to provide assistance, information and direction.

Check out our Helpful Links under My Communities.  

A concussion should never be suffered alone or in silence.

Distracted driving has become a serious problem but sadly is not viewed as a serious issue by many drivers when they continue to call and text behind the wheel.

Drive safe and arrive alive for family and friends this Victoria Day Long Weekend.

But what is a Family Law Act claim and why does it matter to my family?

In Ontario, we have a law called the Family Law Act passed years ago by our Ontario Legislature. Under that Act, family members may claim for both financial loss as well as their loss of your care, guidance and companionship suffered as a result of your injury. This law gives your family a number of rights and an opportunity to claim money for those damages.

However, like most things in life, with those rights come responsibilities.

Read Martin Law Blog to learn more about your family's claims.

We see parents, grandparents, children, spouses and siblings stretched to the max just trying to deal with their loved one's car crash or slip and fall injuries. Family Law Act claimants (close family members with a companion claim) struggle to help during the lawsuit and ultimately must continue to struggle for years after the case has ended.

But what is a Family Law Act claim and why does it matter to my family?

In Ontario, we have a law called the Family Law Act passed years ago by our Ontario Legislature. Under that Act, family members may claim for both financial loss as well as their loss of your care, guidance and companionship suffered as a result of your injury. This law gives your family a number of rights and an opportunity to claim money for those damages. However, like most things in life, with those rights come responsibilities.

Let’s break these FLA (Family Law Act) claims down into step by step bullet points:

• Who can make a FLA claim? Traditionally, we thought of this class of plaintiffs as the spouse plus biologically two generations up, two generations down and one step sideways. In other words, your husband or wife and then up the family tree for parents and grandparents and then down the family tree for children and grandchildren.  Then sideways across the branches for brothers and sisters. However, our modern reality of blended families has broadened this class and a biological relationship is not strictly required. For example, if your parents are in a permanent relationship and/or you are their adopted child and have suffered an injury, then these modern family relationships will certainly be considered;

• What can Family claim? Lawyers talk about pecuniary and non-pecuniary loss. This translates to:

1. tangible out of pockets are actual expenses incurred, travel allowance to visit the injured person during her treatment or recovery as well as a fair amount to compensate family for lost work and income and/or their unpaid services, care or nursing; and
2. loss of that relationship. Families are family for a reason. We count on one another’s support, comfort and help for life. When a person suffers an injury, she is not the only one affected. Everyone in her family suffers that loss. Everyone is bound and loses a huge part of that special supportive family relationship. That support can be emotional, physical and financial. Our legal system struggles but ultimately will put a dollar figure on that damaged relationship. Why a dollar figure? Why money? Because in the end, that is really the only thing our system can do. Our Courts cannot rebuild a person and cannot rebuild that family. Compensation for that loss is what we have to work with;

• How is a FLA claim actually made? These claims are made as part of the injured person’s lawsuit or Statement of Claim. FLA claimants are plaintiffs named in the style of cause at the beginning of the claim;

• How much is a FLA claim worth? There is no set figure. There is no going or published rate. This depends on the nature of the injury and each individual family member’s relationship with that injured person. Lawyers and our Courts look to the facts of each case and also to previous Court judgments called precedents. However, it is rare for FLA claims to be a windfall or big money. FLA claims are intended to provide some partial compensation as a result of the serious injury of a close family member; and

• What is the downside? There are at least 3 significant concerns that accompany these FLA claims:

1. Family is now a part of the lawsuit and must attend Examinations for Discovery as well as any Court dates. This may mean taking time off work, losing income and/or paying for additional childcare or babysitting services;
2. In Ontario car crash claims, there is a very large deductible applied against part of an injured person’s claim as well as a large deductible applied against part of each FLA claim. Our Ontario Government created these deductibles. The most recent Ontario Governments, at the request of insurance companies, have increased deductibles as well as indexed them for inflation. Depending on the severity of the injury and the impact of the loss on a particular family member, that Ontario deductible can undercut an FLA claim and that claim ultimately may not be all that substantial; and
3. Because family becomes part of the lawsuit, if the claim goes to Trial and you lose, then all plaintiffs including Family claimants may be responsible for costs. In most cases, even though the negligent driver or property owner who caused the injury must be named in the lawsuit, the defendant in a personal injury claim is really a large national or international insurance company. That insurance company calls the shots, picks the defence lawyer, pays the defence lawyer and it’s the insurance company that pays any settlement or Trial award. Costs are the large defendant insurance company’s legal and other expenses. Going to Trial is expensive. While our Courts are generally reluctant to impose costs on FLA plaintiffs when they lose at Trial, often since many Trial Judges were themselves litigators and know family claimants are already struggling financially because of the family's loss, the awarding of costs remains in the discretion of the Trial Judge.

The old saying has never been more true, “When One Suffers, We All Suffer.”

Families know this. When your family is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, then consider if bringing FLA claims is right for your family. Discuss this with your lawyer. FLA claims should never be an automatic add-on that you don't understand. Call an experienced injury lawyer to find out where your family stands.

Local and national cycling organizations remind us that a bicycle is a vehicle that belongs on the road.

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. Traffic laws protect everyone on our roads. (Canada Safety Council).

Community organizations work with local partners to encourage improvements and create safe and supportive infrastructure for cyclists of all ages.

Hopefully, bike lanes will also serve as a visual cue to drivers to consciously think about cyclists around them and to remember to share the roads.

Read our Martin Law Blog for the full story.

Drive defensively. Plan ahead. Get yourself a little self help before you venture forth.

What can we do to even the odds on the roads this weekend?

Read our Blog for more information.

Drive defensively. Plan Ahead. Get yourself a little self help before the rubber hits the road.

Why the worry? The OPP warn us that serious road collisions are on the rise. The data is in from one of our last busy road seasons. Last Labour Day Long Weekend 2016 was the deadliest on Ontario highways in 20 years (GlobalNews). Just as alarming, the OPP reported that distracted driving-related deaths would double the number of impaired-driving related deaths by the end of the season. 2 to 1 over drunk driving is a frightening truth and a chilling legacy left by smart phones.

What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves on the Roads?

1. Drop the Phone and Just Drive. That call or text can wait until you reach your destination.
2. Catch the Forecast Before You Roll. Get up to date weather information and road forecasts before you get in the car. Know what you are driving into and, if possible, plan your drive to miss the worst of the bad weather.
3. Check Your Car. Top up your washer fluid. Check the oil. Check the tires. Check your lights.
4. Be Alert. The mild Spring weather encourages everyone and everything to get out and move. Watch for children and pedestrians on the road. Be aware that seniors and dog walkers may need more time to cross busy roads and intersections. Consciously share the road with cyclists. Know that wildlife will be crossing roads. Deer are abundant in this area. And if you see one deer starting across the road, know that there are two, three or four more right behind. Pay attention to deer crossing signs and be prepared to stop.
5. Pack Your Patience. Everyone has the same idea and our roads get jammed on Long Weekends. Getting angry with strangers on the road, or getting short with family in the car,  just distracts everyone from safe driving.

Drive safe and arrive alive to family and friends this Easter Long Weekend.

Check out our latest Blog (click here) article for the full scoop.

The next gen of autonomous vehicles is here.

Let's keep the faith in, and responsibility upon, us humans.

Are You A Caregiver? Know Someone Who Is Struggling?

Check our our updated Blog article.

Just Click on the "Blog" Tab in the Menu on the very top of the page.

Injury lawyers see parents, grandparents, children, spouses and siblings stretched to the max just trying to deal with their loved one’s car crash or slip and fall injuries. Family Law Act claimants (close family members with a companion claim) struggle to help during the lawsuit and ultimately must continue to struggle for years after the case has ended.

Caregivers become de facto support workers, cheerleaders, counselors, advocates, lobbyists and researchers for the injured. Stress, exhaustion, depression and financial strain pile on caregivers and many reach a breaking point. Sometimes they forget or feel they just don’t have the time or the right to take care of themselves. But caregivers must carve out time to look after their own needs and have every right to acknowledge and fight for their own health and well being. You are not being selfish. And you are not being weak.

Before that breaking point is reached, there are resources that may be able to help the helpers:

• Your Family Doctor: is likely already deeply concerned about your own physical health and your own inattention to YOU. Family doctors have access to a range of local, community based services and initiatives that may be tailored to your own personal situation. Your family doctor can be a true facilitator to help you find services for you. Don’t overlook your own doctor. Don’t neglect yourself. Don’t forget to reach out and ask her and her staff for help. Make an appointment today for a physical check-up and a talk with your family doctor;

• Exercise: is often overlooked and dismissed as simplistic or too time consuming or just too much to bother with. But exercise, good health and a positive lifestyle start with baby steps. A 20 minute walk around the block. A fast, daily 10 minute walk around the interior of your own basement or rec room when the sidewalks are too icy to deal with. Dust off that old exercise DVD that you meant to check out months ago but forgot all about. Download a free exercise app that lets you put your ears and mind in another space. Even modest exercise is a proven stress release. It’s your time and your chance to do something great for yourself;

• Your Family, Friends & Neighbours: will know that you are a caregiver but may not really know just how much stress you are under. Usually there is someone who can lend a sympathetic ear and help support you when you need and crave that half hour of me time. Many of us have an organic support network already in place that we never really think about. Now is the time to reach out; and

• Professional National & International Organizations: such as Brain Injury Canada, the US caregiver.org and Family Caregiver Alliance, can be a helpful launch pad for you to reach out and find information and resources. At the very least, their websites and articles let you know that you are not alone and that millions of other hardworking, caring people are struggling with the very same issues.

You are not alone and you are not the only one facing this battle.

Acknowledging that you are human and have limits may ultimately help not just you but your entire family and your injured loved one. Be your own champion and empower yourself.

Give yourself permission to ask for help. Your family will thank you for it.

Slip & Fall: Now What?

Winter weather can spell disaster for pedestrians. One moment you are mobile, independent and getting life done. The next, you are on the ground: in pain, confused about what to do and worried about how you are going to make ends meet. If you have just had a fall because of a business or property owner’s negligence, there are steps you can take now that will be incredibly helpful for you down the road if you decide to hire an experienced injury lawyer:

1. Get Yourself Immediate Medical Attention: if your injuries are visibly serious, an ambulance may be called right away. But sometimes people try to be brave, deny they are hurt and just try to get on with it and with their busy day. The pain grows with every hour and usually a close friend or family member ends up driving them to emerg. Getting medical attention is essential for your well being. It also documents your injury and starts a written record of your injury and treatment. It’s your first priority. And after you get emergency treatment, follow up with an appointment to your family doctor. Your family doctor will be your key day to day treatment provider and your primary medical record keeper.

2. Get Names: there are always witnesses to a fall. Somebody always see something. It’s rare there is absolutely no one. Get their names and contact information. Details fade with time. And witnesses can become more distant and reluctant to get involved as time passes.

3. Take Pics: ideally, you already thought to ask a witness or helpful Samaritan to snap a pic on your own cell phone of what caused you to fall before you left the scene. If you didn’t, now is the time to ask a family friend or family to go back (if they can do so in safety and it’s an area accessible to the public) to take photos. Remember: if the property owner asks them to leave, they must leave. While the best scenario is to have a picture of what caused your fall, a picture showing the offending rug, step, etc repaired and in good shape a day later also evidences that the owner/occupier of the property was worried and tried to go for the quick fix after the fact. Sometimes property owners go back to their old habits after a few weeks because they think it’s just too much bother and that rug, step or whatever is right back in the same bad state it was when you fell. Photos of that are also very helpful. Just how important are photos? A few months ago I had a Judge at a Pre-Trial ask for my pictures first thing. He wanted to see the lay of the land to better understand how the injury happened. Photos are huge.

4. Take Selfies: your bruises, cuts and scrapes will fade with time. If you can see them now, you can feel the pain now. Record your injuries before they are no longer visible to the eye. Ask a trusted family member to help you with the photos. People can be embarrassed if their bruising is in private areas. Do your very best. Don’t forget to take a picture of the sensible shoes you were wearing when you fell. They may be your daily pair and if you need them to wear, take a photo now.

5. Bag the Evidence: carefully bag your ripped and torn pants, top, coat, gloves, hat, glasses, damaged hearing aid and any other clothing or personal items damaged in the fall. Don’t wash those clothes. Don’t iron them. Just leave them as is. Place them in a safe, easy to find spot in your home. Write a note to yourself to help you remember where you stored them.

6. Write it Down: set aside a quiet hour to write out in detail exactly what happened that day and how the fall occurred. Try your best to go through the happening of the injury step by step including the events leading up to the fall and what happened after you fell. Write out in as much detail as you can what people said to you after you fell. The details are fresh in your mind now. Take the time to do it right now before you forget those details. Your written account of what happened to you is your private property. You don’t have to give this to an insurance adjuster or investigator if you don’t want to. You can choose to share it with your lawyer instead and she can help you to decide when to share and with whom.

7. Keep Records: keep all your receipts for all out of pocket expenses you incurred as a result of your fall. You would be amazed how quickly expenses add up. If in doubt, keep the receipt. A simple practice is to get an inexpensive notebook and tape or staple your receipts in each day. Don’t forget to use that notebook as a diary. Write down what your day was like living with your injury. Record your medical appointments including the name of the doctor you saw, what he told you and the name of any prescription. Record the impact of your fall injuries on your day to day life and your family’s life. If you couldn’t take your kids to hockey because of the pain, write it down. This is your diary of your pain and your loss. It is your personal property and you have the freedom to choose to share it with your lawyer.

What to do if you fell on a Municipal (City, Town or Village) sidewalk or Government property? All of the above. With one very important difference: a Notice Letter may also need to be sent ASAP (within 10 days of the fall) to the Municipality or you risk the possibility that a future lawsuit could be barred for failure to notify that Municipality. If you think there is any chance that you were injured on Municipal property, you need to call an experienced injury lawyer immediately to obtain specific and timely advice critical for your situation. Even if you’ve missed that 10 day notice window, call a lawyer now. Never give up or assume you may be out of time. Nothing is ever that cut and dried.  

Please remember to call an experienced injury lawyer to discuss your injuries. Find out where you stand.    

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