While the December holidays can be a time for family, food and fun it can also be a time for accident and injury.  To keep your family safe over the holidays here are a few things to consider:

Drinking and driving is still a major cause of accidents in Toronto and the rest of Ontario.  If you are hosting an event, over serving of a guest may be your responsibility.  If you think you will be drinking, plan ahead for a designated driver or take a cab or public transportation.

Do a safety check around your home.  If you will be having people over to your home, you should do a check of the sidewalks, driveway and entire home.  Be aware of any slip and fall hazards or tripping hazards.  Make note that your home may be much more crowded than usual.  Take special care for elderly guests.

Take extra care with fire.  During our cold winter the fireplace can be a nice place to gather and keep warm.  It should not be left unattended until is has gone out.  Candles can be a hazard as well.  Care should be taken that candles are secured so they can’t be knocked over by people, children or pets.  Candles should not be left unattended as well.  Blow them out if you are leaving the room.  Keep and eye on the oven and stove.

Keep pets safe.  Extra people in the house can be hard for pets.  Lighting cords and candles can be dangerous around pets.  Dog bite cases are the responsibility of the owner.

Practice safe food techniques.  Follow cooking instruction for meat or poultry.  Keep your kitchen clean.  The fridge seems to get crowded over the holidays.  Be careful about leaving food unrefrigerated too long.  Ask about any allergies that guests may have.

The lawyers at Raphael Barrister wish to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and New Year.  Raphael Barristers have been practicing personal injury law for over 50 years. Our lawyers provide legal service to the residents of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Markham, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Burlington, Milton, Whitby, Pickering, Etobicoke, Thornhill, North York, Scarborough, Owen Sound, Collingwood, New Market, Aurora, Barrie, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and London, and to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Golden Horseshoe and the rest of Ontario. Call Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation. Visit us at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com

When people are involved in an accident they often have several avenues to replace the income they were earning before the accident.  If you have your own personal disability policy or have coverage through work, then that would probably be the starting point.  Coverage under these policies vary from policy to policy, so you should carefully review the complete policy with a lawyer to make sure you know what is available and understand all the provisions of the policy including time limit provisions.

Often disability policies have a waiting period before benefits are paid.  Then, to qualify, you must meet the definition of disability under the policy.  The most common definition calls for payment of benefits if the person is found to be disabled from their normal occupation for the first 24 months and then only continue to be paid after 24 months if the person is found to be disabled from “any occupation”.

Income replacement benefits are paid under a standard contract of automobile insurance if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident.  An insured person who sustains an impairment as a result of an accident may be entitled to a weekly income replacement benefit if, at the time of the accident, he or she was employed, he or she was not employed but was employed for at least 26 weeks during the 52 weeks before the accident and as a result of and within 2 years of the accident, he or she suffers a substantial inability to perform the essential tasks of the employment.

A weekly income replacement benefit may be payable during the period the insured person suffers a substantial inability to perform the essential tasks of the employment. No benefit is payable during the first week of the disability.

The amount of the weekly income replacement benefit paid for the first 104 weeks of disability is 70% of the injured person’s gross weekly income from employment. After the first 104 weeks of disability, the weekly income replacement benefit is only payable if the insured person suffers a complete inability to engage in any employment for which he or she is reasonably suited by education, training or experience. The amount payable to an injured person for weekly income replacement benefits shall not exceed $400.00 per week unless optional benefits have been purchased.

CPP disability benefits are available from the Federal Government.  To be eligible for a CPP disability benefit, a person must satisfy two basic requirements.  You must have made valid contributions to the Canada Pension Plan for a minimum qualifying period and you must have a disability (physical or mental) that is “severe” and “prolonged” as defined by the Canada Pension Plan.

For the disability to be considered “severe”, it should render the person incapable of regularly pursuing any substantially gainful occupation.  For the disability to be considered “prolonged”, it must be continuous for a long time or indefinite duration or likely to result in death.

There are certain priority rules and set-off provisions between long and short term disability benefits, income replacement benefits and CPP disability benefits.  Each set of circumstances are different so it is important to have your situation reviewed with a lawyer who specializes in these types of cases.

Raphael Barristers have been helping clients collect long and short term disability benefits, income replacement benefits and CPP disability benefits for over 50 years.  We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill to service all of southern Ontario.  Raphael Barristers realizes that at a time when you are unable to work due to injury or illness your financial resources will be compromised. That is why in almost all cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not have to pay any money until your case is settled or successfully won at trial.  Call Jeffrey Raphael for a free consultation at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 or visit us at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com.

The arrival of winter in Ontario means different things to different people. For some, it is a time for family to get together over the holidays. For others, it is a chance to enjoy winter sports like skating and skiing.

For others, it means several months of walking on thin ice. Literally. The combination of snow, cold temperatures and melting and freezing, all work together to make walking treacherous at times.

This is Ontario. Winter is a fact of life. So is snow and ice. But not all snow and ice on the roadways and sidewalks should be there. The law imposes duties on property owners to maintain their own property (this includes homes and businesses), and the law requires that municipalities keep their sidewalks and roadways in a “state of repair that is reasonable in the circumstances”. The law doesn’t impose a standard of perfection on anybody, and practically speaking, with winter conditions in Ontario, it would be impossible to expect perfectly clean and dry sidewalks all of the time.

But some conditions must be addressed, and the key word is “reasonable”. If it snows on a Monday, for example, and there is a thaw on Tuesday morning and freezing later that night, what happens if by the end of the week nobody has put down any salt or sand on the sidewalk? Or nobody has shoveled any of the snow on the sidewalk? The law requires that the circumstances that create sidewalk and road conditions be examined, and the steps taken to maintain these areas must be reasonable. Not perfect, but reasonable.

If you slip and fall on the snow or ice, and suffer personal injury, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. Just as with any other type of personal injury claim, it is necessary to show that the person, company or the municipality responsible for the property was negligent. In the case of a municipal sidewalk, there is an even stricter test, and it is necessary to show that there was what is called “gross negligence”. A personal injury lawyer can review what has happened to you and help you take the appropriate steps.

There are some very important things to remember if you have had a slip and fall on snow or ice. First, there are extremely short time periods in which you have to notify a municipality if you slip and fall on city property, like a sidewalk. You must give notice, in writing, within 10 days of the injury, to the municipality. Failure to do this can mean you have no right to claim compensation. Consulting a personal injury lawyer as soon after the accident as possible will help ensure that proper notice is given within that time period.

Additionally, in this day of cellphone cameras, taking pictures of the conditions of the property is both easy and a smart move. Obviously if you are injured, that may not be the first thing on your mind, and it may not be possible for you to do this. But wherever possible, you, or perhaps a friend or family member coming to your assistance, should try to take pictures to document the hazardous conditions. This will help a lawyer assess the strength of your case, and may help your lawyer convince the property owner or municipality that they were at fault for your accident.

Keep the shoes you were wearing at the time of your fall – these will be considered evidence in a lawsuit. Keep all receipts for expenses, such as taxi cabs to and from a hospital or doctor, parking receipts for medical appointments, the cost of crutches, perhaps, if you require them – all of these will be expenses that can be pursued in a lawsuit.

Not every slip and fall means that you will be able to successfully sue for your damages. Again, the key word is “reasonable” and if the property owner or municipality has taken reasonable steps to maintain their property, it may be difficult to establish responsibility against them. A personal injury lawyer will be able to review all the circumstances and help determine if you have a strong case.

Raphael Barristers Personal Injury Lawyers have been helping personal injury victims for over 50 years in Toronto, Thornhill and the rest of Southern Ontario. It is understood that at time when you are injured, it may be difficult to afford the services of a lawyer.  As such, affordability should not be a concern for people that seek our help. Subject to certain exceptions, we will take on your case and agree to be paid only if we are successful in achieving a settlement or Judgment at trial. That means you would only be required to pay the lawyers fees if a settlement is achieved or Judgment is obtained at trial. If the case is not successful then you would not be charged any fees. Please call Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation or visit:
www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com.

Scarborough is a dissolved municipality now included in the City of Toronto.  In 2006 the population of Scarborough was just over 600,000 with a growth rate of 6%.  According to the Safer Communities web site, a major concern for many resident of Scarborough is road safety.  A 2008 survey showed that 66% of people felt worried about having an accident due to impaired driving or speeding and 50% of people though that speeding and impaired driving was common in the neighbourhood.

The following is an Overview of Damages Available in a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim:

(a) Non-Pecuniary General Damages (damages for “pain and suffering”):
You should be aware that if your claim arises out of a car accident occurring after October 31, 1996, to succeed with your claim for pain and suffering your injuries must meet the requirements of the “threshold”, and if during your lawsuit or at trial a court finds your injuries do not meet this threshold, you will not be entitled to damages for pain and suffering. In order for your claim to pass the “threshold”, the injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident must have resulted in:
(i)    death;
(ii)    permanent serious disfigurement (for example, scars); or
(iii)    permanent serious impairment of an important physical, mental or psychological function.

Claims for pain and suffering are prevented unless you meet this threshold, however claims for loss of income and loss of earning capacity are not affected by the “threshold”. If your claim meets the threshold, there is a $30,000.00 deductible from the amount of damages you, the injured party would otherwise receive. There is a $15,000.00 deductible for Family Law Act claims. The deductible will not be applied where claims for the injured party exceed $100,000.00 or claims under the Family Law Act exceed $50,000.00.

(b) Loss of Income:
The principles of “meeting the threshold” do not apply when you are suing for loss of income. Income losses can be claimed however, you can not claim a loss of income for the first 7 days after an accident. You can receive only 70% of your gross loss of income (less any accident benefits which are received). After trial, you can receive 100% of your gross loss of income, less any accident benefits paid.  There are certain “set off” or credit rules for short term or long term benefits received as well as, CPP disability benefits.

(c) Heath Care Expenses:
If your injuries meet the threshold, you can claim the costs of health care expenses incurred as a result of your accident, over and above amounts paid or available through accident benefits.

(d) Other Out of Pocket Expenses:
You may be entitled to other expenses reasonably incurred as a result of the motor vehicle accident not covered by accident benefits (i.e. housekeeping and home maintenance assistance).

Does the “Threshold” apply to non-automobile defendants?
No. The Threshold only applies to the extent that the injuries were caused by the negligence of other drivers or owners of motor vehicles. Claims against municipalities, taverns, mechanics, etc. will not normally be subject to a threshold.

What if the accident was my partially my fault?
If your actions have contributed to the accident, then you can still pursue a claim against other parties for the percentage that they are to blame for the accident.

What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
The Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that contingency fee agreements are valid. The Law Society of Upper Canada has amended its rules to allow for contingency fees. A lawyer can agree to take on your case, subject to certain exceptions, and agree to be paid only if they are successful in achieving a settlement or Judgment at trial. That means you would only be required to pay the lawyers fees if a settlement is achieved or Judgment is obtained at trial. If the case is not successful then you would not be charged any fees.

Are there time limits I should be aware of?
Yes.  A person who wants to apply for benefits must notify the insurer within 7 days from the date of the accident. For those people who are unable to apply for benefits within 7 days due to the severity of their injuries, the application must be made as soon thereafter as it can reasonably be done. The insurer will then send to the insured the appropriate application forms. Within 30 days of receipt of the forms, a completed application for benefits should be submitted by the injured person to the insurer. Failure to comply with these time limits may not disentitle a person to benefits if there is a reasonable excuse.

Raphael Barristers are a group of personal injury lawyers that have been representing victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, snowmobile accidents and other personal injury and insurance claims for over 50 years. We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill to service all of Ontario. Please contact Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation.

Often other drivers on the road simply don’t see pedestrians or drive in a way that subjects pedestrians to harm. Injuries often include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord or serious orthopaedic injuries and amputation of limbs.  Pedestrians are at an obvious disadvantage when involved in a collision with a car, truck, motorcycle, bus or other motor vehicles and they have little or no protection.

Global news has obtained data showing the dates of over 20,000 pedestrian accidents from 2000 to 2009.  It showed that eight out of the ten worst days of the year for pedestrian accidents falls between November 21 and November 30.  November 2 and December 22 are the other two days.

There are several possible explanations for this phenomenon.  November and December have much less daylight.  As the weather gets colder, pedestrian seem to be rushing a little more to get where they need to be.  As the holidays approach, people seem to be busier in general and out and about more, especially at the malls.

The City of Toronto conducted a pedestrian collision study in January 2007.  It found that 12% of pedestrian/motor vehicle collisions resulted in major injuries or fatalities.  50% of the fatalities were seniors (aged 65+).  72% of the accidents involved male drivers.  The study also found that a higher percentage of accidents happened at rush hour, during weekdays and in the downtown area.

There are several “rules of the road” that are useful in pursuing pedestrian accident claims. The Highway Traffic Act states that when loss or damage is sustained by any person by reason of a motor vehicle on a highway, the onus of proof that the loss or damage did not arise through the negligence or improper conduct of the owner, driver, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle is upon the owner, driver, lessee or operator of the motor vehicle. That essentially means that if you were hit by a motor vehicle it will be up to the driver of the vehicle to prove he or she was not negligent.

Raphael Barristers have been practicing personal injury law for over 50 years. Our lawyers provide legal service to the residents of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Markham, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Burlington, Milton, Whitby, Pickering, Etobicoke, Thornhill, North York, Scarborough, Owen Sound, Collingwood, New Market, Aurora, Barrie, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and London, and to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Golden Horseshoe and the rest of Ontario.  Call Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation.  Visit us at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com.

As winter approaches, and the temperatures outside fall, our outdoor activities shift gears. The bicycle and roller blades are stored away for the season, and skis and ice-skates are brought out. For those who want a bit more speed, when the snow begins to fall, many choose a snowmobile for winter recreation.

A snowmobile is a vehicle, however, and is not just a recreational item. Ontario has a law, the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, that sets out very strict requirements for operating a snowmobile. It must be licenced, no different than an automobile. There are rules as to where it may be operated, how it must be operated, by whom it may be operated, and under certain circumstances, a regular driver’s licence or a motorized snow vehicle operator’s licence is required to operate a snowmobile. There are age limits for operating a snowmobile, and there are specific rules, essentially the “rules of the road”, for snowmobiles too. Under the law, a snowmobile must be insured under a motor vehicle liability policy, no different than an automobile.

Accidents happen. A fun day on the trails can be simply that, but unfortunately sometimes the fun can turn into tragedy.

If you have been involved in an accident involving a snowmobile, it must be reported to the police if there are personal injuries involved or damage to property exceeding $400.00.

There seems to be a high instance of alcohol related snowmobile accidents.  People tend to take the operation of a snowmobile and alcohol consumption more lightly.  This should not be done.  Snowmobiles, like motorcycles, afford little protection to the rider if involved in an accident.  Often lighting and trail conditions are more dangerous than the roads.  Extra care should be taken.

If you suffer an injury while operating a snowmobile, you may be entitled to statutory accident benefits (sometimes called no-fault benefits) from your own motor vehicle insurance company or from the insurer of the snowmobile. A personal injury lawyer can advise you as to where you make an application for benefits and how to apply. These benefits are the same as if you were involved in an automobile accident – income replacement and medical and rehabilitation expenses, for example. It is important to remember that there are fairly short time limits for notifying an insurance company after an accident happens and applying for benefits, so it is important to determine your rights very early.

There may be circumstances where the owner of the property on which you are operating a snowmobile may be responsible if you suffer injury, based on the condition of their property. A personal injury lawyer can help investigate all the surrounding circumstances of your accident, and ensure that you pursue all appropriate routes to be compensated for your injuries.

If you are injured by someone else operating a snowmobile, they are insured the same way an automobile driver is insured, and depending on the seriousness of your injuries, you may have a claim against that snowmobile driver for your pain and suffering and other losses. Once again, contacting a personal injury lawyer will help you determine your rights.

If you have been involved in a snowmobile accident, an Ontario personal injury lawyer will take the time to find out what routes for compensation are available and appropriate for you, and will help you pursue that compensation.

Raphael Barristers have been helping victims of snowmobile accidents and other personal injury accidents for over 50 years. We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill to service all of Ontario. Please contact Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation. Or visit our web site at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com

There is an old saying that states “believe in half of what you see, and none of what you hear”.  It seems as though auto insurance adjusters are very fond of this line of thinking when it comes to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents.
It seems that auto insurance adjusters have a difficult time believing claimants when they tell them about their injuries rather than show them.  Many of the injuries that occur in auto collisions are known as soft tissue injuries.  Soft tissue refers to any part of the body that is not bone.  The major problem with soft tissue injuries is that they often do not appear on medical imaging such as Xrays, MRI’s or CT Scans.  Often the only way that we know that a person has sustained a soft tissue injury is through their self reports of pain and decreased movement of a certain area of their body.  As such, these types of injuries are described by insurers as subjective injuries- an injury that cannot be validated by independent means, whereas an objective injury is able to be independently verified and thus harder for the insurer, or their assessors to dispute.
Doctors and courts do often rely on the subjective complaints of patients.  Medical research has demonstrated that subjective injuries are just as “real” as objective injuries, and should be treated with the same level of professionalism and concern.  Many soft tissue injuries can result in a chronic pain condition.
People who have sustained soft tissue injuries in car, bicycle, truck, motorcycle or snowmobile accidents often have a difficult time with their insurance claim.  The insurer is hard to convince that there is anything wrong with the claimant, and often their insurer assessors support this doubt.  Yet, the claimant remains unable to carry on with normal activities of daily life such as personal care, homemaking, working or caring for their children.  It is especially important for clients with such injuries to ensure that they obtain proper legal representation to assist them in validating their claim, and as such, ensure that they receive fair and maximal compensation.  An experienced and reputable personal injury lawyer will assist their clients in obtaining appropriate treatment for all their injuries- the subjective as well as the objective ones, and will advocate on their behalf to the insurer to demonstrate that even though an injury may not be visible with the naked eye, it can still be debilitating to a client’s life, and as such, be worthy of fair compensation.
Raphael Barristers are a group of personal injury lawyers that have been representing victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, snowmobile accidents and other personal injury and insurance claims for over 50 years.  We have had many successful Trial verdicts and Arbitration decisions on behalf of clients who sustained soft tissue injuries and suffer from chronic pain.  We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill to service all Ontario.  Please contact Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation.

If you are operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, your vehicle should be insured.  If it is not, then you are putting yourself and others at risk.

Under the Insurance Act a person is not entitled in an action in Ontario to recover any loss or damage from bodily injury or death arising directly or indirectly from the use or operation of an automobile if, at the time of the incident, the person was contravening subsection 2(1) of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act.  So generally, if you are driving a vehicle without insurance, and you are involved in an accident, even if the accident is not at all your fault, you will not be able to recover damages from the at-fault person.

In addition, under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule, if the driver of an automobile at the time of the accident knew or ought reasonable to have known that they were operating the automobile while it was not insured, they will not be entitled to collect income replacement benefits, a non-earner benefit, lost educational expenses, expenses of visitors or housekeeping and home maintenance benefits.

In Ontario, the minimum third party limits of insurance that you are allowed to have on your vehicle are $200,000.  Most people carry $1 million or more.

If you have had an accident as a pedestrian or where injured in a bicycle accident and the vehicle that hit you was not insured, claims may be made to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund for statutory accident benefits (income, medical, rehabilitation and other benefits) and for claims that you would have been able sue for if the vehicle was insured (pain and suffering and other special damages).

The lawyers at Raphael Barristers have been practicing personal injury law for over 50 years. We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill to serve all of Ontario.  Call Jeffrey Raphael for a free consultation at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812, or visit us at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com. Our personal injury lawyers represent clients with accident claims, accident insurance claims, insurance disputes, short or long term disability benefit disputes and accident benefits disputes, as well as, victims of crime, through the Criminal Injury Compensation Board. Your initial consultation is always free. We normally work on a contingency fee basis, which mean that there will be no charge for fees until the case is settled or successfully won at trial.

If you have suffered injury in an accident, such as a car accident, or if you have been the victim of some other type of negligence, such as medical malpractice, you have choices to make. The same is true if you have been the victim of a crime, and have suffered injury. You have choices to make.

The first choice people usually make in that kind of situation is to see a personal injury lawyer. In Ontario, there are a large number of options for injured victims of accidents and crimes, and a personal injury lawyer will help you navigate your way through those choices.

For example, you have gone to a nightclub and even though you are minding your own business, you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and you become the victim of a violent crime. Perhaps a shooting. Perhaps an intoxicated patron who simply can’t control themselves and assaults you for no reason. Somehow you find yourself injured, and you are looking for answers as to what rights you have for compensation.

You have choices. An injured victim of crime can apply for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. A personal injury lawyer in Ontario can assist you with this process and represent your interests at a compensation hearing. In some cases, you may be able to start legal action too, against the person who caused you the harm, or perhaps even an establishment, such as a nightclub, where the crime took place. There are questions to be asked, and a personal injury lawyer will explain these to you. Was there adequate security, for example? Were there prior incidents with the criminal that the establishment was aware of? Again, there are choices, and a lawyer will help you determine if you have the potential for a successful claim for damages in the courts.

Perhaps you were simply a passenger on a public transit vehicle, such as a TTC bus, and you suffer injury in an accident. The laws in Ontario have recently changed, and rights that innocent victims once had have been limited and changed. Can you apply for benefits from your own insurance company, or from the transit company’s insurer? Do you have a right to sue for your pain and suffering, and if so, what restrictions are there on your rights? A personal injury lawyer will help you determine your rights, and will ensure that you make the right choices.

Even a seemingly straight-forward issue, such as suing for damages after you have had a slip and fall accident, involves choices. What is your claim realistically worth? Does it make sense to sue in the higher court (the Superior Court of Justice), or perhaps a Small Claims Court lawsuit is appropriate? These are choices and a personal injury lawyer is experienced in helping you make those choices.

When you are faced with these situations, and these choices, your first choice is who to call for help. Choosing to call a personal injury lawyer will give you the chance to have someone listen to your concerns and help you make the right choices to seek compensation in the most appropriate way.

Raphael Barristers have been helping victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents and other personal injury accidents, as well as, victims of crime for over 50 years.  We have offices in Toronto and Thornhill.  Please contact Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 for a free consultation. Or visit our web site at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com.

This weekend we will be putting our clocks back one hour.  It seems like day light saving time has been around for ever, but it actually is a relatively recent phenomenon.  It gained wide spread use during World War II to help save on electricity and oil for the war efforts.  We wonder what effects it has on us now a days.

It was thought that one reason day light saving time was repealed it the 1970’s was because of an increased number of school bus accidents.  Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia studied traffic accidents in 1991 and 1992.  It found that when clocks were moved ahead in the spring (“spring forward”) there was an eight percent rise in traffic accidents on the Monday after the clocks were changed.  He also found that when clocks were moved back in the fall (“fall back”) there was an eight percent reduction in traffic accidents.  One may think that the amount of daylight in a given day would be a large factor in the amount of car accidents however; it appears that changes in the amount of sleep that a person gets can have a major consequence on people’s activities of daily life.

The good news is that this coming weekend we get an extra hour.  It won’t be until spring when we will lose it again (“spring forward and fall back”).

Driving can be a dangerous activity, not any different than using any dangerous machinery.  Get to know your own body and take a minute to gather yourself and assess your circumstances before getting into you car or truck, or getting onto your motorcycle.  It makes sense to assume that if you are sleep deprived, your reaction time will be slower.  A time change can mean the sun will be at a different angle during your drive, so you may need sunglasses.

Studies have shown that when clocks are moved forward the average person gets about 40 minutes less sleep.  The studies have shown not only an increase in car, truck, motorcycle and bicycle accidents but in increase in heart attacks and workplace accidents.

Raphael Barristers are a group of personal injury lawyers that have been in business for over 50 years.  Our lawyers provide legal service to the residents of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Markham, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Brampton, Burlington, Milton, Whitby, Pickering, Etobicoke, Thornhill, North York, Scarborough, Owen Sound, Collingwood, New Market, Aurora, Barrie, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and London, and to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Golden Horseshoe and the rest of Ontario.  Affordability should not be a concern for people that seek our help. Subject to certain exceptions, we will take on your case and agree to be paid only if we are successful in achieving a settlement or Judgment at trial. That means you would only be required to pay the lawyers fees if a settlement is achieved or Judgment is obtained at trial. If the case is not successful then you would not be charged any fees.  Contact Jeffrey Raphael at 416-594-1812 or 1-877-217-1812 or visit us at www.raphaelpersonalinjurylawyers.com