Surprise, surprise. Ontario’s auto insurance system is one of the least effective in the country:
Ontario’s auto insurance system is “one of the least effective” in the country, despite having the most expensive premiums and one of the lowest levels of accidents, according to a government-commissioned report.
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Ontario is one of the safest places to drive in North America — safer, per person and per kilometre, than almost every province and U.S. state. Yet car insurance costs more in Ontario than it does anywhere else in Canada. This has been the case for years, but the government has mostly just tinkered with the insurance system, even as drivers and opposition parties have screamed for more sweeping changes.
David Marshall reports that Ontario’s system is filled with disputes and inefficiencies, and a high percentage of premiums are going to experts and lawyers instead of injured people.
Personal injury litigation has come under the microscope over the last few months, specifically with regard to advertising and fees. Most recently, MPP Michael Colle has put forward a private member’s bill that would require every personal injury advertisement to be approved by the Law Society, cap contingency fees at 15 per cent, and outright prohibit referral fees.
Claimants who take a more active role in their cases are often able to achieve a better outcome, says Toronto personal injury lawyer Michael Yermus.
While lawyers must present evidence related to injuries and accidents, litigants have their own role to play that includes going to regular medical appointments, taking medicine as prescribed, and participating in their recovery, he tells AdvocateDaily.com.
In a previous issue of LAWPRO Magazine, we asked our claims counsel about what they feel are the biggest malpractice hazards in each area of law based on the claims files they work on every day. Here is an excerpt from that article dealing with clients who urge a quick settlement. Click here to read the full article “Practice Pitfalls”.
Changes to the definitions of catastrophic injury in Ontario will make it more difficult for injured people to get some benefits — potentially having a major impact on their recovery and treatment, says Hamilton personal injury lawyer Andrew Spurgeon.
One in 10 respondents to a recent State Farm Canada survey admit that they have driven under the influence of marijuana (45% within the past 12 months), but nearly half this group said they don’t believe marijuana impacts their ability to drive safely.