An impaired driving accident can cause severe injuries, emotional trauma and lasting financial hardship. Accidents causing bodily harm can lead to prosecution by indictment with imprisonment for up to 14 years. However, the criminal case is separate from an injured person’s right to seek compensation. If you were hurt in a car accident involving alcohol or drugs, obtain legal advice as soon as possible to understand your rights, preserve evidence and meet important Ontario claim deadlines.
Impaired driving accidents often lead to complex disputes involving fault, insurance coverage and the full value of an injured person’s losses. An insurance company may question your injuries, treatment needs or entitlement to benefits, while the at-fault driver’s insurance company may challenge the compensation sought. A Toronto impaired driving accident lawyer can investigate the collision, review police evidence and manage negotiations on your behalf. At Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers, we help clients pursue drunk driving accident claims for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, future care and other accident-related damages.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver, call Bergel Magence today at 416-665-2000.
Toronto Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Ontario
Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers represents people injured in drunk driving accidents across Toronto and throughout Ontario. A car accident caused by an impaired driver can result in serious injuries, including fractures, spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries. Even when a driver is below the legal limit, their ability to drive may still be impaired by alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication or illegal drugs.
Our Toronto personal injury lawyers help clients pursue accident benefits claims through their own automobile insurer and compensation claims against at-fault drivers. Accident benefits may help cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, income loss, and other recovery needs, regardless of who caused the collision. Contact Bergel Magence for a free consultation to discuss your impaired driving accident claim and learn about your legal options.
Ontario Drunk Driving Accidents Statistics
Impaired driving continues to cause preventable deaths and serious injuries on Ontario roads. Preliminary data from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation recorded 55 fatalities in drinking-and-driving collisions in 2024. These deaths represented 8.9% of all Ontario road fatalities that year. The Ministry notes that this preliminary figure may change after verification with the Office of the Chief Coroner.
On roads patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police, alcohol- or drug-related crashes caused 46 fatal collisions and 617 personal injury collisions in 2024. In total, 53 people were killed in alcohol- or drug-related roadway collisions. The OPP also laid more than 11,500 impaired driving charges and conducted over 43,000 RIDE checks during the year.
These statistics show why victims should understand their rights after a drunk driving accident. A civil claim can proceed while a criminal case is ongoing. Ontario injury lawsuits typically have a two-year limitation period. However, the exact deadline may depend on the facts of the case. Getting prompt legal advice can help preserve evidence and protect your right to seek compensation. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident with an impaired driver, call Bergel Magence today.
Why Seriously Injured Torontonians Trust Our Impaired Driving Accident Law Firm
A serious car accident can leave an injured person facing pain, lost income and an uncertain future. Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers guides clients through the legal process with clear advice and personal attention. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling Ontario personal injury cases, including claims involving impaired drivers, a severe head injury and other life-changing harm.
Our legal team manages insurance claims and communicates directly with the insurance company. We help eligible clients pursue accident benefits, including income replacement benefits and attendant care benefits. We also gather medical evidence, investigate the collision and assess the full effect of the injuries.
Recovering compensation after an impaired driving accident can be complex. We explain each stage of the legal process and build a claim for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, future care and other losses. This allows our clients to focus on their health while we protect their legal rights.
How Our Impaired Driving Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our lawyers investigate collisions caused by an alcohol or drug-impaired driver. We collect police reports, witness statements, video footage, medical records and other evidence needed to establish the legal grounds for a claim. Our track record in serious injury cases helps us identify the evidence required to pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
We also manage communication with insurers, prepare benefit applications and monitor important insurance deadlines. This support can make a significant difference when an insurance company disputes liability, questions treatment or undervalues serious injuries. Our legal services may include calculating lost income, medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, future care needs and pain and suffering.
Bergel Magence offers a free case evaluation to explain your rights and possible next steps. We will also review our legal fees and answer your questions before you decide whether to proceed. If we accept your case, our legal team will handle the claim while you focus on your treatment and recovery.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Drunk Driving Accident
Seek emergency care immediately after the accident. Call 911 and remain at the scene if it is safe to do so. Tell the police if you noticed signs of impairment, such as slurred speech, an alcohol odour, erratic driving or unusual behaviour. 911 calls may serve as evidence of the impaired driver’s behaviour.
If possible, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, licence plates and visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses, but do not confront the other driver. Ask for the police occurrence number and keep copies of all medical reports, receipts and accident-related documents.
Notify your insurer promptly to start the accident benefits claim. Avoid giving a detailed statement or accepting a settlement before you understand your rights. Contacting a Toronto impaired driving accident lawyer quickly can help preserve evidence, identify important deadlines and protect your claim for compensation.
Get Legal Help After a Drunk Driving Accident
If an impaired driver caused your collision, you do not have to manage the legal and insurance process alone. Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can review the police investigation, preserve important evidence and build a strong claim for your losses.
Our Toronto personal injury lawyers provide legal assistance to people living with serious injuries, lost income and long-term rehabilitation needs. We will focus on getting you the justice and compensation you and your family deserve while you can focus on rehabilitation.
Our legal team will protect your rights and pursue the maximum compensation available for medical expenses, future care, pain and suffering, income loss and other damages. Contact Bergel Magence today for a free consultation about your drunk driving accident claim. There is no obligation, and you only pay legal fees if we recover compensation for you.