A 62-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle collision on Highway 401 in Scarborough.
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the crash involved a delivery truck in the eastbound express lanes near Neilson Road. Emergency crews transported the driver to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The eastbound express lanes were closed while police investigated the collision. They have since reopened.
Police have not confirmed the cause of the crash. Police have not said whether speed, road conditions, a medical emergency, vehicle failure or another factor contributed to the collision.
Our thoughts are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
What Happens After a Fatal Highway Collision?
A fatal Highway 401 crash may require a detailed investigation. Police may examine the vehicle, road conditions and physical evidence at the scene. They may also review traffic-camera footage, witness statements and electronic vehicle data.
Even when only one vehicle is directly involved, investigators may need to consider several possible causes. These can include:
- A mechanical or manufacturing defect
- Unsafe road or construction conditions
- Debris on the highway
- The actions of another driver
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Driver fatigue
- A sudden medical emergency
A single-vehicle crash does not always mean that the driver was solely responsible. Another vehicle may have forced the driver to take evasive action without making contact. A defective vehicle component or poorly maintained road may also have played a role.
The facts must be carefully investigated before conclusions are reached.
Delivery Truck Accidents Can Raise Complex Questions
Commercial and delivery truck accidents can be more complicated than ordinary car accident claims.
Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include the driver’s work schedule, delivery records, vehicle inspection reports and maintenance history. Investigators may also review information about the employer’s safety procedures and the condition of the truck.
Commercial vehicles may contain electronic data that helps reconstruct the moments before a collision. Dash-camera footage, GPS records and nearby highway cameras may also provide important evidence.
This information can be lost or overwritten. For that reason, families affected by a fatal truck accident should consider getting legal advice as soon as possible.
Can a Family Make a Claim After a Fatal Car Accident in Ontario?
Every fatal accident is different. Whether a family may have a claim depends on the available evidence, insurance coverage and cause of the collision.
In some cases, certain family members may be able to seek compensation under Ontario law. A claim may include losses connected to funeral expenses, financial support, household services, care, guidance and companionship.
Insurance benefits may also be available after a fatal motor vehicle accident. Eligibility will depend on the facts and the applicable automobile insurance policy.
Where another driver, company, vehicle manufacturer, maintenance provider or public authority may have contributed to the crash, additional legal issues can arise.
Speaking with an experienced Toronto car accident lawyer can help a family understand its rights and determine what evidence should be preserved.
Evidence Can Disappear Quickly After a Highway 401 Accident
The period immediately following a serious collision can be overwhelming. However, early evidence may play an important role in finding out what happened.
Relevant evidence may include:
- Police reports and collision reconstruction findings
- Highway and traffic-camera recordings
- Dash-camera footage
- Witness contact information
- Delivery schedules and employment records
- Truck inspection and maintenance documents
- Electronic vehicle or event-data-recorder information
- Photographs of the vehicle and collision scene
- Weather, lighting and road-condition records
A Toronto personal injury lawyer can take steps to request and preserve evidence before it is deleted, repaired or lost.
Speak With a Toronto Car Accident Lawyer
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car, truck or Highway 401 accident, you do not have to face the legal and insurance process alone.
The Toronto car accident lawyers at Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience helping injured people and families across Ontario. We can review the circumstances of the collision, explain the insurance benefits and legal claims that may be available, and help determine whether another person or organization may be legally responsible.
Contact Bergel Magence today for a free consultation. There are no upfront legal fees, and you do not pay unless we recover compensation for you.