A Highway 401 accident in Scarborough sent four people to hospital and closed the westbound lanes for several hours Wednesday night. The lengthy closure continued while emergency crews responded to the collision and police investigated the scene.
A major Highway 401 collision can become dangerous in seconds. Vehicles are travelling at high speeds, traffic is often heavy, and drivers may have very little time to react to a sudden hazard.
For people injured in a Toronto highway accident, the impact can continue long after traffic starts moving again. Injuries may lead to medical treatment, rehabilitation, missed work, and difficult insurance questions.
If you witnessed this Highway 401 crash or have dashcam footage from the area, consider contacting police. Video from the moments before a collision can provide valuable evidence during an investigation.
Why Are Highway 401 Accidents So Dangerous?
Highway 401 is one of the GTA’s busiest transportation routes. Cars, SUVs, motorcycles, delivery vehicles, and large commercial trucks share the highway every day.
At highway speeds, drivers need enough distance to react safely. A sudden stop or unexpected lane change can quickly create a dangerous situation.
Factors that can contribute to an Ontario highway accident include:
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driver fatigue
- Impaired driving
- Heavy traffic
- Poor weather or visibility
One collision can also lead to a second or third impact. This is one reason multi-vehicle highway crashes can result in serious injuries.
What Should You Do After a Highway 401 Car Accident?
Your first priority should be safety.
If you are involved in a serious Highway 401 car accident, call 911 when emergency assistance is needed. Seek medical attention if you have been injured.
Do not put yourself in danger by standing in an active traffic lane. Follow the instructions of police and emergency responders.
When it is safe, try to preserve information about the accident. Take photos of vehicle damage and the surrounding scene. Get contact information from witnesses and save any dashcam recordings.
You should also keep your medical records, treatment information, receipts, and other documents related to your injuries.
Some collision injuries do not become obvious immediately. Pain, stiffness, headaches, and other symptoms may develop later. If you experience symptoms after an accident, seek appropriate medical care.
What Compensation May Be Available After an Ontario Highway Accident?
People injured in an Ontario motor vehicle accident may have access to Accident Benefits.
If another driver’s negligence caused or contributed to your injuries, you may also have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. The compensation available will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the losses you suffered.
A serious injury claim may involve medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, future care requirements, and pain and suffering.
Highway accidents can also involve several drivers and insurance companies. Determining responsibility may require police evidence, witness statements, vehicle damage, dashcam recordings, traffic cameras, and accident reconstruction evidence.
An experienced Toronto car accident lawyer can investigate the collision and help determine which insurance coverage and legal options may apply.
Contact Bergel Magence After a Highway 401 Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Highway 401 accident, Scarborough car accident, Toronto highway collision, or another serious Ontario motor vehicle accident, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people injured in car accidents, highway crashes, multi-vehicle collisions, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and catastrophic injury cases throughout Toronto and across Ontario.
A serious highway crash can leave you dealing with injuries, medical appointments, rehabilitation, lost income, and insurance companies all at once.
Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers can review your Highway 401 accident, explain your legal rights, help you understand available Accident Benefits, investigate who may be responsible, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.