A Scarborough car accident led to an impaired driving arrest after a vehicle crashed into a light pole on August 10. Toronto Police responded to the single-vehicle collision and arrested the driver on suspicion of impaired driving. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
An impaired driving accident in Toronto can have devastating consequences. Alcohol or drugs can affect reaction time, judgment, coordination, and a driver’s ability to recognize hazards. A drunk driver can also put pedestrians, cyclists, nearby residents, and other drivers at risk.
This collision is another reminder that impaired driving is preventable. Anyone who has consumed alcohol or drugs should never get behind the wheel. A designated driver, taxi, rideshare service, or public transit can provide a safer way home.
Why Is Impaired Driving So Dangerous?
Driving requires constant attention and quick decisions. Impairment can reduce a person’s ability to safely control a vehicle, judge distance, respond to changing traffic, and avoid unexpected hazards.
An Ontario impaired driving accident can result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Serious soft tissue injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Fatal injuries
Impaired driving can also lead to serious criminal consequences. However, a criminal case and a victim’s personal injury claim are separate matters. Someone injured by an impaired driver may have legal options for seeking compensation for their losses.
What Should You Do If You Are Injured by an Impaired Driver?
If you are involved in a Toronto impaired driving accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Call 911 when necessary and make sure the collision is reported to police.
If it is safe to do so, take photos of the vehicles, accident scene, road conditions, and visible injuries. Get contact information from witnesses and save any dashcam footage. You should also keep copies of your medical records, treatment plans, receipts, and other documents connected to the accident.
People injured in an Ontario motor vehicle accident may have access to Accident Benefits. If an impaired driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, future care needs, pain and suffering, and other eligible losses.
Understanding Liability After an Impaired Driving Accident
An impaired driving arrest does not automatically determine the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit. A separate investigation may still be needed to establish how the collision occurred and who is legally responsible.
Important evidence may include police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, dashcam recordings, vehicle data, medical records, and evidence gathered during the police investigation.
An experienced Toronto personal injury lawyer can help preserve evidence and investigate the collision. A lawyer can also communicate with insurance companies and determine what compensation may be available.
This can be especially important when a crash causes a vehicle to leave the roadway. Pedestrians, cyclists, property owners, passengers, and occupants of other vehicles could potentially suffer injuries even if their vehicle was not part of the initial impact.
Contact Bergel Magence After a Scarborough Car Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Scarborough car accident, impaired driving accident, or another serious Toronto motor vehicle collision, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people seriously injured in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle collisions, bicycle accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic injury cases throughout Scarborough, Toronto, and across Ontario.
A serious Scarborough car accident can leave you facing painful injuries, rehabilitation, time away from work, and difficult insurance issues. Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers can explain your legal rights, help you access available Accident Benefits, investigate the circumstances of the collision, and pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.