It is always advised to drink responsibly. But this is especially necessary if you intend to get behind the steering wheel at the end of the night. Unfortunately, drunk driving is still a predominant issue in the Toronto area. So even if you practice safety, you may still become involved in a drunk driving accident. Continue reading to learn what steps you should take if you are injured by a drunk driver and how an experienced Toronto drunk driver accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you rectify the situation.
What are Toronto’s dram shop laws?
If you entered a collision with a drunk driver, you may be quick to file a personal injury claim against them. Though, you may also have to direct your lawsuit toward the establishment that served the drunk driver alcohol. This is by Toronto’s dram shop laws. More specifically, this may be relevant in the following circumstances:
- You may assign partial fault to the establishment if they served alcohol to the defendant when they were already visibly intoxicated (i.e., glossy eyes, slurred speech, unsteady walking, etc).
- You may assign partial fault to the establishment if they served alcohol to the defendant when they were a minor (i.e., under 19 years of age).
- You may assign partial fault to the establishment if they served alcohol to the defendant after their hours of operation.
- You may assign partial fault to the establishment if they served alcohol to the defendant without a liquor license.
What steps should I take if I am injured by a drunk driver?
Regardless of whether a drunk driver is entirely to blame or partially to blame alongside an establishment, you must take certain measures while you are still at the scene of your accident. This is so that you may have enough evidence of fault for your personal injury claim. With that being said, it may be in your best interest to take the following steps:
- Call your local law enforcement to the scene, so that they may conduct a police report.
- Take photos and videos of the scene, along with your bodily injuries and car damages.
- Collect the contact information of the drunk driver, along with their admittance of fault.
- Collect the contact information of witnesses present at the scene, along with their oral or written statements.
- Submit to medical attention at the scene, along with allowing paramedics and EMTs to transport you to the emergency room.
- Gather medical bills, repair quotes, and past pay stubs, so that you may show your financial suffering after your accident.
You must remember that there are laws in place to protect you. So please do yourself a favor and retain the services of a skilled Toronto auto accident lawyer from Merricks Law Group, P.A. today.
