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Some personal injury lawyers have started to ask that question. Their quest for an answer was initiated by certain laws that have been passed during the past eight years. As newer laws get passed, it looks more and more like the answer to the question in the title is a “no.”
Laws that concern statutory accident benefits
Such legislation has been passed in some of the cities that are located in the Ontario. That legislation became effective in September of 2010. It mandated a decrease in the benefit limits for those with either catastrophic or non-catastrophic injuries.
Legalization of certain insurance reforms
Government authorities have not objected to one reform that made changes in the years of coverage granted to accident victims that had suffered a catastrophic injury. In the past, those victims had been granted 10 years of coverage. Recent changes have reduced that coverage period to a span of just 5 years.
Government authorities have given a green light to those insurance companies that have tried to make changes in the benefits given all victims with a catastrophic injury. Those companies have chosen to put tighter limits on the amount of coverage given to those that were not employed at the time of the accident. The new limit reduces the total length of their coverage to just 2 years.
A major change in the way that the victim of a personal injury can seek compensation
In the past, victims followed a process that began with a series of negotiations. If those negotiations did not lead to a settlement, a period of mediation would commence. If the mediator failed to aid the reaching of a settlement, then the two sides would present their arguments in court.
The major change has done away with the need for mediation during accident benefit disputes. If the two sides fail to settle on the size of the award money during the negotiating process, plans get made for a coming court trial. Hence, those personal injury lawyer in Barrie that had become skilled at working with a mediator can no longer use those skills.
Expectations for further changes in the price of premiums
In the past, insurers have raised the price of premiums for any policy holder that had been convicted of driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Now lawyers expect insurance companies to raise the price of premiums for any policy holder that has been caught driving, after having taken the time to enjoy some marijuana. Like alcohol, marijuana affects a driver’s judgment and his or her ability to control a motored vehicle. Consequently, no driver should get behind a steering wheel after using either of those substances.