Car accidents in Ontario are unfortunately rather common. So far, they are the most common type of accidents which cause personal injuries. As such, they deserve a very special approach and place in the legislation. However, there are quite a lot of different things which may lead to car accidents. And while some are going to provide the driver with a chance to seek reparations, others are going to put him under the stand. Driving under the influence, for instance, belongs to the latter type. This is something that you need to take into account.
What is DUI Driving?
DUI refers to Driving Under-The-Influence. The cited influence means driving in intoxicated condition – after you’ve consumed too much alcohol or if you are under the influence of certain drugs or even medications. Depending on the circumstances, this could be viewed as a misdemeanor or as an actual crime. This is usually defined by the amount of the substance that you’ve taken. The consequences are also important.
The No Fault Rule in DUI Cases
The Insurance Act of Ontario has a special section which is called Rules of Fault Determination. There is a specific rule which is commonly referred to as the “no fault rule” which stipulates that you are entitled to compensation without minding whether or not you are at fault. With this in mind, it’s also important to understand that there are exceptions and DUI driving is one of them. Hence, if you’ve been drunk driving and you hit a stop sign; for instance, you wouldn’t be capable of claiming compensation for the damages on your vehicle under your insurance policy. That’s just it.
This, of course, is a very simple example. If you have caused someone else damages, the plaintiff might direct the claim towards you. Even if they don’t and it is directed to your insurance company, the latter is going to be able to claim the money from you because you are liable because you have been drunk driving – it’s as simple as that.
So, as you can see, there are quite a lot and serious considerations that need to take into proper account. It’s critical for you to ensure that you get the proper legal representation, especially if you are the one who’s been drunk driving. This is going to ensure that you get the minimum penalty, provided your lawyer knows what he’s doing.
A victim of DUI
If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, you should rely on a personal injury lawyer as well. Even though the case is likely to be a lot simpler than in a regular car accident, it’s important that you make sure that you stay protected in all cases. However, you will be entitled to claim for injuries under all circumstances. But as the process is complex and tedious, it is best to hire the services of an injury lawyer to handle it on your behalf.