Fatal Accident Lawyers
Compensation for your future is our why
Accidents are always unexpected; we never think they will happen to those we love. Accidents that result in the death of one or more persons are especially upsetting. Please know that you’re not alone.
Legate Injury Lawyers is here to support you through your grief—and fight on your behalf for compensation to help you secure a better future. Accidents often occur due to carelessness, and our law firm is committed to determining if someone was at fault. We passionately seek justice for those affected by fatal car accidents, fatal workplace accidents, and other casualties.
Legate Injury Lawyers is here to support you through your grief—and fight on your behalf for compensation to help you secure a better future. Accidents often occur due to carelessness, and our law firm is committed to determining if someone was at fault. We passionately seek justice for those affected by fatal car accidents, fatal workplace accidents, and other casualties.
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What to Do After a Fatal Accident
In the unfortunate event of a fatal accident, follow these steps for a brighter future.
- Take time to process the news. It is difficult to learn about the loss of a loved one. You need time to grieve. But remember: clear thinking after receiving tragic news can help you build a legal case.
- Collect and preserve evidence about how the death occurred. Gather photos and videos taken at the scene (personal injuries and property damage), as well as notes about the accident damage and contact information for witnesses. Document the income your loved one made before their passing, how your loved one interacted with your family, and how the life of you and your family has been impacted by the passing of your loved one. If the fatal accident occurred in a car or truck accident, write down the license plate information, and make detailed notes about what happened. If the fatal accident occurred at work or in a recreational setting, take photos of the location of the accident, note the state of the environment at the time of the accident, and any apparel/equipment your loved one was wearing/using.
- Report the death to the proper authorities and companies. The authority or company will depend on the circumstances of your case. We suggest contacting your loved one’s life insurance company and the police. If the fatal accident occurred in a car accident, report the accident to your loved one’s automobile insurance company. If the fatal accident occurred at work, contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Depending on the nature of the accident, there may be strict timelines for making reports and providing notice to potential lawsuit defendants, even before the lawsuit is started. Notice may need to be delivered within a short and strict time limit or else you may lose your right to sue. Legate Injury Lawyers is ready to help you navigate your requirement to send notice, make reports to bodies such as your loved one’s insurer and WSIB, and start a lawsuit. Consultations are free.
What to Do After a Fatal Accident
In the unfortunate event of a fatal accident, follow these steps for a brighter future.
- Take time to process the news. It is difficult to learn about the loss of a loved one. You need time to grieve. But remember: clear thinking after receiving tragic news can help you build a legal case.
- Collect and preserve evidence about how the death occurred. Gather photos and videos taken at the scene (personal injuries and property damage), as well as notes about the accident damage and contact information for witnesses. Document the income your loved one made before their passing, how your loved one interacted with your family, and how the life of you and your family has been impacted by the passing of your loved one. If the fatal accident occurred in a car or truck accident, write down the license plate information, and make detailed notes about what happened. If the fatal accident occurred at work or in a recreational setting, take photos of the location of the accident, note the state of the environment at the time of the accident, and any apparel/equipment your loved one was wearing/using.
- Report the death to the proper authorities and companies. The authority or company will depend on the circumstances of your case. We suggest contacting your loved one’s life insurance company and the police. If the fatal accident occurred in a car accident, report the accident to your loved one’s automobile insurance company. If the fatal accident occurred at work, contact the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Depending on the nature of the accident, there may be strict timelines for making reports and providing notice to potential lawsuit defendants, even before the lawsuit is started. Notice may need to be delivered within a short and strict time limit or else you may lose your right to sue. Legate Injury Lawyers is ready to help you navigate your requirement to send notice, make reports to bodies such as your loved one’s insurer and WSIB, and start a lawsuit. Consultations are free.
What Can I Expect from a Fatal Accident Lawyer?
Given the emotional gravity of fatal accidents, it pays to have the right law firm on your side. The team at Legate Injury Lawyers are kind, compassionate people who genuinely want to help you. Here’s what you can expect when working with us.
Common Places Where Fatal Accidents Occur
Some common places where deadly accidents may occur in Ontario include, but are not limited to:
Fatal Car Accidents
- Highways
- Roadways
- Sidewalks
- Parking lots
- Backcountry roads
Fatal Workplace Accidents
- Construction sites
- Landscaping sites
- Structural iron and steel working sites
- Farms
- Truck driving
- Roofing sites
- Fisheries
- Logging sites
Fatal Recreational Accidents
- Waterways (boating)
- Provincial parks
- Skating and roller rinks
- Parks and playgrounds
- Schoolyards and daycares
- Swimming pools
- Trails and backcountry roads (snowmobiling, ATVing)
- Ski hills (skiing and snowboarding)
- Ranches and equestrian stables (horseback riding)
- Sidewalks (operating an e-bike or scooter, cycling)
- Gyms and fitness facilities
- Theme parks
- Golf courses
- Rinks
- Soccer fields
- Football fields
- Other sporting facilities and complexes
- Organized sporting events
Common Types of Fatal Accidents
Many personal injuries have the potential to be fatal, but some accidents are more likely to result in death. These include, but are not limited to:
Car Accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-boned vehicles
- Single car accidents
- Pedestrian collisions
- Running red lights
- Failing to yield
- Unsafe turns
- Bicycle collisions
- Truck accidents
- Train collisions
- Bus and public transit injuries
- ATV accidents
- Driving mistakes
- Scooter accidents
- Ice, snow, and bad weather accidents
Workplace Accidents
- Failure to maintain and repair machinery
- Failure to provide proper training and education
- Failure to provide safety supports / Unsafe environment
- Failure to supervise
- Poisonings
Recreational Accidents
- Slips and falls / Trips and falls
- Unsafe and poorly maintained facilities
- Failure to provide proper safety equipment and training
Fatal Accident FAQsAll FAQs
Two types of claims can be made in a wrongful death lawsuit. The first is the estate of your loved one for pain and suffering, and certain expenses directly related to the accident including past medical expenses, income loss, and out-of-pocket expenses. The second is certain family members under the Family Law Act for the loss of care, guidance, and companionship, and certain expenses directly related to the accident including funeral expenses. The claims will differ in each case based on the circumstances surrounding the accident and relationships of the family members. A lawyer from Legate Injury Lawyers can help you to navigate these details.
In Ontario, the law requires that the lawsuit for negligence causing death must be started within two (2) years of your loved one passing away. This is known as the limitation period. This is a strict time limit with few exceptions. To protect your right to start a lawsuit, contact a fatal accident lawyer as soon as possible to start a lawsuit within the time limit.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, there may be other sources of compensation for things such as funeral expenses, counselling for bereavement, and pain and suffering. For example, if your loved one had a life insurance policy, you should contact the insurer as soon as possible. If your loved one passed away in a car accident, you may be eligible to apply for benefits through your loved one’s automobile insurance policy or the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund. If your loved one passed away in a workplace accident, the WSIB Survivors’ Benefit program may provide compensation. There are times when these sources will not provide full compensation and a lawsuit may be needed to recover the outstanding amount. A lawyer from Legate Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the steps and options available to you.
Our Your Team
Advocating for people who’ve experienced injuries is a labour of love for Legate Injury Lawyers. You may be entitled to compensation to help you secure a better future, to the extent that money can do that.
