According to the Ontario Provincial Police, a multiple-vehicle accident in Pickering left one person with life-threatening injuries and three others with serious injuries. The June 3 car accident took place on Highway 7 around 3:50 p.m.

Police said a Dodge Caravan was heading west on the highway when its driver crossed over the centerline and entered into eastbound traffic, colliding with a Hyundai Elantra. Subsequent to that collision, four additional vehicles became involved in the wreck. According to police, the Hyundai’s driver suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The Dodge Caravan’s driver suffered serious injuries that authorities do not consider life-threatening. The drivers of two other vehicles involved reportedly suffered minor injuries that required treatment at a hospital. It was not immediately clear why the Dodge Caravan crossed the centerline of Highway 7, but police indicated that their investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Drivers who cause an accident on account of reckless or negligent behavior, such as texting or drinking while driving, may be held liable in civil court for any resulting injuries and property damage. If the police investigation into an auto accident were to discover evidence of such actionable behavior, a personal injury lawyer representing the people injured in the crash may use that evidence to bolster the victims’ civil claim.

A personal injury lawsuit successfully pursued in the aftermath of an auto accident may result in the victims receiving financial compensation for the damages they suffered. These damages may include hospital bills and medical expenses; for, when people suffer severe injuries, they often require specialized surgeries and costly physical therapy. The damages might also include lost wages in the event that the victims’ injuries prove to be disabling, forcing them to take time off from work.

Source: CTV Toronto, “Man suffers life-threatening injuries after multi-car crash in Pickering “, Xiaoli Li, June 03, 2014