Cocktails and Driving Don't Mix in Toronto

In compiling a list of the best cocktails in Toronto, blogger Alexandra Grigorescu notes that there are two distinct drinking cultures in the city. One is mostly confined to the club scene, while the other is cocktail culture. The latter, she observed, “is trickling down from leather-and-glass gentlemen's clubs and from Toronto's up-and-coming neighbourhoods onto the menus of most restaurants worth their salt.”

Topping the list of cocktail bars voted for by BlogTo readers featured in Grigorescu's article is BarChef, which has been Toronto's favorite go-to bar for years. Headed by Frankie Solarik, resident mixologists concoct mixes with a New World twist. While the location certainly has the word 'trendy' written all over it, the bar offers just as much recession-priced alternatives as their very expensive cocktails.

Other dining establishments that made the list include Jenn Agg's Cocktail Bar in Dundas West, Sidecar in Little Italy, Harbord Room in Harbord, and molecular gastronomy-pioneer Origin Restaurant. While trendy Torontonians can wine and dine in these places, drinking and driving is still not a trendy thing to do—unless you consider a $1,000 fine and a 1-year driving prohibition trendy.

Getting pulled over by a police officer for erratic driving is a very difficult circumstance to be in. The police can demand a driver to submit himself or herself to an approved screening device and refusal to provide a breath sample will only merit another offence.

Some Reasons to Hire Personal Injury Lawyers

Being involved in a motor vehicle collision is devastating and costly, especially when you sustained injuries and you will need to worry about medical treatment. At times, you may even need physical therapy or rehabilitation to regain normal function of the injured body part, whether it was a broken arm or leg. This will further increase your overall medical expenses.

You won't need to foot every dollar of your medical bill, however, as you may be eligible to receive compensation from the insurance company of the party at fault. However, not all injured parties are automatically given the go-signal to receive benefits. At times, the other driver's insurance company will make you go through hell and high water before they award you with the compensation you justly deserve.

As negotiating with these insurance companies can be difficult, it will be ideal to have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side. A personal injury lawyer knows exactly how to deal with the insurance company that tries to convince you to agree to a compensation amount that is not even enough to cover the expenses for your initial medical treatment, as most insurance companies take advantage of aggrieved parties and give them the lowest possible settlement. A lawyer will help you obtain a favorable settlement that is sufficient to cover all treatment costs and put you on the road to recovery.

Healing with the Help of an Accident Lawyer

In every accident, one of the parties involved is usually the cause of the mishap. If you find yourself at the receiving end of a tragic incident, you should know how to fight for your rights and the privileges you're entitled to as a victim. Instead of shouldering the burden imposed by your injuries and damaged property, you should arrange for an accident lawyer to aid you in your battle against greedy insurance companies.

An accident lawyer is your voice during the insurance claiming process. With his intellect and years of experience, he can negotiate with the claims adjuster on your behalf so you can get the financial compensation you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to acknowledge your claim, the accident lawyer can take the case to court.

A reputable lawyer always puts the welfare of his clients first. This is why many accident attorneys do not accept payment for their services until they can guarantee victory for their clients. He will stay by your side throughout the proceedings and give you valuable advice from which you can draw comfort and strength while waiting for judgment to be made.

Time may heal all wounds, but it is justice and the benefits that come with it that can truly set you on the road to recovery. Don't be intimidated by those who are going against you, especially not when you can enlist an accident attorney who knows the law like the back of his hand.

A Closer Look at Compensation Culture

The term “compensation culture” is used to describe the modern society which tends to seek legal compensation for relatively minor incidents or cases. While the term is used more often in the U.K. and Ireland, it can be said that the tendency to file frivolous lawsuits and then having difficulty to prove one's injury are instances of compensation culture. Though people have the right to seek compensatory damages via litigation for personal injury, it's not an excuse for them to misuse and abuse the system.

Compensation, in general, exists to help people sustain their daily living. If you have a broken arm due to an accident at work, you may be looking at loss income and expensive medical bills. Hence, to qualify for compensation, you must be able to prove that the injury you suffered will have a significant effect on the quality of your life. You'll most likely receive compensation for an injury which resulted from the negligence of others, especially if it keeps you from working and greatly impacts your health.

Unfortunately, many people take advantage of the current system under many guises: faking injuries, exaggerating trivial matters, filing absurd claims, etc. It's nearly impossible to change compensation culture overnight. However, with serious reforms and a slow but steady social change, a litigious society can eventually become more forgiving and tolerant.

What Not to Do After a Car Accident

With the number of people owning cars these days, it wouldn't be a surprise that the rate of car accidents continue to be an ever-increasing problem. Whether you are speeding through an expressway or driving through busy streets, the risk of getting into a collision is never far. When you do get into one, make sure not to do the following:

Up and Leave the Scene

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Don't speed away into the sunset just because the wreck didn't leave any disabling damage to both you and your car. Regardless of the extent of accident, you need to check on the other driver, exchange insurance information and report the incident to law enforcers. Otherwise, you're a criminal.

Lose Your Temper

An accident is no place to be acting in a fit of rage. This is something that even the most level-headed of drivers might lose track of in the face of a collision, especially if it's a serious one. Anger could lead you to subsequent mistakes like failing to get the other driver's information, assessing the situation, or even hitting the other driver.

Forget all about It

While the aftermath might leave you befuddled and traumatized, remember that you can only get just compensation for any damages if you're on top of the situation. Hiring a reputable accident lawyer is a good first step. You should also have proper documentation to substantiate your insurance claim and lawsuit.