Category: Uncategorized

The Deadly Consequences of Distracted Driving

by John McKiggan

More Than 3000 Distracted Drivers in HRM Every Year

Police in Halifax issue more than 3000 tickets every year to drivers distracted by the use of their cellphones. Despite the vigilence of HRPD one can only assume that these tickets represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the number of distracted drivers in Metro Halifax.

Constable Stephen Squires says distracted driving is one of the four main causes of fatal accidents; the other three being impairment, lack of seatbelt use and aggressive driving.

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Posted in: Distracted Driving, Uncategorized

Motorcycle Accidents: How they happen and what you can do to avoid them.

by John McKiggan

Motorcycle Accident Compensation Claims

I am in the middle of preparing for a trial involving a motorcyclist (my client) who was injured in a motorcycle – car collision. The driver of the car made a left turn in front of my client while my client was driving through a green light. The injuries the motorcycle rider suffered were more serious than you tend see in a typical car-car collision.

While motorcycle collision cases form a relatively small part of the cases I am asked to handle, the injuries in those cases tend to be more severe and complicated. So if you spend any time on the road, as I’m sure all of you do, here is some important information regarding motorcycles and motorcycle injuries.

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Posted in: Car Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Motorcycle Injuries, Personal Injury, Uncategorized

Should Kids Be Driving ATV’s? Doctors Call for Ban

by John McKiggan

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are four-wheeled motorized rugged vehicles usually operated off-road. They are particularly popular in rural communities and are frequently operated by children of all ages. They are popular recreational vehicles throughout Canada. But a local physician is hoping to change that.

Hundreds of Children Injured Every Year

The Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS) recently called for a ban on children driving ATVs. Dr. Natalie Yanchar, a surgeon at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, says she has seen too many broken bones and deaths from ATV accidents. A study authored by Dr. Yanchar reported that an average of 450 children under the age of 15 are hospitalized every year from injuries caused by ATV.

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Posted in: Child Injuries, Child Safety, Uncategorized

Get Your Kids Back-to-School Safely!

by John McKiggan

It’s that time again! Tomorrow is the first day of school and lots of eager (or not so eager) kids will be heading back to school.

As an injury lawyer in Nova Scotia, I have dealt with countless tragic cases where children have been injured, many of them in and around schools. Here are a few tips for parents to make sure the first day back (and every other day during the school year) is a safe one.

Whichever method your children use to get to school there are a number of safety considerations to remember.

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Posted in: Bicycle safety, Car Accidents, Child Injuries, Child Safety, Distracted Driving, EndDD.org, Kids and Cars Canada, Pedestrian accidents, Uncategorized

Blind Zone Back Over Demonstration

by John McKiggan


Most Canadians don’t realize that every single vehicle sold in Canada has a blind zone behind it. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle that blind zone is anywhere from 10 feet to up to 50 feet.

When asked, most people guess that the blind zone is 5 or 6 feet.

CBC news recently did a story on the issue and I thought I would post the video because it visually demonstrates the problem.

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Posted in: Car Accidents, Child Injuries, Child Safety, Kids and Cars Canada, Pedestrian accidents, Uncategorized

Is Ford Escape Recall a Cover-Up?

by John McKiggan

Spontaneous Acceleration

Remember the allegations of spontaneous acceleration that Toyota vehicles had to deal with a few years ago? They ended up recalling 3.8 million vehicles. It was a public relations disaster for the company.

Is Ford facing a similar problem? Worse, has the company been trying to hide a dangerous problem it has known about for seven years?

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Posted in: Car Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Product Liability, Uncategorized

Tragic Back-Over Death Evidence of Hidden Problem: Kids and Cars Canada

by John McKiggan

Police in Toronto are investigating a heartbreaking death as a result of a back-over accident that happened on the weekend.

A father dropped off his wife and eight-year old son outside Toronto’s Ontario Science Centre. While backing-up to leave the parking lot the father struck his wife and son. Tragically, the eight-year old boy died of his injuries. Media reports indicate the child’s mother is in serious but stable condition in the hospital.

This terrible accident is evidence of a hidden problem. One that most Canadians aren’t even aware exists.

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Posted in: Child Injuries, Child Safety, Kids and Cars Canada, Uncategorized

Increase in Nova Scotia Traffic Fatalities: Is Distracted Driving to Blame?

by John McKiggan

It seems like a day doesn’t go by this summer when I don’t have to read about another needless traffic fatality on Nova Scotia highways. Yesterday media reported that a 17 year old boy died Sunday night after a single vehicle crash on Little Harbour Road in Pictou county. Today Cape Breton Regional Police reported the death of a young man in a car crash that happened just before 9 a.m. in River Ryan, near New Waterford.

Increase in Traffic Deaths

Traffic fatalities in Nova Scotia have seen a huge increase over the last year. As of July 10 there had been 41 car related deaths in Nova Scotia. These statistics don’t include the 6 fatalities reported over the last two weeks alone!

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Posted in: Distracted Driving, Uncategorized