As a personal injury lawyer in Halifax with clients across Atlantic Canada, I know from experience how the law can impact a person’s life. Whether it’s the nuances of fault determination in motor vehicle accidents or a specific judge’s decision on a long-term disability case, the particulars of certain laws can and do impact the amount of compensation available to injury victims and disabled workers.

Every year in Atlantic Canada, new laws and regulations are created and existing laws are changed. Some recent changes in 2020 included changes for electric scooters, new distracted driving laws, and increased sanctions for workplace harassment.

1. Electric Scooters

For those electric scooters, many people wonder what the laws are when they’ve been seen buzzing around downtown? And while it’s great that people have a clean, green, and fun way to get around, but we’ve also seen more injuries related to eclectic scooters. If we look to other places where scooters are everywhere, we know that more car accidents with scooters are bound to follow.

Some basics for electric bike or scooter are clear. You have to wear a helmet when driving on an electric bike or scooter. Right now, the provincial government is in the midst of replacing the Motor Vehicle Act with the new Traffic Safety Act and we are waiting to see how the legislation addresses these issues. The new Act should address where these electric bikes and scooters can drive, including sidewalks and other areas.

For the time being, many inexperienced e-bike and scooter riders, crowded roads and sidewalks, and negligence by riders and motorists are leading to serious accidents. If you’ve been injured as a result of an e-scooter accident, the Halifax personal injury lawyers on my team can help you understand the claim process and get the most out of your settlement.

2. Distracted Driving

So, with that out of the way, let’s move on to the second change to be aware of, new fines for distracted driving on Nova Scotia.

In Canada, distracted driving contributes to roughly 20 percent of fatal crashes and 27 percent of serious injuries. And, in an effort to reduce these statistics, Nova Scotia has raised the fines for people caught texting and driving. The fine for a first offense is $233.95, a third offense carries a fine of $578.95 and an additional four demerit points.

There is no excuse for driving while texting. If you have been injured as a result of a distracted driver, contact the car accident lawyers at NOVA Injury Law. We offer a free, no-obligation case review, after which, you will know what to do about your case, how much your injury claim is worth, and how NOVA Injury Law can help.

3. Workplace Harassment

And finally, let’s talk about new rules surrounding workplace harassment, instituted by the federal government.

A recent investigation of harassment in Canadian workplaces estimated that 19 percent of women and 13 percent of men have reported being the target of some type of workplace harassment. In a move aimed at addressing these troubling numbers, the federal government passed legislation known as Bill C-65. This bill amended the Canada Labour Code to make harassment and violence, including sexual harassment and violence, part of the activities employers are required to prevent and act on under occupational health and safety responsibilities. All federally-regulated employers are required to have a sexual harassment policy in place and report on how many times it is used to Parliament. No one should have to face harassment of any kind at work. NOVA Injury Law fights back on behalf of victims of harassment because it’s the right thing to do.

So, there you have it, three areas of the law that people should be aware of in 2020. If you have any questions, or you think you might have a claim related to any of the issues mentioned in this video, give NOVA Injury Law a call today at +1-800-262-8104 . We’ll take the time to understand where you’re coming from, and we’ll give you an honest legal opinion, free of charge.