Winter Car Accidents in Ontario: Why “Low-Impact” Collisions Can Still Cause Serious Injuries

Winter driving in Ontario presents unique dangers. Snow-covered roads, black ice, freezing rain, and reduced visibility significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle collisions. While many winter crashes occur at lower speeds, insurers frequently argue that these are “low-impact” accidents and therefore should not result in serious injuries.

This assumption is misleading and often wrong.

Winter Conditions Increase Risk Even at Low Speeds

During winter months, vehicles require much longer stopping distances. Loss of traction, sudden skids, and chain-reaction collisions are common, especially during snowstorms or icy conditions. Even a collision that appears minor on the surface can involve sudden and forceful movements of the body, leading to injury.

Importantly, winter collisions are not limited to rear-end impacts. They often include:

• Side-impact (T-bone) collisions at intersections

• Multi-vehicle pileups on highways

• Spin-outs followed by secondary impacts

• Collisions with commercial vehicles, buses, or SUVs

• Single-vehicle crashes caused by black ice or snowbanks

Each of these scenarios can result in significant physical and psychological harm, regardless of vehicle damage

The “Low-Impact” Myth

Insurance companies frequently rely on the idea that minimal vehicle damage equals minimal injury. Common arguments include:

• “There was little damage to the vehicle.”

• “The collision occurred at a low speed.”

• “Biomechanical evidence suggests the forces were minor.”

  
  

Ontario courts have repeatedly rejected this oversimplified approach. Vehicle damage does not reliably measure the forces experienced by the human body, nor does it account for individual vulnerability, pre-existing conditions, or how a collision unfolds in real-world winter conditions.

What the Courts Actually Consider

When assessing injury claims, Ontario courts and tribunals focus on medical evidence, not repair estimates. Factors that matter include:

• Consistency and credibility of the injured person’s testimony

• Medical records and diagnostic findings

• Specialist opinions and treatment history

• Impact on work, daily activities, and quality of life

  
  

Judges have acknowledged that soft-tissue injuries, chronic pain, concussions, and psychological injuries can occur even when vehicles appear largely intact.

In Blackman v. Dha, 2015 BCSC 698 (CanLII):

"The parties agree that the extent of this collision was relatively minor. Counsel for Ms. Dha submits that this is a factor to be considered when assessing Ms. Blackman’s claims of injury. It has been well recognized by the courts that the limited amount of motor vehicle damage is not “the yardstick by which to measure the extent of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff”."

As Mr. Justice Macaulay stated in Lubick v. Mei and another, 2008 BCSC 555 (CanLII):

The Courts have long debunked as myth the suggestion that low impact can be directly correlated with lack of compensable injury. In Gordon v. Palmer, 1993 CanLII 1318 (BC SC), [1993] B.C.J. No. 474 (S.C.), Thackray J., as he then was, made the following comments that are still apposite today:

"I do not subscribe to the view that if there is no motor vehicle damage then there is no injury. This is a philosophy that the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia may follow, but it has no application in court. It is not a legal principle of which I am aware and I have never heard it endorsed as a medical principle."

He goes on to point out that the presence and extent of injuries are determined on the evidence, not with "extraneous philosophies that some would impose on the judicial process". In particular, he noted that there was no evidence to substantiate the defence theory in the case before him. Similarly, there is no evidence to substantiate the defence contention that Lubick could not have sustained any injury here because the vehicle impact was slight.

Injuries Are Often Delayed

One of the most challenging aspects of winter collision claims is that symptoms may not appear immediately. Adrenaline, shock, and cold temperatures can mask pain in the hours or days following a crash. Common delayed symptoms include:

• Neck and back pain

• Headaches or dizziness

• Numbness or tingling

• Sleep disturbances

• Anxiety or fear of driving

  
  

Delays in symptoms do not mean injuries are unrelated to the collision, but they can complicate insurance claims if not properly documented.

Steps to Protect Yourself After a Winter Collision

If you are involved in a winter motor vehicle accident—no matter how minor it seems—it is important to take the following steps:

1. Seek medical attention promptly, even if symptoms are mild.

2. Report the collision to police and your insurer as required.

3. Document everything, including weather conditions, road conditions, and photos of the scene.

4. Follow medical advice and treatment plans consistently.

5. Speak with a personal injury lawyer early, before insurers begin shaping the narrative of your claim.

How PMP Law Can Help

Insurance companies often use the “low-impact” argument to deny or minimize legitimate injury claims—particularly in winter collision cases. At PMP Law, we understand these tactics and know how to counter them with strong medical evidence, legal analysis, and strategic advocacy.

Whether your collision involved another vehicle, a commercial truck, a bus, or hazardous winter road conditions, our team can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a winter car accident in Ontario, our personal injury lawyers are here to fight for your rights and ensure you get the support you deserve. Call us at

905-412-2288, e-mail ppatel@pmplaw.ca, or visit www.pmplaw.ca to schedule an appointment.