The “Fatal Four” in Waterloo Region: What Crash Victims Need to Know About Their Rights

February 26, 2026, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Sirens, flashing lights, backed‑up traffic. When a serious collision shuts down a road in Kitchener, Waterloo, or Cambridge, lives change in an instant. Behind every headline about a fatal or life‑altering crash is a family wondering how this could happen, and what they are supposed to do next.

Police in Waterloo Region and across Ontario are warning about a surge in deadly and devastating collisions tied to the “Fatal Four” driving behaviours. If you have been hurt because another driver chose to take these risks, you should not be left to carry the consequences alone.

The “Fatal Four”: Small choices with huge consequences

The Fatal Four are not complicated traffic laws—most drivers know them by heart. The problem is that too many people still treat them as optional:

• Impaired driving: Getting behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs.
• Distracted driving: Texting, scrolling, entering directions, or even fiddling with in‑car tech instead of watching the road.
• Aggressive driving and speeding: Tailgating, weaving, running yellow and red lights, or driving too fast for conditions.
• Not wearing a seatbelt: Skipping your seatbelt or failing to properly secure children in car seats or boosters.

On their own, each one might feel like a “quick decision.” Together, they are among the most common causes of catastrophic injuries and fatalities on Ontario roads.

Your rights after a serious crash in Ontario

After a collision, it is common to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. While police focus on enforcement and charges, you and your family need to focus on healing and protecting your future.

In Ontario, if you are injured in a crash, whether as a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestria,n you may have access to:

• Accident benefits through your own or another auto insurer, to help with medical care, rehabilitation, income replacement, and other supports.
• A lawsuit against the at‑fault driver, especially when the injuries are serious and long‑lasting.

When one of the Fatal Four is involved, there is often strong evidence of negligence. That does not mean the insurance company will automatically offer fair compensation. You still need to prove the impact the crash has had on your health, your work, and your family life.

Why evidence from the scene is so important

Enforcement campaigns targeting the Fatal Four often lead to more thorough collision investigations, which can be a lifeline for injured people later. That evidence might include:

• Police reports that note impairment, distraction, excessive speed, or lack of seatbelt use
• Witness statements about phone use, red‑light running, or aggressive manoeuvres
• Photos and videos from dashcams, nearby homes, or businesses
• Phone records and breath or drug test results in impaired or distracted driving cases

When you are in pain or focused on an injured loved one, it is hard to think about evidence. That is why it is so important to get legal advice early. A personal injury lawyer can move quickly to secure information before it disappears.

Steps to take after a serious collision in Kitchener‑Waterloo

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a crash anywhere in Waterloo Region or southwestern Ontario, these steps can help protect both your health and your claim:

1. Call 911 and make sure police attend the scene, especially if you suspect impaired or distracted driving.
2. Get medical care right away and keep every follow‑up appointment.
3. If you are able, take photos and gather contact details for witnesses.
4. Avoid posting about the collision on social media or arguing about fault at the scene.
5. Contact a local personal injury lawyer before giving detailed statements or signing anything from the insurance company.

At Deutschmann de Koning Law, we have helped many injured people and families in Kitchener‑Waterloo, Cambridge, and the surrounding communities after crashes caused by impaired, distracted, or aggressive drivers. We understand that no amount of money can undo the trauma of a serious collision. What we can do is fight to ensure you are not left alone with medical bills, lost income, and an uncertain future.

If the Fatal Four changed your life in a single moment, you deserve answers and support. Reach out to us for a free, no‑pressure consultation to learn about your options and how we can help.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.