Toronto residents have long embraced walking and cycling, with more than 30% of residents in some neighbourhoods relying on their bicycles for their main form of transportation. While that is great news for the general health and wellbeing of our community and our environment, there are many safety issues to consider for these vulnerable road users.
People out for a walk, a jog, or a bike ride are especially vulnerable because they lack the protection that a car offers to occupants. They have almost no way to avoid injury if they are hit by a motor vehicle. When drivers aren’t paying attention, are busy on their phones, make a mistake, or drive too quickly on our streets, (stunt driving having increased almost 600% according to Toronto Police Services) they can cause horrific injuries to cyclists and pedestrians, including fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
Victims of serious accidents, especially vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, need assistance and care. At HSH, we are always here when people need help to get their lives back on track, however long it might take. Fighting for the rights of highly vulnerable cyclists and pedestrians is something that we are well known for in the legal and medical community.
Bike and pedestrian activity is on the rise
Changes in society have resulted in increased bike and pedestrian activity. As our society has become more health and environmentally conscious, many have chosen to leave their car at home in favour of biking and walking. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives, including transportation and physical activity. Ontario quickly implemented new plans for additional bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly areas, giving people more options and changing our community for years to come.
Additional bike lanes are being added to many streets, while other streets are being converted to more pedestrian-friendly avenues. Toronto’s 10-year plan has been accelerated, leading to 40 km of new lanes being approved and installation fast-tracked in the first half of 2020.
Toronto’s 57 km of “quiet streets” encourage outdoor physical activity while allowing for physical distancing. Increasing space for pedestrians on main routes also helps businesses with curb-side retail and encourages the local economy.
Bike-sharing programs and the use of e-bikes are on the rise as well. Bike Share Toronto is expanding to 20 of the City’s 25 wards, and increasing the number of bikes available for rent to almost 7,000. An e-bike pilot program was launched in the summer of 2020. Unfortunately, as e-bikes and e-scooters become more popular, injuries and accidents become more common. E-bikes can go up to 32 km/h, and riders are more likely to have internal injuries when involved in an accident than people on a regular bicycle.
While these developments mean more transportation choices for the people of Toronto, it also means more cyclists and pedestrians on the roads, leading to more interactions with cars, motorcycles, trucks, vans and SUVs. Unfortunately, that means there is far more potential for accidents.
How can a bike accident or pedestrian accident lawyer help me if I have been injured in Ontario?
Hopefully you never need us – but if you do, we’re here to help you start rebuilding your life.
If you or a family member have been hit and injured by a motor vehicle while walking or cycling you need legal advice to protect your rights and ensure you receive proper treatment and fair compensation. You need assistance to access the benefits you are entitled to, and the treatment you need, to achieve the best recovery possible. You need help to obtain the compensation you deserve. We are experienced personal injury lawyers and we understand what you’re going through. We’re on your side with our years of experience defending the rights of victims, especially those involved in bike or pedestrian accidents, and our commitment to doing whatever it takes to make sure you get the best result possible.
From immediate care needs and dealing with insurance companies, to future expenses like rehabilitation services, modifying your home or compensating for lost income, there’s a lot to think about. You don’t need to face it alone. We are here to help.
Tell us what happened. Reach out in a way that works best for you – by phone at 877-771-7006, live chat or online form. We’re available 24/7 for a free consultation.
What documents do I need to present to my bike accident or pedestrian accident lawyer for our initial consultation?
When you’re ready to talk to us, sharing as much information as you can will go a long way to helping us understand your situation. Here’s a quick list. Gather as much as you can and we’ll go from there.
- Police report
- Medical information from your doctor or hospital
- Your health card, driver’s licence and SIN
- Insurance and ownership details of the car that hit you
- Your own auto insurance (so we can see what benefits you have)
- Photos of the accident scene (either at the time of the accident, or after)
- Photos of damage done to your bike, helmet and clothing
- Names of witnesses
Can your bike accident or pedestrian accident lawyers help with accidents in different cities in Ontario?
At Howie, Sacks & Henry LLP we have bike and pedestrian accident lawyers who can meet with you throughout Ontario, including in:
- Brampton
- Etobicoke
- Kingston
- Mississauga
- Oakville
- Ottawa
- Richmond Hill
Learn more about bike safety
If you are lucky, you will never need our help. Learning more about safety and prevention can help you minimize injury or avoid accidents altogether. Please see the following resources for more information on bike safety:
- Bike Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
- Winter Cycling: Safety Tips for Cycling in A Winter Wonderland
- Buying an E-Bike or Motorcycle-Like Car? Find out if you Need Insurance
- Cycling Accidents Without Insurance, Who Pays?
- Cycling Hand Signals And Other Tips For Drivers
- Prevent Brain Injuries: Bike Helmet Safety For Kids
In addition to motor vehicle accidents, our Ontario accident lawyers can provide legal assistance on a variety of accident claims including (but not limited to):
- Bike accidents
- Cycling accidents
- E-bike accidents
- Jogger accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
Tell Us What Happened.
Our team of highly-trained lawyers are here to listen and help.
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Since 2011, our peers have consistently voted for us as one of Canada’s top personal injury firms in Canadian Lawyer magazine’s annual rankings of the top personal injury boutiques in Canada. With decades of experience helping accident victims and their families, our firm understands the laws that affect your right to compensation because we’ve helped shape those laws in favour of accident victims.
Among the best in Canada
Since 2011 Canadian Lawyer Magazine rated us one of the top personal injury law firms in Canada. Why? With close to 20 years helping accident victims and their families, our firm understands the laws that affect your rights to compensation because we’ve helped shape those laws in favour of accident victims.