What happens when a cyclist is hit by a car in Ontario?

When a vehicle hits and injures a cyclist, the cyclist can sue the driver and owner of the vehicle for compensation.

Do cyclists need insurance in Ontario?

No. Cyclists are not required to be licensed or have insurance in Ontario. If a cyclist is injured, a claim can be made under Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claim Fund.

Who is at fault when a cyclist gets doored?

Most traffic laws require cyclists to ride in bike lanes or to the right of traffic. Drivers and passengers are required to check for bicycle traffic before opening a door. Therefore, the door opener is usually liable if a cyclist gets doored.

Bike Accident Lawyer Ottawa | David Hollingsworth

Cycling Accidents Often Result in the Most Serious Injuries

Ottawa has a great cycling culture and despite Ottawa having designated paths and lanes for cyclists to cycle to work or for recreation, cycling accidents occur far too often. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough designated paths and lanes and we meet regularly with cyclists who have been struck by a car and have suffered serious injuries. Often drivers simply do not see cyclists and inevitably accidents between motor vehicles and cyclists happen. The most common injuries cyclists suffer are typically head injuries and orthopaedic injuries.

Unfortunately, cycling accidents involving cars can often result in catastrophic injury, serious brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, scars, and lacerations. We understand how these injuries are life altering and our personal injury lawyers are here to help. We’ll help you seek damages from the driver’s insurance company or the liable public or private transit organization. We work with top medical professionals who can diagnose your injury and help us determine the long-term effects and health care you’ll need now and for the future. This is essential to securing the proper maximum compensation for you.

Cycling accidents and Ontario Insurance Act

The Ontario Insurance Act allows for cyclists who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident to obtain certain Ontario accident benefits. These accident benefits include income loss, medical treatment and rehabilitative care, funeral and death benefits care which are all included as benefits under the statutory accident benefits. Our lawyers can help you maximize your Ontario Accident Benefits claim. By filing the Ontario accident benefits insurance claim you’re entitled to, you may receive the income replacement, medical treatments rehabilitation, housekeeping and attendant care services you may need after suffering a severe injury. We can help you secure support and maximum compensation.

We understand, you’ve been injured in a cycling accident.

Although in most lawsuits in Ontario, the onus is on the injured person to prove that their injury was caused by the wrongdoing of the party they are suing, where a cyclist is struck by a motor vehicle there is a reverse onus, meaning that the driver must prove that he or she did nothing wrong. Our lawyers have a tremendous amount of experience when it comes to protecting our clients. We know how to gather and collect facts to ensure that our clients are properly compensated for their injuries following a cycling accident.

We will travel to your home, hospital or wherever you are most comfortable meeting to discuss your options with you. We can’t change the past but we can help change your future.