What happens if you hit a pedestrian in Ontario?

If you hit a pedestrian, you will likely be held liable for their injuries. You may be sued by the individual struck with your vehicle or, should they be killed in the accident, their family. As noted above, in the case of a pedestrian accident, the driver must prove that they either were not at fault or that the collision was caused by factors beyond their control. Depending on the circumstances, this may lessen the damages that you need to pay or help you avoid hefty penalties. For example, under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, a driver who flees the scene of the accident (thereby performing a hit-and-run offence) may face fines, demerit points, and potentially even prison time.

What happens if a pedestrian causes an accident?

Some pedestrian accidents are caused by the individual struck by the vehicle not paying attention to their surroundings. We see this more with distracted walking (such as focusing on a smartphone screen rather than the walk signal), which is just as dangerous as distracted driving. Again, it is imperative that the driver demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that they were not the one at fault. Factual evidence that can support this includes footage from dash cameras, police reports, witness statements, and video from exterior cameras on buildings that captured the accident. Other causes on the pedestrian’s end of the accident may include jaywalking, not looking both ways before crossing, ignoring traffic, or distracting the driver of the vehicle. Regardless, if you know that the pedestrian was at fault, you must be able to prove it.

Can I claim compensation for a pedestrian accident?

If you were a pedestrian injured in the accident, then yes, the chances are high (especially with tangible evidence of the driver being at fault). Depending on the severity of your injuries, factors such as lost employment income or medical bills, and your recovery prospects (if any), the maximum amount for damages (compensation) will change. Catastrophic injuries with a permanent impact on everyday life will net a higher payout than a short-term injury that the victim can fully recover from.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Ottawa

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Pedestrian Accidents Are Far Too Common, but Our Lawyers Can Help

Ottawa and cities throughout Ontario are growing with more traffic. As a result, pedestrians have more obstacles to face on our streets than ever. We know as personal injury lawyers that being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian is a scary, frustrating, and stressful experience. Sadly, pedestrian accidents occur far too often.

Accidents often occur when pedestrians cross the street at traffic lights or intersections. When cars, buses, or other vehicles collide, the injuries can be catastrophic. We help pedestrians who have been in an accident and suffer from severe injuries, including aches, pain, brain and spinal injuries, broken bones, burns, scars, lacerations, and other debilitating issues.

Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

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. However, in a pedestrian accident, when someone is struck by a motor vehicle, there is a reverse onus. This means the driver must prove that they did nothing wrong. Our lawyers have a tremendous amount of experience in protecting our clients. We know how to gather and collect facts to ensure they are properly compensated for their injuries.

Our Ottawa pedestrian accident lawyers are here to help you get the compensation you need to recover with peace of mind.

By consulting with experienced medical professionals, we’ll develop a deeper understanding of the extent of your injuries. We’ll also familiarize ourselves with the long-term effects of your injuries, and what kind of ongoing medical care you’ll need to recover and live as comfortably as possible.

Pedestrians in accidents involving automobiles or other vehicles are eligible to apply for Ontario accident benefits. You can do this through your own insurance company or that of the driver. We ensure that you receive all the accident benefits you need, as the cost of medical treatment and support can be very expensive. In addition, you may be entitled to income replacement, rehabilitation, housekeeping, and/or attendant care services. Our Ottawa personal injury lawyers will help you secure these accident benefits and maximum compensation for your injury.