Burlington Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A Burlington accident helps injured cyclists recover compensation after collisions involving unsafe road conditions and negligent drivers. These cases involve issues of liability, insurance coverage, and Ontario’s accident benefits scheme. At Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Burlington personal injury lawyers represent injured cyclists with skill, compassion, and dedication.
Types of Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Collisions
Cycling accidents in Burlington are often due to distracted drivers, poor road maintenance, or failure to share the road safely. Understanding how these collisions occur helps establish liability and secure fair compensation for injured individuals.
The Right Hook
Drivers often underestimate a cyclist’s speed or fail to check blind spots before turning. This can result in a motor vehicle turning right across a cyclist’s path, causing devastating collisions.
The Left Cross
A driver making a left turn in front of an oncoming cyclist can cause a dangerous impact. These collisions often occur at intersections or during periods of heavy traffic congestion.
Dooring
Opening a car door into the path of an approaching cyclist is a common hazard. Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act places responsibility on both drivers and passengers to check before opening doors to ensure all road users are safe.
Unsafe Passing
When drivers pass too closely, cyclists may be forced into potholes, construction zones, or streetcar tracks, leading to loss of control and injuries.
Pulling Out from Driveways or Parking Lots
Drivers who fail to stop fully or check for cyclists before entering a roadway can strike cyclists using bike lanes, sharrows, or designated bike paths.
Rear-End Collisions
Cyclists stopped at intersections or traffic lights are at high risk of being hit from behind by distracted or aggressive drivers.
Common Injuries in Cycling Accidents
Cyclists face significant risks on Burlington’s city streets, bike lanes, and shared pathways, especially when motor vehicles fail to drive cautiously. Bicycles and e-bikes offer minimal protection, resulting in injuries that can be severe and life-changing. Our injury lawyers handle a wide range of cases involving the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
Head injuries remain one of the most serious outcomes of cycling accidents. Even with proper helmet safety, a strong impact can lead to lasting cognitive impairment, memory issues, headaches, and sensitivity to light or noise. - Spinal cord injuries
A collision can damage vertebrae or nerves, resulting in partial or full paralysis. Victims may require extensive rehabilitation, assistive devices, and home or workplace modifications. - Fractures
Falling onto pavement or direct impacts with vehicles frequently cause broken arms, legs, ribs, or collarbones. These fractures can be severe, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation. When bones do not heal properly, ongoing complications may develop. Such injuries can limit a person’s ability to work, exercise, or care for themselves during recovery. - Soft tissue injuries
Torn ligaments, muscle strains, and whiplash-type injuries can progress to persistent pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the neck, shoulders, or back. - Psychological trauma
Many injured cyclists experience symptoms of anxiety, phobia of riding, or post-traumatic stress following a serious bike crash. These emotional injuries can be just as disruptive as physical ones and may require professional counselling treatment.
Our personal injury law firm ensures every aspect of your injury—physical, emotional, and financial—is carefully documented and addressed during the claims process.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Burlington
Taking the right steps after a bicycle collision can make a major difference in protecting your legal rights and supporting a successful compensation claim. Many cyclists feel overwhelmed after an accident, but following a clear plan helps preserve evidence and strengthen your case.
- Ensure your safety and call 911. Move to a safe area if possible. Request medical assistance and have police attend the scene. A police report provides critical documentation for your insurance and legal claims.
- Gather information. Obtain the driver’s name, licence plate number, insurance details, and contact information. If possible, note the make and model of the motor vehicle involved.
- Take photos and videos. Document the accident location, surrounding traffic signs, bike lanes, sharrows, and road hazards like potholes or construction zones. Document any visible injuries you have suffered, such as lacerations, bruising, or swelling.
- Collect witness details. If anyone saw the collision, ask for their name and contact information. Witness statements can be invaluable when determining fault.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Conditions such as concussions or soft tissue damage may not become symptomatic until hours or days later.
- Report the accident to your insurer. Cyclists are often eligible for accident benefits under Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS)—even if the cyclist does not own a car.
- Contact a Burlington bicycle accident lawyer. Legal advice at this stage ensures your rights are protected and that all necessary forms, deadlines, and procedures are followed correctly.
Prompt legal action helps preserve crucial evidence such as dashcam footage, surveillance video, traffic signal timing report, or vehicle inspection reports. Our accident team assists with every step—from filing insurance claims to pursuing litigation if necessary—so injured cyclists can focus on recovery.
What Compensation Can You Claim After a Bicycle Accident?
Victims of cycling accidents in Burlington may be entitled to compensation for various losses. This includes damages through a tort claim against an at-fault driver and accident benefits under Ontario’s no-fault insurance system. The amount and type of compensation depend on the severity of your injuries, the long-term impact, and the circumstances of the bicycle collision. You may be eligible for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses: Coverage for hospital care, surgeries, physiotherapy, and assistive devices.
- Income replacement: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may receive compensation for lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering damages: Non-economic losses that reflect physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Attendant care and housekeeping costs: For individuals who require support with daily tasks due to their injuries.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Costs such as medications, transportation, home modifications, or mobility aids related to your injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the inability to return to cycling, hobbies, or routine activities due to long-term effects of the injury.
The Bicycle Accident Claims Process
Filing a claim after a bicycle collision in Burlington involves several important steps. Ontario’s legal and insurance systems can be complex, but an experienced injury lawyer ensures your rights are fully protected from the beginning. Our process is designed to reduce stress and secure results efficiently.
- Free Consultation and Case Evaluation
We start by reviewing the details of your accident, your injuries, and available insurance coverage. This helps determine the best strategy for your bicycle accident claim. - Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Our team collects key evidence, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, dashcam or surveillance footage, and photos of the scene. We also assess environmental factors like potholes, construction zones, streetcar tracks, visibility issues, and negligent road design that may have contributed to the crash in collaboration with a team of experts. - Filing for Accident Benefits
We prepare and submit all required forms to your insurer to access medical, income replacement, and rehabilitation benefits under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule. Missing deadlines or incomplete forms can delay payment, which is why legal guidance is crucial. - Pursuing a Tort Claim (Civil Lawsuit)
If another party’s negligence caused your injuries—such as aggressive drivers, distracted driving, or drunk driving—we may file a lawsuit to claim compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and future care. - Negotiation and Settlement
Most cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation. We work to secure a fair settlement that reflects the physical and emotional impact of your injury. - Litigation and Trial (if necessary)
If the insurance company or defendant refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, our trial lawyers are fully prepared to advocate for you in court to achieve fair compensation.
Throughout the process, we maintain open communication and guide clients through every stage of the claim. By ensuring that all documents, medical reports, and deadlines are managed properly. With experience in cycling injury cases and Ontario’s insurance framework, Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers helps injured cyclists obtain the compensation and accountability they deserve.
Why Choose Us as Your Burlington Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Our experienced team combines legal skill with genuine care for each client’s recovery. We guide injured cyclists through every stage of their case.
Real Support Throughout the Process
From your first consultation to settlement or trial, we handle all communication, negotiation, and advocacy on your behalf.
No Matter Where You Are in Ontario, We’re Here for You
Our lawyers represent clients across the province—from Burlington to Toronto, Hamilton, and beyond—ensuring you always have strong legal support.
Your Case Matters to Us—Not Just the Settlement
We focus on your physical recovery and financial stability, connecting you with medical care, rehabilitation, and accident benefits assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I sue a driver after a bike accident in Burlington?
Yes. If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you may file a civil and accident benefits claim.
Is the driver always at fault when hitting a cyclist?
Not always, but Ontario law places a presumption of fault on the driver in a motor-vehicle-bicycle accident in civil claims, requiring the driver to prove they were not negligent.
What are my rights as a cyclist under Ontario law?
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act and the Occupiers’ Liability Act provide important protection to cyclists. In Ontario, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to road use as motor vehicles. Drivers are required to respect cyclists’ space and share the road safely to prevent collisions.
