Mississauga Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A Mississauga bicycle accident lawyer helps injured cyclists recover compensation after being struck by a vehicle or hurt due to unsafe road conditions. Cycling accidents can cause serious, life-altering injuries, especially when motor vehicles are involved. Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers is a Mississauga-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing cyclists who have been injured due to another party’s negligence.
Types of Bicycle-Motor Vehicle Collisions
Collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles often happen due to driver negligence, poor road design, or unsafe infrastructure. Understanding how these accidents occur is key to identifying liability and improving road safety for cyclists. These crashes are common on city streets, bike lanes, and intersections across Mississauga.
The Right Hook
This occurs when a motor vehicle passes a cyclist on the left, then immediately turns right across the cyclist’s path. It often happens at intersections or driveways when drivers fail to check blind spots or underestimate the cyclist’s speed.
The Left Cross
In a left cross collision, a vehicle turns left across an oncoming cyclist’s lane, usually at an intersection. Drivers may misjudge gaps in traffic, fail to see bicycles, or ignore bike-specific signals or sharrows.
Dooring
A dooring incident happens when a parked vehicle’s occupant opens a door into the path of a cyclist. These collisions are particularly dangerous in areas with narrow bike lanes or no buffer between parked cars and moving bicycles.
Unsafe Passing
Drivers who pass too closely put cyclists at risk of being struck or pushed into hazards like curbs, parked cars, or construction zones. Ontario law requires motorists to leave a safe passing distance, especially in shared lanes and on bike paths.
Pulling Out from Driveways or Parking Lots
Motorists exiting driveways, laneways, or parking lots may enter the road without checking for cyclists travelling in bike-designed lanes. This type of crash often occurs in residential areas or near commercial plazas.
Rear-End Collisions
These collisions happen when a driver crashes into the back of a cyclist who is stopped or moving with traffic. Causes include distracted driving, impaired driving, or following too closely. Rear-end bike crashes often result in severe injuries due to the force of impact.
Common Injuries in Mississauga Cycling Accidents
Cyclists involved in motor vehicle accidents often sustain serious injuries due to limited physical protection. These injuries may require ongoing care, time away from work, and long-term rehabilitation. Prompt medical treatment and legal support are essential to protecting both your health and your claim. Common cycling injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Concussions
Head injuries can result from striking the pavement, a windshield, or another object. Even with bike helmet safety, TBIs may cause memory loss, confusion, or lasting cognitive impairment. - Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require surgeries, mobility aids, and extensive rehabilitation. - Fractures and Broken Bones
Cyclists frequently suffer broken arms, legs, ribs, or collarbones in falls or impacts. These may require casting, surgery, or physical therapy. - Soft Tissue Injuries
Torn ligaments, muscle strains, and whiplash injuries can limit mobility and lead to chronic pain. These injuries may not be immediately visible but can worsen over time. - Psychological Trauma
Many cyclists experience emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD, particularly after collisions involving aggressive drivers or road rage incidents.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Mississauga
Taking the right steps after a bike crash can protect your safety and strengthen your injury claim. Immediate action ensures critical evidence is preserved and your rights are upheld under Ontario’s cycling injury law.
Below are the steps to take after a bicycle collision:
- Get Medical Help
Call 911 or visit a hospital right away. Medical records serve as key evidence in any personal injury claim. - Report the Accident
Contact police and file an official report. Ask for the incident number and obtain a copy when available. - Document the Scene
Take photos of your injuries, damage to your bike, the vehicle involved, road conditions, streetcar tracks, and any safety issues like potholes or construction zones. - Collect Witness Information
Gather names and contact details of any bystanders who saw the crash. - Avoid Direct Contact with Insurers
Do not give recorded statements or accept offers from the driver’s insurer before speaking with a personal injury lawyer. - Consult a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Early legal advice helps you understand your rights, including access to accident benefits and the ability to pursue additional compensation through a lawsuit.
What Compensation Can You Claim After a Bicycle Accident?
Cyclists injured in Mississauga may be eligible for both statutory accident benefits and damages through a tort claim, depending on the nature and cause of the collision. Compensation aims to support your recovery and cover financial losses resulting from the incident. Potential compensation includes:
- Medical and Rehabilitation Costs
Coverage for surgeries, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and prescription medication. - Income Replacement Benefits
If your injuries prevent you from working, accident benefits may offer partial wage compensation. - Attendant Care and Housekeeping
If you require help with daily living or home maintenance due to injury. - Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages for lasting physical and emotional harm. - Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Reimbursement for transportation to appointments, assistive devices, and other injury-related costs. - Loss of Future Earning Capacity
Compensation if your long-term ability to earn income is affected. - Family Law Act Claims
Loved ones may also have a right to compensation for loss of care or companionship.
Accident benefits apply even if the at-fault driver fled the scene or was uninsured.
The Bicycle Accident Claims Process
The legal process for recovering damages after a cycling accident involves multiple steps. A personal injury law firm can guide you through each phase, ensuring all deadlines and documentation requirements are met under Ontario law.
Overview of the claims process:
- Initial Consultation
A bike injury lawyer evaluates your case, explains your legal rights, and outlines potential compensation. - Gathering Evidence
Medical records, police reports, photos, dashcam footage, and witness statements are collected to support your claim. - Filing Accident Benefits
Your lawyer helps submit applications to the appropriate insurer within the required timelines. - Pursuing a Tort Claim
If another party is at fault, your lawyer will file a lawsuit seeking additional damages beyond what is available through accident benefits. - Negotiation and Mediation
Most claims are resolved through settlement discussions. Your lawyer negotiates with insurers or opposing counsel on your behalf. - Trial (if necessary)
If a fair settlement isn’t reached, your case may proceed to court. Auger Hollingsworth has a strong record of trial advocacy and securing successful verdicts.
Why Choose Us as Your Mississauga Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Real Support Throughout the Process
We manage all legal, medical, and insurance paperwork so you can focus on healing.
No Matter Where You Are in Ontario, We’re Here for You
We help injured cyclists in Mississauga and throughout the province, including those riding e-bikes and e-scooters.
Your Case Matters to Us, Not Just the Settlement
Every client receives direct, personalized advocacy from experienced personal injury lawyers committed to justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I sue a driver after a bike accident in Mississauga?
Yes. You can sue a negligent driver for damages if your injuries meet Ontario’s threshold for serious impairment.
Is the driver always at fault when hitting a cyclist?
Not always. However, under Ontario’s reverse onus law, drivers must prove they were not negligent in motor-vehicle-bicycle accidents involving cyclists.
What are my rights as a cyclist under Ontario law?
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. You’re entitled to use bike lanes, sharrows, and bicycle-designed lanes safely and without interference from motor vehicles.
If you or someone you care about was injured while cycling, trust Auger Hollingsworth Accident & Injury Lawyers to help you pursue the compensation and justice you deserve.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Mississauga Today
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Mississauga while cycling, speak with a bike accident lawyer at Auger Hollingworth Accident & Injury Lawyers immediately. Early legal intervention helps protect your rights and strengthens your claim.