Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Ontario

A cyclist involved in a collision with a motor vehicle is at risk of suffering severe injuries. Cyclists are less protected and more vulnerable to harm, even when wearing a bike helmet and other safety gear.  

Fractures, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries are very common (see here for a previous article from a personal injury lawyer at our law firm who serves Collingwood, that discusses the most common bicycle accident injuries). Fatalities are also unfortunately common when collisions occur between cyclists and cars or trucks. A Collingwood bike accident earlier this year tragically resulted in the death of a 59-year-old cyclist.  

Understanding what causes cycling collisions can increase safety for both cyclists and drivers who share the road. In today’s article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of bicycle accidents. We hope this information will raise awareness and perhaps even prevent accidents from occurring. If you or a loved one has already been hurt or killed in a bicycle accident, contact Littlejohn Barristers today for guidance and support from an experienced personal injury lawyer.  

Most Common Causes of Ontario Bicycle Accidents  

There are usually several causes and contributing factors when a crash occurs, but at our personal injury law firm, we’ve noticed that certain factors arise with more frequency than others.  These are the top factors that lead to bicycle-motor vehicle accidents:  

1. Distracted Driving 

Driver inattention is one of the top factors in these kinds of collisions. Bikes are smaller than cars or trucks, so they are already at risk of not being seen. That risk is greatly intensified by distracted driving, whether the driver is eating, drinking, texting, or using a GPS device, for example.  

In addition to being less likely to notice cyclists, distracted drivers are more likely to engage in other dangerous driving behaviour because they just aren’t paying attention (e.g., drifting onto the shoulder or into bike lanes; speeding; running stop signs or red lights).  

2. Intersections 

Motorists often fail to properly check for cyclists before proceeding through intersections. Many cyclists are T-boned by drivers who fail to yield the right of way, leaving them severely injured. Bike-motor vehicle collisions at intersections tend to involve contributing factors such as excessive speed, running a red light or stop sign, and/or driver inattention.  

3. Unsafe Road Sharing  

Failure to properly share the road is a significant cause of cycling accidents. When drivers pass too closely, their vehicle can clip a cyclist or a part of their bike and send the cyclist flying. When drivers don’t leave enough space, their vehicle can create force that causes the cyclist to lose control and crash.  

Cyclists are at greater risk in urban areas, especially during rush hour and other instances of traffic congestion. In fact, 56% of fatal cycling accidents happen in urban areas, compared with 14% in rural areas where cyclists and vehicles are less likely to cross paths. 

4. Right and Left Turns 

Illegal and unsafe turns cause many collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles. Drivers making left-hand turns are often focussed on oncoming vehicles, or they’re looking for pedestrians and fail to see faster moving cyclists proceeding from the opposite direction.  

Right-turning drivers can be just as dangerous. They often misjudge bicycle speeds, forget to signal their turn, or worse—fail to notice approaching cyclists altogether because they don’t check over their right shoulder before turning.  

5. Car Doors 

“Dooring” happens when a vehicle door is opened into the immediate path of an oncoming cyclist. The cyclist either collides with the open door or is forced to take evasive action that may throw them from their bike or into traffic.  

“Getting doored” is unfortunately common. It tends to cause very serious injuries, permanent impairment, or death for a cyclist who is caught off guard by a sudden, stationary obstacle. The danger of dooring has been recognized by Ontario lawmakers, who imposed specific duties on drivers involved in dooring accidents in the Highway Traffic Act. 

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries 

In Ontario, a cyclist hurt in an accident involving a motor vehicle is entitled to no-fault accident benefits regardless of who caused the crash and regardless of whether the cyclist has auto insurance. Accident benefits cover losses such as lost wages, medical treatment, rehabilitation services, and attendant care. In some situations, the benefits can include child care, housekeeping, and home maintenance costs.  

An injured cyclist also has the right to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. A tort claim is a lawsuit to gain compensation for additional losses incurred as a result of the accident, such as loss of future income and out-of-pocket expenses that were not provided under the accident benefits claim, as well damages for pain and suffering. 

Defences and Contributory Negligence Allegations 

Anyone hurt in a bike-vehicle crash should expect the driver and their insurance company to do everything they can to deny or minimize the compensation paid. They’ll deny liability for the accident, say the cyclist shares fault for the accident (e.g., cyclist failed to yield; cyclist inattention), and/or challenge the injuries and damages claimed by the cyclist (e.g., injuries were pre-existing and not caused by the accident; cyclist was not wearing a bike helmet which would have lessened the injuries sustained).  

An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to anticipate defences and start gathering evidence early in the process to prepare for what may come. It’s a good idea to connect with a Barrie and Collingwood personal injury lawyer at our firm as soon as possible to begin collecting evidence and devising strategies to address defences that can negatively impact compensation if not properly addressed.    

Talk to a Lawyer Serving Collingwood if You’ve Been Hurt in a Bike Accident 

Collingwood, Orillia, Midland and surrounding area residents who’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident can reach out to Littlejohn Barristers in Barrie for trusted advice and much-needed support.  

An experienced lawyer at our personal injury law firm can examine all the facts of your case—including the impact of the injuries on your life, your work, and your family—and advise you of your legal options for obtaining financial compensation. We can help you build a strong case to ensure that the negligent driver is held liable for the accident. 

From our office in Barrie, our personal injury lawyers serve Collingwood, Stayner, Midland, Orillia, Alliston, Innisfil, Wasaga Beach, and surrounding Ontario communities.  

Call us at 705-725-7355 to schedule your free initial consultation.