If you were hit by a car while crossing the street, you could be entitled to far more compensation than the insurance company is offering you.
Every year, hundreds of pedestrians are struck by vehicles across Toronto, at crosswalks, in parking lots, and on residential streets. If this happens to you or someone you love, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Toronto can be the difference between a lowball settlement and the full compensation you’re owed. Ontario law actually presumes the driver was at fault in these cases, which puts you in a stronger position than most people realize.
At Reyes Tam Law, our Toronto pedestrian accident lawyers have helped injured pedestrians across the city recover accident benefits and compensation, without any upfront legal fees. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Toronto?
Pedestrian accidents rarely come out of nowhere. They tend to follow the same patterns city-wide, and knowing them can help explain how fault gets determined in your case.
Where Toronto Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most
Busy intersections cause the bulk of these crashes. Locations like Yonge-Dundas Square, stretches of Finch Avenue, and crossings near TTC stops and school zones in North York, Scarborough, and Etobicoke see high volumes of foot traffic mixed with turning vehicles. Parking lots and residential streets are also common sites, particularly where visibility is poor, or vehicles are backing out without checking properly.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Toronto?
A few driver behaviours show up again and again in these cases:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections when a pedestrian has the right of way
- Left or right turns where the driver doesn’t check for pedestrians crossing
- Distracted driving, including phone use behind the wheel
- Impaired or fatigued driving
- Backing up in parking lots or driveways without checking for people on foot
- Speeding through residential or school zones
Poor weather, low visibility at night, and unmarked or unmaintained crosswalks can also play a role. But the underlying cause almost always traces back to a driver not paying enough attention to what’s happening on the road.
What Injuries Do Pedestrian Accidents Cause?
Pedestrians have nothing between them and a vehicle on impact, which is why injuries tend to be more severe than in car-on-car collisions. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, fractures to the pelvis and legs, spinal cord damage, internal injuries, and, in serious cases, wrongful death.
Emotional injuries matter too. Many pedestrian accident survivors deal with post-traumatic stress, anxiety around traffic, or depression tied to a long recovery. All of these are compensable if they’re connected to the accident.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Toronto
What should you actually do in the hours and days after being hit? Follow these steps to protect both your health and your claim:
- Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms right away.
- Call the police and get a copy of the collision report. This becomes key evidence.
- Get the driver’s information, including license plate, insurance details, and contact info, if they stayed at the scene.
- Photograph everything – the vehicle, the road, your injuries, weather conditions, and any relevant signage or crosswalk markings.
- Get witness contact information before people leave the scene.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver’s insurer until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
- Contact a Toronto pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner we’re involved, the sooner we can start protecting your claim.
Why Choose Reyes Tam Law for Your Personal Injury Case?
Reyes Tam Law has been named a Certificate of Excellence winner for top personal injury firm in the Markham and York Region for five consecutive years (2022 to 2026), and recognized by ThreeBest Rated for the same period, recognition based on client reviews, trust, and results.
We practice exclusively in personal injury and disability law, and we’ve successfully pushed back against insurers who tried to place injured clients into lower “Minor Injury Guideline” categories, fighting to get them reclassified so they can access the full benefits and compensation they’re entitled to. That’s the kind of detail-level advocacy that separates a real pedestrian accident lawyer from a general practice firm.
We also serve clients in English, Tagalog, Pangasinan, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Tamil, so language is never a barrier to understanding your case or your rights.
No Fees Unless We Win
We work on a contingency-fee basis. That means no upfront costs, no hourly billing, and no payment at all unless we secure compensation for you. It’s a straightforward way to get experienced legal help without adding financial stress to an already difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What If the Driver Fled the Scene (Hit-and-Run)?
If the driver who hit you can’t be identified, or didn’t have insurance, you’re not out of options. Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund exists specifically for these situations, and a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you access it. This is one of the most overlooked parts of pedestrian claims, and it’s exactly the kind of detail that can make or break your case.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?
Ontario applies a rule called contributory negligence. If you crossed outside a crosswalk or against a signal, an insurer might argue you share some blame. Even so, you can often still recover compensation. Your payout may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but a partial claim is still a claim worth pursuing, and it’s worth having a lawyer assess before you assume you have no case.
How Much Is My Toronto Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?
Every claim depends on the specifics of the crash and your injuries. Compensation can include pain and suffering, lost income and future earning capacity, medical and rehabilitation costs, home care or housekeeping expenses, and, for family members, claims for loss of care and companionship. A lawyer can review your medical records and give you a realistic sense of what your case is worth.