Cyclist Injuries and Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Collisions

The consequences of a bike-car collision tend to be devastating for the cyclist. Cyclists have only their bike helmet for protection against the heft of a motor vehicle. The force of the impact can throw the cyclist off their bike onto the hard pavement, into a fixed object such as a tree, utility pole, or parked car, or into the path of oncoming traffic.

Today’s blog post is about catastrophic bike accident injuries and fatal bike accidents. We’ll discuss the most common injuries and explain options for securing maximum financial compensation and much-needed support following a motor vehicle collision with a bicycle.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious cycling accident, you’re likely feeling shocked and overwhelmed. We welcome you to reach out to an Oshawa and Whitby bike accident lawyer at Kelly Greenway Bruce for advice, support, and help navigating your claim.

Serious Cycling Injuries and Fatal Bike Accidents

The tragic deaths of NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were struck by a drunk driver while bicycling, serve as a stark reminder of the serious, life-altering consequences when a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle. Accidents like that happen all too often, and closer to home. A Guelph woman was recently killed after a hit-and run while riding her bike. A Whitby bike accident resulted in the death of the cyclist just last month.

In some situations, a cycling accident will cause serious but non-fatal injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, and soft tissue injuries. In other situations, the injuries are much more severe and potentially life threatening:

•  Traumatic brain injuries are extremely common, even when the cyclist was wearing a bike helmet. A traumatic brain injury can leave an accident victim with permanent, wide-ranging physical and cognitive impairments. Injuries to the head and brain are a leading cause of death in bike-car accidents.
  

• Spinal cord injuries are also very serious and potentially fatal for cyclists. Many cyclists who sustain a spinal cord injury have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability. Spinal cord injuries often require lifelong medical care and present many physical and emotional challenges.
  

• The blunt force trauma of being struck by a motor vehicle can fracture ribs and cause significant damage to a cyclist’s internal organs. Impact with the cyclist’s chest or abdomen is often fatal due to internal bleeding, collapsed lungs, and laceration or rupture of vital organs.
  

There are additional, commonly seen catastrophic injuries that can leave an injured cyclist with severe, long-term impairments that negatively influence several aspects of life. Those include limb amputations, damage to the face, teeth and jaw, vision loss, and hearing loss. Cyclists often need surgery to repair damage, and may be left with permanent scarring, disfigurement, or impairment.

Compensation Following a Serious Bike-Car Accident

When a cyclist is killed in bike accident, it’s very likely that a motor vehicle was also involved. On average, 74 cyclists die in bike accidents each year in Canada. A staggering 73% of those cycling deaths were caused by collisions with a motor vehicle.

When a bike accident involves a motor vehicle, the injured cyclist has the right to claim statutory accident benefits (SABS) to cover things such as income replacement, reasonable costs for medical and rehabilitation benefits (medication, physiotherapy, counseling, etc.), attendant care benefits, and caregiver benefits. If the accident was fatal, accident benefits provide coverage for funeral expenses and death benefits payable to the spouse and dependants of the deceased cyclist.

An accident benefits claim provides compensation no matter who was at fault for the collision. If, however, someone else was at fault for the collision, there is an additional option for pursuing compensation: a personal injury lawsuit. An injured cyclist has the right to sue an at-fault driver in the form of a negligence claim to recover additional compensation including damages for pain and suffering, lost income (past and future), and future care expenses.

If the bike-car collision was fatal, family members of the person who was killed have the right to sue the at-fault driver in the form of a wrongful death claim. Ontario wrongful death claims allow certain family members to seek damages such as funeral expenses, lost wages and expenses incurred while caring for the accident victim, compensation for loss of financial support, and compensation for loss of guidance, care, and companionship.

There are specific procedural steps, notice requirements, and limitation periods that apply to insurance claims and civil lawsuits. An Oshawa, Lindsay, and Whitby accident lawyer at our firm can help navigate the steps, protect legal rights, and guide you through the process.

Connect With an Experienced Bike Injury Lawyer

Whitby, Lindsay, Oshawa, Ajax, Kawartha Lakes and surrounding area residents are encouraged to reach out to the legal professionals at Kelly Greenway Bruce for trusted legal advice and steadfast support following a serious bike accident. If you have been severely injured or your loved one has been killed in a bike-car collision, we can ensure that your legal rights are protected, and that you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.

It’s important to connect with our bike injury lawyers in Oshawa as soon as possible so we can gather evidence and guide you through the complicated insurance claim process and advocate for maximum compensation in your personal injury lawsuit. We specialize in personal injury law and will evaluate every angle of your case. We don’t request retainers and won’t charge you any fees until we win your case.

Contact our dedicated team today in Oshawa or Lindsay to schedule your free case evaluation.