A woman in her 70s was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in a Scarborough pedestrian accident near Markham Road and Highway 401.
Toronto police were called to the area shortly before 9:30 p.m. on July 20. The woman was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Northbound Markham Road was closed at Progress Avenue while police investigated the collision.
This pedestrian accident in Scarborough is another reminder of how vulnerable pedestrians are when sharing busy Toronto roads with cars, trucks, and other vehicles. A collision can happen in seconds and leave an injured pedestrian facing hospitalization, rehabilitation, lost income, and a long recovery.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?
Pedestrians have almost no physical protection when struck by a vehicle. Even a collision at a relatively low speed can cause serious injuries. Common pedestrian accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, concussions, broken bones, spinal injuries, internal injuries, and severe soft tissue damage.
Drivers should be especially alert at intersections, crosswalks, parking lots, and areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Distraction, speeding, unsafe turns, and failure to yield can all increase the risk of a serious Toronto pedestrian accident.
Pedestrians should also stay alert and make themselves visible. However, drivers have an important responsibility to watch carefully for vulnerable road users and operate their vehicles safely.
What Should You Do If You Are Hit by a Car in Toronto?
If you are a pedestrian hit by a car, your health should come first. Call 911 when necessary and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious after a collision.
If you are able, try to get the driver’s contact and insurance information, take photos of the accident scene and your injuries and get contact information from witnesses. Next, save any photos, videos, or dashcam footage. Keep records of medical appointments and expenses. And last but not least, speak with an experienced Toronto pedestrian accident lawyer.
People injured as pedestrians may have access to Ontario Accident Benefits, even though they were not driving or riding in a vehicle at the time of the collision.
If a driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, the injured pedestrian may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, future care costs, pain and suffering, and other eligible losses.
Pedestrian Accidents in Scarborough and Toronto
Scarborough has many busy roads that carry large volumes of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users every day. Major routes such as Markham Road, Kingston Road, Lawrence Avenue East, Eglinton Avenue East, Sheppard Avenue East, and Highway 401 can become especially busy during peak travel times.
The area around Markham Road and Highway 401 is a major transportation corridor with highway access, commercial properties, transit routes, and significant vehicle traffic. Drivers should remain alert for pedestrians at all times, especially when turning, entering driveways, or travelling through busy intersections.
After a serious Scarborough pedestrian accident, determining exactly what happened can be important. Police reports, witness statements, surveillance video, dashcam footage, vehicle data, and medical records may all become relevant when investigating a collision and determining liability.
An experienced Scarborough personal injury lawyer can help preserve important evidence, communicate with insurance companies, explain available Accident Benefits, and determine whether an injured pedestrian may have grounds for additional compensation.
Contact Bergel Magence After a Scarborough Pedestrian Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Scarborough pedestrian accident, Toronto car accident, or other serious motor vehicle collision, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal rights.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people injured in pedestrian accidents, car accidents, bicycle collisions, motorcycle accidents, and catastrophic injury cases throughout Scarborough, Toronto, and across Ontario.
Being struck by a vehicle can change your life in seconds. You may suddenly be dealing with serious injuries, medical treatment, time away from work, rehabilitation, and insurance claims. Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers can explain your rights, help you access available Accident Benefits, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.