A serious North York e-scooter accident has left a 60-year-old man with life-threatening injuries after he struck the open door of a parked vehicle.
Toronto Police responded to the collision in the Driftwood Avenue and Jane Street area at about 1:40 a.m. on August 16. Police said the e-scooter rider collided with the open door of a parked car. Toronto paramedics rushed the man to hospital on an emergency trauma run.
The collision highlights a road safety issue often known as “dooring.” A dooring accident happens when someone opens a vehicle door into the path of a cyclist, e-bike rider, e-scooter rider, or another road user. The rider may hit the door directly or lose control while trying to avoid it.
For an e-scooter rider in Toronto, there is very little protection from the force of an impact. A collision with a car door can cause a rider to be thrown onto the pavement and suffer severe injuries.
What Is a Dooring Accident?
A dooring accident can happen in seconds.
A driver or passenger may open a vehicle door without seeing someone approaching from behind. The rider may then have almost no time to stop or move out of the way.
These collisions can result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Serious cuts and road rash
Drivers and passengers should always look before opening a vehicle door. Checking the mirror and looking over your shoulder can help identify an approaching cyclist or rider.
One prevention technique is sometimes called the Dutch Reach. This involves using the hand farthest from the door to open it. The movement naturally turns the person’s body toward the road, making it easier to see an approaching rider.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Dooring Accident in Ontario?
Liability after an Ontario dooring accident depends on what happened.
The fact that a vehicle was parked does not mean there can be no legal responsibility. Investigators may consider when the door was opened, whether the person opening it checked for approaching traffic, where the rider was travelling, and whether either person had enough time to avoid the collision.
Evidence can become very important.
Police reports, witness statements, photographs, dashcam video, security cameras, vehicle damage, and nearby surveillance footage may help establish how the accident occurred.
Anyone seriously injured in a Toronto e-scooter collision should consider getting legal advice before making assumptions about fault or dealing with an insurance company.
What Should You Do After an E-Scooter Accident in Toronto?
Your health comes first after a serious e-scooter accident. Call 911 when necessary and seek medical attention.
If you can safely gather evidence, take photographs of the scene. Photograph the vehicle, its door, the scooter, your injuries, and the surrounding roadway.
Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Look for nearby homes, apartment buildings, businesses, or vehicles with cameras. Video can sometimes show exactly when a car door was opened.
Keep your medical records and follow the treatment recommended by your healthcare providers. You should also save receipts and records of other costs connected to the accident.
Insurance and personal injury issues involving an e-scooter can be more complicated than a typical Toronto car accident. The availability of Accident Benefits or other compensation can depend on the facts and the type of vehicle involved. A Toronto personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances and explain which insurance and legal options may apply.
E-Scooter Safety in North York and Toronto
The growing use of e-scooters and other micromobility devices has created new road safety challenges.
Riders can be difficult to see, particularly at night or beside rows of parked cars. Vehicle occupants should check carefully before opening a door. Riders should also remain alert when passing parked vehicles and watch for signs that someone may be about to exit.
A serious North York e-scooter accident can happen at a relatively low speed and still cause major injuries. Everyone using Toronto’s streets has a role to play in preventing these collisions.
Contact Bergel Magence After a North York E-Scooter Accident
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a North York e-scooter accident, Toronto dooring accident, e-bike collision, bicycle accident, or another accident involving a motor vehicle, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help you get justice and compensation.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people affected by serious motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian collisions, catastrophic injuries, and other personal injury cases throughout North York, Toronto, and across Ontario.
An e-scooter collision can leave you facing surgery, rehabilitation, lost income, and months or years of recovery. Determining who is responsible and which insurance coverage applies can also be complicated.
Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto personal injury lawyers can review how your accident happened, preserve important evidence, explain your insurance and legal options, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.