A downtown Toronto pedestrian accident sent a man in his 60s to hospital after he was struck by a vehicle on Sunday afternoon.
Emergency crews responded to the Dundas Street East and Sherbourne Street area shortly after 3:15 p.m. on August 30, 2026. Toronto Police said the collision involved a pedestrian and a vehicle. The driver and vehicle remained at the scene.
The collision resulted in road closures along Dundas Street East while emergency crews and police responded. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
A serious pedestrian accident in Toronto can have lasting consequences. Unlike someone in a vehicle, a pedestrian has almost nothing to protect them from the force of a collision. Even a single impact can result in significant injuries and a lengthy recovery.
Why Are Toronto Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people using Toronto’s roads.
There is no seatbelt, airbag, or vehicle frame to absorb the force when a pedestrian is struck by a car, SUV, van, or truck.
A serious Toronto pedestrian collision can cause injuries like traumatic brain injuries, concussions, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, neck and back injuries, internal injuries, leg, knee, and hip injuries and permanent mobility problems.
Older pedestrians can face additional challenges after a serious collision. An injury that might be manageable for a younger person can sometimes lead to a longer recovery, reduced mobility, or a greater need for rehabilitation and assistance.
This makes prompt medical assessment particularly important after a pedestrian accident involving a vehicle.
What Should You Do After Being Hit by a Car in Toronto?
One of the most common questions after a pedestrian collision is: What should I do if I am hit by a car in Toronto?
Medical care should come first.
Call 911 after a serious collision. If paramedics recommend going to hospital, follow their advice. Some injuries may not be fully apparent immediately after the accident.
If possible, gather information about the driver and vehicle. Take photos of the scene, vehicle, intersection, traffic signals, and visible injuries.
Witness information can also be valuable.
Look for nearby businesses, condominiums, homes, TTC vehicles, or other locations that may have security cameras. Dashcam footage from passing motorists may also have captured the collision.
Video evidence should be identified quickly. Some systems automatically delete older recordings.
Who Is Responsible When a Pedestrian Is Hit by a Car?
Liability after a Toronto pedestrian accident depends on how the collision happened.
Investigators may consider the movements of both the pedestrian and driver, traffic signals, visibility, speed, right-of-way, road conditions, and other evidence.
Potential factors in pedestrian accidents can include distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, unsafe turns, poor visibility, or driver inattention. These are general examples and may or may not have played a role in the Dundas and Sherbourne collision.
A police investigation can help determine what happened. However, the police investigation and a civil personal injury claim are separate matters.
A Toronto pedestrian accident lawyer can conduct an independent investigation and gather evidence that may be important to an injury claim.
Can a Pedestrian Get Accident Benefits After Being Hit by a Car?
Yes. Pedestrians injured in Ontario motor vehicle accidents may have access to Statutory Accident Benefits, even though they were not driving a vehicle when the collision occurred, depending on the circumstances and applicable insurance coverage.
This can be particularly important after a serious injury. An injured pedestrian may require physiotherapy, rehabilitation, medical treatment, income support, or other assistance during recovery.
Ontario also introduced significant changes to automobile insurance on July 1, 2026. Several benefits that were previously mandatory became optional. As a result, determining exactly which benefits and coverage apply after an accident can be more complicated.
An experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can review the applicable insurance policies and help an injured pedestrian understand the benefits available.
Can You Sue a Driver After a Pedestrian Accident in Ontario?
Another important question is: Can a pedestrian sue after being hit by a car in Ontario?
Potentially.
If a driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, an injured pedestrian may have grounds for a personal injury claim, subject to Ontario’s legal requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, a pedestrian accident claim may seek compensation for eligible losses related to lost income and reduced earning capacity, medical and rehabilitation expenses, future treatment and care, pain and suffering and other accident-related losses.
The seriousness and long-term impact of the injuries can play a major role in determining the value of a claim.
Someone who cannot return to work, requires ongoing rehabilitation, or develops a permanent impairment may face very different losses than someone who makes a complete recovery within several weeks.
That is why it can be risky to assess a serious Toronto personal injury claim before doctors understand the person’s long-term prognosis.
What Evidence Is Important After a Downtown Toronto Pedestrian Accident?
Evidence can be critical when determining how a pedestrian collision happened.
Busy downtown intersections may have several potential sources of evidence. Nearby stores, apartment buildings, traffic cameras, dashcams, and other surveillance systems may have captured part or all of the accident.
Useful evidence can include photographs, videos, witness statements, police records, medical records, employment documents, and rehabilitation reports.
The injured person should also keep records of expenses and missed work.
Over time, these documents can help show not only how the pedestrian accident happened, but also how the injuries have affected the person’s life.
When Should You Contact a Toronto Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Consider getting legal advice after any pedestrian accident that results in a significant injury.
This is especially important if you are hospitalized, cannot return to work, need ongoing rehabilitation, have suffered a head or spinal injury, or are unsure how to deal with the insurance company.
Common questions include: Who pays my medical expenses after a pedestrian accident? Can I receive Accident Benefits? Can I sue the driver who hit me? Can I claim lost wages? What happens if my injuries become permanent?
A lawyer can review the evidence and answer these questions based on the specific circumstances of the accident.
Contact Bergel Magence After a Toronto Pedestrian Accident
A Toronto pedestrian accident can happen to anyone. If you or someone you love has been injured in a downtown Toronto pedestrian accident, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people affected by pedestrian accidents, car accidents, motorcycle collisions, bicycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, and other serious accidents throughout Toronto and across Ontario.
A serious pedestrian injury can affect your health, employment, independence, and family. Understanding your insurance coverage and legal rights early can help you make informed decisions about what comes next.
Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Toronto pedestrian accident lawyers can investigate the collision, preserve important evidence, explain your Accident Benefits, deal with insurance companies, determine whether you may have a personal injury claim, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.