A 74-year-old motorcyclist has died after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Highway 407 in Vaughan.
Ontario Provincial Police say the collision happened Friday evening in the eastbound lanes of Highway 407, near the Highway 400 northbound interchange. Emergency crews were called at about 7:15 p.m.
Police said the rider lost control on the eastbound exit ramp to Highway 400 and struck a guide rail. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries but later died.
The crash is another reminder that a serious motorcycle accident in Vaughan does not need to involve a second vehicle. Road conditions, mechanical problems, roadway design, and other factors can matter when investigators try to determine why a rider lost control.
What Can Cause a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident?
When people hear the words “single-vehicle accident,” they may assume the rider was responsible. That conclusion should not be made without evidence.
Motorcycle crashes can happen for many reasons. A rider may encounter debris, a damaged road surface, poor lighting or an unexpected hazard. A mechanical or tire failure could also contribute to a loss of control. In other cases, another vehicle may force a motorcyclist to react suddenly without ever making physical contact.
Determining the cause requires a careful investigation.
Why Are Highway Motorcycle Accidents So Serious?
Motorcycles leave riders exposed.
On a highway such as the 407 in Vaughan, speed can make the consequences of a crash particularly severe. A rider who loses control may strike the pavement, a guardrail or another fixed object. These impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal injuries and fatal trauma.
Protective equipment can reduce certain risks, but it cannot provide the same protection as the structure of a passenger vehicle.
Who Can Be Liable for a Single-Motorcycle Crash in Ontario?
A common online search is: “Can someone else be responsible for a single-vehicle motorcycle accident?”
Potentially, depending why the crash happened.
If another driver’s actions forced a rider off the road, that driver could potentially become relevant to a claim. A defective motorcycle or component may raise questions about a manufacturer or repair provider. Road conditions can create another set of legal issues.
None of those factors has been established in this Vaughan crash.
For a serious or fatal Ontario motorcycle accident, evidence may include police reports, photographs, motorcycle data, maintenance records, dashcam footage and witness statements.
Can Families Receive Compensation After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident?
When someone dies in an Ontario motor vehicle accident, surviving family members may have questions about Accident Benefits, insurance and wrongful death claims.
The available options depend on how the accident occurred and the insurance coverage involved.
Where another party’s negligence contributed to a death, certain relatives may be able to pursue compensation under Ontario law. Depending on the circumstances, this can include eligible financial losses and compensation for the loss of care, guidance and companionship.
A Vaughan motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate whether another person, company or organization may have contributed to the collision.
What Should Families Do After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash?
Families often search questions such as “What happens after a fatal motorcycle accident in Ontario?”, “Can a family sue after a motorcycle death?”, “Does motorcycle insurance cover a fatal accident?” and “How do I find a motorcycle accident lawyer in Vaughan?”
There is no universal answer.
One useful first step is preserving information. Keep insurance documents, photographs, police information and anything related to the motorcycle.
It may also be important to act quickly if video footage or other time-sensitive evidence could exist.
Contact a Vaughan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bergel Magence
A fatal motorcycle crash can leave a family with questions that are difficult to answer from a police report alone.
Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims and their families for more than 50 years. Our team handles motorcycle accidents, fatal motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury claims, car accidents, truck accidents and pedestrian accidents throughout Vaughan, York Region and across Ontario.
If your family has been affected by a fatal Vaughan motorcycle accident or you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, contact Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our personal injury team can investigate the collision, review available insurance and Accident Benefits, preserve important evidence, determine whether another party may be responsible and explain the compensation that may be available under Ontario law.