A Mississauga highway accident has left a man and a 12-year-old boy injured after they were struck while standing outside a vehicle on the shoulder of a highway. The two individuals were visiting from the United States when the collision occurred. Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This collision highlights a danger that many drivers may overlook. Standing on the shoulder of a highway can be extremely dangerous. Vehicles may be travelling at more than 100 km/h only a few metres away. A distracted driver, sudden lane change, or loss of control can put anyone stopped on the roadside at risk.
If you are involved in a Highway 401 accident, Highway 403 accident, QEW accident, or other Ontario highway collision, knowing how to stay safe after pulling over can help prevent a second crash.
Why Are Highway Shoulder Accidents So Dangerous?
Highway shoulders are designed to provide space for emergencies. However, they do not provide much protection from passing traffic.
Drivers approaching a stopped vehicle may have only seconds to react. The risk can increase at night, during bad weather, or when traffic is moving at high speeds.
Common factors that may contribute to highway shoulder accidents in Ontario include distracted driving, speeding, driver fatigue, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, poor visibility, vehicles drifting out of their lanes and drivers failing to leave enough space around stopped vehicles.
If your vehicle breaks down, move as far away from active traffic as safely possible. Avoid standing beside your vehicle near live traffic lanes. When possible, wait in a safer location away from moving vehicles and call for emergency or roadside assistance.
What Should You Do If You Are Struck by a Vehicle on the Highway?
If you are a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in Ontario, seek medical help immediately. Call 911 and follow the directions of emergency responders.
If circumstances allow, important evidence should also be preserved. This may include photographs, witness information, dashcam recordings, vehicle damage, and video from nearby traffic cameras.
People injured in an Ontario motor vehicle accident may have access to Accident Benefits. Depending on the circumstances, a person injured because of another driver’s negligence may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim.
A serious pedestrian or highway accident can lead to significant losses. These may include medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost income, future care costs, and pain and suffering.
An experienced Ontario car accident lawyer can review the circumstances of the collision and explain what benefits or compensation may be available.
Understanding Highway Accident Claims in Ontario
A serious Mississauga car accident can involve more than one legal and insurance issue. This is especially true when a pedestrian is struck while standing outside a stopped vehicle.
Investigators may examine where the stopped vehicle was located, how the approaching vehicle was being driven, road conditions, visibility, witness statements, and available video footage.
These details can help determine how the accident happened and who may be responsible.
Cases involving visitors from outside Ontario can create additional insurance questions. An experienced Ontario personal injury lawyer can review the available policies, investigate liability, and help an injured person understand their legal options.
Contact Bergel Magence After a Mississauga Highway Accident
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Mississauga highway accident, Highway 401 accident, Highway 403 collision, QEW accident, or another serious Ontario motor vehicle accident, Bergel Magence Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
For more than 50 years, our legal team has represented people injured in car accidents, pedestrian accidents, highway collisions, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and catastrophic injury cases throughout Mississauga, Peel Region, Toronto, and across Ontario.
Being struck while standing on the side of a highway can cause devastating injuries in seconds. Contact Bergel Magence today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Ontario personal injury lawyers can investigate the accident, explain your rights, help you understand available Accident Benefits and insurance coverage, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.