Injured in a TTC Accident? Four Things You Should Know

Were you recently injured in an accident involving a public transportation vehicle operated by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)? You may have the right to pursue compensation if you were hurt in an incident involving a TTC bus, streetcar, subway train, or Wheel-Trans vehicle.

TTC accident and injury cases can be intimidating and complicated types of accident claims in Ontario. The TTC carried close to 420 million riders in 2024 alone, so even with strong safety efforts, preventable injuries still occur on vehicles and at stations.

In addition to collisions between vehicles, TTC-related injuries can happen when a bus or streetcar stops or accelerates suddenly and you fall, a subway incident or platform hazard causes you to be knocked down or struck, or a TTC vehicle collides with a pedestrian or cyclist at a Toronto intersection.

No matter how your accident happened, it can be helpful to understand how Ontario’s no-fault Accident Benefits and tort system work, what deadlines apply, and how a Toronto TTC accident lawyer may be able to assist you. In this article, we explain key information you should know as you explore your options for financial recovery.

If you have been injured in a TTC accident and you are ready to seek compensation, contact our public transportation accident lawyers today and find out if you have a viable claim.

Overall Customer Injury Rate Per 1 Million TTC Trips by Year

Four Things You Should Know After Being Injured in a TTC Accident in Toronto

1. Accident Benefits May Be Available To You

You may qualify for Ontario’s Statutory Accident Benefits if you were injured in a collision involving a TTC vehicle. This can include situations where:

You were driving your own vehicle and collided with a TTC bus, streetcar, or Wheel-Trans vehicle.
You were a passenger on a TTC vehicle that was involved in a collision with another motor vehicle.
You were a pedestrian or cyclist struck by a TTC vehicle.

Accident Benefits are available on a no-fault basis, which means you may be entitled to certain benefits even if you were partly or entirely responsible for the crash. In most cases, you first apply to your own auto insurer to obtain coverage. If you do not have your own policy, you may be able to claim under the policy of another household member, the TTC’s insurer, or, in some situations, through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund.

Available benefits may include:

Income Replacement Benefits

These compensate a percentage of your missed wages, usually 70 percent of your gross weekly income up to a standard cap of CAD $400 per week, unless you have purchased optional higher coverage.

Medical and Rehabilitation Benefits

These cover reasonable and necessary treatment costs (for example, physiotherapy, chiropractic care, psychological counselling, assistive devices) that are not already covered by OHIP or another health plan. Monetary limits apply and are adjusted each year by Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).

Attendant Care Benefits

These help with the cost of hiring someone to assist with personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming at home or in a long-term care facility, if your injuries prevent you from caring for yourself.

Many soft tissue injuries are categorized under Ontario’s Minor Injury Guideline (MIG), which provides pre-approved treatment funding up to a set limit for injuries like sprains, strains, and some whiplash-related conditions. More serious or complex injuries may fall outside the MIG and qualify for higher benefit limits.

Your exact benefits depend on the terms of your policy, the severity of your injuries, and whether optional coverages were purchased. A Toronto accident benefits lawyer can help you understand what you may be entitled to and assist you in completing the necessary OCF forms and gathering medical evidence. (Preszler Injury Lawyers)

2. You May Have Grounds To Bring A Claim Against The TTC

In addition to Accident Benefits, you may have the right to bring a separate lawsuit (often called a tort claim) for compensation if negligence caused or contributed to your injuries. In a TTC context, that might look like a TTC operator who drives too fast for conditions, ignores traffic signals, or follows another vehicle too closely. Negligence might also include a failure to secure doors, mobility devices, or equipment properly. Unsafe operation around pedestrians or cyclists at Toronto intersections can also cause injury, while negligent maintenance of TTC vehicles or infrastructure can lead to serious collisions.

You may be able to file a tort claim against the TTC if its driver or employees were at fault. If another motorist caused or contributed to the collision with the TTC vehicle on which you were riding, you may instead, or also, pursue a case against that driver and their insurer. Our team can coordinate with accident reconstruction experts and other specialists in complex multi-vehicle crashes to help determine fault.

In Ontario, motor vehicle tort claims are subject to special rules under the Insurance Act and O. Reg. 461/96. Pain and suffering damages are only available if your injuries meet a legal threshold for “permanent serious impairment” and any award is reduced by a statutory deductible, the amount of which is adjusted every year based on FSRA’s indexation rate. For example, in 2025, the indexation percentage was 1.6 percent, which affected deductibles and several other limits.

Because of these technical rules, it is important to discuss liability and potential damages with a lawyer experienced in Toronto car accident claims and public transportation accident cases.

3. You Have Limited Time In Which To Take Action

Time limits are critical in TTC accident cases. Different deadlines can apply to Accident Benefits claims, lawsuits against negligent drivers, the TTC, or other parties, as well as claims involving hazardous road or sidewalk conditions on City of Toronto property.

Under Ontario’s Limitations Act, 2002, most personal injury lawsuits must be started within two years of the day the claim is discovered, which is often the accident date.

For Accident Benefits, you must generally notify your auto insurer of the collision and your intention to apply for benefits within seven days, or as soon as reasonably possible. You will also have to submit your completed Application for Accident Benefits (OCF-1) within 30 days of receiving it.

If your TTC accident involved unsafe conditions on City of Toronto property, such as a defect in the roadway or a dangerous municipal sidewalk near a bus stop, there may also be a very short written notice requirement. The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and related guidance state that in many municipal claims, you should provide written notice to the City within 10 days, although a court can sometimes forgive late notice if certain conditions are met.

Because missing a deadline can significantly affect your rights, it is recommended that you speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a TTC accident so you can understand which limitation periods and notice rules may apply in your situation.

Deadlines for TTC Accidents

4. You May Hire A Lawyer For Legal Assistance

Navigating an Accident Benefits claim or TTC tort action can be challenging for anyone who is already dealing with injuries, medical appointments, and time away from work. A lawyer can help you:

Understand which insurer should respond first and what benefits you may qualify for.
Complete and submit Accident Benefits forms accurately and on time.
Gather medical records, employment information, and other evidence to support your claim.
Investigate how the accident happened, including working with experts if needed.
Evaluate whether your injuries may meet Ontario’s legal threshold for pain and suffering damages, and how the statutory deductible could affect your claim.

Working with an experienced Toronto personal injury lawyer may improve your chances of securing a fair financial settlement or court award, whether your claim involves Accident Benefits, a lawsuit against the TTC or another driver, or both.

What To Do Right After A TTC Accident In Toronto

If you are physically able to do so, the following steps may help protect both your health and your potential claim after a TTC accident:

Get medical help right away: Call 911 in emergencies or visit a hospital or clinic as soon as possible. Early documentation of your injuries is important for your well-being and your claim.
Report the incident: Make sure the TTC operator or station staff are aware of what happened. If police attend the scene, give a clear, factual statement.
Collect information: If you can, note the vehicle number, route, location, date and time, and contact details for any independent witnesses. Take photographs or short videos of the scene, your injuries, and any visible hazards.
Notify your insurer: Contact your auto insurer promptly to report the collision and ask for Accident Benefits forms if a motor vehicle was involved. Resources like our FAQ on how to claim Accident Benefits may help you prepare.
Avoid guessing about fault: Even if you believe you may be partly responsible, Ontario’s fault and deductible rules are complex. A legal review can help clarify where liability may lie.

Talk To A Toronto TTC Accident Lawyer Today

Being injured on a TTC bus, streetcar, subway, or Wheel-Trans vehicle can disrupt your health, your income, and your daily life. You do not have to figure out Ontario’s Accident Benefits, limitation periods, or TTC procedures on your own.

If you were hurt in a TTC-related accident anywhere in Toronto or the GTA, you can contact Preszler Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our legal team can review what happened, explain your options, and discuss how we may be able to help you pursue compensation through Accident Benefits and, where appropriate, a lawsuit against the TTC or another at fault driver.

Call 1-888-608-2111 or reach out online to speak with a Toronto TTC accident lawyer today. There are strict time limits for starting claims, so it is important to get tailored legal advice as soon as you can.