Bicycle Accident Claims in Ontario Explained

Bicycle accidents can cause serious, lasting injuries, and most people who experience one have no idea what legal options are available to them.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, we represent many victims injured while riding their bicycles across Ontario. If you or someone you know has been hurt in a collision, understanding how the claims process works can make a significant difference in the compensation you are able to recover.

As Jeffrey Preszler explains in the video below, cyclists have more legal options than most people realize, even if they do not have personal vehicle insurance.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Ontario

Bicycle accidents rarely happen the same way twice, but certain collision patterns come up again and again in the cases we handle.

Some of the most common include:

• Vehicles making unsafe right or left turns across a cyclist’s path
• Drivers making unsafe lane changes without checking for bicyclists
• “Dooring” accidents where a parked vehicle occupant opens their door into a cyclist
• Drivers failing to yield to cyclists at intersections
• Collisions involving distracted or inattentive drivers

One increasingly common scenario involves rideshare vehicles, taxis, or parked cars where a passenger opens a door directly into the path of an approaching cyclist.

These collisions can eject bicyclists from their bikes and frequently result in severe injuries after impact with the vehicle, roadway, or surrounding objects.

Serious Injuries Commonly Seen in Bicycle Accidents

Even when cyclists wear helmets, bicycle accidents often result in significant injuries.

Helmets provide important protection, but they cannot eliminate the force of being thrown onto pavement or struck by a motor vehicle.

Some of the injuries commonly seen in bicycle and e-bike accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
• Broken bones and fractures
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Severe road rash and scarring
• Shoulder, knee, and wrist injuries
• Chronic pain and long-term mobility limitations

As discussed in the video, serious injuries are especially common anytime a cyclist is ejected from their bicycle or collides with a moving vehicle or stationary object at high speed.

E-Bike Accidents Are Often Treated Similarly

Although people often think of bicycles and e-bikes differently, the injuries and legal issues are frequently very similar.

E-bikes generally do not require insurance and are battery-operated, but collisions involving e-bike riders often involve the same types of accidents seen with traditional bicycles.

When an e-bike rider is struck by a motor vehicle in Ontario, they may still have access to accident benefits and the right to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

The lack of physical protection means e-bike accidents can be just as serious as traditional bicycle collisions.

Can Cyclists Access Accident Benefits Without Insurance?

Most cyclists and e-bike riders do not carry personal vehicle insurance, and many assume this means they cannot access any benefits after an accident. That is not the case, and is one of the biggest misconceptions injured cyclists have.

Provided the accident involved a motor vehicle, which Ontario law defines as a car, truck, motorcycle, or in some circumstances a bus, injured cyclists have two avenues of recourse.

1. Accident Benefits (SABS)

Under the Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule, or SABS, cyclists injured in a collision with a motor vehicle can apply for accident benefits regardless of fault. These benefits include:

• Income replacement benefits
• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Attendant care benefits

In most cases, these benefits are accessed through the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. If the at-fault vehicle was uninsured or left the scene, an alternative coverage pathway may be available.

Prompt access to medical treatment is one of the most important outcomes of filing an accident benefits application, and SABS exists to make sure injured people are not left without support while a tort claim is being resolved.

2. Tort Claim

For more seriously injured cyclists, a tort claim allows you to sue the at-fault party for:

• Pain and suffering
• Past loss of income
• Future loss of income
• Other damages arising from the accident

To pursue a tort claim for pain and suffering in Ontario, your injury must meet a legal threshold requiring a permanent and serious impairment of an important physical, mental, or psychological function.

It is also important to understand that Ontario’s statutory deductible applies to most pain and suffering awards in motor vehicle accident claims, meaning a significant amount is deducted from the award before compensation is received.

For a full explanation of how the deductible works and how it may affect your claim, see our article on the Ontario statutory deductible for 2026. [To add link when article is live]

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

If you are involved in a bicycle or e-bike accident with a motor vehicle, the steps you take immediately afterward matter.

Even if injuries initially seem minor, adrenaline can mask symptoms, and conditions such as concussions, soft tissue injuries, or internal injuries may not fully appear until hours or days later.

After a bicycle accident, you should:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms appear minor
• Call police and ensure the collision is properly reported where required
• Take photographs of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, bicycle damage, and visible injuries
• Obtain the driver’s information, insurance details, and contact information for witnesses
• Preserve damaged equipment, including the bicycle, helmet, and riding gear
• Keep records of medical treatment, symptoms, missed work, and out-of-pocket expenses
• Avoid posting about the accident or injuries on social media
• Avoid discussing fault or providing detailed statements to insurers before receiving legal advice
• Speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as early as possible

You Have More Options Than You Think

Bicycle accident claims in Ontario are more complex than most people expect, but that complexity also means there are more avenues for compensation than many injured cyclists realize.

At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our team represents injured bicyclists and e-bike riders across Ontario and understands the serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences these collisions can cause.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, contact us online or call 1-888-608-2111 to discuss your legal options and whether you may be entitled to accident benefits or compensation through a personal injury claim.

We’re here to help.