Pedestrian Accidents Mississauga

There is probably no motor vehicle accident more devastating than a pedestrian accident. Roughly 30% of pedestrian accidents result in serious injury or death, and they happen all too often. There were 376 pedestrian accidents in 2022 in Mississauga and Brampton alone.

If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident in Mississauga, you are not in it alone. The experienced pedestrian accident lawyers at Zayouna Law are here to do everything in their power to help you seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses. Working with a personal injury lawyer will make navigating the complex legal system incomparably easier for you and your family. We are here to help along every step of the way, starting with providing information about pedestrian accidents in Mississauga.

Most Common Pedestrian Accidents in Mississauga

Pedestrian accidents can happen anytime, anywhere on Mississauga roads. In roughly two-thirds of pedestrian accidents, the driver is at fault–but not always. Understanding how and where pedestrian accidents occur is the first step to preventing future accidents from occurring.

Some of the most common pedestrian accidents include:

• Crosswalk Collisions: It probably comes as no surprise that crosswalks are one of the most common places where pedestrian accidents occur. Failing to yield to a pedestrian, trying to pass, and crossing at the wrong time are just a few examples of how these accidents happen.
• Intersection Accidents: Intersections are the highest risk location for all types of car accidents, and pedestrian accidents are no exception. With so much happening at an intersection, drivers and pedestrians alike must be especially diligent in observing their surroundings.
• Distracted Driving: The rise in popularity of the smartphone has caused distracted driving to skyrocket. Distracted driving is now the most dangerous behaviour on the road, being involved in more accidents than any other factor.
• Speeding: Speeding increases stopping distances, decreases available reaction times, and makes pedestrian accidents more catastrophic. The risk of serious injury to a pedestrian in a car accident increases from roughly 50% at 50 km/h to roughly 90% at 75 km/h.
• Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol makes you a more dangerous driver for everyone on the road and pedestrians are no exception.
• Failure to Observe Traffic Signals: Failure to observe or obey traffic signals can be the fault of the driver or pedestrian. Most commonly, this involves a driver not obeying a stop sign or traffic light, or a pedestrian crossing against a red light or “Don’t Walk” signal.
• Reversing Accidents: Reversing accidents most commonly occur in driveways or parking lots where a driver fails to adequately check their surroundings or when a pedestrian suddenly enters the path of a reversing vehicle.
• Turning at Non-signalized Crosswalks: Turning off a major roadway without a signal or stop sign can be a particularly dangerous situation, especially when the pedestrian fails to notice the approaching vehicle.

What to do After a Pedestrian Accident in Mississauga

Taking the right steps after a pedestrian accident can be essential for prioritizing your health and safety and for optimizing your chances of success when filing insurance or tort claims. Some of these steps must be done at the scene of the accident, if possible, while others will take place long after.

• Prioritize Your Safety: If you are involved in a pedestrian accident or if you witness one, the first step is to ensure the scene of the accident is kept safe until emergency services arrive. If you can move without worsening your condition, then try to move out of traffic. If not, cone off the area to warn other drivers of the accident.
• Check for Injuries: Assess the condition of everyone involved. Call 911 immediately if there are any noticeable injuries or suspected trauma to the brain or spine.
• Contact the Police: In Ontario, all accidents that lead to injury or significant property damage must be reported to the police. The responding officer should make a police report which can be useful in any legal proceedings that follow the accident.
• Exchange Information: Fleeing the scene of an accident is a serious crime in Ontario. If the driver does flee, try to get their license plate information from witnesses or cameras nearby. If they remain at the scene, record their name, license plate number, contact information, and insurance details.
• Gather Evidence: If possible, this is your opportunity to gather evidence. Take photos of the accident, any injuries, and the vehicle, get a statement from any potential witnesses, document the events leading up to the accident, and look for any camera footage that might exist.
• Seek Medical Attention: No matter how minor your injuries might appear, you should seek immediate medical attention. Always prioritize your health after an accident, and remember to keep a record of any treatments, diagnoses, or other medical expenses you incur.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: If you have auto insurance, contact your insurer to make a claim as soon as possible after the accident. If you don’t have insurance, you can file a claim through the insurance company of the at-fault driver. Provide them with all of the relevant details and documentation that they request.</li
• Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer: If you have incurred any injuries or other significant losses, and if you believe the accident was caused by the negligence of the driver, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Zayouna Law Firm: Your Mississauga Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Drives have a duty of care to everyone on the road, including pedestrians. If a driver engages in negligent behaviour–like reckless driving–that results in an accident causing injury, they can be held legally responsible for breaching this duty.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Mississauga, they may have legal grounds to file a claim against the at-fault driver. Don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling pedestrian accidents. A lawyer will assess your case, provide valuable information, and help to represent you in legal proceedings or negotiations with insurance companies.

The team at Zayouna Law Firm is committed to providing compassionate representation for our clients in Mississauga to help them seek compensation after an accident. We have helped our clients retrieve millions of dollars in settlements for personal injury cases and have decades of experience handling pedestrian accidents in Ontario.

Contact us today to book a free initial consultation and take the first steps toward receiving the compensation you deserve.