We're pleased to offer information from Founding Member and leading personal injuries lawyer Patrick (Pat) Brown. Pat is a Senior Partner at McLeish Orlando Critical Injury Law Firm and head of Bike Law Canada.
Over the last 23 years, Pat Brown has represented fallen and seriously injured cyclists and other victims of road violence throughout Ontario. Not only is he a trial lawyer and past president of the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, he has spent years as an outspoken activist who has fought for safe streets and changes to our laws.
Although noted as a Certified Specialist, listed in Best Lawyers Canada, and LExperts Most Frequently Recommended Lawyers, he is most proud of being the recipient of the 2012 Active Transportation Champion of the Year Award by TCAT. Pat initiated and was appointed by the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario as an expert in the 2010 Review on Cycling Deaths. The Review led to a list of recommendations and new laws to reduce deaths and provide safe passage for cyclists.
Pat is part of the Bike Law network of lawyers and is one of the founding members (former director) of Toronto Bike Union (now Cycle Toronto).
Here are Pat's answers to cyclists’ questions when it comes to their safety and legal rights in sharing the road.
Is it safe or legal to ride through crosswalks and intersections?
P.B: No. A bicyclist must walk their bike through the crosswalk. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $85.00 under section 140(6) and 144(29) of the Highway Traffic Act. Cyclists must also obey the standard traffic rules at an intersection, i.e. stopping at a red light or stop sign.
If I go out drinking, is it against the law for me to ride my bike home?
P.B: In Canada you cannot be charged criminally for riding a bicycle impaired. However, that does not mean that you cannot be charged with other alcohol related offences such as being drunk in public or careless driving. Riding a bicycle while impaired is not recommended as it is a danger to both yourself and the public.
Am I eligible to receive help if I’m badly injured following a car accident if I was at fault?
P.B: In Ontario, if you have a valid automobile insurance policy at the time of the accident you are entitled to claim Statutory Accident Benefits or “no-fault benefits” to assist in your rehabilitation and any loss of income you have as a result of being injured in the car accident, subject to the limits within under your policy. If the cyclist does not have a valid automobile insurance policy, they may be entitle to claim no-fault benefits from a family member’s policy if they are a dependent, or they will claim no-fault benefits under the policy of the driver with whom the accident happened. When making a claim for accident benefits, you must first notify the insurance company within 7 days or as soon as practical after the accident occurred. For more, see The Rights of the Injured Cyclist
If I get hit by a car and have a head injury, but was not wearing a helmet, can I still get help?
P.B: Yes. When a cyclist is injured in a collision with a vehicle, the injured cyclist will be entitled to make a claim for accident benefits regardless of whether or not the cyclist was wearing a helmet. In addition, the injured cyclist can bring a lawsuit against the driver. An injured cyclist is not precluded from bringing a lawsuit simply because they were not wearing a helmet. The Defendant may call evidence from a medical professional to seek to reduce the amount of the award on the basis that the helmet would have reduced the extent of the injury. If the helmet would not have made a difference, then there is no reduction.
Do I have to show the police my driver’s licence if I get pulled over on a bike?
P.B: No. You are not required to provide a driver’s license when stopped, however, cyclists must stop and identify themselves when required by a police officer by providing your correct name and address. Failure to do so may result in a fine under section 218 of the Highway Traffic Act in the amount of $85.00. For more, see Dealing with the Police and Tickets.
If someone is killed on their bike by a car, is there any help for their family members?
P.B: Yes. The spouse and dependant(s) of the deceased are entitled to certain amounts by way of accident benefits. A person who was the spouse of the deceased cyclist at the time of the collision if entitled to be paid a death benefit in the amount of $25,000.00. The dependant(s) of the deceased cyclist are entitled to be paid a death benefit in the amount of $10,000.00 which must be shared equally by all dependants who qualify.
Where the deceased did not have a spouse at the time of the accident, the amount of $25,000.00 will be paid to any dependants of the deceased in equal shares.There is a benefit paid to cover the cost of the funeral, up to an amount of $6,000.00.The family members of the deceased bicyclist can also bring a lawsuit against the car driver as Family Law Act claimants. Once it is proven that the driver of the car was at fault, family members of the deceased have five potential categories of damages.
- Damages for loss of guidance, care and companionship
- Loss of shared family income
- Loss of the value of household and handyman services the deceased performed
- Funeral expenses
- Other expenses related to death
What happens if another cyclist hits me and I’m injured? Can I sue?
P.B: Yes. You can if the other cyclist was not taking reasonable care and negligently hits you. They may be responsible for any damages you sustain.
For more information on the law, cycling, and the Rider Card found above, watch this video:
How to report a collision
What to do if you are in a collision with a motor vehicle?
Call 911.
If you are in a collision and you a) call at the time of the collision and b) remain at the scene, Toronto Police Services will take the report onsite, even if the other party does not remain at the scene.
If you leave the scene, you will have to go to one of two Traffic Services Collision Reporting Centres in the GTA:
Pedestrian/cyclist-only collision reporting office:
DOWNTOWN COLLISION REPORTING CENTRE
9 Hanna Avenue, Liberty Village
(416) 808-1900
Monday - Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Cyclists/Pedestrians are also able to begin reports online at accsupport/PedCylistApp/home
Regular collision reporting offices:
NORTH COLLISION REPORTING CENTRE (map)
113 Toryork Drive, North York
(416) 808-2222
Open 7 days a week all year, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
EAST COLLISION REPORTING CENTRE (map)
39 Howden Road, Scarborough
(416) 808-2222
Open 7 days a week all year, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
