Hamilton Pedestrian Accidents Increase with Warmer Weather

After a long cold Winter, Spring brings the warmer air and sunshine which also brings out more pedestrians.  Over the past weekend at least 2 pedestrians were struck by vehicles as they attempted to cross Hamilton streets. On Friday night a young woman was crossing at Main Street West and Thorndale Street South when she was struck by a vehicle turning onto Thorndale. A second accident occurred early Sunday morning when a 20 year old man was hit while crossing at Young Street and John Street. Drivers are often focused on other vehicles as they drive and they can fail to properly look out for pedestrians before they make a turn. As a result, pedestrians need to also take safety precautions as they cross roads even when they are at a designated cross walk.

Injured pedestrians may not fully understand what they are entitled to if they are injured by a vehicle.  Whether you are in a car, on a bike or a pedestrian while you are injured, your own insurance company is responsible to cover you for Accident Benefits Claims such as medical expenses not covered by OHIP and an Income replacement benefit while you are unable to return to work.

Injured by a vehicle and you don’t have your own Insurance coverage? It would then be placed under your parents or your spouse’s policy. If there still isn’t access to Insurance coverage you would fall under the insurance of the driver that hit you.

Lastly, if the driver responsible for the accident doesn’t have insurance the Accident benefits would be covered by the “Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund” often referred to simply as “the Fund”

For more details on what an accident victim is entitled to under the Accident Benefits visit:

www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/mvacf/Pages/default.aspx

For more information on the recent Hamilton Pedestrians accidents visit:

www.thespec.com/news-story/4438716-second-pedestrian-in-hospital-after-being-struck-by-car/