E-bike rider ran a red and fractured my spine (pedestrian) — small claims or lawyer?
Hi, I recently sustained an L1 spinal fracture after being hit by an e-bike in Toronto as a pedestrian. The e-bike rider admitted to pressing the accelerator instead of the brake on a red signal while I was crossing. A police report was made on the spot. I’ve lost about 25% of the vertebral height. I have been advised 8 weeks of bed rest and minimal movement, followed by a long recovery period with physiotherapy.
This injury has completely upended my life. I’m facing loss of income, and I need to figure out how to manage a long flight home for my sister’s wedding. I also can’t cook, so I need to arrange a tiffin service; I can’t lift heavy items, so I need groceries delivered; and I can’t bend, so I need a cleaning service. On top of all this, I’m wondering if I have any legal recourse against the e-bike rider who hit me, especially since e-bike riders here aren’t required to carry insurance or hold a license, which makes this complicated.
If anyone has been through something similar or knows what legal consequences the e-bike rider will have to bear, I’d appreciate the insight. Should I pursue this in small claims court, or hire a personal injury lawyer?