Our Toronto Car Accident Lawyers Explain What These Numbers Really Mean
Good news for Toronto drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists: the city had the lowest number of car accident fatalities last year in a decade, according to accident data collected by the City of Toronto as reported by CBC News.
So just how low were motor vehicle deaths in Toronto last year? Why are these numbers down? And what else can be done to reduce traffic fatalities in Toronto? Our car accident lawyers at Smitiuch Injury Law explain what to know.
How Low Were Motor Vehicle Fatalities In Toronto In 2025?
Toronto had 39 traffic fatalities in 2025, the lowest number in the city in a decade, according to Vision Zero Toronto, the program created by the City of Toronto in 2016 with the goal of reducing motor vehicle fatalities to zero.
According to Vision Zero Toronto and the Toronto Police Service, the 39 deaths last year in Toronto included:
- 19 pedestrian fatalities
- 12 car accident deaths
- 5 motorcycle fatalities
- 2 cyclist deaths
- 1 micromobility (e-scooter) fatality
To put these numbers in perspective, the next lowest year in the past decade was 2020, when there were 40 total roadway deaths in Toronto. The most traffic fatalities in a single year in Toronto in the past decade were in 2016, when there were 78 deaths, according to Vision Zero Toronto.
What Helped Reduce Traffic Fatalities In Toronto Last Year?
According to Vision Zero Toronto, one reason traffic fatalities decreased in 2025 was the installation of additional speed and red-light cameras in the city, as 150 traffic cameras operated throughout Toronto for most of 2025. However, those cameras were removed in November 2025 due to new provincial legislation banning speeding cameras, according to CBC News.
Other reasons Toronto traffic fatalities went down last year include:
- Redesigned city streets, which “make it harder to drive over the speed limit,” according to CBC News.
- Police enforcement of speed limits and other traffic laws.
- Educating drivers about the dangers of speeding and other dangerous driving habits.
- Adding 700 speed bumps to slow drivers, especially in school zones and heavy-traffic areas.
"There's no one single [magic] bullet," Toronto Vision Zero project manager Sheyda Saneinejad said in an interview with CBC News. "It's about having a wide variety and range of measures that work together. So we continue to expand on that."
Why Do Serious and Fatal Car Crashes Still Happen In Toronto?
Even in a year with fewer fatalities, Toronto remains a dense, fast-moving city. Drivers often rush to beat the light on Yonge Street, weave through traffic near the Gardiner ramps, or make quick turns across crosswalks in the Financial District. A single moment of distraction behind the wheel can also erase all of the benefits of careful planning and infrastructure investment.
Common reasons why serious or fatal car accidents still happen in Toronto include:
- Speeding – Even with lower posted limits, some Toronto drivers routinely exceed safe speeds, especially on wide roads such as Eglinton Avenue or Steeles Avenue. Higher speeds mean more force at impact and more severe injuries.
- Distracted Driving – Texting while driving, adjusting the radio, using phone apps, or glancing down at a phone while driving or turning at a downtown intersection can mean not seeing a cyclist or a pedestrian in the crosswalk until it is too late.
- Failure To Yield To Pedestrians Or Cyclists – Many serious collisions occur when drivers roll through crosswalks, turn right on red, or fail to check for cyclists in bike lanes.
- Impaired Driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs continue to cause an alarming number of accidents in Toronto.
- Tired Driving – Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving, especially late at night and on weekends.
There are many other reasons why accidents happen in Toronto. That’s why drivers must do everything they can to keep Toronto’s streets safe for other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
How Can A Toronto Car Accident Lawyer Help After A Serious Crash?
If you’re recovering from a Toronto car accident, you’re already dealing with enough. Navigating Ontario’s accident benefits system, managing paperwork, and pushing back against aggressive insurance company tactics is not something you should have to do on your own. That’s why legal support is so important. A skilled Toronto car accident lawyer can:
- Clarify Your Legal Options Early – You can learn what benefits are available, how fault is determined, and what deadlines apply long before you have to make big decisions.
- Gather And Preserve Critical Evidence – From surveillance video and dash-cam footage to black-box data and medical records, strong evidence can make the difference between a fair settlement and an unsuccessful claim.
- Calculate The True Cost Of Your Injuries – A serious injury affects your income, your independence,e and your family life. Your legal team can work with doctors and rehabilitation professionals to understand what you will need in the years ahead.
- Negotiate With Insurers And Take Cases To Court When Needed – Insurance companies track trends and bottom lines, not individual pain. Having a law firm that’s prepared to stand up to them helps level the playing field.
At Smitiuch Injury Law, our focus is always on you. We know how devastating a car crash can be for injury victims and their families. That’s why our Toronto car accident lawyers want to help. Our case results show we know how to handle complex legal issues. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you. Schedule a free consultation at one of our three Ontario office locations: Toronto, Brantford, and Simcoe.
“I highly recommend Smitiuch Injury Law to anyone in need of legal representation. Their professionalism and commitment to their clients are second to none. Thank you to everyone at Smitiuch Injury Law for your excellent service!" – Connor B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
