Transit Operators Owe Passengers a High Duty of Care

Buses, streetcars, subways, and trains carry millions of passengers, and the operators of these systems — the TTC, GO Transit/Metrolinx, and regional services — are held to a high standard of care for the safety of their passengers. When that duty is breached and a passenger is hurt, the operator can be held responsible.

Transit injuries commonly arise from sudden braking or acceleration, collisions involving the transit vehicle, doors closing on passengers, slips and falls on wet or poorly maintained surfaces, and boarding or alighting incidents.

Notice deadlines are short. Claims against transit authorities and other public bodies are frequently subject to short statutory notice periods. Failing to give proper written notice in time can bar an otherwise valid claim. Contact us promptly so the right notice is given.

Two Possible Routes to Compensation

The path to compensation depends on how you were injured:

  • Motor-vehicle collisions involving the transit vehicle can engage Ontario's no-fault accident benefits (SABS) system in addition to a tort claim, since a bus or streetcar is a motor vehicle.
  • Non-collision incidents — such as a fall caused by a defective surface or a door malfunction — are typically pursued as a negligence/occupiers'-liability claim against the transit authority.

We assess which framework applies and pursue every available source of compensation.

Proving a Transit Claim

Transit vehicles and stations are heavily monitored. We move quickly to obtain CCTV footage, vehicle telematics, incident reports, and maintenance records — evidence that can be overwritten if not requested promptly. Witness statements and your own contemporaneous notes are also valuable.

What To Do If You Are Injured on Transit

  • Report the incident to the operator or station staff and get an incident/report number.
  • Seek medical attention and keep all records.
  • Note the vehicle/route number, time, and location; keep your fare or transfer.
  • Photograph any hazard and your injuries; collect witness details.
  • Call Azimi Law promptly — notice deadlines may already be running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there really a deadline to notify the TTC or transit authority?
Yes. Claims against public transit authorities and municipalities are frequently subject to short statutory notice requirements. Missing them can defeat a valid claim, so you should contact us as soon as possible after the incident so written notice is given correctly and in time.
I fell because the bus braked suddenly. Do I have a claim?
Possibly. Transit operators owe passengers a high duty of care, and abrupt, unnecessary braking or acceleration that injures a passenger can ground a claim. The outcome depends on the specific facts, the operator's conduct, and the available evidence, which is why prompt investigation matters.
Do accident benefits apply to a TTC injury?
If your injury arose from a collision involving the transit vehicle (a motor vehicle), the no-fault accident-benefits system can apply alongside a tort claim. For non-collision incidents, the claim is usually pursued as negligence or occupiers' liability against the transit authority.
How important is the CCTV footage?
Very. Transit vehicles and stations are extensively recorded, and the footage can be decisive — but it is often overwritten within a short period. We request preservation immediately on being retained.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. We handle transit-injury claims on a contingency basis, with our fee payable only from a successful recovery.