Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Canmore

Cars can provide an immense amount of joy and freedom. They allow you to travel from place to place freely and can help make your day more convenient. However, cars and all motor vehicles, for that matter, are not a force to be reckoned with. Despite the benefits and safety features, motor vehicles can still be dangerous. They are heavy-duty machines that weigh tonnes and can reach speeds well over 100 km/h. Losing control of a motor vehicle is easy and can lead to sudden injury and death.

While several safety measures are implemented to reduce the risk of harm from motor vehicles, accidents still happen constantly, with over 100,000 collisions occurring in Alberta in 2021 alone. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, motor vehicles are still the leading cause of death and injury for teenagers. Further, Statistics Canada has found that car collisions contribute significantly to the occurrence of unintentional injuries, which is the leading cause of death for those under 30 and the fourth leading cause of death for all ages.

Given the prevalence of motor vehicle collisions, it is essential to know how to prevent an accident, what to do if you are in one, and what your rights are if you have been harmed. Our Canmore motor vehicle accident lawyers are experienced and clearly understand these risks. Our team can inform you of your rights and responsibilities following an accident and is well-prepared to provide legal support after an accident. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation if you or a loved one have been seriously harmed in an accident. With our knowledge, you can gain peace of mind knowing that you have our team to help you navigate the legal aftermath of an accident.

Ways to Prevent Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are tragic situations that are a part of the reality of driving. Many accidents can be prevented by being a careful and prudent driver. Some actions drivers can take include:

• Drive Slowly: A reduction in speed can reduce the likelihood of injury or death in a collision. The faster you go, the more significant the impact of a crash. Driving slowly will also give you more time to react to sudden changes on the road.

• Follow Driving Best Practices: Don’t fidget with the vehicle controls while driving, follow traffic laws, practice defensive driving (i.e. maintaining a safe distance), wear your seatbelt, check blind spots, and be aware of your surroundings.

• Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Moving your eyes away from the road for even a second can cause a catastrophic accident. Keep your eyes on the road.

• Drive Sober: Being impaired (whether it is from alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs) can be extremely dangerous and can increase the risk of an accident. These substances can slow your reaction time and compromise your driving ability.

• Don’t Drive When Tired: Being tired can impact your ability to control your vehicle and cause an accident. Your ability to think clearly and react significantly declines when tired.

• Consider Weather Conditions: Excessive snowfall or rain can cause your vehicle to skid. Use winter tires and drive in a controlled manner. Reduce your speed in poor weather. If there is low visibility, turn on your hazard lights.

Even with preventative measures, accidents can and do still occur. It can be challenging to control the actions of other drivers who may act negligently and cause an accident. That’s where our expertise comes in. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact our Canmore motor vehicle accident lawyers. We may be able to help you get the compensation to which you are entitled. We have successfully helped many clients receive compensation for the careless actions of others. Call now for a free initial consultation.

What to Do After a Collision

The seconds after an accident can be disorienting. However, the actions you take can impact your recovery and your case. It is essential to be mindful of what you say and do at the scene of an accident. Remember the following when in an accident:

1. Don’t Panic: Take a deep breath to help you calm down. Accidents are scary, but panicking will impact your ability to think clearly and make good decisions. Help is available, so focus on staying safe and controlling the situation.

2. Look for Injuries: Check yourself and everyone else for injuries. Look for things like deep wounds, bleeding, swelling, excessive pain, signs of head trauma, loss of limb movement/sensation, or difficulty breathing. Call 911 right away if anyone is hurt. Do not move anyone injured unless there is a risk of further harm.

3. Don’t Run Away: You must remain at the accident scene. Fleeing the scene of an accident or agreeing with the other to leave is a crime. You may receive a criminal charge or demerit points.

4. Protect the Scene: Move onto the shoulder of the road to avoid interrupting traffic. Switch your hazard lights, put up traffic cones or flares, and leave the vehicle. Don’t stand too close to any of the cars, as there is a risk incoming traffic could collide with them and hit you.

5. Call the Police: Call the police if anyone is wounded, the vehicles involved cannot be driven, the damage of the accident is over $5,000, or one of the drivers involved fails to provide a copy of their licence, insurance, or vehicle registration.

6. Gather Evidence of the Accident: The scene of an accident is teeming with evidence. Check dashcams and cameras in the area for recordings of the accident. Take photos of the damage and accident. This includes taking pictures of skid marks, traffic signs, vehicle debris, and injuries. Check for eyewitnesses and get a statement and their contact information.

7. Collect Contact Information: Collect the contact information of all parties involved in the accident. Also, all drivers’ insurance and vehicle information must be collected. Remember to verify the accuracy of the information provided. If a party refuses to provide their information, take a photo of their licence plate and note a description of their appearance.

8. Get Medical Attention: Getting medical care is one of the most essential recovery steps. Specific injuries, such as head trauma, don’t always have symptoms right away but can cause significant harm to you. A medical professional knows which signs and symptoms to look for and can help you treat your wounds early. This will also provide evidence supporting the accident that caused your injuries.

9. Report the Accident: If no one is harmed, the vehicles can be driven, or the damage is less than $5,000, report to a collision reporting centre. Remember to get a copy of the collision/police report. Also, report the accident to your insurance provider to make a claim.
10. Contact our Canmore Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers: A motor vehicle accident lawyer will know the proper steps to take after an accident and can advise you on how to proceed. Our team will help you understand what you are legally entitled to.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Our experienced Canmore motor vehicle accident lawyers are ready to use their abilities to support you. Contact our firm for a free no-obligation consultation if you or a loved one were seriously harmed in a motor vehicle accident.

Impact of Motor Vehicle Accidents

A motor vehicle accident can have many unanticipated implications. Accidents can have significant societal, social, familial, and personal costs, from the billions of dollars they cost the country for health care and economic costs to the loss of independence for families. They can lead to a loss of productivity, security, and stability. Car collisions can cause all sorts of harm, ranging from physical to mental and can require extensive and expensive treatment. Some commonly seen and underappreciated psychological disorders that we have seen clients experience include:

• Sleep disorders such as insomnia;
• Post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Anxiety;
• Fear of driving; and
• Depression.

Often, these conditions are not taken seriously. However, they can have as much of an impact on a car accident survivor as physical injuries. In addition to the emotional trauma experienced, motor vehicle accidents can cause substantial physical injuries, such as:

• Fractures and broken bones;
• Road rash, cuts, burns and extensive bleeding;
• Internal wounds and severe bruising;
• Amputations;
• Head, brain, back, and neck trauma;
• Chronic pain;
• Loss of limb function and paralysis; and
• More

There are many medical and rehabilitative options to help heal the psychological and physical wounds caused by accidents. Some common treatments we have seen our clients use to recover from their wounds include:

• Acupuncture;
• Counselling;
• Chiropractic services;
• Physiotherapy;
• Occupational therapy;
• Surgery;
• Medication;
• Supplements;
• Crutches and splits;
• Prosthetics; and
• More.

Some of these treatment options may be covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), your accident benefits, and private insurance, while others may not. It is important to remember that you may require documentation to support these costs if you claim them through your insurance.

These treatments also don’t factor in other costs, such as taking time off work and travelling to and from treatment. Injuries that take years to heal can lead to huge bills. Our motor vehicle accident team may be able to help you fight for compensation to cover these expenses. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake; compensation may be available to you; contact our skilled team today for a free consultation.

Motor Vehicle Insurance and Section B Accident Benefits in Canmore

As required by law, all Canmore drivers must have valid automobile insurance. The minimum coverage that must be provided includes $200,000 of third-party liability insurance and Section B accident benefits. Other optional coverage may be added on for an additional fee.

Section B Accident benefits provide benefits to those insured regardless of fault. These benefits will cover expenses that occur because of a motor vehicle accident. Insured victims may be eligible to use these benefits for up to two years after the accident. These benefits may provide payment for medical expenses incurred (such as dental, medical, surgical, psychological services, etc.), death-related expenses (such as funeral and counselling), and disability expenses (such as loss of income). Each of these benefits has a financial limitation on the amount claimable. These benefits do not cover losses outside these categories, such as pain and suffering or damage to personal property.

The financial limitations on these benefits, such as the $400 weekly limit for loss of income and the $50,000 limit on medical expenses, may not be enough for serious accidents. Those suffering from wounds that will take longer than two years to heal or need extensive ongoing treatment will likely need additional financial support that these benefits would not cover. Reaching out to a motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you understand how you can be compensated. Our firm can communicate with insurance companies and negotiate with them to get the compensation you deserve. Reach out for a free initial consultation to better understand your rights.

How Our Canmore Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help

Having to face the consequences of the misdeeds of others isn’t fair. You may be a careful and law-abiding driver who was left severely harmed because someone wasn’t paying attention. While accident benefits and your health insurance may cover some of the costs you experience, they may not necessarily compensate you for the total loss you experience. For instance, psychological services and massage therapy aren’t covered by the AHCIP but may be crucial to your recovery. This is why our Canmore motor vehicle accident lawyers are here to help.

Over the years, we have seen all sorts of motor vehicle accident claims and understand what our clients are going through. Advancing a motor vehicle claim is not just about getting compensation; it’s about helping you recover, acknowledging that those at fault should be held responsible, and recognizing the pain and suffering you experienced.

Since 1959, our law firm has dedicated its resources to helping clients return to their former selves. Our priority has always been to help those who have been wronged. Because we believe in the cases we fight, your wins are our wins. We only get paid for our services if you win your case. Since you only have two years from the date of an accident to make a claim, don’t wait to reach out. Call today to schedule a free initial consultation with our Canmore car accident lawyers. We can take care of the heavy burdens of making a claim, such as filing a claim, gathering evidence, and negotiating with the different parties, so you can focus on recovering.

Resources for Canmore Locals

Enduring a motor vehicle accident can be scary and difficult. A million questions may run through your mind after you or a loved one are in an accident. While our firm connects our clients with resources to help them recover from their accidents, we have also provided a list of resources available for Canmore locals as they try to heal. These resources are not affiliated with Preszler Injury Lawyers Canmore but rather serve as a helpful resource for you. These resources serve as a starting point. Contact our firm if you have been seriously hurt to learn more about the available resources for motor vehicle accident victims.

• Bow Valley Victim Services Association (Serving Canmore)
• Canmore Public Health
• Canmore Public Safety: Who to call
• Canmore Mental Health Services
• Canmore Community Supports
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC)
  • The Government of Alberta launched the MVAC program to help victims involved in motor vehicle accidents where the at-fault driver was either uninsured or fled the accident. This program provides the ability to recover damages and receive compensation for losses sustained. This option offers up to $200,000 in compensation and is only available if no alternative options exist.