Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Lethbridge

Motor vehicle accidents significantly impact individuals, families, and society. The loss of productivity, increased insurance rates, and emotional trauma cost Lethbridge and its residents over $130 million annually.

Unfortunately, transportation-related accidents are an everyday reality that drivers in Lethbridge face, with at least one injury-causing accident occurring every day.

Despite safety measures, Lethbridge has a higher injury rate from motor vehicle accidents compared to similarly sized cities, with a general increase in accidents from 2020 to 2022.

These alarming statistics show that car accidents causing severe injury or death can happen to anyone at any time.

Understanding your legal rights can provide comfort after an accident. If you or a loved one are affected by an accident, know there are options to help you navigate the aftermath. We understand the hardships you face. You may be eligible to claim compensation for your injuries. Reach out to our team of Lethbridge motor vehicle accident lawyers to learn more about your options. We’re here to support and guide you through your case.

Next Steps to Take After a Motor Vehicle Collision

The impact of an accident can leave you feeling disoriented, making it challenging to make clear decisions. However, the steps taken immediately after an accident can significantly impact your physical, financial, and emotional recovery. Taking the following steps can empower you to take control of your situation and start your recovery process:

1. Stop your car: Stay at the scene of an accident. Driving away is a crime, and you can be fined or face criminal sanctions.

2. Look to see if someone is hurt: If someone is injured, leave them in place and call 911 right away to maintain safety.

3. Step out of your vehicle: Turn on your hazard lights, move your car onto the shoulder of the road, and step out of your vehicle to prevent further damage.

4. Call the police: You must call the police if anyone is hurt, there is damage over $5000, a vehicle needs towing, or a driver does not have a licence, insurance, or vehicle registration.

5. Gather information: Collect the contact information of everyone involved and witnesses. Document the scene, damage, and injuries. This will be helpful if you make a claim.

6. See a doctor: It can be hard to tell how serious your injuries are. A medical professional can assess and treat hidden injuries and help improve your recovery.

7. Speak to a car accident lawyer: A car accident lawyer can clarify your legal rights and help with a future legal claim.

Our Lethbridge motor vehicle accident lawyers can assist you during your recovery. You may have many questions, such as how to pay for the expenses you incur or how you can hold the at-fault driver responsible. Our team may be able to provide answers to your questions. Schedule a free consultation with our lawyers to learn more.

Importance of Receiving Medical Care

Car accidents can cause many kinds of injuries, ranging from minor to serious. Some commonly seen injuries from motor vehicle collisions include:

• Cuts and bruises;
• Traumatic head and brain injuries;
• Spinal cord and neck injuries;
• Burns;
• Soft tissue damage;
• Internal wounds and bleeding;
• Broken bones and sprains;
• Amputations;
• Paralysis;
• Anxiety, PTSD, and depression;
• Death.

These types of injuries can cause permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and immense pain and suffering. Recovery can take years and require extensive rehabilitation and medical treatment, impacting your daily life. Required treatments could include:

• Visting medical experts such as psychiatrists, surgeons, and neurologists;
• Surgery to repair injuries;
• Taking painkillers and other medications;
• Getting massage therapy;
• Purchasing assistive aids such as prosthetics, braces, walkers, or wheelchairs;
• Participating in counselling;
• And more.

Some medical treatments may not be fully covered by your health insurance and can quickly become expensive. Concerns over money should not stop you from getting the treatment you need. Our team of lawyers can help you explore legal options to help pay for much-needed treatment. Contact our firm to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation.

Insurance Process and Section B Benefits in Lethbridge

Knowing what insurance benefits are available after an accident can help provide support during the initial stages of recovery. As required by law, all Lethbridge drivers must have a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance and Section B benefits.

Section B benefits pay for expenses such as:

• Rehabilitation and Medical Treatment costs;
• Funeral expenses;
• Grief and bereavement counselling; and
• Disability income support.

To use these accident benefits, keep copies of your receipts for expenses claimed. You may need a doctor’s note to claim certain expenses.

These supports are accessible for up to two years after the accident. There are also financial caps for each type of benefit category, such as a $5000 limit for funeral expenses and a $50,000 cap on medical expenses. Because of these limits, Section B benefits may not be enough for a full recovery.

Our team can help you understand what is covered under these accident benefits and can discuss alternative options. Schedule a free initial consultation today if you were harmed in a motor vehicle accident.

Uninsured and Hit-and-run Accidents in Lethbridge

If you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident where the responsible driver was uninsured or ran away, you might still have options available to get compensation. The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC) allows Lethbridge residents to seek up to $200,000 in compensation for their injuries. This program is only available as a last resort when other forms of compensation are not available. The process of getting compensation through MVAC is similar to suing in court. Consult a lawyer to help you submit an MVAC claim.

The Role of Fault in Making a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim

Usually, when a severe accident occurs, police investigate the accident to determine the cause and make a report. The police may issue tickets and charges. Using their own internal rules, your insurance company will review the report and other evidence to determine who was at fault for the accident, which can impact the value of your claim.

You can still make a claim if you are partly at fault, however, the damages awarded may be reduced. Our Lethbridge lawyers have experience navigating claims like this. They can break down how your compensation will be impacted and work with you to create a plan to bring a strong case forward. Call our firm to schedule a free initial consultation if you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a motor vehicle accident.

How Suing for Compensation Can Help

Your health insurance or Section B benefits may not cover certain treatments, losses, or compensation for emotional distress. However, our legal system allows you to make a claim against an at-fault driver for the harm you suffered.

Typically, you can sue for lost past and future income, vehicle and property damage, medical and rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering. While there isn’t a hard limit on how much you can claim for most losses, in 1978, the Supreme Court of Canada set a cap of $100,000 for pain and suffering. After adjusting for inflation, that value is slightly above $400,000.

Determining the value of your claim can be tricky due to many factors. Our Lethbridge car accident lawyers are familiar with valuing claims and can help you avoid accepting a settlement that doesn’t reflect your losses. Schedule a free initial consultation with our team to learn more about your claim.

How Our Lethbridge Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Recovering from a motor vehicle accident requires many steps, such as fixing your car, dealing with insurance adjusters, and attending doctor appointments. Don’t add more stress to your plate. Let our law firm take over the burden of a lawsuit so you can focus on recovering. We are dedicated to helping clients secure compensation for the harm they experienced.

Since 1959, we have helped clients exercise their legal rights. We want to help you return to your former self and ease your recovery. Because we believe in our clients, we treat our client’s wins as our wins, which is why we don’t get paid unless you do. Let us leverage our skills and experience to help you. Schedule a free consultation with our motor vehicle accident lawyers today.

Types of Cases Our Lawyers Have Advanced

Advancing a motor vehicle accident claim involves many technicalities. Different types of accidents require different approaches. The impact of a motorcycle accident, for instance, can be different than the impact of a car accident. Over the past 60 years ago, Preszler Injury Lawyers has successfully advanced many types of motor vehicle accident claims, including the following:

• Car accidents;
• Motorcycle accidents;
• ATV, UTV, and off-road vehicle accidents;
• Boat accidents;
• Truck accidents;
• Bicycle accidents;
• Public transit accidents;
• Pedestrian accidents;
• Commercial vehicle accidents;
• Airplane accidents; and
• More.

Our Lethbridge lawyers have years of experience in handling motor vehicle accident claims and may be able to help you. Let us guide you through the litigation process and help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation with our lawyers to get a free case review.

Resources Available for Lethbridge Locals

The following is a list of resources available to support the residents of Lethbridge. Your community and our firm are here to support you during this difficult time. These resources are not associated with Preszler and are provided for easy access. If you were seriously harmed, we recommend contacting a lawyer familiar with motor vehicle accidents.

• Lethbridge Police Service: Victim Services
• Lethbridge Police Collision Reporting
• MADD: Lethbridge
• Alberta Health Services: Lethbridge Health Unit