Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Red Deer

Accidents can happen at any time for any reason. You can be a perfect driver who always looks both ways, never speeds, is constantly alert, and is never distracted, unfortunately, that won’t stop a driver from carelessly cruising down the highway and crashing their vehicle into you. Someone else’s negligence may cause you to face unexpected repercussions, some of which can lead to life-long disability and, in the worst-case scenario, death.

Our Red Deer motor vehicle accident lawyers have experience navigating the complexities of motor vehicle injury claims to help victims receive the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one were seriously harmed in a motor vehicle accident, reach out to our legal team for a free initial consultation.

What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident in Red Deer, Alberta

You can be faced with a sudden collision at a moment’s notice and forced to deal with the unsettling aftermath that is left. Knowing how to proceed best can make a notable difference in your recovery and the success of your claim, whether it is a minor bump in the road or a significant car wreck. When in an accident, it is beneficial to:

1. Stay calm: While it seems obvious, it can be easy to panic during an accident. Being panicked can run the risk of making careless mistakes. Take a deep breath and focus on what you can do to stay safe.

2. Check for Injuries: Look around the scene, check for injuries, and make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away. Don’t move anyone injured unless necessary. Moving an injured person can make their injuries worse.

3. Move out of traffic: If possible and safe, move your vehicle out of traffic and onto the side of the road. Doing so can prevent further collisions from happening and will reduce the disruption of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If you have flares, safety flags, or traffic lights, set those up. This will alert other drivers of your accident.

4. Stay there: Leaving the scene of an accident violates traffic laws. You face the risk of criminal sanctions, demerit points, or fines if you fail to stop after an accident, even if you are not at fault. Failing to stop can also jeopardize your ability to get compensation later.

5. Exchange Information: Collect the contact information of parties involved and of witnesses available. Get the vehicle and insurance information of the vehicles involved. Information you should collect includes name, address, phone number, driver’s licence, licence plate number, insurance policy numbers and insurance company information.

6. Gather Evidence: Make a note of the location of the accident. Take photos and videos of the accident, damage, and the scene. Look for and document things like skid marks, vehicle debris, traffic signs, road conditions, and injuries. Look around for cameras that may have recorded the accident. Ask nearby eyewitnesses for statements.

7. Report to the Police: The police must be notified, and a report must be made if any of the following occurs: Someone is injured; a driver is uninsured, unlicensed, or doesn’t have their vehicle registration; one of the vehicles is undrivable; or the total damage caused by the accident is over $5000.

8. File a Collision Report Form: In serious accidents or those with damage greater than $5000, a collision report form must be filed at the police station. A police-issued damage sticker will be provided once the accident is reported. Get a copy of the report and the file number. Failure to report can result in demerit points and a fine. Passengers should make the report if the driver is unable to do so.

9. Get Medical Attention: See a medical professional immediately. You may be unaware of the severe injuries you have undergone. Specific symptoms can take hours or days to appear. Waiting too long can worsen your injuries. Further, getting medical attention will create a paper trail to help support any claim you make. Make sure to save a copy of all bills for treatment.

10. Speak to a Lawyer: The healing process from an accident can be long and strenuous. Many steps are involved, and making mistakes or becoming confused can be easy. Working with a lawyer who has experience in handling motor vehicle accidents can help. A lawyer can simplify the process for you, inform you of your rights and obligations, what to do and not to do, and support you during the claims process.

Schedule a free initial consultation with our Reed Deer car accident lawyers.

Determining Fault

It is not up to drivers to determine who is responsible at the scene of the accident. After an accident, the police may investigate and, if appropriate, issue tickets for traffic violations. When investigating the accident and making a report, the police will consider whether any drivers were negligent, disregarded traffic safety, or violated traffic rules. What the police say is not the final word on who is at fault in a civil case. The issuance of tickets does not necessarily equate to being at fault.

Similarly, who the insurance company determines to be at fault internally does not determine who is at fault in a civil case. When making an internal decision about fault, insurance companies may consider police reports, traffic rules, previous cases, and the type of accident.

Even if you are partially at fault, you may still be able to pursue compensation. Speak to our Red Deer car accident lawyers to better understand how fault works and how it may impact the compensation you receive. Our lawyers will work with you to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Insurance Coverage

As a rule of thumb, motor vehicle drivers must have automobile insurance with a minimum coverage of $200,000 in third-party liability protection, direct compensation for property damage, and accident benefits. Additional protections can be purchased but are not required.

Accident benefits, such as Section B benefits, will protect drivers, regardless of who is at fault. They provide coverage for expenses relating to medical payments, death, grief counselling, funeral, and total disability. These benefits are available to insured persons for two years. Unfortunately, they also have a limit on the funding provided. Medical expenses are capped at $50,000, funeral expenses at $5,000, and disability payments at less than 80% of weekly income or $400, to name a few. Certain expenses in the different benefit categories may have lower cutoffs.

Catastrophic accidents carry the risk of requiring extensive support that is needed for longer than the 2-year cut-off period. Further, some injuries may require support not covered by the benefits.

Pursuing a motor vehicle accident claim can help you get additional financial compensation not covered by accident benefits. You deserve to have a chance to get your life back on track. Call today for a free initial consultation with our Red Deer motor vehicle accident lawyers to understand how to move forward.

Uninsured Accidents

You can access Alberta’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC) if you are in an uninsured or hit-and-run motor vehicle accident. This provides an option to pursue legal action when the at-fault driver flees the accident scene or doesn’t have insurance. The program may give the victims up to $200,000 in compensation. This option is only available as a last resort.

Statute of Limitations for Motor Vehicle Claims

If you decide to pursue a legal application, you must be mindful of the statute of limitations for submitting a claim. A statute of limitations is a law that specifies how much time you have after an event or dispute that you were involved in to initiate a legal proceeding. For most motor vehicle accidents, you have a period of 2 years after the accident to sue the at-fault party. While pursuing legal action may not be your central concern after being in an accident, it is essential to know that after two years, it is possible the door for compensation closes. Contact our law firm for more information.

How Our Legal Team Can Help

Our Red Deer car accident lawyers, with their great appreciation of the law and years of experience, offer a free initial consultation to individuals who have sustained serious injuries in all types of motor vehicles and car accidents. Our lawyers will work with you to help you understand the litigation process and will explain the kind of compensation you may be entitled to.

Since 1959, our firm has had one main goal: to help those wronged recover. Accidents can be expensive, time-consuming, and can cause immense pain and suffering. While financial compensation may not be the be-all-all solution, it can provide essential support in recuperating. Because we care about our clients, we will only work on contingency. Which means that we don’t receive a dime unless you do. Contact us to take the first step towards your recovery with a firm that will stand beside you.

Resources Available for Red Deer Locals

Being in an accident is never easy; it can be overwhelming and exhausting. Finding helpful resources to guide you on the road to recovery can be a challenge. We are here to help- let our Red Deer motor vehicle accident lawyers guide you. We have compiled a list of resources to help you during this tough time. The aim is to support you and help streamline your road to recovery. These resources aim to support you and are not associated with or affiliated with Preszler Injury Lawyers.

• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (for uninsured motor vehicle accidents)
• MADD- Trauma, Loss, and Bereavement Support
• Red Deer City Victim Services Unit
• Red Deer Reporting Motor Vehicle Collisions
• Red Deer Police (RCMP) Services)

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