Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers St. Albert

A motor vehicle accident occurs when at least one motor vehicle collides with an object, person, or car. While not an exhaustive list, some of the most common collision types are head-on, hit-and-run, multi-vehicle, rear-end, intersection, side-impact, sideswipe, and lane-change collisions.

Many things can trigger these collisions to occur. Some of the leading factors contributing to fatal collisions in Canada include impaired driving, lack of safety equipment (i.e. no seatbelts), improper speed (i.e. driving too fast), inappropriate driving in an intersection (i.e. running a red light or failing to yield), and distracted driving.

These accidents have the potential to cause serious bodily harm and, in certain circumstances, death. Some common injuries from accidents that we have seen clients experience include whiplash, neck injuries, head trauma, brain trauma, fractures, open wounds, facial lacerations, massive blood loss, internal injuries, and loss of limbs. Some of these injuries can be long-lasting, have persisting impacts, and be permanently life-altering.

If you have legal questions following an accident in St. Albert, contact our St. Albert motor vehicle accident lawyers today for a free initial consultation.

Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Our Firm Can Advance

Over the years, our firm has handled many motor vehicle accident cases. We have advanced all sorts of claims involving different types of vehicles and circumstances. Some of the claims we have successfully worked on in the past have involved:

• Trucks (i.e. pickup trucks, long-haul, 18-wheelers, and rentals);
• Cars (i.e. sedans and SUVs);
• Commercial Vehicles (i.e. cargo van);
• All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Vehicles (UTVs);
• Watercraft (i.e. boats and jet skis);
• Motorcycles, Mopeds, Dirt Bikes, E-Bikes, E-Scooters;
• Buses and Public Transit;
• Bicycles;
• Pedestrians;
• Snowmobiles;
• Rental cars;
• And More.

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, contact our firm for a free initial consultation. Our St. Albert motor vehicle accident lawyers can help you pursue the necessary compensation.

Prevalence and Impact of Motor Vehicle Accidents in St. Albert

While the city of St. Albert uses various safety precautions to reduce motor vehicle accidents, an upward trend indicates increased collisions and injuries. Road traffic injuries are still the chief cause of injury-related death and disability in the Metropolitan Region. Over 25% of motor vehicle collisions in the area result in injury or death.

Accidents can have a costly and devastating impact on victims, their families, communities, and society. Motor vehicle accidents can:

• Contribute to a loss of productivity;
• Cause victims pain & suffering;
• Reduce quality of life;
• Cause significant property damage;
• Lead to excessive medical expenses;
• Cause life-long injuries; and
• Cause unexpected out-of-pocket expenses (such as funeral costs).

The Capital Region Integrated Safety Partnership (CRSIP), which aims to improve road safety in major metropolitan areas in Alberta, such as St. Albert, has found that car accidents causing injury or death can cost victims and their families tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. These values also don’t include other costs, such as grief and suffering incurred and the loss of income, which cannot be easily calculated.

Given the significant financial and emotional burden that motor vehicle accidents can trigger, it can be helpful to understand your legal rights and responsibilities after an accident. While monetary compensation may not be able to fully return you to the position you were in before an accident, it could help you move toward recovery. Contacting our St. Albert car accident lawyers can help you navigate the potentially complex minefield of personal injury litigation.

Next Steps After Getting Into a Motor Vehicle Accident Where You Sustained Serious Injuries

While precautions can be taken to avoid accidents, such as practicing defensive driving, following traffic rules, and avoiding distractions, unavoidable motor vehicle accidents can happen instantly, at any minute. The moment of impact can trigger an array of physical and emotional responses. It is important to be alert and control the situation. The scene of an accident is bursting with evidence, some of which may help you advance your case. The following steps should be taken if you are in an accident:

1. Find Out if Anyone is Injured: Call 911 to contact emergency services if anyone is hurt. Once it’s safe, secure the scene by turning on your hazard lights and moving away from traffic. Avoid moving anyone severely injured to prevent further harm.

2. Don’t Leave the Scene of the Accident: Leaving the scene of an accident can lead to fines and criminal charges and create added difficulty in making a claim later.

3. Exchange Information: Collect the other driver’s contact, insurance, and vehicle information. If the other driver refuses to provide you with their information, note down their licence plate number and a description of the driver’s appearance. Look for witnesses and ask for their contact information as well. Take photos and videos of the scene. It is at this point that you want to gather any available evidence.

4. Report to the Police: Notify the police if the accident caused damages greater than $5000, if someone is hurt, if one of the vehicles is not driveable, or if one of the drivers does not have a licence, registration, or insurance. Make a police report and ask for a copy. If your vehicle cannot be driven, arrange for it to be towed. A police officer may be able to help you with this task.

5. Report to Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company of the accident if you wish to make a claim. This must be done regardless of who is at fault.

6. See a Doctor: Certain injuries, such as internal injuries, may not be evident during an accident but can rapidly deteriorate. Seeing a doctor can help prevent any hidden conditions from worsening and assist you in recovering.

7. Contact Our Accident Lawyers: If you were seriously harmed during an accident and need help getting compensation, contact our law firm for a free initial consultation.

Our legal team understands the claims process and can help you navigate the complexities of a motor vehicle accident claim and help you get the compensation you deserve

Importance of Seeking Medical Care After a Motor Vehicle Accident

After a motor vehicle accident, the main priority is to recover from any injuries sustained. Getting medical care plays a crucial role in helping you recover. Working with medical professionals to investigate and treat injuries can help you heal and support your claim. This can involve getting a combination of treatments that may or may not be covered by the Alberta Healthcare Insurance Plan, private health insurance, or Section B benefits. Some standard medical and rehabilitative therapies include:

• Getting imaging and medical examinations (i.e. X-rays, MRIs, Ultrasounds, CTs);
• Conferring with specialists (i.e. Surgeons, Neurologists, Psychiatrist, Orthopedists);
• Taking medication and supplements;
• Getting surgery;
• Attending registered massage therapy sessions;
• Participating in physical therapy;
• Receiving occupational therapy;
• Getting acupuncture;
• Seeing a Chiropractor;
• And More.

Medical care may also involve using aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, braces, walkers, or a splint. Over time, medical costs not covered by public or private health insurance can quickly rack up and diminish available accident benefits. For instance, Section B benefits are capped at $50,000 for medical expenses and are only available for two years after the accident. This may not be sufficient if you experience severe injuries that will take years to heal.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured and require extensive medical and rehabilitation treatment, know that there may be options available to cover the cost. Contact our St. Albert car accident lawyers for a free initial consultation to learn about the avenues available to you.

Role of Insurance Companies and the Claims Process

By law, all Alberta drivers are required to obtain and carry valid auto insurance for their vehicles. At a minimum, the insurance policy must have a minimum of $200,000 in third-party liability insurance and must have accident benefits. Basic insurance will cover drivers, passengers and possibly pedestrians involved in an accident. Contacting your insurance company can be a helpful first step in getting compensation for a motor vehicle accident, as your insurance coverage may provide accident benefits.

However, given the limitations that basic insurance policies have, it can be helpful to speak to an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer to understand other ways you can be compensated for an accident.

Section B benefits

Section B benefits are accident benefits that are required as a part of a basic insurance policy. These benefits are provided regardless of who is at fault. They may cover expenses relating to medical treatment, rehabilitation, funerals, income loss, disability, and death. In the event of serious injury, it is essential to keep receipts for medical and rehabilitation treatment that the Alberta Healthcare Insurance plan or your extended healthcare benefits provider does not cover. Your accident benefits may cover these treatments.

These benefits have a two-year limitation, with each benefit type being capped. For instance, income replacement is capped at 80% of weekly income up to a maximum of $400 per week for 104 weeks. Due to these limits, you may be unable to cover all your expenses or lost income. Our St. Albert motor vehicle accident lawyers have experience in handling severe motor vehicle accident claims and can assist you in pursuing fair and meaningful compensation that may help cover expenses that your Section B benefits might not.

How the Auto Insurance Claims Process Typically Works

After an accident, you should notify your insurer to start the claims process and contact a lawyer as soon as possible. An adjuster will work with you to get the relevant details and investigate the accident. After an investigation, the insurer will determine who is liable for the accident. You should retain a lawyer to review the company’s decision. Once the damage from the accident is assessed, the insurer will inform you of what is and is not covered. The insurer may request that you sign a release form to get paid and resolve the matter. Do not sign a release form or accept an offer from your insurance until you speak with a lawyer. Signing a release before talking to a lawyer can run the risk of not getting the compensation that you are owed.

If you are seriously injured from a motor vehicle accident in St. Albert, you should book a free consultation with our car accident lawyers. Call our St. Albert car accident lawyers for a free initial consultation to better understand the compensation you may be entitled to.

How Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help

There is an abundance of information available online that can tell you what to do if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident. However, if you’ve been harmed in an accident, it can be difficult to navigate through all the resources available while trying to rest and recover from the accident. This is why our firm is here to support you in your time of need. Allow us to use the knowledge and skills we have developed over decades to help you understand your options after you have been harmed in an accident. We aim to help you recover as much as possible from your accident, which is why you don’t pay unless you win.

Over the years, we have developed our craft to understand the needs of our clients better and learn how to support them. We have created dedicated resources to help you manage your claim. So, if you or your loved one has fallen victim to a motor vehicle accident, contact our St. Albert motor vehicle accident lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation.

Resources Available for Accident Victims

The aftermath of motor vehicle accidents can be devastating. The following is a list of publicly available resources to help you during your difficult time. The following are not associated or affiliated with Preszler Injury Lawyers Alberta but rather serve as an informational resource to help you:

• St. Albert Victim Services
• Alberta Health Services: Grief & Bereavement Support
• St. Albert Collision Reporting
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program