Edmonton Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers

What Should I Do Immediately Following A Motor Vehicle Accident?

Immediately following a motor vehicle accident, you will likely be in so much pain or shock that you may not be thinking clearly, but there are certain key points to remember.

Your health and safety is paramount: you should always err on the side of caution and seek medical attention to determine your possible injuries. Sometimes these injuries are obvious – such as broken bones, sprains, cuts and bruises – but other injuries may not be visible or apparent for a while. The extent of head injuries, such as concussions, post-traumatic stress, or changes in cognitive ability may not become evident until some time later.

It’s very important that you don’t make any important decisions – including signing any documents or statements  – until you’ve sufficiently recovered from the initial shock and receive treatment for pressing injuries. Once you’re able to think more clearly, there are a few things to do before leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

If one or more motor vehicles are involved in the accident, record the names, registration and insurance information of all drivers. For these and other types of accidents, you should also note the names of any witnesses and, if possible, take photos of the accident scene or where your injury occurred. While the events are still fresh in your mind, write down the date, time and location of the accident, estimated speed of vehicles, number of passengers, weather and road conditions, and the makes and models of vehicles. If police come to the scene, take down their names and badge numbers. Then, when you’re able, you should contact your own insurance company to notify them of the accident.

What Should I Do Once I’ve Left The Scene Of My Motor Vehicle Accident?

Once the initial shock has worn off, in the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident there are likely many thoughts running through your mind: How will these injuries change my life? How will I pay for any special treatment I need? What if I’m not able to return to work? Who will take care of my responsibilities to my family? And, if someone’s negligence caused or contributed to your injury, how can I get compensation for my pain, suffering and losses?

At Litco Law, we know these concerns can be overwhelming. You should be able to focus on your healing, rehabilitation and recovery without having to expend too much time and energy trying to figure out how to access insurance or filing a claim for damages. That’s where we come in – when you retain Litco Law Edmonton motor accident lawyers to work on your Personal Injury accident case, we’re prepared to do the heavy lifting and support you on your quest for the benefits and compensation you deserve.

What Types Of Motor Vehicle Accidents And Injuries Do Litco Law Help With?

Litco Law Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyers deal with cases involving:

• car accidents
• trucking accidents
• motorcycle accidents
• bicycle, E-bike and E-scooter accidents
• pedestrian accidents
• hit and run accidents
• Uber and Lyft accidents
• ATV accidents
• traumatic brain injuries
• spinal cord injuries
• long-term disability due to an accident

How Can Litco Law Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Help You?

When you contact one of our Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyers for a free consultation, we will listen to your story with compassion and explain your legal options in a clear and understandable way.

If you decide to pursue your case with us, we will book appointments with specialists to properly assess your injuries and future needs, help facilitate rehabilitation and treatments, and work towards obtaining a settlement or award that fairly compensates you for your losses.

We work on a contingency basis, so you will not pay out of pocket for our service – we only get paid if we’re successful in helping you reach a settlement.

What Resources Are Available Following A Motor Vehicle Accident?

Alberta currently operates an at-fault system in which people who sustain injuries in a collision can recover damages for losses and pain and suffering from the at-fault or negligent driver, but the government has signalled this could be changing. A government-appointed Automobile Insurance Advisory Committee has proposed moving to a no-fault system in which an independent traffic injury regulator would settle claims. Moreover, the government has introduced legislation (Bill 41 – The Insurance (Enhancing Driver Affordability and Care) Amendment Act) that proposes to increase the number of minor injuries that are subject to caps on compensation.

These changes are meant to keep insurance premiums down for the province’s drivers. However, if implemented they could significantly reduce the ability of accident victims to recoup their losses and obtain the compensation they need to fund treatments and rehabilitation. As such, Personal Injury lawyers and victim rights advocates have cautioned against such changes.

The current system provides the resources everyone who is injured in a motor vehicle accident needs quickly (Section B benefits) while preserving an accident victim’s right to seek justice through the courts if another person’s negligence caused or contributed to their injuries.

Since determining fault and/or the proportion of fault in an accident can be time consuming, all persons involved in motor vehicle accidents in Alberta (including non-drivers and non-passengers and persons ultimately found to be at-fault for an accident) are eligible to receive no-fault Section B benefits. These benefits, which are mandated in all standard policies, provide up to $50,000 for medical expenses (with limits placed on some popular treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic sessions), income replacements of up to $400 or 80 percent of pre-tax earnings weekly, and benefits for deaths and funerals (up to $5,000) and grief counselling ($400). If you have a private insurance policy that you have purchased on your own or hold through your employer, you may be required to draw on those benefits before accessing Section B benefits.

If you have questions about how to access these resources or benefits through private policies, Section B benefits, or making a claim, Litco Law’s experienced and trusted Personal Injury lawyers are available to answer your questions, challenge denials of benefits, and ensure any settlements proposed by insurers are fair compensation for your losses and rehabilitation needs.

Let Us Be Your Guides Through The Litigation Process

The thought of filing a claim may seem complicated, confusing, and stress-inducing. As your trusted advocates, Litco Law’s Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyers will take the time to explain all the steps, answer your questions, and support you throughout the life of your case.

Our first step will be to talk to you about the circumstances surrounding your motor vehicle accident and gathering evidence to support this version of events. Next, we will begin assessing the extent of the damages and losses you have suffered and propose a remedy for the court. This information will form our statement of claim. Once filed with the court, we have one year to serve the document on the defendants (with the possibility of applying for a three-month extension if necessary).

Most Personal Injury cases settle prior to judgement at trial. However, at Litco Law we will never pressure you to settle if you believe it’s not in your best interest. We ensure our cases are always trial-ready and will pursue your claim to the very end.

Resources for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims

For more information on our firm and resource guides for motor vehicle accident victims, please visit these links:

• Alberta Automobile Injury Law Handbook
• Straight Talk – A Plain Language Guide To Personal Injury Claims
• No Fees, No Costs To Proceed – We Don’t Get Paid Until You Get Paid | Litco Law 
• We’re Here For You During The COVID-19 Crisis
• Litco Law Blog

Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, but the road to recovery can often be very long, lonely and uncertain. Litco Law Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyers are ready to walk beside you on this journey and help in any way we can, every step of the way.

Recognized by our clients, peers and the public as one of Canada’s Top Personal Injury Firms (Canadian Lawyer Magazine), Litco Law has grown from its humble beginnings to become Alberta’s largest Personal Injury firm. For over 44 years, we worked diligently to develop a reputation for compassionate service to accident victims, comprehensive and detail-oriented case building, and having expertise in the field.

Supported by a hard-working staff, our knowledgeable and experienced lawyers are interested in learning about you and your case and demonstrating our commitment to helping you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Looking For A Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Edmonton? Contact Us.

We service the Edmonton and surrounding area, including the counties of Parkland, Leduc, Strathcona, Sturgeon. When you need a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Edmonton, think Litco Law Personal Injury Lawyers.