Car Accident Lawyers Chestermere

It is easy to lose sight of how common motor vehicle accidents can be. Despite numerous safety measures, motor vehicle collisions are still an unfortunate and expected part of driving.

A five-year study of traffic statistics in Chestermere shows a 300% increase in motor vehicle collisions causing injury. This surprising number serves as a reminder that even in supposedly safe neighbourhoods, motor vehicle accidents and injuries still happen.

These accidents are caused by various factors, such as impaired driving and speeding. This is why practicing safe driving habits and knowing your rights is essential. Knowing your legal rights, such as knowing what you can claim compensation for, can help you recover from the aftermath of an accident and hold those responsible.

Our Chestermere motor vehicle accident lawyers have dedicated their practice to helping clients and explaining to them their rights. Let us help you as well. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to understand how the law can help you.

Navigating the Aftermath of a Motor Vehicle Accident

Navigating the aftermath of a collision can be scary and confusing. It can be easy to second-guess what the proper steps are. Taking the appropriate steps can make a world of difference in helping you navigate the legal aftermath. Be mindful to do the following if you or someone close is in an accident:

1. Stay Calm and Look for Injuries: The most important thing after an accident is to ensure that anyone who needs medical attention gets it right away. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away.

2. Move to the Side of the Road: An accident can distract other drivers and cause traffic to slow down. Move to the shoulder of the road to avoid getting in the way of other vehicles. Once you move your car, turn on your hazard lights and exit.

3. Get the Information of all Parties Involved: Collect the contact, insurance, and vehicle information for all drivers involved in the accident. Also, get the contact information of passengers and nearby witnesses.

4. Get Evidence of the Accident: Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident. Ask nearby witnesses for statements. Look around for any cameras that may have recorded the accident.

5. Report the collision: Call the police if the total damage is over $5000, if someone is hurt, if the vehicles need to be towed, or if one of the drivers is unlicensed, uninsured, or is missing their vehicle registration. If these do not apply, report the accident to a collision reporting centre. Also, inform your insurance company of the accident if you intend to make a claim.

6. Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer: A motor vehicle accident lawyer will be able to inform you of your rights and responsibilities. They can help you negotiate with the involved parties to help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our Chestermere car accident lawyers have years of experience putting forward car accident claims for clients injured in a collision. Schedule a free initial consultation with our lawyers to learn more about your rights.

Accident Benefits and Insurance for Motor Vehicle Accidents

Worrying about how you will financially support yourself can be easy when you’ve gotten into an accident. Even with public health care, accidents can still cost victims significant money. Luckily, insured individuals are provided with accident benefits, which act as the first line of defence to provide relief. All drivers must have mandatory minimum insurance coverage of $200,000 in third-party liability coverage and Section B accident benefits.

Section B benefits, also commonly referred to as “no-fault benefits,” provide money to injured individuals to help pay for the losses they experience because of the accident. This includes payment for:

• Medical treatments and supports;
• Rehabilitation (i.e. physical therapy);
• Assistive devices (i.e. crutches);
• Funeral costs;
• Grief support; and
• Disability support (for loss of income).

These benefits can be used during the first two years after the accident. These usually cannot be accessed beyond this period. There is also a limit on the amount of money provided for each category. For instance, your accident benefits will only cover the first $50,000 incurred in medical expenses. It also does not give full income coverage, as the payment maxes out at $400 weekly.

If you are unable to work or need extensive treatment to heal from your injuries, these benefits likely won’t be enough to support you. Fortunately, additional options are available to help you recover from the losses you encounter. Our Chestermere motor vehicle accident lawyers are experienced and can explain available options. Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more. If you and a loved one were injured, know that help is available; don’t wait to get the compensation you deserve.

Claimable Compensation for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims in Chestermere

Sometimes, relying on accident benefits and your health insurance isn’t enough. Severe accidents that cause long-lasting injuries and disabilities can completely alter your life. In such situations, it may be beneficial to consider pursuing legal action against the person responsible for the accident.

Understandably, going to court is overwhelming; however, pursuing legal action may provide greater compensation than insurance alone. For instance, in a lawsuit, not only can you sue for the monetary losses you face, such as the damage to your property, medical expenses, lost wages, or loss of future income, but you can also sue for non-monetary losses, such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Even though you can’t quickly put a price tag on the pain and suffering you experience, you still deserve acknowledgment of what you went through. In Canada, if you experience the most severe injuries and harm, you may be able to claim up to roughly $400,000 for non-monetary damages. These damages are assessed by considering the severity of the accident, the impact it had on your life, and the pain suffered. A car accident lawyer can help you assess the value of your claim to gain a better understanding.

Elements of a Motor Vehicle Claim

When you are suing someone for compensation, you are doing so because someone hurt you and you suffered a loss. All drivers have an unwritten contract when they choose to get behind the wheel — to drive safely. When someone chooses not to drive safely, they essentially break this contract. If unsafe driving causes an accident that leads to someone getting hurt, they could be taken to court to be held responsible. This involves showing that the injuries you experienced were because of the accident, and the accident was because the driver did not drive safely.

The process of suing for compensation for your injuries involves the following:

1. Filing an Action: Within two years of the accident, a statement of claim must be made to start the litigation process. This document will formally begin your lawsuit and will notify the defendant (the person responsible for the accident) that you are suing them and the reasons why. It will also outline the amount of damages you are claiming. It is essential to be careful when making a statement of claim, as it is the main starting point of your claim, which is why it is helpful to hire a lawyer.

2. Prepare Evidence: Once the statement of claim is filed, evidence must be collected and prepared. This evidence will be used to support your claim that the defendant was responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. You and the defendant will then provide each other with a copy of the evidence.

3. Participate in Discovery: Once everyone has had time to review the evidence, both sides can ask questions about the evidence. This process is known as discovery. It is key to finding additional evidence and facts about your case. The discovery outcome frequently will prompt a settlement to occur, as it could alert the parties to the likelihood of success in trial.

4. Attempt to Settle: Motor vehicle accident claims are usually settled outside the trial. Usually, the parties will participate in a settlement hearing to resolve the matter. If the parties cannot agree on a settlement figure, they can go to alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation.

5. Go to Trial: The parties can go to court if the matter is unresolved. This is quite rare. If you decide to go to trial, having a lawyer prepare your case is helpful.

The process of motor vehicle litigation can be, unfortunately, complex and time-consuming. There are many technicalities involved in pursuing litigation. Despite the numerous online resources to explain the court process, building a case without prior experience can still be challenging. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims bring forward cases for compensation. Allow our team of lawyers to advance your case so you can focus your energy on healing and recovering.

The Role Our Car Accident Lawyers Play In Your Accident

Our team of car accident lawyers has spent years carefully crafting the skill of making their clients’ voices heard. Making a motor vehicle accident claim is more about getting money; it’s about acknowledging the harm suffered, helping people recover, and moving forward from a traumatic event. This important goal is instilled throughout our firm. We have always been a plaintiff-only firm that focuses on ensuring those who are wronged get the help they deserve.

Over the years, our firm has helped many clients navigate the complex and difficult world of litigation to get compensation for their injuries. It can be hard to file a lawsuit, and worrying about recovering from your wounds can be challenging, so we want to ease your burdens. Let us use our experience to make recovering compensation easier for you. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about your rights and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Chestermere Resources for Motor Vehicle Accident Victims

The following resources are available for Chestermere locals to help them recover from the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. These resources are not associated with Preszler Injury Lawyers but are listed to help you find additional support to help you recover.

• Chestermere RCMP
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC)
• Chestermere Community Health Centre

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