Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Grande Prairie

Thousands of accidents occur in Alberta annually. To reduce the risk and incident rate of motor vehicle accidents, Grande Prairie has elected to create a traffic safety plan. Despite initial implementation of the plan showing improvement, the city of Grande Prairie still had 1,318 motor vehicle collisions in 2023, with 1,141 causing damage over $2000, 176 causing injuries, and 1 causing death. While the specific impact of each accident on the individual parties involved is still unclear, it is evident that these accidents were an unfortunate reality for the residents of Grande Prairie.

Particularly at risk of harm are younger drivers, who tend to be far more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents that lead to injury or a fatality. There also appears to be generally a higher incident rate of death and injury for those under 18 involved in motor vehicle accidents. These sudden accidents can affect the entire trajectory of these young lives.

Our Grande Prairie motor vehicle accident lawyers want to help you be heard. Our skilled team may be able to assist you. We have dealt with a diverse range of motor vehicle accidents and clients; whether you’re a seasoned driver or a newly licenced teenager, we understand your needs and will work with you to help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. While financial compensation may not fully restore you 100% back to normal, it can help get you close. Call us for a free initial consultation and allow us to help you move towards recovery.

Common Factors Involving Accidents

Many things can contribute to the likelihood of an accident occurring, from the environment to driver actions. Common driver-related causes of motor vehicle accidents and injury include but are not limited to:

• Driver inexperience;
• Impaired driving;
• Failing to wear a seatbelt;
• Violating traffic laws (i.e. speeding);
• Fatigue;
• Texting while driving; and
• More.

Interestingly, when evaluating the environment and its role in accidents, most accidents occur in a dry environment, whereas only 15% of collisions occur in snowy weather. Further, in Alberta, a vast majority of fatal accidents occur in rural areas, and a majority of injury-related accidents occur in urban areas. Intersections also appear to have higher incident rates of accidents causing severe injuries than other areas, as revealed by an investigation by Grande Prairie Enforcement Services. This supports the fact that accidents can happen anywhere at any time, not just in bad weather or high-traffic areas. Our firm knows how to use insights like these to challenge overly simplified assumptions about motor vehicle accidents to help improve the strength of our clients’ cases.

While preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents, such as driving while sober, alert, and well-rested, certain factors cannot be eliminated. It can be challenging to control other drivers’ actions and avoid certain areas altogether. This is why our Grande Prairie motor vehicle accidents are prepared to help you. We understand that even the best drivers can become victims of motor vehicle accidents due to the careless actions of other drivers. Contact us for a free initial consultation.

Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents can result in a wide range and severity of injuries. Although the type of injuries sustained can vary, there are common medical concerns that you should look out for, such as the following:

• Whiplash;
• Neck injuries;
• Head trauma
• Brain injuries;
• Spinal cord injures;
• Broken bones and fractures;
• Soft-tissue and internal injuries;
• Death; and
• More.

The injuries mentioned above are related to your physical health. However, emotional injuries often occur because of motor vehicle accidents. These types of injuries include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Although these injuries are not physical, they can also impact your independence, ability to work, and ability to live the life you imagined for yourself.

Due to the high severity and complexity of injuries that can be sustained during a motor vehicle accident, consulting with the correct legal team is highly important. Recovering from these injuries can be emotionally, physically, and financially taxing. Compensation may include pain and suffering caused by injuries, lost wages and opportunities, and out-of-pocket expenses.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries following a motor vehicle accident, contact our Grande Prairie accident lawyers for a free initial consultation. Our legal team has the skills to support their client’s claims and understand how the needs of clients differ. Different injuries claimed can have unique challenges. Our motor vehicle accident lawyers are highly experienced in helping clients get the proper compensation for all types of injuries sustained in an accident.

How to Prevent an Accident

While compensation is usually available for injuries sustained during an accident, victims of a serious accident would much rather prefer the accident never happened in the first place. It is easiest to manage an accident when there hasn’t been one. Prevention is most straightforward when practicing the correct driving and safety habits.

Maintaining proper safety habits is a simple way to ensure you are aware and alert when you are behind the wheel. In Alberta, it is reported that 25.2% of motor vehicle crashes can be attributed to distracted driving. Limiting distractions such as texting, calls, and other passengers are easy ways to prevent accidents. Making sure you are well-rested before a drive is also essential, as many car accidents result from drivers who are tired and subsequently less safe behind the wheel. Lastly, safe driving can be likened to defensive driving. By being aware of not only your actions but also the actions of other drivers, you can provide yourself with the best chance of accident prevention.

Practicing the correct driving habits will also limit your odds of causing a motor vehicle accident. Being aware of speed limits and staying at the limit (or even below) will promote safety. Speed limits can be different due to weather, traffic, and construction, and it is best to adhere to these limits to ensure your safety. Another vital driving habit is driving in the center or right lanes as much as possible. These lanes allow for the best chance of avoiding accidents. The far-left lane should be used only for passing. Another essential driving habit that can increase the prevention of an accident is being mindful of blind spots. These areas remain unseen for drivers in rear-view or side-view mirrors. Always check blind spots manually before lane-changing is an easy way to prevent car accidents.

These tips can be helpful to prevent an accident; however, they do not guarantee that an accident will not happen. Even with preventative measures taken, collisions can still occur. In the unfortunate event that you are in an accident, understanding your legal rights can be helpful.

Should you experience an injury in a motor vehicle collision, contact our motor vehicle accident lawyers to understand if there are ways to be compensated. Our firm has successfully represented clients who, despite being safe and cautious drivers, were injured in motor vehicle accidents due to other drivers’ careless behaviour. In the past, we have used our client’s safe driving habits to help support their case and fight off claims that they were responsible for the accident. Reaching out to our firm can help you better understand the compensation you may be entitled to and how to support your claim.

Why Medical Attention is Important

Motor vehicle accidents frequently cause injuries that require medical attention. Medical care is one of the most critical aspects of securing your safety and health immediately following an accident. A high priority for anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident will be to get medical attention from professionals who will investigate and treat injuries that occur. It is also essential to gather information that will support your claims. Many treatments may be required, and not all treatments will be covered by the Alberta Healthcare Insurance Plan, private health insurance, or Section B benefits. Standard medical and rehabilitative procedures that are needed after an accident will often include the following:

• Imaging and medical examinations (i.e. X-rays, CTs, Ultrasounds, and MRIs);
• Consultations with specialists (i.e. Surgeons, Neurologists, Psychiatrists);
• Getting surgery, medications, or supplements;
• Attending registered massage therapy sessions;
• Participating in physical therapy;
• Participating in occupational therapy;
• Receiving acupuncture;
• Seeing a chiropractor;
• And more.

Medical care following a motor vehicle accident can require additional equipment, such as wheelchairs, braces, and walkers, which can increase the cost of care. Over time, medical care costs can become prohibitive, and these costs can quickly exceed the limits of benefits. For example, Section B benefits are capped at $50,000 for medical expenses. Further, they are only available up to two years after an accident, and this amount can quickly be reached depending on the amount of care required after an accident.

If you or a loved one requires medical attention and care following a motor vehicle accident, you should be aware that there are options to cover these costs. Our firm is experienced in advocating for compensation for medical expenses and can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Contact our Grande Prairie car accident lawyers for a free initial consultation to find out more.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

Recovering from an accident can be difficult and time-consuming, pursuing legal action even more so. Working with a knowledgeable motor vehicle accident lawyer may help make the process easier. Since 1959, our firm has helped many clients receive compensation for the injuries they sustained. We aim to help our clients recover to the best of our ability. We have routinely supported our clients through the litigation process and helped make it easier for them.

We know how to prepare a strong case for our client’s story to be heard. From gathering and reviewing evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or connecting clients with resources to help with recovery, our firm is invested in helping our clients. This is why we only receive payment if you win. Call us to schedule a free initial consultation with our Grande Prairie motor vehicle accident lawyers.

Helpful Resources for Victims

The following resources are available to individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents in Grande Prairie. These resources are provided for your convenience to help you during your difficult time. The following are not associated or affiliated with Preszler Injury Lawyers Alberta. Our firm may be able to provide you with a list of additional resources; contact us today to learn more.

• RCMP Services: Collision Reporting Centre
• Madd: Grande Prairie
• Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program
• Alberta Health Services: Traffic Safety program Grande Prairie