Category: FAQ

The Personal Injury Law FAQ category at Moustarah & Company is designed to answer the most common and pressing questions asked by individuals seeking an experienced Edmonton Personal Injury Lawyer. This section provides clear, practical explanations on topics such as how personal injury claims work in Alberta, time limits for filing a claim, what compensation may be available, how insurance companies evaluate injuries, and whether hiring a lawyer is necessary. By addressing these questions directly, the FAQ category helps accident victims understand their rights, reduce uncertainty, and take informed next steps after being injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Each FAQ article reflects the real concerns of people injured in motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall incidents, workplace injuries, and other serious accidents. Readers searching for an Edmonton Personal Injury Lawyer will find straightforward answers about legal fees, the claims process, dealing with insurers, and what to expect when pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The content is written to demystify personal injury law and empower individuals to make confident decisions during an often overwhelming time.

As a trusted Edmonton Personal Injury Lawyer, Moustarah & Company uses the FAQ category to combine legal knowledge with accessibility and transparency. This resource hub reinforces the firm’s authority while improving search visibility for personal injury–related questions commonly entered into Google. By providing accurate, easy-to-understand answers grounded in Alberta personal injury law, the FAQ category strengthens trust and positions Moustarah & Company as a reliable first point of contact for anyone seeking guidance from an Edmonton Personal Injury Lawyer.

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After Alberta’s Care-First Insurance Begins, When Should You Still Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

After Alberta’s Care-First Insurance Begins, When Should You Still Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Alberta’s new Care-First automobile insurance system will take effect on January 1, 2027, fundamentally changing how motor vehicle injury claims are handled in the province.

One of the most common misconceptions about the new system is that injured people will never need a personal injury lawyer again.

That assumption can be costly.

While Care-First changes how many injury claims are compensated, it does not eliminate disputes. Insurance companies will still make decisions about benefits, treatment approvals, medical assessments, income replacement, and eligibility for various forms of compensation.

When disagreements arise, having an experienced personal injury lawyer may still be one of the most effective ways to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

Care-First Changes the System—Not the Need for Legal Advice

Under Alberta’s previous fault-based system, injured individuals could pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit against an at-fault driver.

Under Care-First, the focus shifts toward providing benefits directly to injured individuals regardless of who caused the collision.

However, whenever an insurance company is responsible for determining benefits, approving treatments, or assessing eligibility, disputes can arise.

In those situations, legal advice may still be important. Contact your Edmonton car accident lawyer: Moustarah & Company.

When an Insurance Company Denies Treatment

One of the most common areas of disagreement following a serious injury involves medical treatment.

An injured person may require:

  • Physiotherapy.
  • Chiropractic care.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Occupational therapy.
  • Psychological counselling.
  • Specialized rehabilitation programs.
  • Long-term medical care.

If an insurer refuses to approve recommended treatment or disputes its necessity, a lawyer may be able to help challenge the decision and advocate for access to appropriate care.

When Your Injuries Are More Serious Than the Insurance Company Believes

Insurance companies rely on medical information when evaluating claims.

Unfortunately, injuries do not always fit neatly into predetermined categories.

Conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, chronic pain disorders, psychological injuries, and post-concussion syndrome can be particularly complex.

If there is a disagreement regarding the nature, severity, or long-term impact of your injuries, legal representation may help ensure that your circumstances are properly documented and evaluated.

When Income Replacement Benefits Are in Dispute

Many accident victims are unable to return to work immediately after a collision.

Others may return but struggle with reduced hours, modified duties, or diminished earning capacity.

Questions often arise regarding:

  • Eligibility for benefits.
  • Duration of benefits.
  • Calculation of income replacement.
  • Ability to return to work.
  • Future earning limitations.

When financial benefits are disputed, legal advice may help injured individuals understand their rights and available options.

When Catastrophic Injuries Are Involved

Catastrophic injuries frequently require lifelong support.

Examples may include:

These cases often involve significant future care requirements, extensive rehabilitation needs, and long-term financial consequences.

Because the stakes are so high, obtaining experienced legal guidance can be particularly important when catastrophic injuries occur.

When an Independent Medical Examination Is Requested

Insurance companies may request independent medical examinations to assess injuries and treatment needs.

Many injured individuals are unfamiliar with these assessments and uncertain about how the results may affect their benefits.

A lawyer can help explain the process, prepare clients for examinations, and review how the findings may impact their claim.

When You Need Help Navigating a Complex Claims Process

Recovering from an injury is difficult enough without having to navigate a complicated insurance system.

Many accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by paperwork, medical documentation requirements, deadlines, and communications with insurers.

A lawyer can help manage these issues while allowing injured individuals to focus on recovery.

What About Accidents That Happened Before January 1, 2027?

The Care-First system generally applies to accidents that occur on or after January 1, 2027.

Individuals injured before that date may continue to have rights under Alberta’s previous fault-based system, including the ability to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.

If your collision occurred before the transition date, speaking with a personal injury lawyer may be particularly important because limitation periods continue to apply.

Your Lawyer’s Role Is to Protect Your Interests

Insurance companies have obligations to policyholders and claimants. However, insurance companies also make decisions that can significantly affect an injured person’s medical care, financial support, and recovery.

A personal injury lawyer serves a different role.

Your lawyer’s responsibility is to protect your interests, explain your rights, gather supporting evidence, and advocate on your behalf when disputes arise.

Whether the issue involves treatment approvals, income replacement benefits, injury classifications, or claims arising under Alberta’s previous legal system, experienced legal representation can help ensure that your voice is heard throughout the process.

Understanding Your Rights After Care-First

Alberta’s insurance system has changed, but the importance of understanding your legal rights has not.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, obtaining legal advice can help you understand the benefits available to you, identify potential disputes early, and ensure that your interests remain protected throughout the claims process.

Every injury claim is unique. The sooner you understand your rights, the better positioned you may be to protect your future.

About Moustarah & Company

Moustarah & Company helps injured Albertans navigate complex motor vehicle accident claims, catastrophic injury cases, insurance disputes, and personal injury matters. The Edmonton personal injury law firm is committed to protecting the rights of accident victims and helping clients understand their options under Alberta’s evolving insurance landscape. Contact Moustarah today to book your free initial consultation

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The application of Alberta’s Care-First insurance system depends on the specific facts of each case. Individuals should seek legal advice regarding their particular circumstances.

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Injured Before Alberta’s No-Fault Insurance Starts? You May Still Have Up to 2 Years to File a Personal Injury Claim

Injured Before Alberta’s No-Fault Insurance Starts? You May Still Have Up to 2 Years to File a Personal Injury Claim

Alberta’s automobile insurance system is changing significantly on January 1, 2027. Beginning on that date, the province’s new Care-First insurance model will replace the current at fault system for most motor vehicle accident claims.

As the transition approaches, many Albertans are asking an important question:

“What happens if my accident occurs before January 1, 2027, but I don’t start my claim until after no-fault insurance begins?”

For many injured individuals, the answer may be reassuring. If your motor vehicle accident occurred before the Care-First system takes effect, your claim may continue to be governed by Alberta’s current personal injury laws, including the applicable limitation periods.

The Most Important Date Is the Date of the Accident

When determining whether a claim falls under Alberta’s current system or the new Care-First model, the critical date is generally the date of the collision — not the date a lawsuit is filed.

The Alberta government has stated that the new Care-First insurance system will apply to motor vehicle accidents occurring on or after January 1, 2027. Claims arising before that date are expected to remain subject to the current legal framework. This means that individuals injured before January 1, 2027 may still retain the right to pursue compensation through the courts under Alberta’s existing personal injury system.

An Example Many Albertans Overlook

Consider the following scenario:

  • Motor vehicle collision occurs on December 31, 2026.
  • The injured person suffers ongoing symptoms and requires treatment.
  • The Care-First system takes effect on January 1, 2027.
  • The injured person continues medical treatment throughout 2027 and 2028.

In this example, the collision occurred before the Care-First implementation date.

As a result, the injured person may still have access to the rights and remedies available under Alberta’s current at fault system, including the ability to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, loss of income, future care costs, and other damages through a personal injury claim, subject to the applicable 2 year limitation period.

The introduction of Care-First on January 1, 2027 does not automatically extinguish claims arising from collisions that occurred before the transition date.

You May Still Have Up to 2 Years to Start Your Claim

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding Alberta’s transition to no-fault insurance is that all rights to sue disappear on January 1, 2027.

That is not how transition provisions are expected to operate.

If your collision occurred before January 1, 2027, the limitation period is generally tied to the date of the accident itself, not the date Alberta changed insurance systems.

For example:

  • Accident Date: December 31, 2026
  • Care-First Start Date: January 1, 2027
  • Potential Limitation Deadline: December 2028 (subject to the specific facts of the case)

In practical terms, a person injured one day before the Care-First system begins may still have nearly two years after the transition date to properly commence a legal claim.

Why Waiting Can Be Dangerous

Although limitation periods may provide time to pursue a claim, waiting is rarely beneficial.

Evidence becomes more difficult to obtain as time passes. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage may be erased, and important medical documentation can become harder to organize.

Insurance companies also begin evaluating claims immediately after a collision. Delays in obtaining legal advice can affect the preservation of evidence and the overall strength of a case.

What Compensation May Still Be Available for Pre-2027 Accidents?

Depending on the circumstances, individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents before January 1, 2027 may still be entitled to pursue compensation for:

  • Pain and suffering damages.
  • Past and future loss of income.
  • Loss of earning capacity.
  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses.
  • Future care costs.
  • Housekeeping and caregiving losses.
  • Out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Wrongful death damages in fatal accident cases.

Each claim depends on its own facts, injuries, and supporting evidence.

Do Not Assume You Lost Your Rights Because No-Fault Has Started

Many Albertans may incorrectly assume that once Care-First takes effect, all motor vehicle injury lawsuits become impossible.

However, the determining factor is often when the accident occurred, not when the claim is resolved.

A collision that occurs before January 1, 2027 may continue under the existing legal system even if negotiations, litigation, or settlement discussions continue long after the new insurance regime begins.

Speak With a Personal Injury Lawyer Before Limitation Periods Expire

The transition to Alberta’s Care-First insurance model creates understandable confusion for accident victims.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident before January 1, 2027, it is important not to assume that your rights disappeared when the new system took effect.

Limitation periods continue to apply, and missing a filing deadline could permanently affect your ability to recover compensation.

Obtaining legal advice early helps ensure that evidence is preserved, deadlines are properly calculated, and your rights are protected under the law that applies to your claim.

About Moustarah & Company

Moustarah & Company represents injured Albertans in motor vehicle accident claims, serious injury cases, wrongful death actions, and insurance disputes. The personal injury law firm helps clients understand their rights and navigate Alberta’s evolving personal injury landscape.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Limitation periods and transition rules can vary depending on the facts of a case. Individuals should seek legal advice regarding their specific circumstances.