According to the October 2020 Final Report for the City of Lethbridge’s Transportation Safety Plan, approximately 50% of severe motor vehicle collisions occurred at intersections within the City. The five-year data identified, on average, one collision per day resulted in injury. Distracted drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists as well as excessive speed are common factors in collisions causing injury or fatalities both within city limits and on the many surrounding highways. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Lethbridge or a neighbouring rural area, here are the most important steps you can take to protect yourself.
Steps to take after a vehicle crash
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) or car crash in Lethbridge, follow these steps to help protect you, both now and in the future:
5 Steps to take at the scene to keep you safe
- Call 911 – if anyone is seriously hurt, call for an ambulance
- Ensure personal safety. Turn on hazards of all vehicles stopped at the scene. Move yourself and all people to a safe location. Do not stand near your vehicles.
- Document Scene & Collect personal information from the other driver and from any witnesses. Always take photos, lots of photos!
- Contact the police and file a report for any injury or vehicle damage over $2000. If you are unsure, call the police just to be safe.
- Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Even if you are not at fault. Provide the insurance company with clear facts and details. If you are unsure or have any questions, contact your lawyer first and they can help with giving information to the insurance company.
5 Steps to help with your recovery and your claim
- Do not leave the scene if the collision has resulted in injury or significant property damage – wait for the police and medical assistance.
- Seek medical attention within 24 hours or as soon as possible for a proper assessment, even for minor injuries. Immediately, book an appointment with your family doctor to get a general checkup.
- Never discuss fault at the scene, online, or with your insurance company. Only consult with a personal injury lawyer to make sure that you are able to receive fair compensation.
- Monitor your symptoms in the coming weeks as injuries or severity are not always immediately apparent. Some bruises and soreness take a couple of days before they show up. Some injuries might not be felt for a little while.
- Repair your vehicle at a shop of your choice if you prefer not to go with an insurer’s. In Alberta, it is your choice where you get your vehicle repaired.
Seek legal counsel with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights and compensation for injuries.
Seek advice for legal compensation rights
Who can receive compensation in a MVA in Alberta?
A motor vehicle accident (MVA) or collision (MVC) is commonly referred to as a car accident but applies to all forms of motor transportation including trucks, SUVs, cars, minivans, or motorcycles. Anyone can be significantly injured in a motor vehicle collision. Whether you were a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or even a cyclist; if you were injured due to another driver’s negligence anywhere in Alberta, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Moustarah & Company to schedule a free consultation in our offices in downtown Edmonton.
Alberta offers the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC) to help compensate victims of Hit and runs or those injured in a collision with an uninsured motorist.
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents can have large impacts on a person’s physical, emotional and mental well-being. A MVA can also have long-term effects on your quality of life and your family’s future. Moustarah & Company will work to help get you fair compensation. If you are uncertain, you can explore your legal options with a free consultation and receive expert advice for your situation.
How Can Free Legal Consultation Benefit?
If you are considering a claim, it is highly beneficial to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Although a personal injury claim can be filed anytime within two years from the date of your incident, access to timely evidence and early medical records can greatly affect the outcome of your settlement. Contact your lawyer as soon as possible after an accident
Moustarah & Company has helping those injured in an MVA/MVC for over two decads. We are committed to navigating the complexities of personal injury law and insurance companies to help our clients to fully understand their legal compensation rights. Moustarah & Company fights for your fair compensation. Most personal injury claims do not go to court, and many personal injury lawyers rarely go to court; however, our team is experienced and prepared to advocate for our clients in any legal situation. Our lawyers are experience in the courtroom, and have even set precedent law that benefits all personal injury claims in Alberta. We offer free initial consultations to anyone seeking legal advice regarding their personal injury, and no fees are required until your claim is settled. We don’t get paid until you get paid.
Advocating for your best interests is always our primary concern. While you focus on well-being and recovery, you can rely on our team working to get you the compensation you deserve. Moustarah & Company brings extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication, making them Edmonton’s personal injury legal team.
Types of Injuries
There are several forms of injury and trauma including whiplash that MVA/MVC victims may suffer. Your compensation in your claim is determined by examining all types of injuries suffered, including severity and long term impacts. Some injuries, like a broken arm will heal in a set timeframe. Other injuries like Post Concussion might result in a lifetime recovery. Our personal injury lawyers expertly navigate the legal processes as they pertain to each person’s medical diagnoses to ensure the maximum settlement claim is received for our clients.
Common types of injuries that our personal injury legal team can advise on are:
Physical Injury:
- Whiplash
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Back pain
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Chronic pain
- Cuts, contusions, and hematomas
Mental & Emotional Trauma
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Driving anxiety
Know what to expect during the personal injury claim process
Suffering from a personal injury can be a stressful time for many reasons. Knowing what to anticipate when pursuing a personal injury claim can provide much-needed peace of mind. Moustarah and Company have created a free brochure answering many of the questions you may have about the personal injury process and compensation.
Here is an overview of what you can expect when making a motor vehicle collision injury claim in Lethbridge.
What types of compensation might be included in my MVA/MVC claim?
- Physical injury
- Loss of capacity to do daily tasks
- Decreased quality of life
- Income or job loss
- Damage or loss of your vehicle and personal belongings
- Mental and emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
What is legally required to make a personal injury claim?
For a personal injury claim to be made, you must establish fault by a third party to hold them legally responsible. This is usually called determining fault. For an MVA/MVC evidence must be gathered to demonstrate that the collision was caused by another person’s illegal or negligent action to have cause to proceed. Collecting evidence, including medical records as soon as possible can greatly help your claim. Our legal team can advise on obtaining critical evidence including:
- Documented details gathered at the scene
- Witness statements
- Photos or footage from security cameras
- Event Data Recorders which may have been installed in vehicles to record collision data
- Police reports
- Medical reports
Our experienced personal injury lawyers at Moustarah & Company thoroughly examine the evidence to build the most optimal legal case for our clients. We can also advise you on critical steps you can take to protect your claim. Best of all, we will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to reach the best settlement possible so you are not pressured into settling for less than you are entitled to.
How long will it take to receive financial compensation?
The length of time to finalize a settlement depends on the type of injury, the severity of the injury, and how legally complex the claim is. Your settlement may be finalized in months if your injury and its impacts can confidently be assessed quickly. However, if injuries are severe or were fatal, it is critical for you and your family to have long-term professional and medical assessments. This evidence is necessary to obtain the maximum settlement for your situation.
Injured persons should never be pressured into signing settlements that are significantly less than they are entitled to. This, unfortunately, happens when offers are made before long-term impacts can be properly assessed. Once your claim is settled you will not be able to reopen it. Our legal experts will carefully walk you through the medical documentation needed to maximize your compensation to ensure your future and family are appropriately taken care of.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision in Lethbridge, our team at Moustarah & Company is on your side. Contact us today for your free consultation in Edmonton. You will not be charged any legal fees or expenses until your case is settled.