6 Deadly Vehicle Manufacture Defects Since 2000


February 25, 2016

When most people think of product liability lawsuits they often imagine faulty kitchen appliances, poor building materials (asbestos), or media-famous lawsuits like those against the tobacco industry and McDonald’s. But many of us often neglect to think about the products we use daily – vehicles. Product liability events that often take on the most serious personal injuries, even death, are vehicle manufacture defects.

To shed light on some of the more recent serious product liabilities, we’ve compiled a list of the six deadliest vehicle manufacture defects since the year 2000.

1. 2000 Lincoln Navigator Cruise Control Glitch

Ford Motor Company experienced a bad start to the 21st century when its 2000 Lincoln Navigator was reported to have a glitch in its cruise control, causing the SUV’s engine to overheat and, in some cases, burst into flames. Continue reading

How to Avoid Car Accidents at Christmas


December 22, 2015

Edmonton’s winter season has been balmier than usual, but that doesn’t remove the risk for car accidents. The mild temperatures mixed with snowfall and chilly overnight cooling creates icy, slick road conditions. Add Christmas parties and traveling long distances over the holiday season, and the risk for a car collision is much higher.

The following list highlights some of Alberta’s most common causes for car accidents. As we approach the Christmas break, it’s important to practice road safety, know the risks and know how to avoid car accidents this season.

Common, but avoidable causes for car accidents:

Speeding in Poor Road Conditions

The winter has proven to be quite mild this year with fluctuating cold and warm temperatures. Continue reading

Car Accidents: Who’s at Fault?


October 5, 2015

It’s no secret that Alberta’s highways are crowded. Some days it seems as though half of the population is on the road, and they probably are. Often the cause for heavy highway traffic is, by no surprise, car accidents. Unfortunately, some people drive too fast or they drive drunk.

Types of Car Accidents

Alcohol may be the biggest factor causing car accident injuries on highways, including death. In addition to a fatality, a serious car accident may involve fractures: head, neck, back injuries and, the most common injury, whiplash. The abrupt smacking that results when a car slams into the rear end of another vehicle often causes chronic back or neck pain, which is often not recognized at the time of the accident. Continue reading

You should have at least $2,000,000 in third party liability insurance!


September 18, 2015

How much motor vehicle liability insurance do you need in Alberta?  $200,000 is the mandatory minimum, and it may seem like a lot to some people, but it is never a recommended amount.  If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones you need at least $2,000,000 of third party liability coverage.

Many US jurisdictions have mandatory liability insurance amounts that are less than $100,000.  When you hear about big Jury Judgments in the US, more often than not they go unpaid.  In Canada, Judgments are intended to put the victim back in a position they would have been, had the accident not occurred.   Continue reading

How to Increase the Chances to Win Your Personal Injury Claim


July 21, 2015

There are multiple steps that can be taken in order to ensure you have the highest chance to win your personal injury claim.

Act fast.

A personal injury lawyer is best able to help you directly in the aftermath of an accident or incident. It’s best to call a personal injury lawyer ASAP.

Get as much good evidence as possible.

The more details you can provide—the better. Strong evidence and details go hand in hand. Take lots of photos—of the site, of the aftermath, of the surrounding area, of the damage.

Begin medical treatment right away.

The longer you wait, the more uncertain insurance companies will be that you were actually badly injured. Continue reading

How to File a Personal Injury Claim


February 25, 2015

If you have been injured in a motor-vehicle accident, or hurt through the use of a product or another’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. An insurance company may offer you a settlement, but a personal injury lawyer will seek full compensation for the true extent of your injuries, including out-of-pocket expenses and future hardships. Each situation is different and talking with an experienced lawyer at Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP will help you determine what you may be able to claim.

The steps below are important to note if you’ve recently been in an accident as they must be put into action immediately following an injury:

  1. Contact the authorities and provide the required information to complete an accident report;
  2. Inform your insurance company of the accident;
  3. Seek medical assistance immediately following an accident;
  4. Contact a personal injury lawyer to maximize compensation.
Continue reading