Category: Accidents

Car Accidents: Who’s at Fault?

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!

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 File a Personal Injury Claim

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

10 Problems with Personal Injury Claims

An experienced lawyer at CAM LLP will lessen a lot of the stress surrounding the processes of an injury claim; however, there are a several circumstances that can cause problems with claiming for a personal injury caused by another’s negligence.

The following list includes the top 10 problems with a personal injury claim that you need to consider after an accident:

1. Limitation period

Personal Injury claims must be filed within a specific time-frame. In Edmonton, Alberta, a claim must be filled within 2 years of the accident; however, each accident is specific to its situation, therefore some claims must be filled in less than 2 years. Continue reading

How Prepared for an Accident Are You?

An accident can happen at any time, often with little to no warning. Emergency rescuers will respond as soon as they can, but it may take time before they’re able to get to you. Until a rescue team arrives, it’s up to you to handle the situation appropriately. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany accidents.

Being prepared for an unforeseen accident may seem like a big job. Many people don’t know where to start, so they never start at all. How prepared do you feel you are for an accident? Take this quiz to see how prepared you are and what areas you can work on. Continue reading

Winter Driving in Northern Alberta

As the holidays approach, we wish everyone a safe winter season.  Driving in Northern Alberta can be dangerous in the winter.  Each year it seems like drivers have forgotten how to drive in the ice and snow, so drive defensively and do not trust that other drivers will do the right thing.

What can you do to stay safe? Here are our top 5 list:

1) Slow Down  –  Speed is the biggest contributor to winter accidents.  Stopping distances are much greater in the winter.

2) Use Winter Tires – Winter Tires can make a big difference.  They don’t make up for too much speed, but coupled with safe speeds they may stop accidents from happening. Continue reading