Category: Accidents

What to Do if You are Involved in a Motor Vehicle Collision

A minor motor vehicle collision can be a traumatic event. The following are some helpful tips about what to do if you are involved in a collision:

Information You Will Need

At the collision scene obtain all information related to the collision from the other party or parties involved in the collision including:

  • Name, address and phone number of all drivers (ask to see their driver’s licences);
  • Name, address and phone number of the owners of the vehicle(s) if different from the drivers;
  • The licence plate number and vehicle identification number of each of the vehicles, along with their make, model and colour;
  • The name of the insurance companies and policy numbers for each of the other vehicles involved.
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Damages for Homemakers and Stay-At-Home Parents: What Can You Claim For?

When you are injured in an accident, you can claim for different categories of losses. These categories are called heads of damage. One of these heads of damage is called general damages (also known as non-pecuniary damages). General damages compensate you for intangible losses like pain and suffering. You may also be able to claim special damages (sometimes called pecuniary damages), which are intended to compensate you for actual monetary losses that you incurred due to your injuries. Examples of special damages include economic losses (like loss of earnings or wages) and medical expenses (e.g., physiotherapy bills from the time of the accident until the time of the trial). Continue reading

Structured Settlements: Are They Right for You?

Most of the time, when a plaintiff is injured and awarded damages by the courts, a lump sum payment will be ordered. Essentially, what this means is that the court will total all of the damage amounts from the various heads of damage that were awarded, such as general damages or cost of future care, and the total amount of money is ordered to be paid to the plaintiff all at once. However, on occasion the courts will order a structured settlement. A structured settlement is a settlement agreed to between the parties where the plaintiff receives the amount of their damages on a periodic, scheduled basis. Continue reading

Claims for Concussion Injuries in Sports: The Trickle-Down Effect

The University of Calgary’s Integrated Concussion Research Program has recently released exciting research that has led to the development of a tool that will allow doctors “to accurately and rapidly measure proteins and small molecules known to indicate an injury that is present in the brain.” This tool is set for clinical trials, with the goal that the device will be able to detect brain injuries hours after the trauma occurred.

While this research can potentially revolutionize treatment for those with brain injuries, I wanted to explain to those seeking compensation for concussion injuries that there has been a “trickle-down” effect. Continue reading

Bicycle Accidents: Who’s Liable and Riding Safely

June is bike month in Edmonton, when the City encourages everyone to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise, exposure to the great outdoors, and pure fun by increasing the amount they bike, whether for recreation or as transportation to school or work. Along with the benefits of biking come some potential hazards, however, and it is essential to keep safety in mind at all times. As experienced plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyers we offer the following insight into factors that affect liability (who’s at fault) for a cycling accident and some tips to ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy biking experience. Continue reading

Compensation for loss of consortium. When an accident injures your partner and kills your sex life, can you be compensated?

What is a loss of consortium and can I be compensated?

“Loss of consortium,” is a claim made for damages suffered by a spouse or family member of the person who has been injured or killed as a result of an accident. The amount of your damage award will vary according to the severity of the loss of society and comfort of your spouse. In cases where your relationship has been reduced to that of caregiver/care receiver, you might anticipate damages for “loss of consortium” ranging up to $40,000 and beyond. If the loss of your companionship with your spouse is of limited impact, or limited duration, damages for loss of consortium will be much lower, perhaps only ranging from $7,500 and above. Continue reading