Medicine Hat Personal Injury Lawyers Car & Motorcycle Accident Claims

Medicine Hat may be a small community, but it does see its fair share of automobile accidents and motorcycle accidents. When you get injured in this small Alberta community, you can turn to Merchant Law.

 

Our experienced team of lawyers has helped hundreds of Medicine Hat residents recover compensation for their injuries and damages. Health insurance won’t handle everything! If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, then you deserve the kind of help that we can provide. 

 

What should you do if you are injured in a car accident in Alberta?

First, make sure you stay at the scene of the accident, and call 911. Beware! The other driver might try to convince you that they will pay you for the accident themselves, that the accident does not need to be reported, or that the accident is too minor to worry about. Do not listen. Failing to call the police after an accident is considered a crime.

Next, be very careful what you say. Any statement that might tend to sound like it’s accepting fault or which might tend to indicate you’re less injured that you are can cause severe damage to your case later.

If you’re in shape to do so, get a photograph of the other driver’s insurance information. Don’t just write it down: there’s a chance you could transpose numbers or misrecord the data, and this can cause problems later.

Next, get the names, numbers, and addresses of all witnesses. Get the police report number, too.

Take as many pictures as you possibly can. Take more than you think you could possibly need. Take them from every angle you can get.

Finally, get medical care. Never refuse medical care, even if you don’t feel injured yet. Adrenaline can play tricks with the body, and many injuries take several days to show up. If you refuse medical care now you’ll break the chain of evidence that shows your injuries and losses were a direct result of the automobile or motorcycle accident. 

Follow every one of your doctor’s instructions. The defendant, insurance company will use a failure to do so against you later.

Finally, call a lawyer as soon as you are medically capable of doing so. You do not have to wait, and you shouldn’t. For one thing, we can deal with the insurance company on your behalf.

 

What happens if you’re too injured to take these steps?

We have helped many accident victims who are in this exact situation. We have methods for obtaining the information and reconstructing the facts of the accident. If you’re in this situation you simply should be aware that it’s an even bigger reason why you should call a car accident lawyer immediately. 

 

How do you know you have a personal injury case?

You won’t be able to guess save for consulting a few factors. 

First, was the other driver deemed at-fault, especially by the police officer who came to the scene? You may press a claim as long as you are less than 50% at-fault. 

Second, did you suffer damages and injuries as a direct result of this accident? If so, then you’ve already fulfilled a major condition of having a personal injury case. 

Your injuries do not have to be severe to make the claim worth pursuing. Yet if they are severe, then you definitely should consider getting help from an Alberta personal injury lawyer. The more expensive your claim, the less likely the insurance company is going to be willing to cooperate. 

What is considered a reasonable pain and suffering award from a car accident?

Pain and suffering is a variable and negotiable award. It’s based on the extensiveness of your injuries and the extent to which your injuries impact your life both now and in the future.

In Alberta, personal injury awards are capped. “Minor,” soft-tissue injuries of certain types are capped at $5,296 in pain and suffering damages. Soft tissue injuries include minor sprains and strains, torn ligaments and tendons, as well as any injury that lasts less than six months. 

Major injuries are capped at $370,000.

 

What makes a motorcycle accident claim different?

Motorcycle accident claims are some of the most challenging personal injury cases you can engage in. There are a few reasons for this.

First, motorcycle accident claims are often some of the most expensive for insurance companies. Traumatic brain and spinal injuries are extremely common. It’s not unusual for former riders to need long-term care. Many will need compensation for loss of earning capacity as well.

Second, cyclists are usually unconscious at the scene of the accident, which means they can’t go gathering evidence on their behalf. The defendant, insurance company usually has a long head start on a rider.

Finally, there’s a stigma against riders, especially here in Alberta. It’s quite common for riders to be blamed even when the accident isn’t their fault. This can complicate recovery or even vastly reduce the future award amount. It’s vital to work with personal injury lawyers who can help you combat this stigma, and who can tell a story that compels action in a settlement conference or trial. 

Statistically, passenger vehicles cause the most motorcycle accidents. Improper left turns are the most common type of accident. We will resist any and all attempts to pin the blame for the motorcycle accident on your shoulders. 

 

Need help with your Alberta personal injury case?

 

We have offices conveniently located in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane. We also serve clients all across Alberta including Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, Lloydminster, Leduc, Okotoks, Fort Saskatchewan, Chestermere, Camrose, Beaumont, Stony Plain, Sylvan Lake, Brooks, Strathmore, High River, Canmore, Morinville, Whitecourt, Hinton, Olds, and Blackfalds.

The team at Merchant Law is standing by. You can get help by scheduling an appointment today. Our team works on contingency, which means we don’t get paid until we bring your case to a successful resolution. You don’t have to come up with a massive retainer or an exorbitant hourly rate.

Our most senior Alberta injury lawyers have over 30 years of experience resolving cases just like yours. We’re responsive and caring, and are known for being some of Alberta’s shrewdest negotiators and toughest litigators. We come prepared to win. 

Contact us at (403) 225-7777 today. We serve Medicine Hat and communities throughout Alberta.