Generally – though by no means always – the lawyers only get involved if the accident in question was an injury accident.  Sometimes however there are important legal questions involved even if there were no injuries.  The extent of property damage involved, or questions as to whose fault the accident was may be important enough to warrant the involvement of counsel even if there were not injuries in the motor vehicle accident.

The legal consequences that result from motor vehicle accidents are generally in proportion to the severity of the accident.

In Canada, the criminal code makes it is a criminal offence if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and you fail to stop and give your name and address – and if anyone requires assistance, to offer assistance – with the intent to escape civil or criminal liability.  This is commonly known as “hit and run” and it is contrary to section 252 of the Criminal Code of Canada and is known as “Failing to stop at scene of accident”.  It can also be a provincial offence.

If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation, depending on the situation and whether you were the passenger or driver of the vehicle. 

You would likely be entitled to compensation (from insurance) in all of the following examples:

• You were the driver of vehicle A, which vehicle was hit by vehicle B and the accident was all – or partly – B’s fault.
• You were a passenger in the above example – either in either vehicle A or in vehicle B.  Some exceptions may apply.
• You were a passenger in vehicle A and vehicle A was involved in a single vehicle accident – for example, it crashed into a parked car, a telephone pole or it “hit the ditch” because the driver fell asleep.  Some exceptions may apply.
• You were crossing the street on foot and were hit by a car.

There are many, many more examples.  The point is that if you live in Edmonton and you are involved in an mva accident you should obtain immediate legal advice from Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyers.

The issue of insurance is a complex one.  Car insurance is mandatory for all vehicles in Alberta.  The Insurance Act of Alberta is the application legislation in this regard.  There are over 800 sections to the Insurance Act, the full contents of which can be viewed at the Queen's Printer website. We suggest it is best to leave the interpretation of the Insurance Act up to your Edmonton motor vehicle accident lawyer.

The USA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has an interesting motor vehicle accident website that contains an abundance of statistics on motor vehicle accidents.  Although this is a USA source it is likely that most of their findings are true for Alberta as well. 

Here are some of the statistics for the USA for the year 2005 classified by type of accident:

• Rear Impacts: 1,824,000 accidents,
• Angle or side impacts:  1,779,000 accidents,
• Fixed-object impacts: 992,000 accidents,
• Collisions with animals: 275,000 accidents,
• Rollovers: 141,000 accidents,
• Head-On collisions: 123,000 accidents,
• Collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists: 114,000 accidents.

The rollover, head-on and pedestrian & bicycle accidents made up only 6.1% of the accidents, but 34.5% of the fatalities.

If you or someone you love has been in a motor vehicle motor vehicle accident of any kind you should obtain immediate legal advice.  It is best if you call right away. If there has been a fatality or an injury in that accident you absolutely must obtain legal advice without delay. 

We are that counsel.  We are that law firm.  We are your Edmonton Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers.