It can be a stressful event when one is injured in an automobile accident in Alberta and they find out the other driver does not have insurance. It is important to take some precautions in order to safeguard your rights to ensure you are properly compensated for your accident injuries. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the necessary steps that need to be taken when you are involved in an accident where the other party is uninsured.
Make getting medical attention a priority for yourself and put your health first. This ensures that any injuries sustained receive the appropriate treatment and it also provides the important paperwork that will prove your injuries.
Gather as much information as you can on what happened in the accident. Take pictures of the damage done to all the vehicles and a photo of the license plate of the other vehicle. Also, make sure to write down the make, model, and license plate number of the other vehicle that was involved in the accident. Take a photo of the car registration and any insurance pink slip that may have been produced. Collect the contact information from the other driver and every witness who saw the accident.
Contact your insurance company as soon as you can to report the accident. Your insurance company might be able to give you guidance on how to proceed with any property damage claim if you do not have full comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. Most automobile insurance policies in Alberta contain SEF 44 coverage. SEF 44 coverage is available to an injured policy holder when there is not sufficient third party coverage available to compensate the policy holder for their injuries. An experienced injury lawyer can advise you with regards to any SEF 44 claim that you might be eligible to advance.
It is important to be aware that the Motor Vehicle Claims Act, RSA 2000 c M-22 has coverage limits of $200,000 for all claimants who are injured in the accident. If more than one person is injured in an accident, the amount of damages are awarded in accordance with the injures each person suffered. An experienced injury lawyer should be retained if there are multiple injured claimants in the accident.
The Claimant must be a resident of Alberta on the date the accident occurred. If you are a non-resident who is injured in an accident in Albert, you will want to consult with an experience lawyer to see if you have any right to compensation under the Motor Vehicle Claims Act.
If the owner or operator of the vehicle is unknown, a notice to the Administrator should be sent within 90 days of the date of the accident. An experienced injury lawyer can advise you of your obligations to ensure that you are in compliance with the Act.
If you are involved in a hit and run accident or the other driver does not want to provide you with any information, you must take reasonable steps to ascertain the identity of any unknown vehicle operator or owner. This can sometimes be challenging, but you should use common sense. For example, if the other driver does not want to provide you with their information, take photos of the driver, the car and plate number. Also call the Police for further direction. If you are involved in a hit and run accident, if possible, try to get photos of the vehicle, plate number and operator.
To be compensated, the Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Claims Act, RSA 2000 c M-22 must be satisfied of the facts of the accident and that you were injured in the accident.
You should maintain extensive records of all of the expenses and losses linked to the accident, such as missed wages and medical bills. Your lawyer will be able to offer assistance and guidance on the expenses and losses that you should be keeping track of.
An experienced personal injury lawyer should be consulted with as soon as possible. You will need the assistance and guidance of an injury lawyer in order to navigate the claims procedure to ensure that you are compensated fairly. They are also able to explain the many forms of compensation that are available, such as compensation for medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
If you follow the procedures in this guide, you will increase your chances of recovering damages from an uninsured driver, whether you know their identity or not. It is important to keep in mind that retaining legal representation at an early stage can be of substantial assistance in navigating the claims procedure and safeguarding your rights. Call Limitless Law today for a free consultation.