You’ve been in an MVA in Alberta – Now what?

You’ve been in a motor vehicle accident. It’s scary. It’s disruptive. It’s potentially costly. You’re not sure what to do.

At the scene of the accident, do the following:

• Take a photo of the driver’s licence, insurance, and registration of the other driver(s).
• Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to each vehicle, and the other car’s license plate
• Obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

​In Alberta, you don’t have to report an MVA if the damage is below $2,000, there are no injuries, and no laws were broken. The police will generally not attend the scene in this situation (unless they happen to pass by, or traffic is affected). However, if you were not at fault and you believe you may have injuries, go to a police station and report the accident.

You should immediately inform your insurer of the accident. They’ll send you forms (called AB forms) to fill out to start getting treatment. In Alberta, your own insurer covers your initial treatment (such as physiotherapy and chiropractic care), regardless of who’s at fault. You can choose where to go for your treatments.  Your treatment provider will typically help you complete these forms and submit them to your insurer. 

As soon as possible, you should visit your doctor and inform him or her of the MVA and any symptoms you have, even if they seem minor. Symptoms can get worse over time. Also, symptoms may not show up until weeks or even months later when you engage in an activity you haven’t done in a while and which places particular demands on your body.  Be sure to get whatever treatment is recommended.
If you were not at fault, or if at least some of the fault is the other driver’s, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. If you’re not sure, call an injury lawyer and describe what happened. They can quickly assess the situation. Soundstone Law and most other personal injury law firms offer free consultations.

A personal injury lawyer will take steps right away to assist you with your claim. They will ensure that the proper records are kept, that you get the treatment you need, and that your rights are protected.

Throughout the litigation process, you should do the following:

• Mention any MVA-related symptoms to your doctor every time you visit them (for whatever purpose), so that the symptoms are noted in your charts.
• Attend treatment regularly for as long as you have symptoms. Getting treatment on a regular basis is the number one thing you can do to ensure you end up with a fair settlement.
• Until your case is resolved, minimize your use of social media. In particular, avoid posting descriptions of your symptoms and photos of physical activities, since these can be taken out of context to hurt your case.
• Keep all records related to your MVA, including receipts and photos, and send copies to your lawyer.
• Inform your injury lawyer of any changes in your physical symptoms or your employment situation.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Alberta, contact Calgary-based personal injury law firm Soundstone Law. We offer clear, plain-language legal advice to our clients. We listen, we care, and we get results.