Edmonton Car Accident Lawyers

Car accident victims often suffer severe injuries that leave them incapacitated for a long period. In any car accident case, the injured victim has the sole legal burden of proof. Therefore, to recover monetary compensation following a car crash, the accident victim must establish the necessary legal elements of their case.

First, the accident victim has to show that the at-fault driver owed them a legal duty of care, which they subsequently violated in some way. All drivers must drive in a reasonably prudent, careful, and safe manner at all times. As part of this duty of care, drivers must follow all traffic laws.

Second, to recover monetary compensation for their accident-related losses, the accident victim must show that the at-fault driver violated their legal duty of care somehow.

For example, the other driver might have:

• Exceeded the posted speed limit
• Failed to yield the right-of-way at the appropriate time
• Failed to use a turn signal
• Exhibited road rage, such as by tailgating or aggressively weaving in and out of heavy traffic
• Engaged in distracted driving, such as by using a cellular phone or tablet while driving
• Operated their vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failed to use their rearview or side view mirrors while operating their vehicle

Third, the accident victim must show that the at-fault driver’s duty-of-care violation was both the actual and the foreseeable cause of the subject car accident.

Fourth, the victim must demonstrate that they suffered damage in the case. To recover personal injury compensation, the accident victim must have suffered at least one physical injury directly resulting from the accident.

Proving these four legal elements in an Edmonton car accident claim or lawsuit is sometimes difficult. Insurance companies will do everything possible to limit the monetary compensation that an accident victim recovers in their case.

However, at MNH Injury Lawyers, we can aggressively negotiate with insurance company representatives on your behalf. We can also retain one or more experts to help you satisfy your legal burden of proof.

Potential experts in an Edmonton car accident claim may include:

• An accident reconstructionist who visits the accident scene and speaks with eyewitnesses to determine precisely how the car crash occurred – and who was responsible for it
• A medical expert who causally relates an accident victim’s claimed injury or injuries to the car accident, based upon a reasonable degree of medical probability

A qualified medical provider might also state – to a reasonable degree of medical certainty – that the accident victim suffered one or more permanent injuries in their car crash.

Accident victims who can satisfy their personal injury claim’s legal elements can recover monetary damages.

MNH Injury Lawyers can seek damages for:

• Lost income if you had to take time off work following your accident to recover from your injuries and attend medical and physical therapy appointments
• Lost earning potential if you had to switch jobs or careers – and take a pay cut – due to the debilitating injuries you suffered in your car crash
• Past pain and suffering, to compensate you for the medical symptoms which you endured between the accident date and the present time
• Future pain and suffering, to compensate you for your anticipated symptoms going forward, in the event you suffered one or more permanent injuries in your car accident
• Property damage, for the damage that your vehicle sustained as a result of another driver’s negligence 
• Cost of future care and loss of housekeeping, in the event you may need to depend on around-the-clock caregivers going forward 
• Loss of life enjoyment, if your activity levels and overall quality of life declined due to the injuries you sustained in your accident
• Loss of the ability to use a body part(s) if you suffered a permanent injury, such as spinal cord damage or a full/partial paralysis injury that prevents you from using a specific body part – or from feeling in one or more body parts
• Loss of spousal companionship and consortium, if the injuries you suffered in your accident limit (or prevent) your ability to be intimate with your spouse
• Emotional distress and mental anguish, in the event you suffered diagnosed mental trauma (such as PTSD) due to the accident and your resulting injuries

In addition, you may recover other out-of-pocket expenses related to your car crash as part of your personal injury claim or lawsuit compensation.

If your family member passed away from the accident, you may have the right to pursue payment of the costs related to their death, such as funeral bills and loss of consortium in a wrongful death action.

Your losses are unique to your situation. You must know the details of your accident before placing a value on the proper compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today to receive more information about what you can expect if you pursue a personal injury action. We can answer all your legal questions, explain your legal rights, and help you make informed and intelligent decisions during every stage of your personal injury case.