Vernon Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a traffic collision in Vernon? You have rights to financial compensation if you were not at fault. In fact, even if you were found to be at fault, you are still eligible for wage loss assistance and medical coverage under a basic auto plan. You can receive up to $150,000 in medical and rehabilitation expenses through your own insurance plan at the basic level, and possibly even property damage coverage to pay for the damages to your vehicle. If another party was responsible for causing the crash, a lawyer can advise you on how best to seek financial compensation. By filing a lawsuit, or seeking damages out of court, you can ensure that the financial expenses of the crash are reimbursed, and that your pain and suffering is compensated for, as well.
Common Causes of Traffic Accidents
Distracted driving is the leading contributor to auto collisions in Canada. Distractions come in many forms, from crying children to adjusting the radio dial. However, a new and common form of distraction nowadays is from cell phone use. This is backed up by the fact that visual-manual cell phone interaction increases a driver’s chances of being in a crash by 800%, according to CAA. Other causes of collisions include:
- Speeding;
- Aggressive driving;
- Impatient driving maneuvers;
- Drowsy driving; and
- Drunk driving.
Recovering Your Damages, From Pain and Suffering to Property Damage
The more severe the crash, the more complex the case becomes. This is because a collision that involves only a few minor bumps and bruises does not have nearly as many damages as one that requires the victim to spend months in a hospital bed. Car collision victims, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists, can recover the following types of damages from the negligent party who caused the collision:
- Out of pocket medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Lost earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement;
- Property damage;
- Loss of housekeeping capacity; and
If a fatality occurred, the victim’s family can sue for the following:
- Out of pocket medical expenses;
- Monetary losses associated with the death;
- Loss of a financial provider; and
- Funeral or burial costs.
How Much can I Receive in Compensation?
The amount that you recover depends on how badly you were injured, who was at fault, to what degree you were at fault, and what type of liability coverage the other driver has. The basic minimum liability coverage for British Columbia drivers to carry is $200,000. For collisions where the other driver took off (a hit and run crash), and the authorities are unable to locate the driver, your Unidentified Motorist Protection should kick in to compensate you for your losses. This amount should cover up to $200,000 in damages. Or, if you were hit and injured by a driver who did not have insurance, your Underinsured Motorist Protection can cover up to $1,000,000 or more in damages. There are three variables that will lead to the greatest amount of compensation in severe injury collisions:
- Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering compensates you for all changes to your lifestyle caused by your injuries and impairments. There is a general cap on pain and suffering damages of approximately $360,000 (increasing with inflation) reserved for the most serious injuries.
- Income Loss and Loss of Earning Capacity: Additionally, if you were injured to the point of causing a disability that reduces your ability to earn a living, you can sue for lost earning capacity. This amount may add up considerably when the years and decades of lost earning ability in your future are taken into account.
- Medical Costs: The cost of physiotherapy, counselling, massage therapy, housekeeping assistance, and related costs, are all compensable. If you have a permanent injury and you are young, or if you have serious injuries, this amount can be substantial.
Call a Vernon Accident Lawyer Today
It is vital to work with a lawyer who will get you the largest financial settlement or win the most in a lawsuit by looking for all avenues of finances, such as additional insurance policies, suing the insurance company for finances beyond the policy limits, or even suing the other driver for his or her personal property. Call the experienced accident lawyers of the Preszler Injury Lawyers today at 1-844-373-8202 for assistance.
