IF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT

• Do wear your seatbelt while driving. If you are involved in an accident, make sure the accident report reflects the fact that you took this safety precaution.
• Do carry adequate automobile insurance. Not only is it mandatory in Alberta, but also if you ever need to rely on its benefits, it will pay for itself many, many times over.
• Do drive defensively and cautiously. It is the best protection against disaster.
• Do stay calm if an accident ensues. Try to help the injured and gather information, rather than venting your anger at the other driver.
• Do have the presence of mind to make a diagram of the accident, as well as to take down all pertinent information from drivers, passengers, and witnesses.
• Do try to have pictures taken of the accident, or at least of damage done to your car and injury to your body.
• Do call an ambulance or any other emergency vehicles, if necessary. Give help to injured persons.
• Do call the police to have them come out to the accident scene to make a report. Make sure you explain to them any injuries which may have ensued from the accident. If they refuse to send someone, go to the nearest police station and file a counter report.
• Do cooperate with R.C.M.P. and/or city police officers who are at the scene of the accident.
• Do go to a doctor to check out whether you sustained any injuries.
• Do call your insurance company to report the accident.
• Do notify your vehicle insurance company and fill out the necessary Claim forms.
• Do have your automobile repaired at the best repair facility that can restore your car to its original condition.
• Do keep daily logs of your visits with doctors, including any out-of-pocket expenses, mileage to and from his office, and the amount of time spent in therapy.
• Do keep a journal of time missed from work, lost wages, and projected future loss of earning capacity due to injury or disability from the accident.
• Do see a personal injury lawyer before signing any releases from insurance companies.
• Do call a lawyer -- Bayda Ludwar Law Firm at (403) 670-0055 for a free consultation about your rights or about liabilities arising from the accident.
• Do not fail to stop and trade identifications if you are involved in an accident. Penalties for "hit-and-run" driving are quite severe.
• Do not drink and drive. There are harsh penalties for drunken driving. If you are involved in an accident where the other driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, make sure the accident report reflects this fact!
• Do not make any voluntary statements or offer to take any field sobriety tests if stopped for driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Do not refuse to sign a traffic ticket. It is a promise to appear in court to explain your side of the story.
• Do not move injured persons, unless leaving them alone would cause greater danger to their health and safety.
• Do not move the involved automobiles until a record of how the accident occurred has been made.
• Do not ignore signs of pain in the neck or lower back.
• Do not neglect purchasing uninsured/underinsured motorist protection when you buy insurance.
• Do not admit fault, discuss opinions, or offer information about the accident to the other driver, to his lawyer, or to any insurance company. A personal injury lawyer can best advise you in this area.
• Do not settle your insurance claim before you are completely healed, or until you are sure that the settlement takes into account your future medical needs.
• Do not short change yourself with an insurance settlement that does not take into account reimbursement for all of the components due to you, including compensation for pain and suffering.
• Do not allow insurance companies to treat your claim unfairly or expeditiously. Be vigilant concerning acts of bad faith on their part.
• Do not settle property damage claims or bodily injury claims with insurance companies without first consulting with an experienced personal injury lawyer. You may call (403) 670-0055 for a free consultation with Bayda Ludwar Law Firm.
• Do not withhold any information from your lawyer. All communications with him or her are privileged and confidential.
• Do not make any premature statements or sign any releases with the insurance company until you consult first with a lawyer. The office of Bayda Ludwar Law Firm is qualified to assist you with questions, advice, and counsel on such matters.