A car accident can leave you with serious injuries and more than a few questions about what to do next. In the aftermath of a crash, many people feel shaken, confused, and unsure of how to protect their rights. If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, that’s completely understandable, but there are steps you can take to protect your health, safety, and important information if you decide to explore your legal options with Litco Law.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- Prioritize Your Safety After a Car Accident
- Call the Police and Report the Car Accident
- How to Document a Car Accident
- Consider Seeking Medical Attention, Even if You Feel Fine
- Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
- What Not to Say After a Car Accident
- When Legal Support May Be Helpful After a Car Accident
- Car Accident FAQs
- Contact Our Alberta Car Accident Lawyers Today
Prioritize Your Safety After a Car Accident
Start with the basics: take a breath and check yourself and others for injuries. If it is safe to do so and you are able, move to a safer area away from traffic.
Consider calling emergency services if:
- Someone is injured, unconscious, or in severe pain
- There’s a risk of fire, leaking fluids, or oncoming traffic
- Anyone seems confused, dizzy, or unusually drowsy
Even when a collision seems minor, it can still be serious. Distractions, poor visibility, or other causes of car accidents can result in serious injuries that don’t always show up immediately.
Call the Police and Report the Car Accident
Once immediate safety concerns are addressed, reporting the accident can help reduce confusion later. Contacting the police creates an official report of what happened. A police report records key details of the accident and provides helpful documentation if questions come up later about what happened.
How to Document a Car Accident
Documentation can be helpful after a car accident because it provides a clearer picture of what happened. Photos, contact information, and other details can make it easier to understand the circumstances of the crash later on.
Helpful evidence you may have gathered at the scene of the accident includes:
- Photos of vehicle damage, the roadway, and visible injuries
- The other driver’s licence plates and contact information
- Names and contact information of other people who witnessed the crash
After an accident, many people are injured, in shock, or focused on getting medical care. If you were not able to gather information at the scene, that does not mean you cannot pursue a claim. An injury lawyer can help collect evidence through police records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction.
Consider Seeking Medical Attention, Even if You Feel Fine
It’s common to feel “fine” right after an accident, only to notice symptoms later, such as neck pain, headaches, or stiffness. Some injuries can take time to appear, but getting medical attention can help identify injuries that may not be immediately obvious. Following the medical guidance you receive and returning for follow-ups if symptoms change can help support your recovery.
Why Recovery Records May Be Helpful After an Accident
As you recover, keeping a simple record can help you understand the full extent of what you’re dealing with. Tracking symptoms, appointments, test results, treatment plans, injury-related expenses, and other day-to-day changes since the accident can provide a clear outline of the ways this accident impacted your life.
This record doesn’t need to be perfect, but it provides a clear timeline of your recovery journey and the ways the accident has affected your daily life.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
In Alberta, you typically need to report the incident to your own insurance company promptly. This part can feel stressful, but understanding the process can help you feel more prepared.
When you talk to your insurance company post-accident, they may ask for:
- Details of where and when the collision happened
- The other driver’s information
- Photos, repair estimates, or a copy of the police report
- Your injuries and details of any medical care you’ve received so far
Your insurance company may explain what coverage applies in your situation, including Section B benefits on your own policy. These benefits may provide up to $50,000 per person for medical treatment and rehabilitation after an accident.
You may also hear from the other driver’s insurance company. While you are generally required to notify your own insurance company, you are not obligated to provide a statement to or accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company. Speaking with a lawyer to understand your options can help you feel more confident as things move forward.
Alberta’s Auto Insurance System Is Changing
The Alberta government has announced plans to introduce a no-fault insurance system called Care-First. Under this system, your own insurance company covers your medical costs and certain losses after a collision, regardless of who caused it, and may limit your ability to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
What Not to Say After a Car Accident
In the moment, many people apologize out of habit, even when they’re not at fault. “I’m sorry” statements can be misunderstood later, impacting how responsibility is assigned. In the moments after the accident, focus instead on checking everyone’s safety and calmly sharing only the required information.
If you later feel unsure about what to say or how the situation may affect your claim, it can help to learn more about your options. Our team at Litco Law focuses on providing steady, clear explanations during these early moments.
When Legal Support May Be Helpful After a Car Accident
Some situations are easier to handle with support, especially if you’re injured, overwhelmed, or running into insurance disputes.
Legal guidance may be helpful if:
- You’re dealing with ongoing pain or time off work
- Fault is being disputed
- You’re facing an insurance dispute, confusing paperwork, or feel like you are not getting access to the treatment you need
- The accident involved multiple vehicles, a commercial vehicle, or a hit-and-run
- You feel pressured to accept a quick settlement
At Litco Law, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod.” It includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant who work together to make sure you feel supported and cared for.
Timing also plays an important role. There is a two-year limitation period to file an injury claim in Alberta, but there are some exceptions. A lawyer can help determine how much time you have left to file a potential claim.
Car Accident FAQs
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear often. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out to our team anytime.
Should I Always Call the Police After a Car Accident?
While police do not attend every minor car accident in Canada, section 69 of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act requires drivers to report a collision if someone is injured or if the total property damage appears to exceed $5,000. In these situations, contacting the police or visiting a collision reporting centre helps ensure there is an official record of what happened.
What if I Don’t Feel Hurt at the Scene?
Adrenaline can mask symptoms, and some injuries show up days, weeks, or even months later. Getting checked by a medical professional can help you catch problems early and document your condition.
What Basic Information Should I Exchange With the Other Driver?
Section 69 of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act provides drivers with required duties after an accident. This includes exchanging:
- Names and addresses
- The name and address of the vehicle owner, if different
- The vehicle’s licence plate number
- Insurance policy numbers and insurers
Am I Legally Required to Stay at the Accident Scene if I Wasn’t Injured?
Drivers involved in a collision are required to remain at the scene long enough to check for injuries and exchange required information with the other driver. If someone is injured or the damage appears to exceed $5,000, the collision must also be reported to police or a collision reporting centre. Leaving before these steps are completed may result in legal consequences.
Contact Our Alberta Car Accident Lawyers Today
Our team understands how stressful this process can be, and we offer free consultations so you can get clarity without feeling pressured.
At Litco Law, our goal is simple: to be lawyers you feel comfortable reaching out to and, as many of our client testimonials highlight, lawyers you will love working with. You also won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses.
To explore your options and get clear guidance, you can call (403) 273-8580 or contact us online to connect with our team of legal professionals.
