Understanding MVAC in Alberta with James H. Brown and Associates

After an accident, it’s important to make sure victims and their families are able to look after their short and long-term needs. This includes physical, mental, emotional, and financial requirements. An accident settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance can go a long way towards addressing those needs, but what happens if the at-fault party doesn’t have insurance? Even worse, where do accident victims turn if the driver flees the scene? Recovering from a severe injury is hard enough when you don’t have to worry about who’s paying for your medical expenses or where to turn for compensation.

In Alberta, the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims program exists to ensure accident victims receive compensation when the at-fault driver is uninsured or unknown. However, MVAC claims can be extremely challenging and difficult to understand. Most accident victims will require the assistance of an experienced legal team to secure fair compensation for their injuries.

At James H. Brown and Associates, we understand firsthand what it’s like to experience a serious injury. Our team of award-winning injury lawyers is ready to help you navigate MVAC, attain justice, and secure the compensation you deserve. To help get you started, you’ll find information about the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims program below, as well as how James H. Brown and Associates is ready to stand up for your rights and help you navigate the road to recovery.

What is MVAC?

Created in 1947 through the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Act, Alberta’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims program is designed to protect victims injured by uninsured or unknown drivers. It ensures that accident victims can sue and receive payment for their injuries. As such, MVAC can be an invaluable resource to ensure that accident victims can pay for medical treatment, lost time at work, and other expenses resulting from their accident.

When Can You Claim Damages Through MVAC?

Although MVAC is an important resource for victims of hit-and-runs and accidents with uninsured drivers, it does have limitations. These include:

• Having a maximum payout of $200,000.
• Only covering compensation for bodily injuries. You can’t sue for property damage (such as damage to your vehicle) under MVAC.
• Only covering accidents where the at-fault party is uninsured or unknown. In multi-vehicle collisions or accidents with multiple at-fault parties, Alberta law requires you to seek compensation from them first.

In addition to these limitations, the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims program also requires individuals (and their legal teams) to undergo several steps, including:

• Investigating all possible insurance coverage first. This includes partial coverage.
• Contacting your insurance company to pay for interim medical expenses. MVAC provides benefits for medical expenses in only unique circumstances.
• Filing and serving notice of a lawsuit against the person or people liable for the accident and your injuries. If the driver is unknown, you must collect information from witnesses and canvass other possible witnesses.

In conclusion, Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program should be viewed as a “last resort” to claim compensation for your injuries; individuals can only sue under MVAC when all other options have failed. That said, MVAC compensation can be a crucial resource for accident victims and their families.

MVAC Claims with James H. Brown and Associates

Filing an accident claim and pursuing compensation after a serious accident can be complicated at the best of times. Unfortunately, it only gets worse when the at-fault driver is uninsured or unknown. The fact is that MVAC claims can be extremely challenging to pursue; that’s why it’s essential to have an experienced legal team on your side.

Not sure if an injury lawyer is right for you? Take our 5-minute quiz to find out how James H. Brown and Associates can help!

James H. Brown and Associates has proudly served Albertans since 1993, gaining an unrivalled reputation for attaining results for our clients. As a large, successful law firm, James H. Brown and Associates proudly offers complete resources and support for accident victims and their families, including:

• An award-winning legal team with over 200 years of combined experience.
• Full investigation and evidence preservation services, including accident reconstruction and analysis.
• Access to experts to help fully understand your injuries and provide supporting documentation for your case.
• Strong relationships with community organizations to support rehabilitation and recovery.
• And much more!

Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident?

Sound legal advice is the first step on the road to justice. Unlike many of the large law firms in Alberta, James H. Brown and Associates’ injury lawyers are ready to speak with you right away. No call centres, no intake teams, just the expert legal advice you and your family need.

Contact us today to speak with a lawyer and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with James H. Brown and Associates.