Beginning on September 29, 2022, the process for reporting some collisions changed, according to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Beginning on that date, the EPS opened two Collision Reporting Centres for the purpose of managing collision reports. The primary reasons for this change included freeing up a sufficient number of police officers and streamlining the process for reporting minor motor vehicle accidents throughout Edmonton.
If your accident qualifies for reporting, you must follow all of the necessary protocols, since failing to do so can lead to monetary fines and other consequences. Moreover, if you suffered injuries in a serious motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company – or pursue legal action in the Alberta Court System.
An experienced car accident lawyer in Edmonton can guide you through that process and pursue the full amount of monetary compensation you deserve to recover for your accident-related injuries.
What are the Physical Locations for the Two Collision Reporting Centres in Edmonton?
The first Collision Reporting Centre in Edmonton is located at 15750 116 Avenue NW. The second reporting location is at 5805 87A Street NW. These locations are open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. They are also open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
What is the Primary Purpose of Collision Reporting Centres in Edmonton?
Collision reporting centres in Edmonton serve several important purposes. The main purpose of these facilities is so that individuals can satisfy the provincial requirements by reporting minor traffic collisions. By reporting these accidents, they may also satisfy several motor vehicle insurance requirements.
Under Alberta regulations, individuals involved in a traffic collision must report that collision when one or more persons suffered injuries – or where the property damage from the collision totals $2,000 or more among all of the vehicles involved in the crash.
Before collision reporting centres in Edmonton, individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident typically had to report the occurrence at a police station. Otherwise, they had to wait for an officer to respond to the accident scene. However, staff will be available at these new collision centres to contact relevant individuals, photograph the property damage, and complete a police report.
Who is in Charge of the Edmonton Collision Reporting Centre, and When Do I Have to Report There?
In Edmonton, EPS recently partnered with the Accident Support Services International Ltd. (or ASSI) to manage 41 collision reporting centers in various Canadian provinces.
Before reporting a motor vehicle accident at one of these collision centres, you must first determine if you or someone else suffered injuries. If so, you should immediately contact 9-1-1. Also, if you can, all involved drivers should move their vehicles to a safe area, allowing the roadway to remain clear and preventing further accidents or injuries.
Next, individuals involved in an accident must assess the damages. In cases where the involved vehicles in an accident scenario have property damage that is $2,000 or more combined, you must go to one of the collision reporting centres and report the accident as quickly as possible. If you fail to do so, you may receive a monetary fine.
Additionally, if you do not know how much property damage the vehicle sustained, a body shop can provide an estimate. If your vehicle requires a tow truck and you cannot drive directly to the collision reporting centre, you will need to call a tow company that can transport your vehicle and drive you directly to the centre.
While at a collision reporting centre, a personal injury lawyer will not be available to help you. However, if you suffered injuries in your accident, it is still important that you contact a personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible. A lawyer can promptly investigate your accident circumstances and explore your legal options for recovering the monetary compensation you need for your injuries and other losses.
Are There Any Exceptions to the Edmonton Collision Reporting Centre Requirements?
There are some exceptions to when an accident victim must follow up at a collision reporting centre after an accident. Some of those exceptions include:
- Instances where there is property damage that causes a safety concern to the accident victim or others
- Cases where an accident victim suffers serious injuries that require an ambulance to transport them to a nearby hospital immediately
- Accident situations where a vehicle is transporting dangerous or hazardous goods
- Accidents where provincial, municipal, or federal vehicles are involved
- Accidents where significant traffic blockage occurs
- Collisions that involve some type of criminal activity, such as where a driver operates a vehicle without insurance coverage or on a suspended license
These are not the only exceptions to the collision reporting centre requirements, but in general, the reporting requirements only apply to minor accident scenarios.
How do Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents in Edmonton Happen?
Serious motor vehicle accidents in Edmonton, Alberta, often occur due to someone else’s negligence, encompassing various factors that contribute to these incidents. One prevalent cause is impaired driving, where individuals operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This reckless behavior significantly affects a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to severe accidents with devastating consequences.
Distracted driving is another common contributor to serious Edmonton accidents. With the prevalence of smartphones and other distractions, drivers may turn their attention away from the road, leading to collisions. Such negligent behaviors can have severe implications for roadway safety, whether texting, adjusting the radio, or engaging in other distractions.
Excessive speeding is another significant factor in serious Edmonton motor vehicle accidents. Drivers who exceed posted speed limits or fail to adjust their speed to roadway conditions (including prevailing weather and traffic conditions) pose a heightened risk to themselves and others. High-speed collisions often result in more severe injuries and greater property damage, emphasizing the importance of adhering to speed limits.
Failing to obey traffic signs and signals is another form of negligence that frequently leads to serious Edmonton accidents. Disregarding red lights, yield signs, stop signs, and other regulatory signals can result in intersection collisions and T-bone accidents, causing substantial harm to everyone involved.
Furthermore, reckless driving behaviors, such as aggressive driving or tailgating, contribute to the occurrence of serious accidents. Aggressive drivers who engage in behaviors like weaving in and out of busy travel lanes, excessive lane changing, or road rage increase the likelihood of collisions and escalate the severity of the resulting injuries.
Understanding these common causes of serious motor vehicle accidents in Edmonton highlights the importance of promoting responsible and cautious driving practices. Addressing these negligent behaviors through heightened law enforcement, public awareness, and legal consequences can contribute to reducing the frequency and severity of accidents on the roads in Edmonton, Alberta.
Injuries in Serious Edmonton Accidents
In a serious car crash in Edmonton, Alberta, resulting from someone else’s negligence, accident victims may sustain numerous injuries, varying in severity. One of the most prevalent injuries is whiplash, which occurs when the head is forcefully jerked forward and backward. Whiplash can lead to ongoing neck pain, headaches, and stiffness. In more severe accident cases, victims may experience long-term medical complications, such as migraines.
Soft tissue injuries beyond whiplash – including tears, sprains, and strains – may damage ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These injuries can lead to ongoing swelling and limited range of motion.
Orthopedic injuries, such as fractures and dislocations, are also common due to the tremendous forces involved in serious car accidents. Victims may suffer broken bones, particularly in the pelvis, ribs, spine, or limbs. These injuries often require extensive medical intervention, including surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term medical care.
Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), are also prevalent in serious Edmonton car crashes. The force of impact or a blow to the head can result in varying degrees of brain trauma, seriously affecting an accident victim’s short-term and long-term memory functions, cognitive abilities, and overall neurological well-being.
Internal injuries – including internal bleeding and organ damage – can also occur. The effects of a collision may cause various bodily organs to become displaced or injured, leading to life-threatening complications that may require immediate medical intervention, such as surgery.
Burn injuries may also occur in serious Edmonton car crashes – particularly if there is a fire or if hot surfaces come into contact with the victim’s body. Burns can cause severe pain and scarring and may necessitate extensive medical treatment and reconstructive surgeries.
Finally, psychological injuries, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are common consequences of serious Edmonton car crashes. The emotional trauma that results from an accident can have a lasting and sometimes permanent effect on the victim’s overall mental state and well-being.
Accident victims must seek immediate medical attention to address both visible and hidden injuries. Additionally, consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Edmonton becomes essential for pursuing compensation and holding the negligent party accountable for the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of the motor vehicle accident.
Recovering Favorable Financial Damages in Edmonton Car Accident Cases
Edmonton, Alberta car accident victims who suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence may be eligible to recover various economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Economic damages aim to compensate for measurable financial losses incurred due to the accident. Lost income, both current and future, may also be recoverable, accounting for the income the victim would have earned had it not been for the injuries sustained in the accident. If the accident victim’s injuries require them to switch jobs and accept a lower rate of pay, they may be eligible to recover compensation for loss of earning capacity.
Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that are more challenging to quantify. Pain and suffering compensation provides financial relief for the physical and emotional distress that the victim experienced due to their accident-related injuries. This includes chronic pain, emotional anguish, and the overall effect on the victim’s quality of life.
Loss of enjoyment of life is another non-economic damage that acknowledges the diminished ability of the victim to engage in activities they once enjoyed. The limitations that the injuries impose can affect hobbies, social activities, and overall lifestyle.
Psychological damages, such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety, may also be eligible for monetary compensation. These non-economic damages address the emotional toll of the accident and its aftermath on the mental health and well-being of the victim.
Seeking the assistance of a personal injury lawyer in Edmonton is crucial for accident victims who are pursuing a claim or lawsuit. A legal professional can assess the specific circumstances, calculate the damages appropriately, and advocate for fair monetary compensation to address the full scope of the economic and non-economic losses incurred due to someone else’s negligence.
Call an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Edmonton about Your Legal Matter Today
In the event you suffer serious injuries in an Edmonton car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer in your area can guide you throughout every step of your personal injury claim or lawsuit.
First, your lawyer can gather the documents necessary to prove your case, including copies of police reports and medical records, and assemble those documents into a complete settlement demand package for the insurance company adjuster to review. Your lawyer can also handle all communications and settlement negotiations with the insurance company and fight for fair monetary compensation on your behalf.
Finally, if the insurance company does not make you a settlement offer that fairly and fully compensates you for your car accident injuries, then your lawyer can promptly file a lawsuit in the Alberta Court System on your behalf and efficiently litigate your case to a resolution.
Consultations with car accident lawyers should be free. This means that you can seek expert advice without worrying about a financial burden.
During a consultation, a car accident lawyer will listen to your case, ask you relevant questions, and provide an evaluation of the potential legal options available to you. They will analyze the circumstances of the accident, assess liability and damages, and determine the strength of your case. These insights will help you make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Remember, consultations with car accident lawyers are confidential, so you can freely discuss the details of your case without fear. By taking advantage of this complimentary service, you can gain valuable insights and make an informed decision about how to proceed with your legal matter. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a car accident lawyer to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.
