Imagine you’ve been involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) in Calgary, and you’re taking all the right steps to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. You’ve prioritized your health, notified your insurance company, and started gathering information from the other party. But what happens when you discover the other driver doesn’t have insurance? This scenario can be confusing and stressful, but don’t worry – we’re here to guide you through the process.
In Calgary, if the other driver is uninsured – whether they were breaking the law or it was a hit-and-run with an unidentified driver – your Personal Injury lawyer will turn to the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Program (MVAC) for compensation. The MVAC can provide a settlement of up to $200,000. If there are multiple injured parties involved and everyone’s damages exceed the available $200,000, the payment will be pro-rated among all of you. However, if the total damages are less than $200,000, there will be no pro-rating.
It’s important to remember that MVAC payments are a last resort for victims. If there is any possibility of receiving compensation through the other driver’s insurance – even if it’s only partial – you may not be eligible for a settlement through MVAC.
To be eligible for a claim, you must meet the following criteria:
- You suffered bodily injuries from a MVA (property damage alone does not qualify)
- You’re a resident of Calgary
- The accident occurred in Calgary
- The accident was the fault of an uninsured or unknown driver
*If you’re not a resident of Calgary, you may still be able to claim through MVAC if your jurisdiction has a comparable program. Similarly, Calgary residents may be able to use this program if their MVA happened outside of Calgary.
An experienced Personal Injury lawyer can help you determine whether your situation meets the eligibility requirements.
To file a claim, you must:
- Exhaust all possible insurance coverage options (including partial coverage)
- File a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for the accident and your injuries (a Personal Injury lawyer can assist with this)
- Serve a notice of your lawsuit on the liable person or people (if the at-fault driver is unknown, you must file a lawsuit against “The Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Act”)
It’s crucial to be aware that MVAC has its own notice requirements. For hit-and-run accidents, you must notify MVAC about your potential claim within 90 days of the accident. Failing to do so can result in your claim being denied. However, even if you’ve missed the 90-day deadline, it’s still worth contacting a Personal Injury lawyer as soon as possible. In some cases, you may still be able to make a claim.
At Car Accident Lawyer Calgary, we offer free initial consultations with no cost or obligation. If you choose to work with us, we operate on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you do. So, if you’ve been in a Motor Vehicle Accident anywhere in Calgary, Car Accident Lawyer Calgary is here to help. Give us a call, send us an email, or reach out via chat. Remember, you can count on our dedicated legal team to be in your corner, because we genuinely care about your well-being and recovery.