Important to Your Rights as Albertans
The Alberta Government's Insurance Review Committee is looking at reforming the current automobile insurance system in our Province. As part of that process they've circulated a survey to Albertans asking deceptively simple questions about a complicated process. There are many interesting ways to address auto insurance reform in Alberta, however, it appears from the survey that the Committee has decided that moving to a no-fault insurance system (similar to a WCB system) may be the only option.
We believe it is important that you, and every other Albertan, understand what a "no-fault" insurance system means. If a no-fault system is adopted, injured innocent Albertans will be forgoing their rights to pursue fair compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, health treatment costs, and other damages they've suffered because of someone else’s negligence. We believe that maintaining the right to sue is vital to protect innocent Albertans who are victims of motor vehicle accidents. To do otherwise is to give all control over your claim and health to the insurance companies.
The present insurance system already allows access to no-fault benefits AND at the same time maintains the right to sue for compensation for your injuries and losses. The survey seems to suggest that you have to choose between either a) suing or b) accessing no-fault benefits. This is not true.
The current system provides for immediate access to treatment so injured persons can rehabilitate from their injuries. The current system also allows a person to sue for damages not otherwise covered by insurance.
We would appreciate if you could take the time to complete the Government's survey below. We encourage you to let the Government know that maintaining your full legal rights—including the right to sue—is important to you.
The deadline to complete the Government's short survey is Friday, March 6, 2020. Please share this widely with your family and friends.
This message is being passed along from Mcleod Law LLP