This is the first post in the series of MVA articles we are planning to better assist our patients in their post-collision recovery.
MVA stands for “motor vehicle accident”. It is an umbrella term that describes many types of vehicle collisions that may involve drivers, passengers and/or pedestrians. In the healthcare world, MVA may refer to associated injuries, treatment plans, and patients themselves. Because it is one of the most complex areas of treatment practice at Holistic Medical Clinic (and elsewhere), there is a lot of confusion about MVA.
We are here to dispel common myths surrounding MVA! We hope to answer your questions about insurance claims, injury settlement cases, hiring a personal injury lawyer, and more. First, here are some of the key things you need to know where personal injury and vehicle damage is concerned.
Common Myths about MVA
???? If at least one party involved in a collision has car insurance, you have treatment coverage. Yes, accident benefits for treatments, not just car repairs! There are no exceptions in Canada.
???? If you are injured in a collision by a driver with no insurance or are a victim of a hit and run where the culpable driver can’t be found, your health costs will be covered by the provincial fund called Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund reserved for accident injury where no other insurance is available.
???? If you are not at fault for the collision, your insurance rate will not go up when you file a claim. Many people do not file an insurance claim for fear of having to pay more for insurance. This is not the case. Even if you are at fault, check your insurance policy for the first-time forgiveness clause.
???? If any party files a claim, this claim will be known to your insurance company, even if you are not the one to file it. So it is better to take advantage of the insurance coverage you have to obtain quality care.
???? If your injuries are extensive with long-term implications, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. They will help you navigate the very complex insurance claim system that is designed to work against you — insurance companies do not like to pay up! Personal injury lawyers do not charge per hour — instead, they work for the percentage of the final settlement. So you don’t need to have extra money on hand to pay for their services.
In future posts, we will expand on each of the very important points above and discuss two major types of MVA injury cases and treatment plans available in Ontario. Stay tuned!