Why You Should Pay Attention to Changes That Might Limit Your Rights
A Family’s Future, Changed in an Instant
Imagine you are driving your kids to hockey practice on a quiet Thursday evening. The roads are dry, traffic is light. Suddenly, another car, runs a red light and T-bones your vehicle. In an instant, your life—and your children’s—changes forever. You are rushed to the hospital with multiple fractures, a traumatic brain injury, and months, possibly years, of rehabilitation ahead.
Now picture this: After everything you’ve gone through, you are told that you are not entitled to sue for the pain, the suffering, or the wages you’ve lost—because of changes in Alberta’s auto insurance laws.
That’s not a fictional nightmare. That could soon be the reality for Albertans under a proposed “no-fault” insurance model.
What’s Being Proposed—and Why It Matters
Alberta is considering a shift from our current tort-based insurance system (where you can sue the at-fault driver for damages) to a no-fault system—something that would prevent injured victims from pursuing legal action, regardless of who caused the crash.
On the surface, “no-fault” may sound neutral or even fair. But the implications go much deeper.
According to a recent report by the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association, not only would this system strip victims of their legal rights, but it could also raise insurance premiums over time—not lower them, as advocates of the system suggest.
Let’s break down what’s really at stake.
Real-World Consequences of Removing the Right to Sue
- Victims Could Receive Less Compensation
Under the current system, seriously injured Albertans can sue for damages that cover:
- Loss of past & future income;
- Pain and suffering;
- Cost of care and rehabilitation (future care);
- Loss of the marital relationship;
- Housekeeping/Attendant care;
- Out-of-pocket expenses; and
- Support for dependents in wrongful death cases.
In a no-fault system, these damages will be replaced by “standardized benefits,” which often do not reflect the true costs of recovery.
Take, for instance, a young father who suffers a spinal injury in a crash caused by a distracted driver. Right now, (as of August 2025), he may sue for his long-term care needs, lost income, and the emotional toll.
However, under no-fault? He would only get what the insurer deems “reasonable”— and nothing more.
- Insurance Companies Hold All the Power
If you cannot take your case to court, you are at the mercy of the insurer’s internal review process. That leaves little room for accountability if they lowball your compensation or deny necessary treatments.
Insurers, not courts, will determine the value of your injuries, and whether or not your claim is valid.
- Wrongful Death Cases May Go Unacknowledged
Perhaps the most devastating implication is how families of fatal crash victims would be impacted. The no-fault model will limit their ability to pursue justice or receive adequate compensation. How do you put a dollar value on a life? The courts can weigh the emotional and financial impact. A set schedule of benefits cannot.
The False Promise of Lower Premiums
One of the arguments behind the proposed no-fault model is that it will allegedly reduce premiums. But according to the new report, this claim does not hold up.
In jurisdictions like British Columbia, which recently adopted a similar system, premiums have not dropped significantly—and in some cases, they have increased. Worse, those injured in crashes, have reported struggling to access necessary care and benefits, because the new system puts more power in the hands of insurers.
What Alberta really needs is a transparent insurance model, not one that reduces insurer accountability, while increasing their profit margins.
Long-Term Impact on Victims and Families
The shift to no-fault will be especially harmful for those who suffer life-altering injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Amputations;
- Chronic pain disorders; and/or
- Severe PTSD or emotional trauma.
These are not temporary setbacks. These are conditions that can end careers, strain relationships, and create decades of financial and emotional hardship.
If the new system prevents people from receiving full compensation—or from holding negligent drivers accountable—it could lead to lifelong consequences, especially for vulnerable families and children.
What You Can Do: Speak Up Before It’s Too Late
This proposed shift in Alberta’s insurance system is not just about dollars and cents—it is about people’s lives.
Whether you drive a car, cycle to work, or cross busy intersections on foot, these changes affect everyone. The right to seek justice after an accident should not be optional. And it certainly shouldn’t be taken away quietly.
Now is the time to contact your MLA and tell them that you value a system that protects the rights of victims—not just the interests of insurers.
And if you do find yourself in an accident, despite your precautions, remember that Pipella Law is here to help. If the negligence of another driver has caused you or a loved one harm, you deserve compensation. Pipella Law has over 75 years of combined experience advocating for victims, and they will not charge a fee until they have secured the settlement you deserve.
Kindly lobby your MLA and spread the word to help put a stop to NO FAULT in Alberta. Log onto https://fairab.ca/; and https://www.notonofault.com/ for more info on the effects on auto insurance changes in BC and how they will impact you, your family and all Albertans.
https://chng.it/M96xLCQdMW Petition against No-Fault Auto Insurance
Read more about this https://calgaryherald.com/news/albertas–proposed–systemcould–add–to–premiums–report
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident, you know how devastating the consequences can be. That's why having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial to help you navigate the legal system and obtain the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care in Alberta.
At Pipella Law, we understand the challenges you are facing, and we are here to help. Our team of dedicated car accident lawyers in Calgary will conduct a complete investigation of your case and work with leading consultants to build a strong case on your behalf.