From slipping and falling on ice during the winter months to being involved in an accident with another motor vehicle during morning rush hour, accidents can happen in many ways and to varying degrees of severity. But make no mistake, all accidents are unexpected and unpleasant. An accident that results in personal injury due to another person's negligence only adds insult to injury. You may be recovering from your injuries at home or in the hospital, forced to take time off work, and even facing the possibility of long-term implications – none of which are your fault. And you may be wondering if it's even possible to receive adequate compensation for what you are going through. After all, how can you put a price on your health and quality of life?
If you were injured in an accident that was the result of another person's negligence or wrongful actions, we can help. In Alberta, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. And often a lot more money than most insurance companies will lead you to believe. In most claims, the battle is with the insurance company of the at-fault party rather than the actual person who may have caused the accident. That's what auto accident insurance is for: to provide accident victims like you money to compensate you for your injuries, and get you the medical treatment and support you need. But it can be very hard to get everything you're entitled to without help. Our Calgary Accident lawyers will do everything we can to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. This includes ensuring you have access to the numerousÂ
benefits and resources that are available to injured Albertans, which you might otherwise not be aware of.
Call or email us today, you'll hear back within 24 hours guaranteed. And it won't cost you a thing to talk to one of our Personal Injury lawyers. We'll take the time to listen to you and answer your questions. You don't have to go through this alone. We will fight in your corner and advocate for you, so that you can focus on what matters most –Â
your wellbeing. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better.
After receiving medical care and assessment, it is important to call an accident lawyer as soon as you can. Although in most cases you technically have up to two years from the date of your accident to file a claim, there are deadlines – some as early as 30 days after the date of injury – which may be important to your case. The days and weeks following an accident are also the most vital for gathering evidence and collecting important information. The sooner you contact a Personal Injury lawyer after your accident, the better. Witnesses are easier to track down. Memories are fresh. And it's a lot easier to gather compelling photographic and physical evidence. But that doesn't mean you don't have a claim if more time has elapsed – so long as it's within two years from the date of the accident. And even if more than 2 years have passed since the accident, there are certain exceptions that may allow us to help you with your claim such as if you were under 18 at the time of the accident, or if you are already working with another injury lawyer.
If there's a way we can help you, we'll find it. Our Calgary Accident lawyers are skilled at investigating and collecting evidence after the fact. From minor injuries such as sprains and strains to the more serious and catastrophic or even fatal injuries, we have over 44 years of experience helping thousands of injured Albertans and their families. Our accident lawyers represent clients suffering from:
- Sprains and strains;
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries;
- Fractures and broken bones;
- Concussions and brain injuries;
- TMJ problems;
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Permanent disability and impairment;
- Brain injuries;
- Fatal accidents, and more.
We've assisted thousands of Albertans who have been injured in accidents involving:
Without an experienced Calgary Accident lawyer on your side, you run the risk of getting a much lower settlement than what you deserve for your pain and suffering. Insurance companies are quick to offer settlements in the days and weeks following an accident, often in the hopes that you won't hire a personal injury lawyer and before you realize the full extent of your injuries or possible long-term implications from the accident. It is advisable to speak to your insurance company right away following an accident. YOUR insurance adjuster will contact the other party's insurance company – there is no need for you to speak with them. If they contact you asking for additional information about the accident, you are not obligated to answer their questions. Do not provide a statement or any additional information over the phone, email, or by letter. Anything you say could be used against you as evidence if you choose to pursue a claim. The less you say, the better.Â
Insurance companies want to process your claim quickly and get it done for the smallest payout possible. If you have already received an offer, you owe it to yourself to talk with an experienced personal injury lawyer and get a professional opinion. The best strategy is to avoid direct conversations with the insurance company of the person who injured you and speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. At Litco Law, it won't cost you a thing to talk to one of our Accident injury lawyers. If you've already got an offer on the table, we'll let you know if it's fair. And if you do choose to hire us, we won't charge you a thing until your claim is resolved.
I can't afford a lawyer. What's this going to cost me?
Talking with an Accident lawyer at Litco Law is absolutely free. If you decide you want us to represent you, we'll never charge you any fees while your claim is in progress. We'll also pay upfront for any disbursement costs and collect them back only if and when your claim is successful – this includes everything from obtaining medical reports to any other expenses that are needed to reach a settlement. In some cases, we will work with your medical provider to ensure you are not charged for their services until your case is settled or brought to court. In other words,Â
we don't get paid until you get paid. Many injury victims are unable to work and stressed about their finances – your personal injury lawyer shouldn't add to your stress. We'll do everything we can to get you back on the road to better health.
How long will it take to reach a settlement?
While we'll always work to settle your claim quickly and efficiently, the process does take time. Be wary of insurance companies offering settlements right away. Your injuries need to be completely healed or have reached the point where no further improvement is expected before we can properly determine the appropriate compensation. It can take months or even years to fully realize the extent of your injuries. If your injuries are minor and heal quickly, your claim could be complete within a few months. For more serious injuries, it usually takes longer to have a clear picture of the impact of your injuries on your long-term health and ability to work or enjoy life. This extends the time frame for reaching a settlement. In most situations, making is quick settlement is likely not in your best interest. Regardless of how long it takes to settle your claim, you won't be required to pay any fees or expenses related to settling your claim until it's done.How much money will I receive?
Your settlement amount depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, cost of medical care, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from the accident – as well as the physical, emotional, and financial impact your injuries will have on your life long-term. In Alberta, there is a limit set on amounts payable for certainÂ
very minor soft tissue injuries. The Supreme Court of Canada set an upper limit for compensation for pain and suffering, and adjusted for inflation it is currently around $330,000. But there are many other factors that can push injury claims into thousands, hundreds or thousands, or rarely even millions of dollars. It is a common misconception in Alberta that all or most injuries are capped at $5,202 when, in reality, the cap only applies to certain minor injuries and does not include serious injuries orÂ
special damages. Furthermore, the cap applies to individual compensation for specific minor injuries, meaning that if you have three different injuries that each require treatment, and not all are minor you may have a right to compensation beyond the cap amount. To learn more about the claims cap in Alberta, we've written about it in more detail
 here. This area of law is complex, and personalized legal advice from an Accident lawyer is the best way to determine what your claim and eventual settlement might look like. In other words, if anyone tells you your claim is capped, or you're just not sure, there's no need for guesswork; call us anytime and we'll help you figure it out.
Our Calgary Accident Lawyers Are on Your Side
We hope this article gave you some hope and useful information. At Litco Law our personal injury lawyers will ensure that you have all the facts and understand exactly what you are entitled to. It doesn't cost a thing to speak with an accident lawyer and, if you do hire us, we don't get paid until you get paid. We've been helping Albertans get the compensation they deserve since 1976, and we understand what you and your family are going through. You don't have to go through this alone. Nothing makes us happier than getting someone the compensation they deserve, and helping victims and their families achieve the best possible outcome. If you or a loved one has been injured, simply give us a call or email today. We'll get back to you within 24 hours to set up a meeting to speak with a lawyer.