Alberta offers some of Canada’s best backcountry trails and terrain for those who enjoy the thrill of dirt biking. Whether you are an experienced rider or newer to the sport, accidents can happen. Other riders, unexpected debris, mechanical failure, and poor conditions can turn an exhilarating ride tragic in a matter of seconds. Thousands of people are injured every year while riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in the province. Of those injured in dirt bike accidents, many are forced to take time off work while they recover from their injuries, and some may suffer from long term disability.
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a dirt bike accident, you might have questions such as “Am I covered by insurance for a dirt bike accident?” or “Can I make a claim against a negligent dirt bike owner?”. At Litco Law, our experienced dirt bike accident lawyers will answer your questions and do everything they can to help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries.
The most common types of injuries resulting from dirt bike accidents include:
- Concussions;
- Head injuries;
- Severe brain damage;
- Spinal cord injuries including the neck or lower back;
- Multiple types of fractures and broken bones;
- Internal injuries such as fractured ribs, organ damage, or internal bleeding; and
- Loss of life.
If you have been injured in a dirt biking accident, the most important thing is your health. It’s important to get medical treatment right away and follow the advice of your family doctor and medical professionals. Adrenaline often runs high after an accident and injuries may not be felt for several hours or days following the incident. The sooner you get assessed by your doctor, the better. Your doctor’s assessment report can be a critical piece of evidence in your case. If you wait, it is usually more difficult to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident.
Gather as much evidence as possible. If you are able, take photographs of the scene and your injuries. Get the names of other parties or witnesses; the more details you are able to provide your Personal Injury lawyer, the easier it will be to prepare a claim. The sooner you get in touch with a Calgary dirt bike accident lawyer, the easier it will be to preserve evidence and get accurate eyewitness accounts while memories are fresh. As time passes, it may become more difficult to accurately reconstruct what happened at the scene. There are no traffic cameras and few eyewitnesses in the woods. If you were wearing a helmet or body camera such as a GoPro, be sure to preserve the accident footage.
While Alberta Health Care (AHC) covers many of your medical expenses while you are in the hospital, AHC does not cover the cost of prescriptions, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or other long-term expenses such as loss of income during the time of your recovery. That is where we come in. The legal and insurance landscape surrounding off-road accidents can be complicated. At Litco Law, we understand the ins-and-outs of these types of claims and our dirt bike accident lawyers will build a strong case on your behalf. We’ll be in your corner advocating for you to ensure you get a fair offer and the best possible result.