Calgary Personal Injury Lawyers – Litwiniuk & Company

In the hours and days following a motor vehicle accident or personal injury, you may have a lot of questions. What are my rights? Who should I talk to? Is there someone I can trust to guide me through the process of dealing with insurance companies and doctors? Will life ever be the same again?

If you were injured in an accident that was the result of another person’s negligence or wrongful actions, we may be able to help. In Alberta, you are entitled to benefits and compensation for injuries caused by another person (often beyond what the insurance company will initially offer). In most claims, our battle is with the insurance company of the at-fault party rather than the person who may have caused the accident. It can be difficult to get access to the benefits and compensation you’re entitled to without legal help. At Litco Law, our lawyers will do everything we can to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. Keep reading to learn more about how it all works and get answers to our most-asked questions about injury claims.

When should I contact a lawyer?

After receiving medical care and assessment, it is important to call an injury lawyer as soon as you can. Although you’ll have up to two years from the date of your accident to file a claim in most cases, 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. 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 grounds for a claim if more time has passed. You should still be able to file a claim as long as it’s within two years from the date of the accident. There are certain exceptions where we may be able to help you with your claim even after that two-year mark, 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.

From minor injuries such as sprains and strains to more serious or even fatal injuries, we’ve assisted thousands of Albertans who have been injured in accidents involving:

Do I really need a Personal Injury lawyer? Should I accept the insurance company’s offer?

Without an experienced injury lawyer on your side, you run the risk of receiving a much lower settlement than what you deserve for your pain and suffering. Insurance companies are sometimes quick to offer settlements in the days and weeks following an accident, often before you realize the full extent of your injuries or possible long-term implications from the accident. It is best to speak to your own insurance company right away following an accident. If the insurance company of the at-fault party contacts you, asking for additional information about the accident, you are not obligated to answer their questions. Insurance companies may want to process your claim quickly and for the smallest payout possible. If you have already received an offer, talk with an experienced injury lawyer and get a professional opinion before you agree to anything. If you’ve already received an offer from the insurance company, we’ll let you know if it’s fair.

I can’t afford a lawyer. What’s this going to cost me?

At Litco Law, we never bill by the hour. We’ll always provide free legal answers, and it won’t cost you anything to speak with a Personal Injury lawyer. 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 do not have to pay for therapy or rehabilitation services until your case is settled or brought to court. In other words, 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 take care of the legal work, while you focus on your recovery.

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 often need to be completely healed or have reached the point where no further improvement is expected before we can properly determine 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, a quick settlement is probably not in your best interest. Regardless of how long it takes to settle your claim, you won’t be required to pay us any fees or expenses related to settling your claim until it’s done.

How much money will I receive?

This depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, cost of medical care, lost wages, as well as the physical, emotional, and financial impact your injuries will have on your life. In Alberta, there is a limit set on amounts payable for certain very minor soft tissue injuries. The Supreme Court of Canada set an upper limit for compensation for pain and suffering. Adjusted for inflation, it’s currently around $400,000. But there are many other factors that can push injury claims into thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars in some rare cases. It is a common misconception in Alberta that all or most injuries are capped when, in reality, the cap only applies to certain minor injuries and does not include serious injuries or special damages. 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 talking to an injury lawyer is the best way to find out what your claim and eventual settlement might look like. 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.

We’ll ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

At Litco Law, our Personal Injury lawyers will ensure that you have all the facts and understand exactly what you are entitled to. It won’t cost you anything to speak with a Personal Injury 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.

Have questions? We’re standing by, ready to help. And it won’t cost you anything to get answers. Give us a call, send us a message, or fill out our contact form online today. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to set up a meeting to speak with a lawyer.

If you have a legal matter, get the free legal answers you need from our experienced lawyers.

If you have a legal matter, get the free legal answers
you need from our experienced lawyers.