Been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault?
In the US, 39.5 million people require medical treatment for personal injuries each year. A lot of people.
The vast majority of people have no idea what they are entitled to after an accident.
They don’t know their rights. They don’t understand the legal process. And worst of all – they often accept far less than they deserve because they don’t have anyone to guide them.
That is a problem, because:
Knowledge of your legal rights after a personal injury can mean the difference between financial hardship and getting the compensation you deserve.
What you’ll discover:
- Why your legal rights matter after an accident
- What compensation you are entitled to
- Common mistakes to avoid that can cost you money
Why Your Legal Rights Matter After an Accident
Personal injury accidents can happen in an instant. One minute you’re going about your day. The next minute – wham. Your life is turned upside down.
Suddenly you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional stress. The last thing you should have to worry about is insurance companies scheming to pay you as little as possible.
The good news is…
Insurance companies know that most people are clueless about their legal rights after an accident. But the reality is that accident victims DO have legal rights. In fact, they have many legal protections put in place to help them seek fair compensation for their injuries.
These rights exist because if someone else’s negligence injures you (such as a car accident, slip and fall, or workplace injury), they should be held accountable.
But there’s something that most people don’t realize…
The legal process can be complex, and insurance companies take advantage of that. That’s why many victims give up or accept lowball settlements without knowing what they are really entitled to.
This is when talking with an experienced injury lawyer in Calgary can make all the difference. An experienced injury lawyer will help guide you through the process, protect your rights, and make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Can You Actually Claim?
Okay, so what are you actually entitled to after a personal injury accident?
The answer might surprise you. Most people think you can only claim medical expenses. But in reality, there’s a lot more out there if you know where to look.
Medical Expenses
This one should be obvious, right? Not so fast. It’s not just your current medical bills you can claim. You can also claim:
- Emergency room visits
- Surgery costs
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Future medical treatments
- Medical equipment, like wheelchairs or crutches.
Documentation is key here. Keep track of every receipt, bill, and appointment.
Lost Wages and Income
If your injuries prevent you from working, you can also claim compensation for lost wages. This includes wages you have already lost and future earnings if your injury has a long-term effect on your ability to work.
For people with serious injuries, this can be a significant amount.
Pain and Suffering
And this is where things get a bit more interesting…
Pain and suffering compensation is meant to cover the physical pain and emotional distress you experience as a result of your injury.
This is less cut-and-dry than medical bills, but it’s where many accident victims receive a large chunk of compensation.
Trust me, insurance companies will try to lowball you on this. Don’t let them get away with it.
Property Damage
For accidents that involve vehicles, you can also claim compensation for property damage to your car or other belongings. This is one people often forget.
The Timeline You Can Expect
Curious about how long the whole process takes?
On average, most personal injury cases take between 6 and 12 months to settle. But don’t be fooled by that average. It could be much quicker or much longer, depending on the severity of your injuries, whether the liability is clear, and whether the other party cooperates.
Before you get your hopes up for a big payout, though…
Did you know only about 4% of personal injury cases ever go to court?
This is because the vast majority are settled before trial. Why? Because both sides would rather avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of a trial.
But before you sit back and wait for an offer, there’s one very important thing to remember…
Just because most cases settle, that doesn’t mean you should accept the first offer you receive. Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing claimants, offering as little as possible in the hopes you’ll take the quick money and go away.
Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
The biggest mistakes accident victims make are also the easiest to avoid. But they will cost you thousands in compensation if you don’t avoid them.
Waiting Too Long To File A Claim
Every province has something called a statute of limitations. This is a legal time limit for filing your claim. Miss the deadline? Game over, man. You can’t get any compensation.
In many provinces, the time limit is two years from the date of the accident. The sooner you act, the better.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Remember what I said about insurance companies always offering too little? Yeah, this is it.
The insurance companies make offers expecting most people won’t know any better. Some insurance companies will even offer settlements before the full extent of your injuries is known.
Not Documenting Everything
Documentation is king in personal injury cases. If you can’t prove your damages, you can’t win your case.
Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Keep copies of your medical records, police reports, witness statements, and all communications with insurance companies.
The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.
Talking To Insurance Companies Without Representation
Here’s a truth bomb for you…
Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They smile and say all the right things. But they are not on your side. Their job is to save their company money by paying you as little as possible.
Every word you say to them can be twisted to minimize your claim.
Posting On Social Media
Wait, what? You don’t post about your accident on social media. Right?
Well, insurance companies are looking at your social media accounts. You see that vacation photo with your family? The smiling pic at your nephew’s birthday party? Insurance companies will use those to prove you’re not suffering.
Innocent posts can be twisted to hurt your case. Stay off social media until your case is settled.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Personal injury accidents are terrible. They destroy your life, your finances, and cause immense suffering. It’s the reason that the law gives you rights and protection.
Knowledge of your legal rights is one thing. The next thing to do is take action to protect those rights.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Don’t accept less than you deserve. And don’t try to figure all this out by yourself.
The stats tell us that accidents happen to most people at some point. Personal injury cases are the most common with motor vehicle accidents alone accounting for 52% of all personal injury claims. So with the right strategy and guidance, accident victims can recover the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
Time is of the essence here. The sooner you know your rights and take action, the better.
