Strathmore Personal Injury Lawyers Car & Motorcycle Accident Claims

Auto accidents are common in Strathmore. Many people forget that the physical injuries that happen in such accidents also come with significant financial costs. Accident victims miss work while they recover, and may never be able to work again as a result of their injuries. There are also significant medical bills, some of which Medicare won’t pay.

Personal injury claims exist to help the driver who was not at-fault for the accident recover compensation for their losses and damages. Yet the at-fault driver’s insurance company can rarely be counted on to do the right thing without prompting. If you’ve been severely injured in a Strathmore auto accident then you’re likely to need a personal injury lawyer to file a claim and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. 

What is a good settlement for a car accident or motorcycle accident claim?

A good settlement is a settlement which meets your needs after the automobile or motorcycle accident.

This means, first and foremost, that the settlement covers all of your medical bills. This includes your projected long-term care bills. You should also receive compensation for services you had to purchase as a result of your accident, like housekeeping services. These are called your “economic damages.” Your lost wages and loss of earning capacity compensation also count as economic damages.

You should also receive some amount for your non-economic damages, also known as compensation for your pain and suffering. This amount is negotiable and will depend on three factors. The first is the extent of your injuries. The more severe the injuries, the higher the pain and suffering award.

The second is the impact the injuries have on your life. If you’ll never walk again then you’ll receive a much higher award than if you merely broke your arm. 

Finally, your lawyer’s negotiation and litigation skill will play a huge role in how much money you’re awarded for pain and suffering. These amounts are subjective, and so can vary from case to case.

In Alberta pain and suffering awards are capped at $370,000. As your lawyers we’ll do our best to maximize your award to get it as close to this limit as is possible given the facts of your case. 

How do I get the most money from a car or motorcycle accident?

The only way to do it is to present the strongest case you can. One way to ensure you do this is by involving a lawyer early. You do not have to wait until you’ve healed up. You can involve a lawyer on the day of the accident.

The other way is by ensuring there’s a clear line between your injuries and the accident. This means you’re going to have to follow all of your doctor’s instructions.

Finally, if you can take photos at the accident scene, get the other driver’s insurance information, and get the names and numbers of any witnesses then you’ll be able to help your lawyer make the strongest case for you. 

Is it worth it to get a lawyer for my car accident or motorcycle accident claim?

You may already know that personal injury lawyers work on contingency. This means they don’t get paid until they’ve brought your case to a successful conclusion. Then they take a portion of your settlement. 

The numbers say you’re likely to walk away with three to ten times more money if you have a lawyer on your side. 91% of those who retain personal injury lawyers get paid. Only 51% of those who try to go it alone do. 

The average compensation for personal injury cases without a lawyer is only $17,600. Those who have a lawyer typically receive an average of $77,600. Even after a lawyer’s contingency fees are deducted you walk away with far more money than you would have had you tried to navigate your personal injury case without a lawyer.

The more severe your injuries the more this disparity matters. It’s sad but true: extremely severe injuries don’t pay out as quickly as smaller injuries. This is because the at-fault driver’s insurance company is always going to fight harder to avoid paying a more expensive claim. If you have disfiguring injuries, crushed limbs, limbs that need amputations, severe lacerations, traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries you absolutely need a personal injury lawyer to help you navigate your case. 

What makes a motorcycle accident claim different from a car accident claim?

The first is that motorcycle accident claims tend to be more catastrophic than car accident claims. As discussed, this means the defendant, insurance company is going to work harder to launch a case against you, the rider. They’ll also try to maximize the amount of blame that is assigned to you. In a comparative negligence province like Alberta, this can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars, even if they don’t manage to keep you from recovering at all.

Motorcycle cases require expertise to help navigate the complexities of the case, as well as the stigma riders face. In addition a motorcycle accident lawyer almost always starts at a slight disadvantage. The rider is rarely in a position to gather evidence after the accident. They’re often unconscious, bleeding out, or near death. Many motorcyclists die, transforming their personal injury cases into wrongful death cases. You need a lawyer who can do a proper job of reconstructing the evidence. 

Get Help Today

We have offices conveniently located in Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, Airdrie, and Cochrane. We also serve clients all across Alberta including Lethbridge, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, Lloydminster, Leduc, Okotoks, Fort Saskatchewan, Chestermere, Camrose, Beaumont, Stony Plain, Sylvan Lake, Brooks, Strathmore, High River, Canmore, Morinville, Whitecourt, Hinton, Olds, and Blackfalds.

Want a case evaluation? Want to know what you need to do next? Consult with one of our responsive, experienced lawyers. We have over 30 years of personal injury experience. We’re savvy litigators and negotiators, and we don’t stop until we’ve achieved the best possible result for your case.

Call (403) 225-7777 to schedule your appointment today.