Pre-Claim Consultations: How Early Legal Advice Can Help in Your Case
If you have been injured, lifelong changes to your function and unexpected expenses could become a reality. Whether the cause is a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall or trip and fall, a dog attack, or something else, you may be unsure of what to do next.
At the same time, you may be dealing with pain, mounting medical bills, and lost wages. If your injury was due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongful action, then you may have the right to claim damages from the person or organization responsible.
Getting timely legal advice can make a world of difference in how your case unfolds. Let’s discuss how contacting an Alberta personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later is beneficial to you.
Why Timely Legal Advice Matters for Alberta Personal Injury Claims
Time is of the essence when it comes to personal injury claims. In Alberta, the provincial Limitations Act sets a strict 2-year deadline from the date of when you become aware of your harm to file a lawsuit with few exceptions, but waiting until the last minute can put you at a disadvantage.
Early legal advice helps you understand your rights, your entitlement, and the nuances of your specific situation. It also gives you more time to plan. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can guide you through the process of claiming damages, ensuring you don’t miss critical deadlines or overlook essential details.
Evidence can fade over time. Witnesses’ memories may become hazy and important documents might get lost. A personal injury lawyer can help preserve key evidence. This increases the likelihood of a favourable resolution to your case. Counsel also shields you from insurance companies that might pressure you into settling for less than you deserve. With a lawyer on your side from the beginning, you have someone advocating for your best interests every step of the way.
Questions to Ask During Your Initial Consultation
Your first meeting with a personal injury lawyer is an opportunity to gauge whether they are the right fit for your case. Here are some key questions to consider asking:
What is your experience with cases like mine? Understanding the lawyer’s track record with similar cases gives you insight into their level of knowledge and skill. For example, our personal injury lawyers have spoken for clients at every level of court, all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada.
How do you charge for your services? Clarify their fee structure. Do they work on a contingency basis, an hourly rate, or a flat fee?
Do you think my claim is worth pursuing? While they can’t guarantee outcomes, an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide a realistic evaluation of what you can expect out of your claim based on the outcome of comparable claims from the past.
Who will be handling my case? Often it takes a team to successfully represent a client. We have a deep bench of lawyers who may contribute to advancing your claim.
What are the potential challenges? Discussing hurdles upfront, such as difficulty reaching witnesses or obtaining medical reports, prepares you for what to expect and how you can tackle obstacles.
How can we communicate? You may prefer to stay in touch by phone, email, or face-to-face contact. You want a lawyer who is sensitive to those preferences, can give you updates as frequently as you desire, and that you feel comfortable speaking to.
How long do cases like mine typically take to resolve? Every case is unique and must run its own course, but the lawyer can give you an idea of what has happened in past cases with similar circumstances.
Remember this consultation is as much for you as it is for the lawyer. You want to find a legal representative who shares your values and beliefs. Do not hesitate to ask questions that address your concerns and help you feel confident in your choice. You may want to look up lawyers’ biographies on their law firm’s website to better understand who they are.
Collecting Evidence Before Filing Your Claim
Early legal advice can help you with effectively gathering and preserving this critical information. Here are some things to focus on:
Organize your thoughts in writing: Recreate the chronology of how you were injured to the best of your memory. You may also want to keep a diary to track how your injuries have affected your work, day-to-day living, and other obligations such as caring for family.
Medical records: Seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Detailed records from healthcare providers document the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, as well as your health before the injury.
Photographic and video evidence: Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and property damage provide tangible proof of what occurred.
Witness statements: Collect contact information and statements from anyone who witnessed the incident. Their accounts can support your version of events.
Financial documentation: Keep records of all expenses related to your injury, including medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and proof of past income to claim lost wages.
An experienced personal injury lawyer knows precisely what evidence is needed and how to obtain it efficiently. Early involvement ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Identifying Potential Legal Hurdles Early in the Process
Personal injury cases can be riddled with legal complexities. Identifying potential hurdles early on can save you time, money, and stress later. Some common obstacles include (but are not limited to):
Statute of limitations: Missing the deadline to file a legal claim can bar you from pursuing compensation entirely. Seeking counsel early gives you more time to decide what you want and greater flexibility if we negotiate with the opposing party.
Liability disputes: Determining who is at-fault is not always straightforward. Multiple parties might share responsibility, complicating the claim. We can help you determine the appropriate party or parties to make a claim against.
Insurance challenges: Insurance companies may deny claims or offer low settlements unfairly. Our lawyers can recognize if this happens and help you to understand the terms of any insurance policy you hold.
Pre-existing conditions: If you had previous injuries, insurers might argue that your current medical issues are not related to the accident. We can help you to gather evidence that illustrates how your accident contributed to your current condition.
By consulting a lawyer early, you can anticipate these challenges. If you decide to retain us as your legal counsel, we can develop strategies to address potential issues before they escalate, strengthening your case’s foundation.
How to Leverage Legal Guidance When Pursuing Compensation
Having early legal advice is not just about avoiding pitfalls, it is also about maximizing your potential compensation. We are skilled negotiators who know how to engage with insurance companies and opposing legal counsel to reach favourable settlements.
We can ensure that you look at the full scope of your losses when building your case. Damages may include (but are not limited to) medical costs, lost income, lost future earning capacity, mental distress, and future care costs.
In addition, we have access to resources such as medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, and vocational assessors who can bolster your case with expert testimony.
Most Alberta personal injury cases are resolved without going to trial. However, if negotiations fail, having a lawyer prepared to take your case to court is essential. Our courtroom experience could make a significant difference to the outcome. We are mindful of minimizing your costs and maximizing your compensation.
Connect with Our Calgary Personal Injury Lawyers
Unfortunately, suffering a personal injury may be a life-altering event, but you do not have to face this challenge alone. Our law firm serves clients across Alberta.
We are happy to offer a free initial consultation with our Calgary personal injury lawyers if you have been hurt and want to explore your legal options. We work strictly on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay us any upfront costs. If we represent you, you will only have to pay if we secure you compensation.
Our staff is available 24-7 on our toll-free line at 1-888-494-7191 to set up an appointment. Please call or you can also visit us at our downtown Calgary office.
