Following are some of the most commonly asked questions about personal injury law in Alberta or the services provided by a personal injury (PI) lawyer. If you have a question about personal injury lawsuits that are not covered below, feel free to contact us online or by phone to request a FREE, no-obligation consultation. It’s the best way to get the answers you need to protect your rights and advance your personal injury lawsuit. It is also must reading if you have spent time looking through the Edmonton lawyer directory and have still not been able to locate the right lawyer for your legal case.
How do I benefit by choosing an accident or disability lawyer who specializes in personal injury law suits?
Best results are achieved when you are represented by an experienced accident injury attorney who has a complete understanding of personal injury law, including slip and fall claims, and has handled many personal injury law suits. Don’t take chances with an accident lawyer who has little experience handling personal injury law suits. Insurance company lawyers will instantly spot and exploit that weakness to either deny your claim entirely or reduce it to a fraction of what you could have received with better legal representation.
Has Kiriak Law handled personal injury cases and lawsuits of insurance companies?
This office has successfully handled personal injury law suits since opening in 1998. Edmonton lawyer Jerry D. Kiriak has represented personal injury victims since 1993.
Do I have to pay any personal injury lawyer fees?
No. You don’t pay any personal injury fees. Our fees are based on a percentage of the total amount of damages settled or collected on your behalf.
What should I do to ensure my rights are protected?
Get the advice of a Kiriak Law lawyer who understands personal injury law in Alberta and knows how to sue an insurance company to advance a claim and obtain personal injury damages. Do not rely on the “expertise” of friends or family, even if they have had some experience with a personal injury law suit. Your rights and obligations may be completely different. There is no cost or obligation to arrange an introductory consultation with a Kiriak Law accident injury lawyer, so why wait? Give us a click or call today to arrange an introductory consultation. We will ensure that the proper paperwork, including the crucially important preparation and filing of legal notices, is completed properly and on time, and that your interests are advanced and protected at every step in the personal injury law suit process.
Is there any time limit on when I can launch a personal injury lawsuit?
There are time limits related to when you give notice of your intention to make a claim and when you have to file your claim with the courts. These time limits vary, depending on the nature of the claim. This is a key reason why it pays to request a no obligation consultation with a Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. It’s a sad fact that some legitimate personal injury claims are denied because time limits were exceeded.
What is the definition of a personal injury that entitles the claimant to compensation?
You are entitled to seek compensation if you suffered an injury that was caused because of something another person did or failed to do. While the majority of personal injury law suits are related to car accidents, there are many other ways that you could suffer a personal injury:
- animal attacks
- bicycle accidents
- catastrophic injury
- disability benefits
- motorcycle accidents
- slips and falls
- snowmobile accidents
- spinal cord injuries
- wrongful death
Are the rewards for damages limited to physical injuries?
No. You can seek damages for not only physical injuries but also emotional and mental pain.
What damages can be collected for a whiplash injury?
In Alberta, there is currently a cap on whiplash related injuries. However, that does not necessarily mean that your injury will fall entirely under the Alberta injury cap. You may be entitled to recover more damage than those prescribed under the legislation. Do not hesitate to meet with one of our qualified personal injury lawyers for a no-charge consultation.
How is the worth of a personal injury claim calculated?
It depends on many factors, including the nature of the injuries, how long it will take for the person to recover, the healthcare required, and the impact on the person’s ability to earn an income. There are three categories of damages:
- future healthcare costs
- loss of enjoyment of life (pain and suffering)
- loss of earning capacity
Generally, the longer it takes to recover, the bigger the potential reward. The age of the individual with the personal injury can also be a big factor. For example, a 15-year-old with catastrophic injuries will experience losses over a longer period than a 50-year-old and as such would have the potential to make a much larger claim. You also need to know that close relations of the person with personal injury may also be entitled to damages.
What if I am partly responsible for my injury?
You are entitled to some damages that need to be calculated by your personal injury lawyer.
What is the typical timeline for resolution of a personal injury lawsuit?
In general, claims involving significant damages will take about two or three years to complete. Simpler personal injury law suits can be completed in about a year. Choosing a skilled Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer means you will have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we are committed to resolving your case as quickly as possible, while never cutting corners.
How do I benefit by choosing an accident or disability lawyer who specializes in personal injury law suits?
Best results are achieved when you are represented by an experienced accident injury attorney who has a complete understanding of personal injury law, including slip and fall claims, and has handled many personal injury law suits. Don’t take chances with an accident lawyer who has little experience handling personal injury law suits. Insurance company lawyers will instantly spot and exploit that weakness to either deny your claim entirely or reduce it to a fraction of what you could have received with better legal representation.
Does every personal injury law suit have to go to trial?
Only about 3% of all civil claims filed ever get to trial. The vast majority of personal injury matters are settled before they go to Court.
Should I sign any paperwork or speak to any third-party without first consulting with a Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer?
Absolutely not. You are not obliged to sign anything or attend a meeting with a third party. The danger is that you will unknowingly make representations that are not in your best interest and will be used against you. You are required to give your insurer certain information but you should not do this on your own, especially since accident victims find the entire experience extremely upsetting and in that state of mind may make crucial errors. Make sure your interests are protected by consulting with a Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
I have learned that the person who caused my accident has no insurance. Does this mean I can't launch a personal injury claim?
In Alberta, you are entitled to benefits that are paid by the government. However, these are generally less than what you could expect to receive if the person at fault had insurance.
Who gets to choose the healthcare providers that help me recover from my injuries?
You get to choose your own healthcare providers. If you are unsure about who to select, your Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer can help you select healthcare providers who have the skills and experience required to expedite your rehabilitation.
What happens if my private disability insurer refuses my application for coverage?
You can dispute this decision, but you have to act within a certain time limit. Make sure you don’t miss that deadline by consulting immediately with a Kiriak Law personal injury lawyer, who will do everything possible to ensure you receive all eligible benefits.
