How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in Calgary?

Are you skeptical about the time taken to settle apersonal injury claim in Alberta? If so, consult a personal injury lawyer in Calgary.

Personal injury claims vary from one individual to other. A dedicated lawyer can help you settle the claim in a hassle-free manner.A standard motor vehicle accident claim usually settles within 2-2 ½ year post collision. Depending upon the complexity a case for example, multiple vehicles, multiple parties/ corporations or City involved, liability issues and apportionment and complexities related to causation may take longer to settle or get decided by the court. An experienced injury lawyer can get you a stress-free timely resolution of your claim.

What is personal injury?

Personal injury rules are applied when an individual sustains damage because of negligence from another individual, organization or business. Most personal injuries result from traffic accidents like motor vehicles, public transport, bicycle accidents and more.

Experiencing a personal injury is traumatic on both physical and emotional part. In most cases it will take between two to three years to settle a personal injury claim in Alberta. However, not all the cases will fall within this range and there are exceptions based on particular circumstances of the case.

Factors affecting the timeline of settlement of personal injury claim-

1. Severity and nature of the injury: The complexity and severity of the injury are important factors that impact the duration of personal injury claim. The injuries that are minor have a shorter timeline and more severe injuries often involve extensive medical treatment and evaluations can make claim process take long time.
2. Parties involved: More complex cases generally take more time to settle. For example, if there is no information about the at-fault party or it’s a hit and run matter, or there is multiple vehicle collision and liability is disputed, or if there are multiple parties including corporations, City or Police vehicle is involved. It takes more time to clear preliminary issues before discussing resolution. You will need and experienced lawyer on your side to help you with complex matters.
3. Medical treatment and recovery: Adequate treatment and time for recovery are important for accurately assessing the long-term impact of an injury. Rushing the claim process before knowing the full extent of the injury can lead to less or inadequate compensation.Obtaining proper medical records and reports to establish the chronic and complex nature of physical and psychological injuries may take some time. It would require involving best experts to assess the proper nature of injuries and extent of their resulting limitations.
4. Investigation and Evidence gathering: To establish liability and estimate the magnitude of damages, detailed investigation is required. This process can take time. Gathering evidence, like medical records, accident reports and witness statements is essential for making a compelling argument by the personal injury lawyer in Calgary.
5. Contributory Negligence: Calgary operates under the contributory negligence system. As per this system the compensation can be reduced if the injured party is deemed to have contributed to the accident in some way. The claim process can be prolonged when determining the degree of fault.Apportionment of fault is a complex legal process and it is usually determined by the courts. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate through it effectively and help you obtain a sooner resolution of your claim.
6. Waiting for medical stability: It is advised to wait until the injured party reaches a state of maximum medical improvement (MMI) before the settlement of claim.All claimants are required to follow the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for their accident-related injuries. Reaching MMI is one of those position where a plaintiff may commence settlement negotiations. This ensures all the medical expenses and long-term effects are considered in compensation amount. You will need an experienced injury lawyer to properly assess the totality of your claim and advise you the right time to commence settlement negotiations and help you in obtaining the best compensation for your injuries.
7. Backlog in the legal system: The backlog of the courts and availability of judges can impact the timing of legal proceedings. Delay in court schedules can push back the resolution of a claim. An experienced injury lawyer can help you get a timely resolution by applying Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanism.

Why you need to collaborate with an expert personal injury lawyer in Calgary, Alberta?

1. Assessment of the case: A reputable personal injury lawyer in Alberta can evaluate the unique circumstance of the case and will advise the estimated time period required for resolving based on their experience with similar cases.
2. Efficient documentation and communication: Lawyers are well-versed in collecting and presenting evidence effectively. Also, they can connect with insurance providers and other interested parties, minimizing delays caused by misunderstandings or incomplete information.
3. Negotiation skills: A good negotiation is important for fair settlement. An expert personal injury lawyer in Calgary can engage in robust negotiations with insurance companies and ensure you get the money you are due.
4. Legal Advocacy: If your claim requires litigation, a personal injury lawyer will provide a strong legal representation, advocating for rights and interests in court.

In sum the timeline required for settling a personal injury claim in Calgary, Alberta varies widely based on many factors. To navigate this intricate process effectively, it is recommended to seek an expert help and guidance from a professional personal injury lawyer.