Let’s cut right to the chase: insurance companies in Alberta are more concerned with their bottom line than ensuring that you are fairly compensated in a motor vehicle accident. Although that may sound like a bold statement, unfortunately, as a personal injury lawyer, I have witnessed evidence of this happening time and time again to my clients.
The Superintendent of Insurance 2020 Annual Report found that in 2020, auto insurers in Alberta made a total of $1.3 billion in profits. This is over $150 million higher than what they made in 2019.
Interestingly, the number of claims had dropped by 2% in 2020 compared to 2019. Somehow, the insurance companies still made a significant profit with fewer accident claims.
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Based on these statistics, you may (rightfully) be feeling a little uncertain about whether you want to fully count on the insurance company to give you what you deserve if you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident.
The good news is that you can indeed get more reliable help with your personal injury claim. Personal injury lawyers are on your side and want to help you in your time of need. Here are five reasons why you should consider working with a personal injury lawyer:
1. Save Money & Time
A personal injury lawyer can help increase the likelihood of settling the matter out of court, saving on costs and speeding up the process. Trials are more expensive and tend to take longer than settlements. In addition, trials carry a heavier psychological and emotional burden. A trial can become a very stressful ordeal between testifying before a judge and potentially having your experience and injury questioned and downplayed.
2. Support in Negotiation with the Auto Insurance Companies
Personal injury lawyers know the games that insurance companies like to play. We also have a good idea of the amount of compensation you can expect based on your injuries and can determine if the amount being offered is fair.
In addition, personal injury lawyers are experts at negotiating with insurance companies and can do this on your behalf so that you can focus on healing after the accident.
3. Timing is Everything
Many people are not aware that there is a statute of limitations that limits how much time you have to file a lawsuit. This includes a timeline for being examined by a doctor or starting physiotherapy after a motor vehicle accident.
If you miss the deadline, you could miss your chance to file a claim or reduce the amount of compensation you should be receiving. It is important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to provide you with the right guidance and ensure that no deadlines are missed.
4. Submitting Paperwork
Aside from ensuring that things are filed on time, there is a lot of additional paperwork associated with filing a lawsuit. Some documents contain medical terms, laws, regulations, and many legalese. This can be stressful!
A personal injury lawyer is familiar with the processes and paperwork, and we are happy to do this on your behalf.
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5. Medical Expenses and Lost Wages
Medical expenses add up shockingly fast. A personal injury lawyer can help negotiate with the insurance company so that you do not have to spend your own money for any extra medical care you may need.
A lawyer will also help you attain compensation from the appropriate party for any wages you missed out on due to your injury. We also ensure to include items outside of pain and suffering to maximize your compensation (ie. purchasing aspirin or tracking mileage to and from appointments) which you might not be aware of and which your insurance company is not obligated to tell you about.
At McGuiness Law, we want to ensure that your insurance company gives you all of the compensation and support you need during such a challenging time in your life. We are passionate about our clients, and we are passionate about the law.
If you would like to connect with us, you can do so via phone or e-mail. We are happy to offer you a free consultation.