Being injured in an accident is often a life-changing experience. Victims face physical pain and emotional distress on top of financial burdens. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be left unable to support yourself and loved ones indefinitely, if not permanently. If you’re unsure what steps you should take following an accident, consider seeking legal help from a personal injury lawyer like Stephens & Holman. Personal injury lawyers will give you your best chance of securing fair compensation and moving forward after these incidents.
Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Accident
A personal injury lawyer serves as an advocate, supporting victims through the claims process, which is often complex. First, these professionals conduct a case assessment. Reviewing your situation is necessary to determine if your claim has legal merit. If you do have a valid claim, a lawyer will also identify what compensation you may be entitled to. Once a lawyer establishes you have a legitimate claim, they will prepare legal documents and collect evidence. This involves managing paperwork, meeting deadlines, and gathering medical records, witness statements, footage and photographs of the scene, and expert testimony to strengthen your case. A personal injury lawyer will also represent you across all stages of your claim, including going to court if a settlement cannot be reached.
When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers in BC handle a wide range of cases to help clients recover damages for incidents caused by negligence or wrongdoing. These instances include:
Premises liability
Property owners are legally obligated to maintain reasonably safe conditions for all occupants. If you were injured due to hazards like unmarked wet floors, poorly maintained stairways, or uneven surfaces, you may have a claim.
Medical mistakes
Healthcare providers must provide patients with a standard level of care. If their actions are considered medical malpractice, such as failing to diagnose a patient correctly, administer proper treatment, or prevent harm, you may be entitled to compensation.
Dog bites
Pet owners are responsible for controlling their animals. If you were bitten or injured by a dog, a lawyer can help you hold liable owners accountable for their failure to prevent the incident.
Defective products
Manufacturers and distributors have a duty to provide consumers with safe products. If a product you used as intended caused harm due to a defect or poor design, you may be eligible for damages.
Wrongful death
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. A personal injury lawyer can help your family seek compensation for emotional and financial losses.
Unfortunately, personal injury lawyers can’t be of much assistance for any motor vehicle accident injuries in British Columbia. ICBC currently has a no-fault system in place called Enhanced Care. This means individuals injured in car crashes cannot sue the driver who caused the accident. Instead, ICBC provides compensation to cover basic medical care and wage loss.
Types of Compensation
Depending on the nature and severity of your injury, you may be eligible for various forms of compensation. This includes:
Medical expenses
Coverage for treatment costs, hospital bills, medication, and rehabilitation services.
Lost wages and income
Compensation for time missed from work or reduced earning capacity due to long-term disability.
Pain and suffering
Damages for physical and emotional distress caused by your injury.
Out-of-pocket expenses
Reimbursement for costs incurred due to the injury, such as transportation or assistive devices.
Challenges In Personal Injury Cases
There are two major challenges you and your lawyer will have to work through: proving liability and fault and adhering to legal deadlines. No matter what your accident entailed, you will need to establish the responsible party’s negligence. This involves establishing the duty of care, the legal obligation the responsible party had to apply reasonable care to avoid causing harm, how the party breached that duty of care, what harm this breach caused, and what damages are deserved. You and your lawyer will also need to file your claim no later than two years from the date of the incident.