This post was most recently updated on January 28th, 2023
When accidents happen, a lot of things can take place in the aftermath that follows, especially dealing with personal injuries.
If you, your family, or someone else you love has suffered from or is currently dealing with personal injuries as a result of a car or motorcycle crash, or any other form of accident, then you may be entitled to receive compensation.
Despite the stereotypes and even prejudices that surround this particular profession, personal injury lawyers can make all the difference when it comes to acquiring not just legal assistance but the opportunity to access necessary medical help as well. So, if you’re looking to speak to or hire a personal injury attorney in Calgary, contact us here at Grover Law. Our capable, experienced staff will do their utmost to aid you in any way they can.
What is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Although most of us have heard of this term, many of us aren’t overly familiar with the responsibilities and other ins and outs of what a lawyer – specifically Calgary injury lawyers – does. Their roles are complex and extensive. Similar to doctors who specialized in certain branches of medicine like dermatology or cardiology, lawyers also engage in specific affairs. Prevalent examples include family law, criminal law, tax law, and personal injury law.
To put it simply, personal injury lawyers are certified individuals who provide legal counsel to clients who have been wounded in an accident due to the negligence committed by a secondary party. To boil it down to its roots, their main goal is to achieve compensation for these victims.
Many kinds of accidents can take place in which clients can claim malpractice has occurred. Some of the common ones are as follows:
- Bike accidents.
- Boating accidents.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Medical malpractice.
- Slipping and falling.
- Animal attacks.
Regarding the financial compensation that can be awarded, the amount is dependent on the type of claim that clients have their lawyers file. The cost of medical procedures in order to heal, a loss of income, losing a companion, pain and suffering, and emotional distress are just some of the factors that influence the court’s decision. As a general rule of thumb, your Portland Workers Compensation Attorney won’t charge you fees until you’ve acquired a verdict on your case.
To learn more about this, feel free to reach out to a Calgary lawyer today. They will be able to address any concerns or queries that you have about the process in its entirety.
Questions to Ask
Before you decide to hire a personal injury lawyer in Calgary, it’s best that you do your research and speak to multiple professionals in their fields. Talk to people you know as well, as they might be able to recommend another’s services to you. But regardless, you mustn’t make a deal and shake hands with the first person who crosses your path. But how exactly do you decide which firm to go with?
Ask questions. Ask as many questions as you can; knowledge is never a bad thing and before you get deeply involved in a lawsuit, gather as much information as you’re able so that you don’t encounter any surprises and can make the most rational decisions you can.
Navigating the legal system on a good day can be rather overwhelming; when you’re dealing with an injury and trying to recover, it can be even more challenging. So, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best questions that you can ask personal injury lawyers to get a better sense of how they operate. Remember, it’s all about who will be the best fit for you.
- Have you handled cases like mine before?
Every situation differs; so, just because they wade through the waters of personal injury law doesn’t mean they have experience with cases that resemble your own.
It’s best to have a conversation with a lawyer from your city or province; that way they won’t have to use up valuable time familiarizing themselves with another jurisdiction’s laws.
2. Do you have references/reviews that I can read?
Nothing is more eye-opening than a lawyer’s reviews. Be careful not to take everything a lawyer says as 100% correct. After all, a lawyer needs to portray a degree of confidence so that you’ll feel compelled to use their services. Reviews left by past clients are much more honest about the lawyer’s personality, win rate, and whether they’re indeed credible.
Remember, a reputable lawyer near you won’t have anything to hide.
3. Who will be doing the work?
Most lawyers handle more than one case at a time, meaning that your lawyer will bring on others to assist them. This includes junior lawyers, paralegals, and administrative staff. And while that’s all perfectly fine and normal, make sure that your lawyer is doing most of the work; this ensures that they understand each part of your case and can properly advocate on your behalf.
4. What is the fee for taking my case?
Always discuss payment upfront. Usually, lawyers will charge a fee of 33% of your total compensation.
5. Who pays the court fees?
You do. If your case is successful, your court fees will be combined into one payment. Court fees include filing fees and expert testimony fees.
If you make a deal with your lawyer to pay these in advance, the fees will also come out of your compensation.
6. Do you have any courtroom experience?
Although not all legal cases need to be taken before a judge and jury, it’s still important that your lawyer has some experience inside a courtroom. After all, the potential is always there and it’s good to have peace of mind knowing that your lawyer will be prepared either way.
7. What happens if my desired verdict isn’t reached?
If your lawyer can’t agree with the defendant’s representative, then you will indeed have to go to court. This process can involve appeals and you (aka the plaintiff) may receive nothing if the judge doesn’t rule in your favor.
Should your lawyer guarantee you a win, it’s best to look elsewhere since nothing can be guaranteed.
Have you or a loved one been in an accident? Are you seeking reliable, professional legal counsel to take on your case and obtain the compensation that you deserve? At Grover Law, our personal injury lawyer near you is ready to assist you however they can. Give our firm a call or head to our website to book an initial meeting at a time that works best for you.