Car Accident Claims | DID YOU KNOW.. That many people settle their car accident claims without knowing the full extent of the damages they are entitled to collect?

Did you know that many people settle their car accident claims without knowing the full extent of the damages they are entitled to collect? The insurance companies want to pay as little as possible for claims. They contact you very quickly after your accident and sometimes tell you things like “your claim isn’t worth more than $5,000.00”, “Don’t let a lawyer take more than half your compensation with their fees”. They also try to get you to settle as soon as possible so that they can close their claims and pay you as little as possible.

There is something called the minor injury cap in Alberta. This caps general damages claims for “minor” injuries at $6,061.00. Insurance companies like to tell you that is as much money as you can get and you shouldn’t waste your time with legal fees. However, there are many ways to show that an injury is not minor. How long the injury lasts, how much it affects your life, and if it is causing you issues at work can all increase the amount of your claim and make it fall outside the minor injury cap. It is also important to note that this cap only applies to general damages for pain and suffering. You may only have a minor injury, but that does not mean you cannot claim for lost wages, out of pocket expenses or other damages.

There are many types of damages that you may not know about including loss of housekeeping, past and future lost wages, future costs of care, in trust claims and out of pocket expenses. All of these can add up and make your claim worth much more than you initially thought. The insurance company isn’t likely to tell you about these types of damages. Proving them is difficult and usually requires experts and more evidence

than just general damages.

The fact is that each claim is different, and the only way to know how much your claim is worth is to talk to an experienced lawyer who can make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Remember, once a claim has been settled, you can never go back to collect more money. It’s important it’s done right the first time!