If you have been injured, recovery is usually your primary focus. That said, there are a number of things you can do to benefit BOTH your physical recovery AND your legal recovery of compensation:
1. Follow your doctor’s orders
Seek medical advice regarding your accident injuries, and then be sure to follow it. Keep your doctor up to date regarding the treatment you have received, what has worked, and what has been ineffective. It is your responsibility to take reasonable steps to get better; failing to do so is viewed negatively by the courts. Be sure to let your doctor know how your injuries are impacting your daily activities, including your job and your work around home. Do not try to do any activities that go against your doctor’s advice.
2. Keep a diary
Personal injury claims often take a few years to conclude, and it is surprisingly easy to lose track of dates, activities, and expenses. Make it a habit to keep a simple diary that chronicles information related to your symptoms, treatment, and the daily impact your injuries have had on your life, including your lost income and household work or personal care tasks that others have done for you. Keep your receipts and other accident related paperwork together with your diary.
3. Honesty is the best policy
It is critical that you be truthful in all aspects of your claim, from relating the circumstances of the accident to the police, to explaining your injuries to your treating physicians, and talking to your lawyer about your history and plans for the future. It is also important to know that many insurance companies hire private investigators to conduct surveillance on injured plaintiffs. This may include video evidence of you working around your home, engaging in recreational activities, or even interviews with neighbors, family members and acquaintances.
4. Involve us sooner rather than later
Our personal injury lawyers are paid based on a percentage of your compensation at the end of your claim. Since we do not bill hourly, there is no extra cost to involve us early in your accident injury claim. We can help you avoid many common mistakes that well-intentioned victims often make, and can assist you with accessing your no-fault benefits if necessary. In addition, claims in Alberta are subject to limitation periods that your lawyer can plan for, as failing to sue on time will extinguish your rights.
