Imagine that you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault. You are completely unprepared for the sudden change in your life – you are dealing with physical pain, stress, loss of income, and other factors that you had not envisioned just days before.

You have no idea how long it will be before life returns to normal, and you may have to accept things will never be as they were before you were hurt. The person who caused the accident has insurance and their insurance company has called you in the midst of this upheaval with an offer to compensate you as quickly as possible.

You have bills to pay and although you are still not fully recovered from your injuries, you take their settlement because you need the money. A year later, you are still unable to work and the money you got from the insurance company has long since been spent; you’ve signed a release and can’t go back to the insurance company for more money. Where would you be then?

Dealing with insurance companies while trying to recover from your injuries can be stressful and confusing. Most people are unsure of their rights and don’t know if it’s worthwhile to pursue a claim.

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to varies from one case to the next and depends on the scope, severity and duration of your injuries. Not only are you entitled to damages for the pain and suffering caused by the injuries themselves, but you may also be entitled to recover lost wages and out of pocket expenses, such as chiropractor or physiotherapy costs. In cases involving more serious injuries, it may be possible to recover future medical costs, lost opportunities to earn income in the future, or the cost of retraining for a new career.

Most lawyers will take a personal injury case on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay anything up front, and you only pay once a settlement is reached. Initial consultations are often free of charge with no obligation to hire the lawyer.