Calgary motorcyclists enjoy expansive scenic routes and convenient urban riding during warmer months. However, they also face unique vulnerabilities on the road. Riders may be overlooked by other drivers and lack the physical protection that other vehicle occupants have.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle collision, you may be dealing with serious injuries, missed work, and stress about what comes next. But you don’t have to face this alone. Our Calgary motorcycle accident lawyers understand what you are going through, and we’re here to help.
Along with decades of experience handling motorcycle claims, we offer compassionate support and local legal advocacy. Call (587) 602-0514 or contact us online for a free consultation. We’ll help you find the solution, even if we’re not it.
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Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- How Our Calgary Legal Team Can Help
- What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Calgary
- How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accident Liability in Calgary
- Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident
- Time Limits for Motorcycle Rider Injury Claims
- Legal Help for Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
- Calgary Motorcycle Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Calgary Motorcycle Accident Legal Team Can Help You Today
- Find Out if You Have a Motor Vehicle Accident Claim in Under One Minute for Free.
How Our Calgary Legal Team Can Help
For over 50 years, Litco Law has stood beside injured motorcyclists, navigating the unique complexities of these accident claims with empathy and respect. We provide award-winning legal services that protect motorcyclists from being unfairly blamed while pursuing compensation for everything they’ve been through.
We know the days and weeks that follow can be physically and emotionally overwhelming, but our motorcycle accident lawyers in Calgary can guide you through this difficult time. Here’s how:
Our Team-Based Approach
When you work with us, you don’t just get a lawyer. You get your own personal legal team that will be with you throughout the course of your claim. We call this team a “pod.” It includes a lawyer, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant. From day one, your dedicated team will be by your side every step of the way.
Upfront and Transparent Pricing
During your recovery, we never want to add financial stress to an already uncertain time. That’s why we offer transparent pricing, with no upfront cost to hire us. We never bill by the hour. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
Clear and Open Communication
If you choose to move forward with Litco Law, you’ll receive regular updates on your claim every 30 days or less, and a 24-hour response time for messages and questions. We know the claims process can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to explain everything in plain language and make sure you understand your options.
What Our Calgary Clients Are Saying
Our 800+ five-star Google reviews reflect our commitment to our clients and to helping them move forward after an accident. Here’s what some of our Calgary clients have shared about working with our team.
- “Great service from the team working with me, always prompt with following up during the process and keeping me informed, I believe I got the best settlement I could get, even more than it expected. Fee model is clear and is set from the beginning so you don’t have to worry about how things go.” – Matthew F.
- “I had an exceptional experience with this law firm. From start to finish, they were incredibly supportive, professional, and always kept me updated throughout the entire process. They took the time to thoroughly explain every necessary detail, ensuring I understood my options and what to expect at each step. Their communication was excellent, and I always felt informed and confident that my case was being handled with care. I highly recommend this firm to anyone dealing with a car accident or vehicle-related legal matter. Thank you for your outstanding service and support” – KhejLs
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Calgary
The time after a motorcycle accident can be confusing and frustrating, but there are steps you can take to protect your physical and financial recovery, including:
- If you’re able, take photos and videos of vehicle positions, road conditions, property damage, and your injuries.
- When available, ask witnesses for contact information.
- Notify your insurance company about the accident right away to help protect your Section B benefits.
- Try to gather and organize medical bills, lost income details, and receipts of expenses related to the accident.
- If you’re under a doctor’s care, follow medical advice and recommended treatments.
- Consider speaking with a Calgary personal injury lawyer to discuss your next steps.
When you’re injured, we know it’s not always possible to handle these steps on your own—but don’t worry. Our team can investigate and gather evidence to support your claim.
How Motorcycle Accidents Differ From Car Accidents
While any collision is stressful, motorcycle accidents often involve unique challenges that standard car accidents may not, including:
Lack of Physical Protection
Motorcycles lack the protective metal frame, airbags, and crumple zones that cars rely on to absorb impact. Here’s how that can affect a rider:
- Direct force: Without the protective structure of a vehicle, motorcycle riders are more vulnerable to serious injuries in a collision.
- Severe injuries: Because of this lack of a physical barrier, even low-speed accidents can result in severe or catastrophic injuries.
- Open-road hazards: Riders are fully exposed to environmental hazards, such as loose gravel, road debris, and sudden weather changes, that may have a lesser impact on other vehicle drivers.
Visibility and Motorcyclists Biases
Motorcycles are smaller than cars and can be lost in the blind spots of larger passenger vehicles. Even when motorcycles are not in a blind spot, distracted drivers may overlook them due to their size, leading to preventable collisions.
Unfortunately, riders may also face anti-motorcyclist bias from witnesses and insurers who make unfair assumptions about speeding or reckless riding.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Alberta can balance the power between you and the powerful and resourceful insurance companies, making sure you’re protected and empowered throughout the claims process.
Complexity of Motorcycle Injury Claims
Motorcycle accident claims involve many factors that may not typically apply to standard car accidents, including:
- Nuanced fault: Driver visibility, rider positioning, weather, and road surface conditions, such as loose gravel, may be assessed differently when determining fault.
- Helmets and gear: Insurance adjusters may argue that inadequate motorcycle safety gear contributed to the severity of your injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Liability in Calgary
Figuring out who is legally responsible (liable) after an accident involves establishing negligence. A person may be negligent when they fail to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another party. Our Calgary team will carefully gather evidence and evaluate what happened to determine who is liable in a motorcycle accident.
Depending on what led to the collision, several parties could potentially be liable, including:
- Negligent drivers who fail to share the road safely or follow traffic laws
- Municipalities or road authorities responsible for missing signage, or unsafe construction zones
- Manufacturers that produce a defective part that led to the collision
Contributory Negligence
In some cases, the injured motorcyclist may be partially responsible. If you share fault for your accident, you may still be able to recover some compensation under Alberta’s Contributory Negligence Act. However, the final amount is proportionately reduced by the percentage of fault you share.
For example, if you are 20% responsible for the motorcycle accident, a settlement amount of $100,000 would typically be reduced to $80,000 to account for your 20% shared fault.
Section B Benefits
All Alberta auto insurance policies include no-fault Section B benefits that can cover some losses caused by a motorcycle accident, regardless of who was at fault. A legal professional can help you access the full benefits available to you. However, you also have the right to hire a motorcycle collision lawyer and pursue compensation for additional losses not covered by Section B.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Road rash: Skin abrasions from rubbing against the asphalt
- Soft tissue damage: Scrapes, cuts, bruising, strains, sprains
- Bone fractures: Broken legs, arms, wrists, ribs, facial bones
- Head injuries: Concussions, contusions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries: Whiplash, herniated disks, spinal cord injuries
Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident can lead to significant losses that put physical, emotional, and financial strain on you and your loved ones. Our team can pursue fair compensation to relieve some of these burdens and support your recovery. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
Time Limits for Motorcycle Rider Injury Claims
Under Alberta’s Limitations Act, you generally have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a claim. While there are some rare exceptions, missing the deadline means permanently losing your right to recover compensation. These deadlines are very strict, and vital evidence can disappear quickly, so it’s often best to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Legal Help for Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
We know that losing a loved one in a fatal accident is a devastating experience, but our lawyers are here to advocate for your family during this time. Although nothing can change what happened, our team is here to support you and help you pursue compensation for the financial and emotional impacts of your loss. Depending on your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Travel expenses
- Fees for grief counselling
- Loss of financial support (the income and benefits your loved one would have contributed to your household or dependents)
- Loss of companionship, care, or guidance (the emotional support, guidance, and daily care your loved one provided that can no longer be part of your life)
- Loss of household support (loss of support for household activities and assistance the loved one provided)
You may be able to recover compensation for additional losses, and it’s important to speak with a lawyer about your options.
Our compassionate team will handle every detail with the utmost care, so you can focus on being with the people you care about and honouring your loved one.
Calgary Motorcycle Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to questions we often hear about Calgary motorcycle accident claims. To get answers specific to your situation, you can connect with our team.
Who Is Liable if a Driver Says They Didn’t See My Motorcycle?
Even if a driver honestly didn’t see you, they may still be liable because motorists have a legal duty to share the road safely. Our team gathers evidence to uncover what really happened and prove liability.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
While you’re not required to work with a legal professional, an experienced lawyer can protect you from insurance companies that may try to make lowball offers or shift the blame to you. At Litco Law, we’ll handle the legal work and balance the power between you and the insurance companies involved in your claim.
How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your claim depends on the details of your situation, including the extent of your injuries, missed wages, medical expenses, and long-term care needs. We’ll carefully assess all your losses to pursue the full value of your claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Litco Law for My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
There is no upfront cost to hire our team, and we never bill by the hour. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us.
Litco Law also covers disbursement costs during the course of your claim, including court filing fees. Your focus during this time is your recovery, while we handle the legal work.
Our Calgary Motorcycle Accident Legal Team Can Help You Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident in Calgary, we offer caring and compassionate legal support to help you find the best path forward. Litco Law is Alberta’s trusted, family-owned law firm that will go the extra mile to make the legal process easier for you.
Call (587) 602-0514 or contact us online for a free consultation with Lawyers You’ll Love. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and offer free legal answers over the phone, through a virtual meeting, at our Calgary legal office, or anywhere that is most convenient for you.
