Under British Columbia law, every car owner is required to have insurance through ICBC. In addition to covering the other driver’s damages when you’re at fault, ICBC is responsible for covering some of your treatment costs, whether you were at fault or not.
1.Call a lawyer
Remember that any statement you make to ICBC can be used to reduce or defeat your personal injury claim. DBM’s Langley, Sechelt, and Coquitlam personal injury lawyers—who have your best interests as their focus, not ICBC’s—will pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Retain a lawyer as quickly as possible after an accident.
2.Notify ICBC about your personal injury
If you have a lawyer, they will report your car accident, either by phone or online, and let ICBC know about any personal injuries you have sustained. Injuries suffered in a car crash can take time to develop; these will also need to be later reported to your assigned ICBC adjustor. The best way to track your injuries is to see your doctor often and tell her everything.
3. Determine who’s at fault
ICBC’s Basic Autoplan covers up to $200,000 of damages for the at-fault driver. However, if you don’t know who hit you or the motorist was uninsured, you will need to make a hit-and-run claim or an uninsured motorist protection claim. It’s important to act quickly if you are involved in a hit and run. You are required by law to try and determine who the other driver is and any delay can hurt your claim.
4. Decide if ICBC’s settlement is sufficient
After your adjustor has all the facts—including who was at fault, medical costs, lost wages, and future pain and suffering—ICBC will offer a figure as compensation for your personal injury. If ICBC’s offer is insufficient, a personal injury lawyer can pursue increased damages in court.
Contact our Langley, Vancouver, and Coquitlam personal injury lawyers here.
Good advice.
The 4 Important Steps of Making an ICBC Personal Injury Claim
