ICBC Claims
Discuss Liability Issues with Bronson Jones & Company LLP ICBC Lawyers in Vancouver
Bronson Jones & Company LLP offers you the legal guidance of experienced ICBC lawyers at our 2 Vancouver locations as well as 11 other Bronson Jones & Company LLP offices across the lower mainland and Fraser Valley. We know the time limits within which documents must be filed and will help to ensure your rights are protected.
Someone who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC may be eligible to apply for certain benefits whether the accident was their fault or not. These “no-fault” benefits cover things like medical and rehabilitation costs, lost wages and compensation for the inability to do housework. However, these “no-fault” benefits are usually the smallest part of your total compensation. Most of your compensation will come from the insurance company for the driver who caused the accident – the “at-fault” driver. To determine personal injury damages the first step is the assessment of fault (or liability) for the accident.
Critical Time Limits: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
There are strict time limits on applications for ICBC Accident Benefits, as well as for commencing lawsuits against an at-fault driver to recover compensation for your injuries. If you miss them, you may be denied compensation.
ICBC Claims: The Process
How your claim proceeds will depend on the facts in your case. How long it takes and the order of the steps may change depending on things such as whether there is a dispute over liability (who is “at-fault”, for the accident), the position ICBC takes on your claim, the nature of your injuries and necessary recovery time, the need for experts reports for proper assessment of the impact of your injuries, court schedules and decisions that you make. However, most claims go through the same basic steps, although not necessarily in the same order.
ICBC + ICBC Adjusters: Your Insurance vs. Your Best Interests
Remember that if you are injured and are not at fault, that your claim is against the policy of insurance of the “at-fault” driver; not against your own insurance policy. ICBC’s obligation is to represent the party who is responsible for your injuries. They have no obligation to facilitate or assist in the development of all the necessary components of your case.
ICBC Adjusters have two primary functions, assigning blame (sometimes called assessing liability or fault) and minimizing claims costs (such as yours – i.e., keeping injury awards as low as possible).
Personal Injury Compensation (Monetary Damages)
In addition to no-fault benefits, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries to the degree that you are not at fault (monetary damages). Courts determine damages based on precedent (similar past cases) but how much you may be entitled to receive as compensation for your injuries will depend on the specific facts of your case and the types of damages that you can prove with evidence.
Our team of ICBC lawyers at our 2 Vancouver as well as 11 other Bronson Jones & Company LLP offices across the lower mainland and Fraser Valley would be pleased to talk with you about your case.
