Get Help from an ICBC Claims Lawyer

On April 1, 2019, the Government of British Columbia implemented significant changes to ICBC compensation and benefits. Under this new regime, if the proper medical and treatment steps are not taken by accident victims quickly, it may be difficult to get fair compensation for injuries. If you’ve had an accident and are dealing with an ICBC claim in the Lower Mainland, Spraggs Law can help.

As a leading ICBC claims lawyers , we have the experience to review your case and advise you on the steps you should take when dealing with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) before making contact and accepting a settlement. If you entrust our personal injury and ICBC lawyers with your case, we will walk you through the process to pursue the Part 7 benefits that you are entitled to.

FAQ

As a rule, the more injured you are, the greater your need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Take the time to reflect on any changes in your quality of life following the accident. If you find there have been noticeable changes, a lawyer could be able to help you with your claim.

No one can tell you what your claim is worth until your injury has stabilized or your have recovered. Every case is different. Thanks to years of experience, Spraggs Law is able to offer a ball-park range of the potential value of our clients’ claims.

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your claim. The full and final resolution of your claim is called the settlement. A settlement can include compensation for any number of concerns, including lost wages, future earnings, and pain and suffering. A personal injury lawyer is essential in ensuring you receive a fair settlement from ICBC.

Each claim is unique and the duration of each claim will depend on its unique circumstances. Most claims do not resolve until a person’s injuries have stabilized and the impacts of those injuries are understood. Clients of Spraggs Law will receive access to experienced advisors that will help you to determine the approximate duration of your claim.

Our fee at Spraggs Law is a percentage of your settlement and is only paid when you collect. If there is no settlement, there is no fee payable. Our fee structure is regulated by the Law Society of British Columbia and the Supreme Court of British Columbia to ensure it is fair and reasonable.

There are four steps you can take to help your claim. First, if injured, receive medical attention as soon as possible. Second, document the collision and exchange information with the other driver. Third, report the accident to ICBC. Fourth, seek free legal advice promptly. If you retain a lawyer, the lawyer can report the accident to ICBC for you.

Disbursements are expenses incurred by your lawyer that are needed to advance your claim, including things like court filing fees, medical reports, and other costs associated with proving your claim. If you settle your claim or you win your case at trial, these disbursements will likely be paid by ICBC. If you share in the responsibility for the accident, the expenses may be partially repayable by ICBC.

Yes, you can talk to ICBC regarding your vehicle.  When discussing your vehcile, you do not need to answer any questions about your injuries or recovery. Talk to an experienced ICBC personal injury lawyer, like the team at Spraggs Law, who can inform you of your rights and obligations.

Talking to an experienced ICBC personal injury lawyer at Spraggs Law can help you understand the process of resolving a claim and give you information regarding your rights and responsibilities in the claims process. Your lawyer will also communicate with ICBC on your behalf.

If a court finds you partially responsible for an accident, then any amount you are awarded by the court will be reduced by the amount of responsibility the court places with you for the accident. Determining who is at fault for an accident is not up to ICBC, but ultimately a judge or a jury. Consulting an ICBC personal injury lawyer will provide you with insight into how a judge is likely to view your claim.

If you are found to be at-fault for an accident, there may be increases to your insurance premiums. Depending on the circumstances, there are situations where you might be denied insurance coverage. If you are found to be not at fault, your premiums will remain the same.

ICBC pays for some expenses for medical treatments, rehabilitation and prescriptions, but typically they have to pre-approve treatments and will only cover limited amounts for chiropractors, massage therapists, psychologists and physiotherapists. For accidents that occured on or after April 1st, 2019, there are some pre-approved benefits available. In total, rehabilitation benefits involving a vehicle insured by ICBC are generally limited to $300,000.

After an accident, you need to provide the detail to ICBC within a reasonable time. This does not mean 24 or 36 hours – you have enough time to take care of your personal needs, speak to a personal injury lawyer, and understand precisely what you must tell ICBC about the accident before you provide details. If ICBC calls you, you can provide the facts of the accident as you understand them but do not need to describe your injury beyond saying that you are injured and plan to see a physician.

You will need to pay your deductible if you were not at fault, but it will most likely by waived or reimbursed by ICBC if the other driver is found fully responsible. The damage to your vehicle will still be covered by your collision coverage, if you have any. If not, the responsible party’s insurance will pay for your vehicle repair.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you could receive up to $200,000 in compensation. If you or someone in your household has a BC driver’s license, you likely have underinsured motorist protection (UMP), which can provide  up to $1,000,000 in compensation. When the other driver is uninsured, the claims process will vary dramatically depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. It is important to seek legal advice from an experienced ICBC lawyer to ensure you are fairly treated. Contact us for assistance and more information.

Yes, ICBC can deny a claim for a number of reasons. For example, if you are filing a claim to access benefits such as medical or rehabilitation benefits, ICBC may deny the claim if there is not enough evidence proving you need those benefits. If you did not file your claim within the necessary time period, your claim may be denied as well. For assistance ensuring you file your claim properly, or if you need help following the denial of a claim, contact us and speak to one of our experienced lawyers.

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For almost 50 years, Spraggs Law has sought justice for injured clients across the Lower Mainland. Today, the firm has expanded its practice offerings to be there for you when life happens.

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