Every driver in BC is required to purchase ICBC auto insurance. While you’d think that would make the claims process easier, the truth is often the opposite. Like most insurance providers, ICBC wants to pay as little as possible.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident then you need a competent ICBC lawyer if you wish to ensure you get the full range of benefits available to you.
There are 3 types of ICBC claims.
● No fault claims
● Damage claims
● Tort claims
The Part 7 no fault benefits pay out regardless of who was at fault. ICBC prefers to pay these benefits only, without paying any damage or tort claims.
Part 7 benefits are extremely limited. Medical and rehabilitation benefits are limited to $300,000, and still require you to pay some costs for some treatment sessions out of your own pocket.
They’ll pay up to $2,500 for funeral and burial expenses, and a miniscule death benefit.
They will also pay an extremely limited lost wage benefit.
These benefits do not pay for your damages or for your pain and suffering. You only get those if you can prove the other party was at fault, and this is where cases get complicated.
You can expect ICBC to deny damage and tort claims. In general it benefits them to claim both parties were roughly 50% at fault, because then they wouldn’t owe damages or tort claims benefits to either one of them.
Yet your accident may cost you far more than Part 7 benefits will allow for, and sometimes one party is clearly at fault. For example, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by the drivers of passenger vehicles, rather than the other way around.
Motorcycle cases are in fact even tougher because the public perception is that riders cause the accidents. That’s great for ICBC, since passenger vehicle drivers don’t take many injuries or sustain much damage to their vehicles when they hit a rider. Meanwhile the rider could have severe brain or spinal damage, or require amputations.
They’re going to fight you every step of the way, and they’re going to use every dirty trick they can use to wriggle out of responsibility. By hiring an ICBC lawyer as soon as you are medically capable of picking up the phone, you protect yourself and your family both physically and financially.
You don’t need to worry about putting any money down. We don’t get paid until you get your settlement, which means we don’t get paid until we win a solid, fair amount that takes legal fees into account.
All you have to do is call (250) 385-7777 today. We’ll match you with one of our experienced, passionate personal injury lawyers and we’ll help you get the justice you deserve. Just bring your questions, the facts of the case, and any evidence you might have gathered at the scene. We’ll do the rest.
Please contact us for more information.
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