Victoria ICBC Claims Lawyer
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Important Notice: Our firm can only assist with ICBC claims for accidents that occurred before May 1st, 2021. Unfortunately, we are unable to take on claims for accidents occurring on or after this date.
Since its inception in 1973, the Insurance Company of British Columbia has provided universal liability insurance for virtually every motor vehicle registered and driven or parked on the public roads and streets of British Columbia. Under its charter, the ICBC reimburses motorists in Victoria and elsewhere in B.C. for their losses when they have been in a car accident.
The lawyers at Preszler Law established their ICBC law firm in part, to represent Victoria residents in filing car accident claims with the ICBC. We strive to level the playing field between the ICBC insurance giant and individual motorists and to help our clients recover maximum compensation for their auto accident claims.
The Advantages Of Hiring A Lawyer To File A Claim With The ICBC
Retaining an ICBC lawyer can take the stress out of the claims filing process and allow you to focus on recovering from your injuries. More specifically, your lawyer will watch the calendar to ensure compliance with critical deadlines. He or she will perform all of the following tasks:
- Provide early notice to the ICBC
- Assist in filing your written claim within 30 days after the accident to lock in your “Part 7” no-fault benefits
- Help you complete the ICBC proof of claim form within 90 days
- File a lawsuit to recover compensation for your losses and injuries within the statutory 2-year filing period after your accident
Your lawyer will also negotiate with the ICBC for recovery of the full amount of your damages. The amount of compensation is based on a calculation of your past, present, and anticipated future medical expenses; your reimbursement for lost wages; your occupational and rehabilitation therapy costs; and your damages for physical pain and suffering, including mental trauma.
An ICBC lawyer can also coach you regarding what to say and what not to concede when you talk to an ICBC claims adjuster. The ICBC will often want to settle claims quickly. In the rush to expedite resolution of the claim, an injured party can inadvertently waive his or her right to collect a more substantial damages award. When you retain a lawyer to help with your claim, you will protect yourself from making those unintentional waivers and unnecessary concessions.
Preszler Law offers complimentary initial consultations about your accident. If you elect to hire us to represent you, we will collect our fees from the award that we recover on your behalf. In almost every case, the net compensation that you receive for your ICBC claim will be larger than the amount you might recover without the assistance of a lawyer.
PUT OUR EXPERIENCE TO WORK FOR YOU
Tell Us About Your Case
For more than 60 years, Preszler Injury Lawyers has been helping people across British Columbia pursue the compensation they deserve for their ICBC claims. As one of the country’s longest-standing personal injury law firms, our practice is devoted entirely to injury law and helping accident victims–it’s all we do.
Schedule a free consultation today to speak with our award-winning personal injury lawyers and find out if you have a case. Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call.
Hit And Run Accident Claims Require Extra Attention
The ICBC has implemented stricter procedures for filing claims after a hit and run accident. Specifically, you need to:
- Immediately report the hit and run accident to the ICBC;
- File a police report and cooperate fully in any police investigation;
- Canvass the area, put up signs, and place newspaper ads for any witnesses to the accident;
- File a detailed written report of the crash to the ICBC.
The ICBC has a policy limit of $200,000 for injuries in hit and run accidents. If your medical costs and expenses exceed $200,000, you may have an opportunity to recover an additional award from any underinsured motorist coverage that you carry. An ICBC lawyer will examine all sources of recovery to verify that all of your damages are reimbursed.
The Victoria ICBC Lawyers of Preszler Law
Preszler Law maintains offices at 1321 Blanshard Street in Victoria and six other locations throughout British Columbia. Our staff speaks multiple languages and will explain the ICBC claims filing process to you in a language that you understand. Please review our website and call us today for a complimentary consultation.
Proudly Canadian
Award Winning Personal Injury Law Firm
We are proud to be one of Canada’s oldest and long-standing personal injury law firms. Since 1959, we have been providing exceptional legal services and have established ourselves as leading personal injury lawyers in the Canadian legal community. It’s not just the awards that recognize our achievements, but also the wins we’ve achieved for thousands of Canadians with their ICBC claims.
More ICBC Topics
Here’s more information on ICBC related topics that we think you might find helpful.
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February 20, 2020
Will the ICBC Cover Me If I Hit an Animal While Driving?
Hitting a large animal, such as a moose or deer, can cause serious injuries and significant damage to your vehicle. Since these wild creatures do…
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February 8, 2020
Is There a Cap on Personal Injury Compensation From ICBC?
For years, there has been no cap on personal injury compensation for ICBC claims. Without limits, the victims of accident injuries had the opportunity to…
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February 7, 2020
What Are ICBC Part 7 Benefits?
ICBC Part 7 Benefits apply to accidents involving an insured motor vehicle in British Columbia. These “no-fault” benefits are designed to provide short-term relief to…
ICBC FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions for ICBC claims
Will hiring an injury lawyer impact my ICBC claim negatively?
No, personal injury lawyers teach you about your rights, advise you how much money your claim is worth, and, work to ensure that you are legally protected.
Preszler Law BC’s lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we take on the costs of your lawsuit for you until the settlement or judgment; we do not ask for any money up front; and, there is no fee unless we recover money for you.
Personal injury lawyers are nearly always able to increase the amount of money you receive for your settlement, even after the fees are deducted.
How can an accident lawyer help me with ICBC?
Our accident lawyers know the law. They will teach you about your rights and advise you how much your claim is worth. We handle all aspects of the lawsuit for you so that you can focus on your recovery.
If you do not know your rights or what your claim is worth, then you may settle for a low or unfair amount. ICBC wants to lower your settlement as much as possible. ICBC is a business seeking to maximize its profits.
ICBC will hire a lawyer to defend its interests. This lawyer does not represent you and will actively seek to harm your case. A personal injury lawyer works to even the power balance between you and ICBC.
ICBC or ICBC’s lawyer will take notes of everything you say. It is important to know your rights so that you do not say or do something that will hurt your case. Once retained, Preszler Law BC will deal with ICBC and their lawyer for you.
Personal injury lawyers will help coordinate your treatment and rehabilitation. We know the best doctors, physiotherapists and health professionals. Getting the best treatment increases the chances of getting back to work and your regular life.
ICBC should pay for all or most of your treatment and up to $300 each week in income replacement if you are not able to return to work. Preszler Law BC works to ensure that ICBC pays for your treatment expenses (physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) and pays your weekly income replacement benefit.
If an ICBC adjuster offers a settlement, what should I do?
ICBC may try to offer you a low settlement before you have retained a lawyer and know your rights. Before accepting any settlement, it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Even if you do not retain a lawyer, an initial free consultation can provide you with important legal information to help you make informed decisions about your settlement.
You should consider retaining a personal injury lawyer before settling your claim. In nearly all cases, personal injury lawyers are able to recover more money than you can on your own, even after the fees are deducted.
What kind of treatment does ICBC pay for?
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, then ICBC should be paying for the treatment you reasonably need to recover from your injuries.
ICBC commonly pays for physiotherapy, massage therapy and chiropractic care to help treat your pain. If you need to attend the gym, then ICBC should pay for your gym pass. If you have driving anxiety, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder, then ICBC should pay for your counseling. Talk to a Preszler Law BC lawyer to find out if ICBC should be paying for your treatment.
How do I know if ICBC is offering a fair settlement?
In order to know if you have been offered a fair settlement, you need to know:
- who caused your accident, legally speaking;
- what your injuries are;
- how long your injuries will last and how they will affect you long-term;
- how much your injuries will affect your work and personal life;
- how much income you will lose over your lifetime due to your injuries;
- what treatment you need now and in the future; and,
- how the law values your injuries.
If you cannot confidently answer each of the above questions, then you may be settling your claim for an unfairly low amount.
Determining the value of your case can be complicated, requiring a careful analysis of your medical records, employment records, the circumstances of your accident, and the law. In many cases, you may need multiple expert opinions from doctors and other professionals to know the full extent of your injuries and losses.
The best way to know if ICBC has offered you a fair settlement is to contact a personal injury lawyer. Preszler Law BC offers free case evaluations by telephone, online or in person.
Can I take ICBC to court?
Yes, if ICBC does not pay for your treatment, your income loss, or other benefits, then you can start a lawsuit asking for fair treatment under the law.
If ICBC has treated you unfairly, then you may also be able to sue them for “bad faith” or punitive damages.
It is best to consult a lawyer before starting a lawsuit against ICBC. The lawyer can explain your rights and may be able to settle your dispute out of court.
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