Chilliwack 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.
By law, you must contact the Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC) within 24 hours of a motor vehicle accident. However, you must understand what your reporting obligation entails, so you do not inadvertently waive your right to pursue additional compensation for your injuries. Working with an ICBC lawyer will provide you with the guidance you need for a successful claim.
What You Need To Tell ICBC
Dial-a-Claim at 1-800-910-4222 any time 24/7, or fill out an online form within to report:
- When and where the accident occurred
- The licence plate numbers of all vehicles involved
- Driver’s licence information
- Witness names and contact information
You want to report what you know honestly and accurately, though you need not include ALL the details. Be sure you ask to see the other driver’s licence and insurance card, so you get the correct information. Some motorists try to evade liability by providing false contact information. If you can, take pictures of the damage to your car, the damage to the other vehicles, the post-accident scene car positioning, and any injuries you sustained. Jotting down all the details you can recall and sketching a diagram can help jog your memory later.
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.
What You Don’t Need To Tell ICBC
Commonly, ICBC representatives will try to probe for more detailed information regarding fault and the injuries sustained. You DO NOT need to provide this information right away, as it may be used against you in refuting your claim. ICBC adjusters are eager to settle claims for lowball amounts, so it is wise to avoid meeting with them or signing a written statement. Working with an ICBC law firm before speaking with adjusters will help level the playing field, so you are not taken advantage of during your time of vulnerability.
How Much Is Your Claim Worth?
ICBC Part 7 Benefits provide compensation for:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, medication, counselling, home modifications, and personal attendant care.
- Income loss – up to $740 per week after the first week of the accident and up to two years, only after Employment Insurance benefits have been exhausted; homemakers can receive benefits as well.
- Death – up to $30,000 in funeral and burial expenses, and financial aid from the loss of support.
Motor vehicle accident victims can receive these benefits as long as they promptly report the accident to ICBC, provide a written report within 30 days, and provide a proof of claim form within 90 days.
There are some limitations to ICBC coverage. For instance, they do not pay for treatment facility “user fees,” which can cause financial hardship, depending on the level of care you require. If you need to pursue a Part 7 lawsuit, you have up to two years from the date of the accident to initiate your claim.
Where To Find A Chilliwack ICBC Lawyer
Preszler Injury Lawyers proudly serves all of the Fraser Valley Regional District, including over 100,000 residents in:
- Atchelitz
- Camp River
- Chilliwack Mountain
- Chilliwack Proper Village West
- Cultus Lake Park
- Downtown Chilliwack
- East Chilliwack
- Fairfield Island
- Greendale
- Popkum
- Promontory Heights
- Rosedale
- Ryder Lake
- Sardis
- Vedder Crossing
- Yarrow
Our Chilliwack ICBC lawyers operate out of nearby offices with a considerable support network that includes lawyers, case managers, investigators, and medical experts. Contact us for a free case evaluation and services in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi, Farsi, or Urdu. You pay your ICBC lawyer nothing unless we win!
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.
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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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