Squamish ICBC Lawyer
If you are injured in a car accident, there are certain procedures you must follow to obtain compensation for your injuries. By law, the Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC), provides basic insurance to all vehicles registered in British Columbia. For the residents of Squamish, Preszler Injury Lawyers can work to help you during this difficult time in your life. Our ICBC law firm has been offering representation to personal injury victims since 1959.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
After a car crash, you may end up in the hospital with serious injuries. However, you, or a personal representative, must notify ICBC of the crash within 24 hours to receive Part 7 no-fault benefits. Such notification requires a written claim. While you must file this report, you do not need to give ICBC a signed statement about how the accident occurred, even if the insurance adjuster requests it. Any statement you sign can be used against you to minimize your claim. As with any insurer, the ICBC’s goal is to pay as little as possible in damages.
If you were the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you must notify the police and the ICBC immediately. However, you have up to six months after the accident in which to file a claim with the ICBC.
Even if you do not think you were seriously hurt in the car accident, it is vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries, including whiplash, may not become apparent for 24 to 48 hours after a crash. Failure to seek prompt medical care means that ICBC could argue that your injuries were not serious, or that they were not caused by the collision.
For best results, either go to your own doctor or a hospital emergency room, rather than a chiropractor or physiotherapist. The latter two are not held in high regard by ICBC officials. While at the doctor’s office or emergency room, make sure to mention all the information regarding your injuries that come to mind, no matter how small, since the ICBC will not consider injuries not noted in medical records. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding a treatment regimen thoroughly.
Contact an ICBC lawyer as soon as possible to help you through this process.
Common ICBC Injuries
Injuries often suffered in ICBC accidents include:
- Whiplash
- Fractures
- Herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
Many people also deal with chronic pain after a motor vehicle accident, with chronic considered pain lasting six months or more.
Legal Deadlines
As noted, there are strict deadlines by which you must notify the ICBC, and missing these deadlines means your claim cannot go forward. You must also follow legal deadlines for filing a claim, which in most cases is two years from the accident date.
Contact Squamish ICBC Lawyers
If you or a loved one were seriously injured due to any party’s negligence, you need the services of a dedicated ICBC lawyer at Preszler Injury Lawyers. Call us today or contact us online to arrange a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
