British Columbia ICBC Claim Lawyers
Car crashes can happen in the blink of an eye. Without warning, a person’s life can be turned completely upside-down by an unexpected and traumatizing turn of events. Even after surviving a collision that causes relatively nominal property damage or personal injuries, accident victims may find themselves dealing with the fallout for weeks, months, and even years to come.
It is hard to truly appreciate just how many costs are often incurred by injured survivors of car accidents in British Columbia. According to recent studies, injuries arising from transport accidents led to $492 million in total costs in B.C. in 2018 and a $3.6 billion loss to Canada’s economy as a whole.
Depending on the severity of the injuries they have sustained in an automobile collision, car accident survivors are often required to pay large sums out-of-pocket for expenses that are required to properly address their injuries and optimize their recovery. These costs often include:
- Prescription drugs
- Mobility aids
- Medical equipment
- Physiotherapy
- Strength training sessions
- Costs of mileage to and from medical appointments
- Attendant care/live-in support
- And other medical expenses
On top of the costs they may have to to pay upfront, car accident survivors could suffer additional monetary losses if the injuries they have sustained make it impossible for them to return to work or continue performing the tasks associated with their occupations for a prolonged period of time. As a result of their inability to return to work, injured car crash survivors could lose wages and even lose their potential to make advancements in their occupational field, leading to a reduced future earning potential.
Furthermore, certain injured car crash survivors might require ongoing physical and psychological support to continue coping with the consequences of their accident into the future. These costs can be substantial, increasing over time regardless of the injured accident survivor’s ability to afford them. However, there might be some financial relief for injured victims of motor vehicle collisions.
In accordance with the province’s Insurance (Vehicle) Act, all motorists in British Columbia are required to purchase mandatory automotive coverage through the province’s Crown corporation, ICBC (Insurance Company of British Columbia). Since ICBC’s Basic Autoplan is compulsory for all licensed motorists in the province, each driver injured in a collision anywhere in the province should be able to access certain accident benefits.
Part 7 Accident Benefits are generally available to all injured car accident survivors, regardless of their degree of culpability, or responsibility, for the collision. Essentially, since Part 7 benefits are “no-fault” accident benefits, regardless of which party was at-fault for the crash, everyone involved in the collision who sustained injuries should be able to access insurance coverage to help offset costs related to their injuries.
In order to access Part 7 benefits, injured car crash survivors are required to complete an ICBC claim, even if they are not insured motorists. For example, if you are a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene of the collision, in order to access hit and run coverage, you will need to file a claim with ICBC (as well as a police report).
The process of completing an ICBC claim can be confusing, complicated, and frustrating, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the Crown corporation’s bureaucratic system. On top of that, most people never anticipate being involved in a serious accident and are often unaware of what constitutes a fair insurance settlement amount.
If you have questions about the ICBC claims process or are uncertain as to how much coverage you should be entitled to receive, consider scheduling a free initial consultation with our ICBC claim lawyers serving all of British Columbia. To learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you, contact us today.
Why Are ICBC Claims Denied?
Despite the fact that every motor vehicle operator in British Columbia is required to carry basic automobile insurance coverage and, therefore, should be entitled to Part 7 benefits if they have been injured in a collision, ICBC often finds reasons to deny coverage to eligible claimants. Regardless of how significant an accident victim’s injuries and their resulting financial burdens might be, ICBC could still decide that an injured claimant is not entitled to receive any coverage.
Some of the reasons ICBC frequently denies coverage to injured survivors of motor vehicle collisions include:
- Missed deadlines
- Incomplete forms
- Insufficient supporting evidence
- Alleged misrepresentation of injuries
- Accident victim’s social media activity
- Accident victim’s pre-existing medical conditions
- And more
Having a claim denied for no-fault accident benefits can be demoralizing and anxiety-inducing. In most situations, especially in the wake of recent changes to ICBC’s “Enhanced Care” system, injured car accident survivors have no other option but to rely on the insurance coverage to which they should be entitled. A denied accident claim could spell financial disaster for injured car crash victims who should, by all accounts, be able to receive the coverage for which they have already paid.
If your claim for Part 7 benefits was unfairly denied by ICBC, you may be able to appeal the insurer’s decision through the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal. However, please note that we are unable to assist with claims for no-fault benefits. To schedule a free initial consultation with Preszler Injury Lawyers and receive personalized feedback from our British Columbia ICBC claim lawyers, call 1-844-373-8202.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with our ICBC Claim Lawyers
In the aftermath of a traumatic and traumatizing collision, the last thing an injured car accident survivor needs to contend with is a monolithic, bureaucratic Crown corporation like ICBC. The unnecessarily complicated and circuitous process of filing a claim with ICBC can make it difficult for injured survivors of car crashes to get the coverage to which they should be entitled.
Without assistance from our ICBC claim lawyers serving all of British Columbia, securing the compensation you are rightfully owed can be a challenge. To receive case-specific feedback from our British Columbia ICBC claim lawyers, contact Preszler Injury Lawyers online or call 1-844-373-8202 to book your free initial consultation today.
