Port Moody ICBC Claims Lawyer
Find out if you have a case today.
Contact our Port Moody ICBC lawyers for a free consultation if you have legal questions regarding your ICBC claim.
Book a FREE Consultation
Tell us what happened
We’re here to help.
Do you live in Port Moody? Here’s how we can help:
Table of Contents
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.
Like many residents of British Columbia, you depend on your vehicle for both personal and professional travel. When you spend so much time behind the wheel as part of your daily routine, you may not appreciate that the risk of a car accident is all around you. The Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC) collects data regarding the frequency of auto collisions and, unfortunately, the statistics on incidents causing death or injuries is on the rise: there were 54,000 casualty crashes in BC in 2012, and that number reached 64,000 in 2016. The total number of all car crashes in BC from 2012-2016 is also surprising, averaging 290,000 per year. Injured victims endure pain and suffering, and may be out of work as medical bills mount.
If you were hurt in a Port Moody auto collision, you do have the right to file a claim for your losses. The law requires all motorists to carry minimum coverage amounts, but you must properly submit your claim to the ICBC to recover compensation. The potential for mistakes is high, so it is wise to retain an experienced ICBC lawyer to assist with the process. Our lawyers at the Preszler Injury Lawyers are at your side, pursuing all benefits you are entitled to receive by law.
Port Moody ICBC Lawyers Fight for Your Right to Compensation
Though a driver’s carelessness may be the cause of your car accident, you file your claim with ICBC. These cases are based upon the legal theory of negligence, so you must prove:
- The responsible motorist had a duty to drive safely;
- He or she failed in this duty, and the breach caused an auto collision;
- You were hurt as a result of the other driver’s negligence; and,
- You sustained damages from your injuries.
Damages is a legal term that refers to the economic and non-economic losses you suffer when hurt in a car crash. Your claim to the ICBC is essentially a request for reimbursement for your damages, which may include:
- Out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, including emergency treatment, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, massage therapy, counselling, and related costs;
- Lost wages if you are unable to work because of your injuries;
- Loss of housekeeping capacity damages;
- Pain and suffering; and,
- Other damages depending on your circumstances.
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.
Notifying ICBC About Your Claim
To perfect your right to compensation, you must notify the ICBC about your auto crash as soon as practicable. It is only necessary to provide basic details at this point, including the names of all involved drivers, license plate numbers, and similar information. You should not make any formal statements about fault, causation, or your opinion on what happened.
Once you alert ICBC, your next step should be to consult with a skilled ICBC lawyer. You might assume that the agency has your best interests in mind, as the point of paying your insurance premiums is to cover your losses in the event of a traffic accident. Still, always keep in mind that ICBC is a business: This crown corporation makes a profit by paying out as little as possible on claims, so it does not put your interests first in a lawsuit. Offering too much information in your initial conversation could give the adjuster a reason to deny your claim, dispute your injuries, or put the blame on you.
Work with ICBC Lawyers in Port Moody
At the Preszler , our ICBC lawyers prioritize your needs after a car accident. Our legal team has extensive knowledge of the laws impacting your claim, and we have access to an array of professionals. Our lawyers work with:
- Medical experts who can describe the nature of your injuries in layman’s terms, so the pain and suffering you experience is never in doubt;
- Economists who forecast how the accident will affect your future earnings, whether you are working in a diminished capacity or cannot work in your chosen profession;
- Accident reconstruction experts with in-depth knowledge of physics, who can depict issues related to causation and fault; and,
- Other specialists that help us in our efforts to obtain the highest compensation available under the law.
Schedule a FREE Consultation with a Port Moody ICBC Lawyer
Our Preszler Injury Lawyers lawyers have significant experience in pursuing ICBC claims in Port Moody, along with the dedication to ensure protection of your legal rights after an auto crash. If you would like to discuss your case with a lawyer, please call us today at 1-844-373-8202 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also visit us online to learn more about our legal services for car accident victims.
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.
ICBC
|
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…
ICBC
|
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…
ICBC
|
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.
Having Trouble With Your ICBC Claim in Port Moody?
Book a FREE Consultation With Our Lawyers
We’re available 24/7 to help guide you through the process.
Learn your options for maximizing benefits and protecting your rights during a free consultation.