Can I Claim Lost Wages After a Car Accident in Vancouver?

After being hurt in a car accident, many people cannot return to work right away. Sometimes, the victim will only be out for a day or two. Other times, it may take weeks, months, or even years to heal enough to get back to work.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) provides wage-loss compensation to injured policyholders after a car accident. But those benefits have weekly maximums and may not cover the full amount of the person’s lost income, causing financial strains at the worst possible time.

It’s also difficult to get approved for benefits. It’s crucial that you submit the proper documentation from your doctor in order to be fully compensated.

If you believe you’re entitled to more wage assistance than ICBC has already authorized, talk to a car accident lawyer in Vancouver, BC at Warnett Hallen LLP. We can examine the facts of your case and fight for you to obtain the full value that you are owed.

You can talk to a skilled car accident lawyer right away. Just call or contact us for a free consultation.

ICBC Wage-Loss Benefits After a Car Accident

The accident benefits provided by ICBC for wage loss are available for eligible motorists, regardless of who is at fault for the car accident. Currently, benefits for crashes that occurred on or after April 1, 2019, are capped at a maximum of $740 per week, which is an increase from the previous $300 a week.

Medical Benefits vs. Wage-Loss Benefits

ICBC also provides medical benefits to injured policyholders. Medical benefits are intended to cover the cost of medical expenses that accident victims incur due to a collision. Currently, B.C. drivers and passengers can claim up to $300,000 in medical benefits.

By contrast, wage-loss benefits are solely intended to replace a portion of the lost income a person experiences if they cannot immediately return to work after a car accident. Not all accident victims are entitled to wage loss benefits from ICBC. Injured individuals must meet certain criteria before claiming these benefits.

Do I Qualify for Wage Loss Benefits?

In order to determine whether you qualify for wage assistance, you must provide ICBC with written confirmation from a doctor or nurse practitioner that your injuries are so severe that you cannot return to work. You must also provide confirmation from a current employer or previous employer that was working for them at the time of the accident.

Eligibility also depends on your work history. You must have been employed at the time of the car accident or had a job during six months of the past year leading up to the wreck.

You can also qualify for wage-loss benefits if you are ineligible for Canadian Employment Insurance or if you do not have private wage-loss insurance.

It’s important to note that ICBC may dispute your claim for wage-loss benefits. It also only pays a percentage of your weekly wages leading up to the accident, so there may be a financial gap if your previous income exceeded the weekly maximum. In those cases, you should contact a car accident lawyer to determine whether you have a tort claim against the at-fault driver. A successful tort claim could award you money for the entire amount of your lost wages, not just a portion.

How Warnett Hallen LLP Can Help After a Car Accident in Vancouver

You may be eligible for many benefits after a car accident, but ICBC does not always pay out fairly on these claims. At Warnett Hallen LLP, our knowledgeable Vancouver car accident lawyers can advise on your claim and your eligibility to claim these benefits. We can also work to reach a resolution with ICBC out of court. However, we are always prepared to file a lawsuit if that’s what it takes to give you the maximum compensation that you deserve.

Get help today in a free consultation. Call or contact us now.