Personal Injury Auto Lawyers in Vancouver, BC
In the aftermath of a Vancouver car accident, things can quickly become stressful and overwhelming. You have to deal with ICBC, take time off from work, deal with added financial burdens – and potentially do all of these things while you are injured and trying to recover your health.
This can be too much to handle, yet these are the responsibilities you must undertake to get the compensation you need if you’ve been hurt. Fortunately, qualified, experienced legal help is available to you.
The traffic collision lawyers in Vancouver have decades of combined experience handling car accident claims in Vancouver, BC on behalf of our clients. Let us help you get access to the best medical treatment after your accident as our car accident lawyer handle all of the legal aspects of your case.
We have dedicated our legal practice to supporting accident victims even victims of hit and run accidents so that you can effectively pursue the compensation you need for your recovery and into the future.
Please contact a Vancouver Car Accident Lawyer today for your free consultation.
When Do You Need a car accident Lawyer After a Traffic collision?
Immediately following a Vancouver car accident, you are responsible for making an ICBC claim. You are generally expected to make a claim immediately following an accident, but if this is not possible, you should notify ICBC within at least 24 hours of the accident. Then, you will be required to provide a written statement regarding the accident within 30 days, along with an application for benefits within 90 days.
Failure to complete these steps will limit the ICBC benefits you may be eligible to receive. However, if you have suffered serious injuries, this timeline may be challenging – or even impossible – for you to follow.
Our experienced car accident lawyers can give you the support you need in each step of your claim so you can fully focus on your recovery. Our skilled legal team will ensure that your claim is completed thoroughly, accurately, and on-time so you are positioned to receive the optimal settlement for your injuries.
After a car accident, things can happen quickly. You may incur costs for immediate medical treatment and vehicle repairs or replacement that you need to pay right away. These are expenses that you will likely incur before you receive any claim support from ICBC. If you find yourself in this position, one of our compassionate lawyers can help. our Vancouver car accident lawyer provide you with the resources you need to support yourself and those you love, while our Vancouver car accident lawyer works to resolve your case.
Dealing with ICBC after a car accident can be frustrating. ICBC is an insurance company and, as the insurance company for all drivers in British Columbia, you can be sure that they deal with millions of claims on an annual basis. While this should not be the case, the ICBC claims adjusters can be jaded from past experiences and may be initially skeptical of your claim.
When you have our car accident lawyers in Vancouver, BC at Warnett Hallen LLP represent you in your claim, the attitude from ICBC adjusters often shifts from adversarial to accommodating. It is our goal to get you the most favorable outcome possible for your accident claim.
Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side after a car accident is the best possible step you can take toward optimizing your chances of a successful ICBC claim. In the law and with insurance, there are many complicated rules associated with Vancouver car accident claims. Unless you do this kind of work on a daily basis, it is unlikely you have the time or interest to learn all of the laws that could affect your case. Let us handle your case so you can focus on what is most important: your recovery and your family.
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Car Accidents FAQs
Dealing with ICBC can be tricky, and you need to proceed with caution at every step.
That’s where an ICBC lawyer in Vancouver can provide the all-important support for your claim to give it the best chance of success.
An appropriate settlement amount is usually enough to cover the cost of your medical expenses, lost pay, anticipated future costs, pain and suffering, and any other losses you have sustained because of the wreck.
Personal injury claims including ICBC Claims – two years. The basic limitation period begins the date on which the person has the right to bring an action. This law is complex and limitations can be dependent on the type of accident, where it occurred and how old the injured person is at time of the accident.
Adjusters sometimes believe the wrong driver when stories conflict.
Your car accident lawyer can help you gather evidence and interview witnesses to prove your case, and then present it to ICBC during the negotiations.
It is important that you gather as much information as possible, an accident report, a summary of your injuries, details of your insurance policy, the claim number you received from your insurer.
Compensation in an ICBC Car Traffic collision Accident Claim
As the insurance provider for all drivers in British Columbia, ICBC handles all car accident claim settlements. When you make a claim with ICBC for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for:
Pain and Suffering
Any injuries sustained in a car accident are likely painful, both physically and emotionally. Injuries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine what level of pain and suffering they each contribute to your overall condition. In order to secure adequate compensation, it is important to be very clear and thorough about your symptoms. You should provide enough detail to help demonstrate the impact that the accident and resulting injuries have had on your life.
Past Wage Loss
If you’ve missed any time from work due to the accident, you will likely be eligible for wage loss compensation. Our lawyers can help you assess and document your wage loss so that your ICBC injury claim includes this information in a transparent and organized way. Our lawyers put a heavy priority on your livelihood, and we will make every effort to make sure that your situation is thoroughly evaluated and carefully considered.
Cost of Future Care
Your injuries may require ongoing medical treatment and therapy as a part of your recovery. Because these are expenses that will you will incur in the future, they must be properly estimated and included as part of your ICBC settlement. Our lawyers have the skills and training needed to estimate these costs so that you are fully covered for your medical treatment now and in the future.
Loss of Capacity to Earn and Loss of Opportunity
A catastrophic injury may affect your ability to work in the same way that you did before the accident. In these situations, you may need to reduce your work hours, or even take a different type of job if the duties you had before are no longer possible due to your injuries post-accident. In worst-case scenarios, injured victims may find themselves unable to find or keep work due to their condition. We will make sure that you receive the support you need to compensate you for your difficulties in the job market by properly assessing, quantifying, and supporting the evidence necessary for your ICBC claim. We make every effort to account for all potential damages.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses and Special Damages
When you are involved in a car accident, you might incur some unanticipated expenses. These can include mileage to and from medical appointments, cost of additional household support to handle daily cleaning or maintenance duties, or any other costs that stem from the accident. Our team will track all of these expenses so that we can request reimbursement from ICBC.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in an Auto Traffic Collision Accident
If you have suffered severe or even minor injuries in a car accident, be sure to seek medical treatment right away.
Even if you feel fine immediately after your accident, it is always a good idea to get a doctor’s evaluation. Also, since some symptoms may not be immediately present, watch for signs or symptoms of injuries in the days and weeks following your accident, and see a doctor right away if your condition gives you any cause for concern.
Always contact the police after a car accident. A police report can provide you with an unbiased account from the scene of the accident, which you can include with your ICBC claim. A police report can be especially useful if the other party may have fled the accident scene, or if any dispute exists about fault for the accident.
To recover an accident claim through ICBC, there are actions you absolutely must take. After a can accident injury, ICBC requires three reporting steps:
- An immediate (or within 24 hours) call to report your accident to 1-800-910-4222
- A written statement describing your accident within 30 days
- An ICBC CL22 form application for benefits within 90 days
If you fail to meet these reporting requirements to ICBC, you may jeopardize your ability to recover compensation for your accident claim. If your condition or other unavoidable circumstances impeded your ability to meet these reporting requirements, please contact a Vancouver car accident lawyer at Warnett Hallen LLP today so we can assist you with your case.
When it comes to vehicle damage, ICBC generally wants to control all aspects of your claim, meaning that they will want to inspect your vehicle for damage. After completing an inspection, they will decide whether to complete repairs or may offer to pay you their estimated market value for the vehicle prior to the damage.
If you feel that ICBC is not being fair in their assessment of your vehicle damage, you should contact a lawyer. Our car accident lawyers have a proven track record in dealing with ICBC and we can assist you in this and all other areas of your claim.
Common Car Traffic collision Accident Injuries in BC
Although we may not think of the risks of a car accident each time we get behind the wheel, car crashes pose a serious threat to our livelihood due to the serious nature of the injuries they cause.
Some of the most serious car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Loss of Limbs/Amputations
- Spinal Injuries
- Paralysis
- Severe Burns
- Neck Injuries
- Internal Organ Damage
- Deep Cuts and Lacerations
Injuries like these and others can have a detrimental impact on your life, your ability to work, and your enjoyment of life. It is our goal to get you the compensation that will make you whole again. We want to see you move on with your life and put this accident behind you.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Vancouver
Car accidents can happen at any time and range in severity from minor fender benders to severe or possibly fatal collisions. Examples of the most common causes of car accidents in Vancouver include:
- Drunk Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Reckless Driving
- Drowsy Driving
- Failure to Yield Right-of-Way
- Speeding
- Inclement Weather
- Road Conditions
When other drivers are not paying attention, are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are drowsy, or are otherwise behaving recklessly or carelessly behind the wheel, they put themselves and others in danger. If they cause an accident that injures you or someone you love, you have every right to hold them accountable and seek fair compensation through an ICBC settlement or a personal injury claim.
Our experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers in Vancouver, BC at Warnett Hallen LLP are ready to put our decades of experience to work on your claim, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Vancouver, BC Now
Warnett Hallen LLP represents people in Vancouver and the surrounding areas who have been hurt in car accidents. We know that accidents are stressful and dealing with ICBC can be confusing and overwhelming.
We are here to guide you through the claim process, taking the stress and strain off of you so that you can focus on healing from your injuries and getting back to work and life.
We are here to ensure that you have access to medical treatment and all of the services that you need to get better. Our team knows that finances can be squeezed in the aftermath of an accident, so we’ll work with you to alleviate any stress and pursue the full compensation you are owed.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, so we won’t charge you any fees for our services until we get a personal injury or ICBC settlement for you.
Our car accident lawyers in Vancouver are ready to assist you in every way to optimize your ICBC settlement while you recover. Contact us 24/7 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our team and schedule a free consultation.
*Since May 1, 2021, British Columbia operates under a no-fault insurance system for motor vehicle accidents. Under this system, compensation for injuries and losses is handled through your own insurance provider (typically ICBC) regardless of who is at fault for the accident. Please note that the information on this page may not apply to your accident if it occurred after May 1, 2021. This disclaimer does not constitute legal advice.
