People are injured in car accidents in British Columbia every day. After a crash, you may be left with many questions. Who pays for your medical expenses? How are you going to pay your other household bills if you can’t work? Who was responsible for the wreck? What happens if a full recovery isn’t possible?
You don’t have to search for answers alone. The Vancouver car accident attorneys at Warnett Hallen LLP will listen to your story, outline all of your legal options, and fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Our dedicated car accident lawyers have the knowledge, skills, and resources to handle complex auto accident claims and a proven track record of success. We’ve been selected as the Best Lawyer When Accident Strikes by The Georgia Straight for four years in a row. If you’ve been in a B.C. car wreck, Warnett Hallen LLP knows what it takes to build a solid claim for compensation.
Call or contact us for a free consultation.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Approximately 95,000 people were injured in car accidents in B.C. in a recent year, according to statistics from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Although accident victims sustain many different types of injuries during a crash, some of the most common include:
- Neck injuries: Of all neck injuries sustained during a car accident, whiplash is the most common. This injury results in damaged tendons and ligaments after the neck moves back and forth in rapid succession while the body remains still. Other neck injuries after a crash can include nerve damage, stiffness, and slipped or broken discs.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: The powerful force of a car accident can cause muscle tears, bruising, whiplash in the lower back, herniated discs and fractured vertebrae, among other injuries. The worst spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent paralysis and an array of related complications.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): The head is particularly vulnerable to harm. Being struck from any direction can send the head flying into the steering wheel, windshield, windows, dashboard, seats, and doors. Loose items inside the car could also cause penetrating head injuries. All of these TBIs can result in permanent disabilities.
- Chest injuries: Drivers are at high risk for chest injuries during a crash because their torso can slam into objects within the cabin of the car, such as the steering wheel or dashboard. Broken ribs, punctured lungs, sternum fractures, and internal bleeding are all possible chest injuries after a car accident.
- Shoulder injuries: The shoulder joints are delicate. Shoulders can become dislocated, and the tendons, muscles, and ligaments can become strained, sprained, or torn in a collision.
- Internal injuries: These injuries are some of the most dangerous because they are not easily detected. Internal bleeding can be deadly because symptoms may not appear immediately after a wreck, which is why it’s critical for all car accident victims to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible after a crash.
- Facial injuries: Broken glass and strikes to the face during a car accident can result in cuts, bruising and broken bones. These injuries also sometimes result in permanent nerve damage, scarring and disfigurement.
- Fractures: Depending on the severity of the crash, accident victims can suffer from multiple broken bones. This can leave them with limited range of motion or the inability to work for months as the bones set. Severe fractures or crushed bones could result in amputations, which may make it impossible for victims to return to their previous line of work or be trained in an occupation that makes the same amount of money.
- Burns: Fuel leaks, fires, and even deployed airbags can cause severe burns. These are some of the most painful injuries sustained in car accidents and require extensive treatment, including repeated skin graft procedures. Burn victims often face a longtime risk of infection, nerve damage, and suffer from permanent scarring.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): All car accidents are scary, and some are particularly traumatic. Victims who suffer from PTSD may struggle to get back into a vehicle, suffer from nightmares, and have flashbacks of the crash. PTSD can prevent victims from returning to their jobs and daily routines. They may also suffer from related mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, it’s very important to talk to a trusted attorney about your rights to compensation. Turn to Warnett Hallen LLP. Our compassionate legal team can help build a strong car accident claim that demands a full and fair award on your behalf.
Vancouver/British Columbia Car Accident Injury Statistics
According to the City of Vancouver, auto accident data shows that on average:
- There are 15 fatalities every year in Vancouver due to auto accidents.
- Around 300 serious injuries result in hospital admissions.
- Vancouver hospitals treat approximately 3,000 minor injuries due to car crashes every year.
- Senior citizens are involved in 40 percent of all Vancouver car crashes.
Throughout the province, an average of 89,000 people were injured and 287 were killed in crashes during a recent five-year period. The majority of those involved in collisions were men between the ages of 26 and 65, according to ICBC.
What Affects My Car Accident Settlement Amount?
After a car accident, there are many factors that will impact the settlement amount that you receive. These include:
- How badly you were injured: Accident victims with catastrophic injuries will receive larger settlements than those who are injured but expected to make a full recovery. Catastrophically injured victims are more likely to suffer from lifelong disabilities that impact their ability to earn a living, care for themselves, and provide household support to their family members.
- Timely filing: ICBC will provide payment for medical treatments and wage benefits while you are out of work. However, there are time limits on how long you have to collect certain accident benefits. An experienced ICBC lawyer can fight for you to receive the maximum amount of benefits you are entitled to and make sure all claims are filed on time.
- Policy limits: You can only get paid up to an insurance policy’s limits. If the costs of your injuries exceed the policy limits and meet B.C.’s severe injury threshold, you may be able to file a legal claim for compensation.
- Fault: The degree of fault you are assigned for the crash can reduce your settlement amount. If you are partially to blame, you could still obtain compensation, though not as much as you would have received if another party was fully at fault.
Although ICBC provides insurance to all drivers within British Columbia, the adjuster’s job is to minimize its liability as much as possible. If they succeed, that means a lower payout for you. The best way to protect yourself is by scheduling a case review with a Vancouver car accident lawyer.
The attorneys at Warnett Hallen LLP can be reached 24/7 for a free consultation. Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
How to Avoid Car Accident Injuries
You can’t always avoid a car crash. You simply don’t have the power to predict how other motorists will behave on the roads, nor can you control environmental factors (such as ice or rain) that sometimes cause accidents. But there are ways that you can lower your risk of serious injuries, such as:
- Wearing your seat belt: Always wear your seat belt any time you are in a vehicle, regardless of where you are sitting. Studies show it can cut your risk of serious injury in half.
- Inspect your vehicle: Make sure that your vehicle gets regular maintenance. Check your tires, windshield wiper fluid and headlights and taillights regularly. Equipment failures due to poor maintenance can cause serious wrecks. You may not be able to detect defective auto parts, but you can do your part to make sure that your vehicle is safe.
- Do not drive while intoxicated. This is common sense. If you get behind the wheel while drunk or high, you can be held criminally and civilly liable for any accidents you cause.
- Don’t speed: Speeding is the leading cause of car accidents in British Columbia. Speeding does not always cause crashes, but accidents that occur at high speeds are some of the most severe.
- Remove all distractions: Don’t text and drive. Be aware of other distractions that could pull your attention from the road, such as rowdy passengers, eating, drinking, adjusting the GPS or climate controls, or applying makeup.
- Remain alert when driving at night: More accidents occur during the evening hours than they do during the day. Make sure to pull over if you feel fatigued. Arriving a little late is a small price to pay for the safety of yourself and other motorists.
- Don’t tailgate: Leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles, drive defensively, and always be ready to react appropriately if an emergency arises.
- Keep your headlights on: Even when driving during the day, it is important to always keep your headlights on. It will help you become more visible to others.
- Use your turn signals: Turn signals allow other drivers to know where you are moving. You must always use them, particularly when you are changing lanes.
When to Contact a Vancouver Car Accident Injury Lawyer
If you are in a car accident, it’s always wise to contact a Vancouver car accident attorney. Try to do so within 48 hours. There are important deadlines that are relevant to your claim. If you miss these, you could jeopardize your chances of receiving the full settlement you need and deserve. A lawyer will ensure these deadlines are met and that your rights are upheld.
How Can Warnett Hallen LLP Help Me?
Obtaining a settlement with ICBC can be a challenge, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, you need an experienced advocate who can fight for you to obtain the best possible outcome. The results can affect your life and livelihood for years to come.
The Vancouver car accident lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP can help with every aspect of your ICBC claim. We can file all the necessary paperwork, estimate the amount of compensation you deserve, and handle all negotiations with the insurance company so that you can focus on healing.
Call us or contact us online to arrange your free consultation today.
*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 in this page may not apply to your accident if it occurred after May 1, 2021. This disclaimer does not constitute legal advice.
