ICBC Settlements Process
When you have been hurt in an accident, it is important to identify a law firm with experience handling many different ICBC car or vehicle accident claims in recent history. The law firm that you choose makes a difference. Professional representation and experience in the field are critical for a positive outcome in your case.
Check out our Diamond & Diamond Firm
Protect Yourself with the Right Lawyer
One of the most important things you can do after an accident has happened is to schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. ICBC claims in injuries can run the gamut and can include many different types of medical conditions. In the event that you have suffered one of more of these, you need to consult with a lawyer sooner rather than later. Some of the most common types of ICBC claims represented include:
- Brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Concussions
- Driving anxiety
- Broken bones
- Depression
- Neck and back injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
These injuries could be the result of a rear-end collision, cyclist accident, hit and run accident, intersection accident, or pedestrian accident. If you have been unable to return to work as a result of a recent car accident, a knowledgeable Vancouver car accident lawyer can assist you with getting the money you need to replace your lost income. Some of the important stages of your case that can be managed by an attorney include:
- Fighting for payment of benefits from your individual disability insurance provider.
- Fighting for payment of lost wages from ICBC directly.
- Obtaining a temporary loan through a settlement lending company so that you can pay your medical bills and focus on recovery during this time.
What You Need to Know About How The ICBC Settlement Process Works
One of the most important things you can do immediately after being injured in an accident is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Your lawyer’s primary goal should be to obtain a fair settlement for your injuries. This may mean that your case ultimately goes to court, but many cases can be successfully resolved in the settlement process. In either case, it helps to have an attorney at your side to help explain the process to you and to advise you whether or not a settlement offer is truly fair.
The Right Law Firm Can Make a Difference
With past experience handling many ICBC injury claims, our law firm is well versed in how to manage this process and keep you informed as it evolves. The most important thing to realize about an ICBC settlement is the value of medical evidence. The most comprehensive medical evidence can help to support your injuries. Many people count on the insurance company helping them during an accident claim. However, they may minimize or deny your claim entirely. This is why it is important to have your medical evidence collected in full before moving forward with your claim.
A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Vancouver can help speak directly to your doctors and obtain opinions as well as reports from them directly. Your attorney may also assist you in scheduling medical appointments with specialists outside of your traditional physician to assess those injuries. Consulting with these professionals helps to craft a case based on medical evidence that can then be presented to ICBC about the all the ways that you have been limited and injured as a result of your accident. Settlements can also be based on other evidence, such as information from your friends, family, your employer and the victim as well.
Getting statements from them about how the accident has impacted the victim can help to account for your losses and costs. This information may be presented as a supplement to the medical evidence given to the ICBC to help you obtain a fair settlement. Witnesses can also be a crucial component of an ICBC settlement. This is particularly true in the event that you are being blamed for the accident itself. In the event that you are being blamed for an accident, ICBC may provide challenges to you that could be addressed by your Vancouver personal injury attorney. Your personal injury lawyer should work hard to identify and interview any critical witnesses to the accident.
Getting Help from A Lawyer Helps Ensure That ICBC Treats You Fairly
A knowledgeable ICBC injury claims attorney in Vancouver can assist you in the event that the claims adjustors are calling and harassing you. If you do not retain a knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Vancouver as soon as possible, there is a good chance that the ICBC claims adjustor will continue to contact you many times over and over again.
You might think that they are just doing their job or reaching out to be friendly, but the truth is that they are gathering as much information as possible about your case and this information could ultimately be used against you at a later date. In the event that you hire an experienced Vancouver personal injury lawyer, you will get the peace of mind that the calls from ICBC will cease immediately. Your attorney becomes the intermediary, consulting with ICBC directly so that you can focus on healing and recovery during this critical time. While your lawyers work hard to prepare your claim for settlement, you do not have to worry about this added element of your personal injury claim. ICBC may make every effort possible to obtain your private information.
If you do not have an injury lawyer working hard on your behalf, ICBC may be able to obtain access to your medical records without any concerns or consideration for your privacy. This could be troubling for any victim who is already feeling like they are coping with enough challenges as a result of an accident. ICBC may be eligible to talk to your doctors and employers and ask any questions they want.
As dedicated injury attorneys, we work hard to ensure that ICBC does not reach out to these individuals on your behalf and that they only have access to the relevant details in your case. An ICBC claims injury lawyer will also prove extremely helpful in assisting you with getting the medical treatment that you need. You may need to see a specialist and our network allows us to tap into getting you an appointment with such specialists sooner rather than later. There is no doubt that a serious car or vehicle accident has the potential to turn your life upside down.
Our ICBC injury lawyers work hard on your behalf to ensure that you have someone fighting for you and that you are treated fairly and appropriately by ICBC over the course of the case. Do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced attorney to learn more.
FAQ's
How long does an ICBC claim take?
The period of time ICBC takes to claim depends on how much of that claim you are willing to give up so as to get the settlement earlier. It is important to note that ICBC doesn’t settle immediately after the trial. For an average case like a leg injury worth $50,000 for instance, it might take up to 2 years until a trial takes place. The big cases, on the other hand, might take up to a decade to complete the process of trial. If you want to fully achieve your claim, you must be willing to wait until the trial is completed. You can, however, obtain your claim earlier provided you are ready to sacrifice some amount off your claim.
Do you pay tax on ICBC settlements?
No, when you get a settlement from ICBC, even if it’s partly for wage loss, you don’t have to pay taxes. If you’re receiving ICBC benefits, you don’t have to pay any taxes on that amount either. Why so? When ICBC calculates the amount of lost wages that can be linked to car accidents, they reduce the amount depending on the taxes you would have paid if you received the income. In other words, you bring down the amount in regards to wages by the relevant tax bracket. This is usually done before the settlement.
What is a fair settlement for pain and suffering?
If a complaint spends $3,000 on medical bills related to a broken leg from an accident, he might multiply that by three, and claim that $9,000 represents a reasonable amount for suffering and pain. Pain and suffering is a legal statement referring to a host of injuries that an individual might suffer as a result of the accident. This doesn’t only revolve around physical pain but also mental and emotional injuries such as grief, fear, worry, insomnia and inconvenience.
How do I know if my claim is worth pursuing?
You’ll know your claim is worth pursuing if you’re injured as a result of the negligence of another person or persons. You will need to show acceptable proof of their injuries and losses (also known as damages) and proof of the negligent party’s responsibility.
What factors affect the value of a claim?
The factors that affect a claim’s value include current medical expenses, loss of income, and property damage. This factors helps the court in determining the amount of compensation that they give to you.
If I hire a lawyer, will I have to go to court?
If you hire a lawyer, it would depend on you to go to court or settle your claim out of court. A lawyer has many responsibilities, not just representing you at court.