Being involved in an accident can be extremely stressful and overwhelming, even after the collision has occurred. You may not know where to turn or whom to trust. Your recovery may take a significant amount of time, and getting the process started right away is vitally important.
Your Treatment and Recovery
Getting medical attention is essential to your recovery. No matter who is at fault in a car accident, you will likely be able to receive medical benefits. Your Basic Autoplan will help assist you with paying for and continuing your medical treatment and care. In some situations, the ICBC will pay for your care directly. In other circumstances, you should pay for your care upfront and then ICBC will reimburse you.
Medical treatment and care often involves:
- Emergency services
- Medications
- Physiotherapy
- Registered massage therapy
- Chiropractic treatment
- General medical care
Your healthcare plan is uniquely tailored to you and your needs.
When someone else is at fault for the accident, you may have a claim separate and apart from your medical benefits. Your personal injury lawyer can help you address your potential legal claim.
Wage Losses After an Accident
When you are involved in a serious car accident, you may not be able to work for some time while you recover from your injuries. Your insurance coverage may provide you with wage loss assistance regardless of who is at fault after a car accident.
Wage loss assistance may come from several sources, including:
- WorkSafeBC
- Employment insurance or sickness insurance
- Disability through your private insurance or work-related insurance
- Autoplan disability benefits
You may not be able to recover your wage loss completely through any of these sources. However, if the other driver was at fault for your accident, you may have a legal claim that could allow you to recover all of your wages lost as a result of the crash. Speak to a personal injury lawyer for more information about this potential source of compensation.
Other Compensation When Another Driver is At Fault
You might be able to recoverbenefits beyond your auto benefits if another driver was at-fault for your collision. A claim settlement will provide you with a lump sum benefit to address any outstanding legal claims you may have.
Your adjuster will discuss potential settlement options with you. The proper settlement amount will depend on a variety of factors, including how you are recovering, how your injuries will affect your future, and your other losses caused by the accident.
Determining how much your settlement amount should be can be tricky, and you do not want to settle your claim for less than what it is worth. A personal injury lawyer will be able to evaluate your claim and let you know whether the settlement that the adjuster has offered is fair based on your unique circumstances.
Keep in mind that you must generally either determine your settlement amount with your adjuster or assert your legal claim within two years of the date of your accident. While two years may seem like a long time, it will take time for you to recover and determine your losses. Being aware of the time limitation from the start will keep things in perspective.
Getting Legal Help
While ICBC attempts to settle all claims fairly, there are situations where settlement amounts may not be as high as you think they should be. Adjusters may also fail to fully understand orappreciate your losses after the accident as well. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer to help with your claim can increase your opportunity to receive the compensation that you deserve. Call Diamond and Diamond at 1-800-567-HURT for more information.