4 Ways You Can Ruin Your ICBC Claim… Without Realizing It!
A car accident in and of itself is often extremely stressful and traumatic.
That said, the hardest part of getting into a car accident may actually come after the accident. Dealing with ICBC and ICBC claims in the aftermath can be difficult, which just adds insult to injury. If you don’t handle the situation properly, you can find yourself at a real disadvantage.
The truth of the matter is that ICBC doesn’t want you to know how to properly handle a car accident claim. It’s much easier for them to minimize their payout if they are dealing with someone who’s naive. Most people know how important it is to get the other driver’s name and contact information, but they aren’t aware of the other steps that are important to take when filing an ICBC claim.
The following are some of the biggest mistakes people make after being involved in a motor vehicle accident:
1. Signing a statement
While you are obligated to report your accident to ICBC promptly, you are not required to give them a signed statement immediately with respect to your tort claim. Chances are your adjuster will try to get you to sign something, but don’t do it until you have spoken to a lawyer. Anything that you say will almost certainly be used against you later on.
If you are making a Part 7 benefits claim, you do have to provide them with a written statement within 30 days of the accident. Again, it is best to do so after you have spoken to a lawyer.
2. Delaying medical examination
How you handle your medical situation after your accident is an extremely important factor in the evaluation of your claim. If you attend at the ER after your accident, make sure you follow up with your family doctor as soon as you can. Be thorough with your doctor about all the pain and discomfort you are experiencing and make sure to follow their advice. A delay in seeking medical attention can be interpreted to indicate that your injuries weren’t serious.
Although physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic and other treatments can be helpful in your recovery, do not rely on these to the exclusion of your doctor. The courts give less weight to these treatment options if they are not recommended by your doctor.
3. Thinking an ICBC adjuster is on your side
The goal of an ICBC adjuster is to pay you as little as possible. They will look for inconsistencies in your explanation of events and do their best to find loopholes to avoid compensating you. So it is important to remember that while an adjuster might seem friendly initially, their job is to find ways to limit your compensation.
4. Not talking to a lawyer
If you can’t trust an ICBC adjuster, who should you turn to? The answer is… a good personal injury lawyer. Our job as lawyers is to get you as much compensation as possible. Not only will it mean that you are happier and more likely to tell friends and family, but our fees are often tied to how much compensation you receive.
Get in Touch with Us Today
If you have been in a car accident and are trying to make the right decisions in dealing with your claim, reach out to Acheson Sweeney Foley Sahota for the legal assistance that you need. It’s important to do so quickly, since you must be mindful of limitation dates that apply to your case.
Get in touch today for a free consultation of your case.