Top 5 Motor Vehicle Accident Tips
1. Call a lawyer
2. Visit your family doctor regularly
3. Follow your doctor’s advice and treatment guidelines
4. See your physiotherapist, chiropractor, or massage therapist regularly
5. Don’t over-do it or re-injure yourself.
INFORMATION:
At best you will be upset and confused if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident. Once you have gathered your wits, it is important to get as much information as you can without compromising your safety. If you have been injured, it is important to attend to that first.
We all know that we are supposed to “exchange information” at the scene of the accident, but it is important to know what information to get. You should get the name, address and driver’s license number of the other driver or drivers involved in the accident. You should also examine the insurance policy of the other vehicle and record the owner’s name and address (if it is different from the driver information). You should also verify that the policy actually covers the vehicle involved.
It is also essential to note the insurance company name, address and policy number if the other vehicle is from outside BC and not covered by ICBC insurance. In jurisdictions outside BC, the license plate is often useless in getting insurance policy information.
While you are at the scene, you should try to note information about it: streets, lanes, traffic conditions, weather, etc. Also, if possible, try to get a picture in your mind of how the accident happened. It is a good idea to write this information down as soon as you can.
CARE:
It is important to get appropriate medical care if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident. This may start at the scene of the accident. Even if you do not feel injured if an ambulance attends and the crew offers you treatment, you should let them check you over. Think carefully before you refuse to go to the hospital if they offer to take you. You probably need to go if trained medical personnel think you need to. As well, failure to accept treatment at the scene may hurt your claim. It is important to seek medical treatment and follow the advice your family doctor gives you in the following days after the accident.
CLAIM:
Report your claim to ICBC as soon as is practical. First, call Dial-a-Claim at 604-520-8222. You are required to sign a form opening a claim and give a statement about the circumstances of the accident if you choose to go to the claim centre without talking to a lawyer first. Be careful about what information you give. The adjuster you meet should work on your behalf and is required to act in the utmost good faith.
INSURANCE:
It is important to know what insurance coverage you have if you have been injured and are disabled from working. For example, ICBC may be required to pay you a wage loss benefit — at present it is a maximum of $300.00 per week. ICBC may require you to apply for that before paying you their benefit. Consult your own employer’s benefits for short- or long-term disability plans if you are eligible for Employment Insurance. Besides wage loss benefits, your employer’s plan may cover medical or rehabilitation benefits that ICBC will not cover.
ADVICE:
Dealing with a motor vehicle accident claim can be a confusing and frustrating experience. You are wise to seek the advice of a lawyer.
Contact Robert Carter for more information.
This Article is only intended to highlight legal information of a general nature which readers may find interesting. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive review nor is it intended to provide legal advice of any kind. Readers should not act on information in this article without seeking specific advice on the particular matter. GBC Law would be pleased to provide additional details or to discuss how this information is relevant to a specific situation.
Located in: Personal Injury & ICBC Claims
