Dealing with ICBC can be confusing and stressful, especially if you or a loved one has been seriously injured. To make matters worse, ICBC is responsible for keeping its claims costs as low as possible. Often times their first settlement offer may not include everything you are entitled to receive. We have compiled a list of tips and important points to keep in mind when dealing with ICBC.

How to get the best settlement from ICBC

• It is important that you provide your doctor with full details regarding an accident and any injuries you have suffered. Ensure your injuries are properly documented and can be connected to any disability arising from the accident.
• If ICBC is questioning liability for an accident, it is strongly suggested that all witnesses are interviewed as soon as possible to preserve their evidence while it is fresh in their minds.
• Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to compensation under several different categories, including:
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wage loss (both past and future)
  • Loss of opportunity to earn income
  • Loss of capacity to earn income
  • Out of pocket expenses related to your injuries
  • Future medical treatment
  • Compensation for friends and family who may have to help you around the home

  Each of these categories need to be fully investigated and medical evidence obtained to ensure you receive full and adequate compensation for your injuries and losses.

• ICBC will often try to limit your entitlement to compensation by claiming that you have failed to do everything that was reasonable to lessen the extent of your injury and losses (eg. failure to follow medical advice or exercise routines as recommended). Eliminating these risks will allow you to negotiate a higher settlement for your claim.
• Sometimes you may have to go to Court to achieve the highest value for your claim.

Questions to ask a potential lawyer before hiring them

Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you receive the best possible claim and allow you to focus fully on your recovery. But how do you choose the best lawyer to represent you? Here are some helpful questions to ask potential lawyers when considering who will take your case.

• Do you, or anyone in your firm, represent ICBC in select cases? There are a lot of law firms that represent both injured people and ICBC. Before you hire a lawyer you should inquire if this is the case, and be comfortable with your decision.
• Have you tried my type of personal injury case before? The experience of a lawyer should always be considered before you retain them.
• Are you going to be the lawyer handling my case? It is important to know whether the person you are meeting is going to be the person primarily handling the claim and how much experience the lawyer team has.
• Do you have the time necessary to devote to my case right now? Ensure your potential lawyer has the time to focus on your case and provide you with the attention you require.
• If I need treatment and ICBC is not paying for it, how will you help me? Get a full sense of what your potential lawyer will be able to do for you. This will help set realistic expectations for your case.
• How much participation do you need from me to proceed with the lawsuit? It is important to understand what will be expected of you during the lawsuit so that you can be prepared.
• What possible charges am I responsible for in advancing a claim against ICBC? You will want to understand any financial implications associated with advancing your claim ahead of time.

If you or a loved one is dealing with a personal injury ICBC claim, call RDM Lawyers at 1-888-853-0774, or connect with one of our Personal Injury lawyers. During the free initial consultation, our team will walk you through your legal options and ensure that you are set up with the best legal representation for your case.