There is no question that many car accidents result in extreme emotional distress and trauma. However, changes in ICBC regulations as of April 1, 2019, now consider any type of mental health issue due to a motor vehicle accident a “minor injury.” That means any claim of emotional distress or psychological problems stemming from an … Continue reading “Can I Claim Emotional Distress After a Car Accident?”
Motor vehicle accidents know no boundaries, but if you are involved in a collision outside your home province, ICBC regulations and your benefits might change. That is because each province – and country (if the accident happens in the U.S.) – has its own laws regarding auto insurance. If you were seriously injured in the … Continue reading “What Happens If You Get Into an Accident in Another Province?”
It is bad enough when the ICBC declares your car a total loss after a crash. It is even worse if you still owe money on the vehicle because the debt does not go away simply because the car is inoperable. While insurance should pay for the replacement value of the car, that replacement value … Continue reading “What Happens If Your Car Gets Totalled and You Still Owe Money?”
It might seem as if a deer lurks behind every tree. That perception is not far off, as British Columbia is home to approximately 250,000 coastal black-tailed deer, 190,000 mule deer, and 65,000 white-tailed deer. Each year, roughly four people die, and 380 people are hurt in deer and vehicle collisions. Whether or not ICBC … Continue reading “What Happens If I Hit a Deer?”
Anyone injured in a car accident is likely to need some time off work. For many people, it is just a matter of a day or so, but those who are seriously hurt may lose considerable time off the job. The good news is that the ICBC does provide wage loss benefits after a motor … Continue reading “Can I Claim Lost Wages After a Car Accident?”
Yes, you are required to report accidents to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Automobile accidents are traumatic events that can lead to anxiety, sadness, confusion, anger, and uncertainty. This mixture of emotions can affect your judgement in the days that follow. When a serious accident with injuries has occurred, you could be whisked away from … Continue reading “Do You Have to Report an Accident to ICBC?”
It probably comes as no surprise that most car accidents occur at intersections. In fact, according to ICBC, intersection collisions represent about 60% of all motor vehicle accidents in B.C. For that reason, ICBC and the provincial government spearheaded the installation of over 140 “red light cameras” throughout B.C. in order to promote safer driving … Continue reading “Schmidt v. ICBC: Photographs Favour Insurer’s Version of Vancouver Auto Accident”
Determining liability for a car accident often comes down to whom a B.C. judge finds more credible, the plaintiff or the defendant. In the absence of accident reconstruction experts or other specialists, personal injury claims typically succeed (or fail) based on a person’s ability to recall an accident that happened several years earlier. While judges do … Continue reading “Who Will a Judge Believe in a “He Said/She Said” Car Accident Lawsuit?”
