ICBC Lawyer Kamloops
Motor vehicle accidents are a serious public safety issue in Western Canada. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) reports that at least 330,000 car accidents took place in the British Columbia in 2016. All cities and towns in the province are impacted by the devastating effects of major car crashes. In British Columbia’s Southern Interior region, which includes the city of Kamloops, there were more than 44,000 crashes reported.
Under the law, car accident victims deserve complete compensation for their damages. Unfortunately, in practice, full benefits can be difficult to obtain. Too often, injured victims run into complications and hurdles during the legal claims process. Many people are not able to get the full compensation they are owed.
At Preszler LaInjury Lawyersw, our skilled Kamloops ICBC lawyers have the skills and legal knowledge needed to help injured victims maximize their total compensation, including recovering full ICBC benefits. If you or a loved one was injured in a wreck in Kamloops, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm for free legal guidance.
Benefits Available Under Part 7
Under the laws of our province, all Kamloops drivers have a legal obligation to carry no-fault insurance coverage. This mandatory coverage is made available through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), a public entity. No fault coverage entitles anyone to financial compensation after a crash, regardless of who was to blame for causing the wreck. Specifically, these benefits are available under Part 7 of the ICBC insurance program. Injured victims can seek ICBC compensation for any of the following losses:
- Medical bills and related expenses;
- Rehabilitative care;
- Short term and long term disability coverage; and,
- Wrongful death benefits.
While ICBC benefits are no-fault benefits, that does not mean that they are paid out automatically. Quite the contrary, ICBC has a duty to pay dividends to British Columbia’s government. Getting full benefits from the insurer can prove to be difficult. To ensure that you can maximize your financial compensation, it is imperative that you are represented by an experienced Kamloops ICBC lawyer.
Understanding the ICBC Claims Filing Process
Following a Kamloops motor vehicle accident, you must follow the ICBC claims rules. As a policyholder, you have a legal responsibility to comply will all ICBC claims protocols. The failure to do so could result in the delay, denial or underpayment of your claim. Among other things, you should:
- Report your car accident to the insurance company within 30 days of the collision;
- Draft and submit a narrative that briefly describes your accident;
- Provide additional details and evidence related to your car accident claim; and
- Submit your proof of claim form to the insurance company within 90 days of the crash.
To protect your legal rights and financial interests, it is recommended that you hire an experienced Kamloops car accident lawyer as early on in the legal claims process as possible. Your lawyer will ensure that you are complying with all deadlines and rules, so that you can be sure to recover the full ICBC benefits that you rightfully deserve.
Kamloops Car Accidents: Third Party Liability
In some cases, injured motor vehicle accident victims may be able to recover additional compensation, beyond their ICBC benefits. If your Kamloops car wreck was caused, at least partially, by the negligence of another driver, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately. The responsible defendant should be held legally accountable for their misconduct. At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Kamloops ICBC lawyers have handled claims involving a wide range of driver negligence. We can help you build a compelling legal case, so that you can prove liability and recover the full compensation you are owed. Some examples of negligence that can lead to a vehicle accident includes:
- Running a red light or stop sign;
- Failure to yield or merge safely;
- Failure to maintain control of a vehicle;
- Speeding or driving too fast for the weather conditions;
- Tailgating or reckless driving;
- Distracted driving, including texting or making phone calls; and
- Drunk driving.
Get Help From Our Kamloops ICBC Lawyers
At Preszler Injury Lawyers, our Kamloops ICBC lawyers have helped many car accident victims recover the full and fair financial compensation that they deserve. If you or a family member was hurt in a motor vehicle collision in Kamloops, British Columbia, our legal team is here to help.
To arrange a no fee, no obligation initial consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm today by calling 1-844-373-8202. Our Kamloops car accident lawyers handle ICBC claims on a contingency basis — there are never any upfront costs and we only get paid if you get paid.