Vancouver Truck Accident Lawyers
No one imagines that, one day, while cycling to work, picking kids up from school, or taking a stroll through the neighbourhood, they will be struck by a large, heavy commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, when truck drivers operate their vehicles in a negligent manner, the consequences can be fatal.
Truck drivers play an essential role in the supply chain. They deliver essential goods, products, supplies, and materials to communities across the province and throughout the nation. Truck drivers spend hours on end engaging in difficult and dangerous work. Their job requires them to pay close attention while their vehicles are in motion, and to maintain that vigilance for long stretches of time.
According to the province’s Motor Vehicle Act, all drivers are required to fulfill a duty of care to other road-users. Therefore, the operators of large commercial vehicles have a legal responsibility to obey the rules of the road and consider the safety of others while driving their trucks. Failure to do so could be considered negligence.
If a truck driver engages in negligent conduct behind the wheel, the consequences can be tragic. Common examples of truck driver negligence that often leads to fatal or near-fatal collisions in Vancouver include:
- Changing lanes without signaling
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Ignoring traffic signs/signals
- Distracted driving
- Eating while the vehicle is in motion
- Texting while driving
- Fatigued driving
- Substance abuse (including stimulants, amphetamines, and more)
- Drunk driving
- And more
If you were injured in a collision caused by a negligent driver before May 1, 2021, our Vancouver truck accident lawyers may be able to help you recover the maximum amount of damages to which you might be entitled. By pursuing a civil claim against the at-fault truck driver and any other contributorily negligent parties (e.g., the trucking company that hired the unsafe driver), our truck accident lawyers serving Vancouver may be able to help you recover compensation for injury-related financial losses you have already incurred, as well as losses you could incur in the future.
However, if your injury-causing truck accident occurred after May 1, 2021, your case will be impacted by recent, institutional changes implemented by ICBC. The sole provider of basic auto insurance in the province, ICBC has recently introduced a no-fault insurance system. In doing so, they also took away accident victims’ rights to pursue civil claims against the party or parties responsible for causing their collisions.
What’s more, the Crown corporation has made it harder than ever to appeal unfairly denied ICBC claims or insufficiently low settlement amounts. That means, if you receive ICBC accident benefits that do not adequately replace your total, injury-related financial losses, it could be next to impossible to alter the company’s decision.
Worst of all, ICBC’s so-called “enhanced care” model forces injured accident survivors to rely on the insurance company’s approval for all injury-related expenses. As such, it can be extremely difficult to recover timely medical treatment and expense reimbursement. If you are concerned about what ICBC’s no-fault insurance system could mean for your physical and financial recovery following an injurious truck accident in Vancouver, contact your MLA.
Call Today for a Free Initial Consultation
Regardless of when your injury-causing collision took place, our Vancouver truck accident lawyers want to hear from you. By taking advantage of a free initial consultation with our truck accident lawyers serving Vancouver, you could receive the benefit of personalized legal feedback tailored to the circumstances of your case, and learn about compensatory options that might be available to you.
To speak with our Vancouver truck accident lawyers today, call 1-800-JUSTICE or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.
