Auto Insurance

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should bear in mind the following.

Seek immediate medical treatment if you are injured 

If you do not, the opposing insurance company will later argue that you could not have been that hurt if you did immediately go to  the doctor . . By reporting your injuries at an early stage, instead of a long time later, you will be seen as being more credible .

Seek regular medical treatment

Your ICBC claims lawyer will explain to you the importance of attending to your doctor on a consistent basis. If you do not seek regular medical treatment, it will be argued against you that you could not have been that injured . The opposing insurance company will also take the position that you failed to take the necessary steps to rehabilitate yourself . Your injury claim will be negatively impacted by not seeking treatment on a regular basis .

Report every emotional and physical problem to your doctor, no matter how trivial it may seem, even if not asked

This is an additional important factor to discuss with your personal injury lawyer vancouver. If you don’t mention a particular problem , then the opposing insurance company will later take the position that you are not entitled to compensation for that injury, as there is no mention of it in the clinical records . If you omit to mention something, this will be utilized against you in an attempt to show that you are not believable. This can also be the case when seeing a doctor hired by the insurance company to do an independent medical examination .

Do what your doctor tells you to do

Your ICBC injury lawyer will tell you how important this is. First and foremost, this will help you get better . Secondly, it will help the worth of your claim , as by listening to your doctor , you will be taking the essential steps to rehabilitate yourself , which you are legally obligated to do . The opposing insurance company can then not take the position that you did not take proper rehabiliative steps .

There are many mistakes that a person can make after being hurt in a car accident that can greatly affect the value of their injury claim . These mistakes can be made by someone who has a lawyer, or someone who does not  .

Not going to the doctor right away

It is important to report your injuries to your doctor early on  . If you do not seek   medical treatment quickly after the accident, an argument can be made that you were not that hurt .

Not going to their doctor regularly

Your claim can be severely compromised by failing to attend for regular treatment, as it will be argued against you that your injuries were not that severe . An ICBC claims lawyer will advise you of the importance of seeking regular medical treatment.

Signing documentation without having it reviewed by a lawyer

Many unrepresented claimants sign statements about how the accident occurred, which can be detrimental to their claim if an error, omission, or vague statement is contained therein. It is also not advisable to sign a subrogation agreement with your employer or benefits carrier without a lawyer seeing it first   .

Not being aware that they actually have a claim

Believe it or not, several people may feel that they are not actually entitled to make a claim , such as if their infant has been injured, if they have been struck by an uninsured driver, if they are the victim of a hit and run accident, or if the accident occurred quite some time ago.

Not knowing the proper time limits and limitation periods with respect to their claim

Many people with valid claims, and who choose to represent themselves, generally miss vital time limits and limitation periods . Consequently, they may lose the right to make a claim . An ICBC injury lawyer can help you meet all time deadlines applicable to your case.

Not being aware of all forms of damages that can actually be claimed

A great deal of people believe that you can just claim for pain and suffering, and wage loss . In fact, there are many other forms of damages that you can claim for, such as loss of housekeeping, loss of opportunity, and cost of future care . Many people often get shortchanged by not knowing all the types of compensation available to them .

Not being aware of their legal obligations

Many injured claimants are not aware they are required by law to take an active role in their rehabilitation process . A finding of failure to mitigate can lead to a reduction in the value of your injury claim . A personal injury lawyer vancouver can make you well aware of your legal obligations.

Not keeping track of out of pocket expenses

Quite often, the insurance company will require original receipts to prove the extent of your expenditures . A claim will be lowered in value for not keeping original receipts .

Settling their matter when they are still injured

Believe it or not, many injured claimants conclude their matters even when they are still injured . This can result in injured people being denied fair value for their injury claim , as once you sign a Release, you are not entitled to any more compensation for your injuries .