A recent news report reminds bicyclists that ICBC auto liability insurance covers bicycle accidents involving collisions with motorists who are at fault.
The Vancouver Sun article focuses on Gloria Cardinal, a cyclist who suffered a concussion, and back, elbow and knee injuries when she was “doored” (hit a car door being opened in her path by a motorist). A doctor inquired about an insurance claim, which Cardinal said she knew nothing about.
In B.C., a cyclist who is in a collision with a motor vehicle can file a claim against the driver’s ICBC insurance policy, the article explains.
For such a claim to be successful, the bicyclist must be able to show that the driver of the vehicle was careless or negligent in some way that caused the bicycle crash. Even more important, the cyclist must prove that he or she was not at fault.
That kind of proof typically requires the assistance of a lawyer who specializes in bicycle accidents, like the legal team at Klein Lawyers LLP.
Injuries caused from a bicycle accident may result in a settlement that includes compensation for medical expenses (including treatment such as physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic, etc.), loss of earnings (past and future), costs of future care, and pain and suffering.
Even if the cyclist is fully at fault, he or she may be eligible for medical costs but not other benefits, Adam Grossman, senior media adviser for the provincial Crown corporation, told the Sun.
To ensure that all expenses are calculated when your lawyer presses the insurance company for a settlement, an accident victim should keep track of all expenses related to the accident and wait until treatment has concluded (if it’s within the statute of limitations) to file a claim.
Cardinal would not say what her final settlement was worth but told the newspaper she believed it was “at least twice if not more” than what she would have obtained without a lawyer.
The Klein Lawyers personal injury lawyers have more than 20 years of experience pursuing difficult and complicated bicycle claims on behalf of British Columbia residents. We can help gather the proof necessary to show that an accident was the driver’s fault. With this proof, we can file a claim to recover damages for injuries.
We can provide a free consultation about your accident and potential ICBC claim. To get started, fill out our online form or Call Klein at 604-874-7171.
As always, we guarantee that if we don’t win your case, you pay no fee. If you’ve been in a bicycle accident that was not your fault, Call Klein today.
