Why Are Truck Accident Claims Complicated?
If your vehicle is insured in British Columbia or you were the passenger in a B.C.-insured vehicle at the time of a crash, you are generally eligible for ICBC accident benefits. This is true of collisions involving semi trucks as well. However, you may find that ICBC accident benefits do not fully compensate you for […]
Read ArticleProving Fault in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Most motorcyclists are very cautious when they are on the road. However, society often views riders as thrillseekers who take unnecessary chances. As a result, it can be difficult for motorcyclists to be compensated fairly after accidents that are not their fault. ICBC no-fault benefits are available for motorcycle accidents, but what if the driver […]
Read ArticleHow to Respond to a Low Settlement Offer
If you have filed a claim against ICBC for injuries sustained in an accident, chances are that the first settlement offer you get will not be the amount that you expect or deserve. This is because ICBC is not looking out for you. Because you are making a claim against the liable motorist’s insurance policy, […]
Read ArticleHow Common is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from a Car Accident?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious disorder that can result from very stressful situations, including motor vehicle accidents. A crash is often a traumatic event that marks a major change in a victim’s life. In many cases, the change includes the development of PTSD. Researchers believe that up to 39 percent of victims injured […]
Read ArticleLights, Camera, Accident! Do dash cameras help in car accident claims?
If you search ‘dash cam accidents’ on YouTube, you’ll find countless videos of some serious car accident footage caught by one of these devices. With the car accident rates soaring due to distracted driving, do British Columbians need one? Do You Need a Dash Camera To Record Motor Vehicle Accidents? Dash cam usage is becoming […]
Read ArticleShould You Have A Lawyer Present When You Meet With An ICBC Car Accident Adjuster?
If you have been in a car accident in BC, your first interactions post accident may be with the ICBC claims department. The interesting thing about car accident insurance in BC is that it is run by a monopoly. Although, you would think your adjuster is on your side, they are also on the side […]
Read ArticleSaying Sorry At The Scene Of An Accident – Will It Affect My ICBC Claim?
Canadians are known to be polite, almost too polite. We apologize for everything. Even at the scene of a car accident, our first thoughts are to say sorry – even when it isn’t our fault. If you are in a car accident in BC that is not your fault, and you hop out of the […]
Read ArticleFive Things Not To Do When Settling An ICBC Claim
If you’ve been in a car accident in BC, you’ll find that dealing with ICBC is a fairly unique situation when settling your ICBC car accident claim. There are only three provinces in Canada (including BC) with a government run car insurance monopoly. This insurance system creates some challenges to anyone trying to settle their […]
Read ArticleICBC Offered A Settlement, But How Much Is My ICBC Claim Worth?
Many people come to us and say “ICBC offered a settlement, but “how much is my ICBC claim worth“? It’s a million dollar question and in some car accident claims in British Columbia, it’s literally the answer too. But estimating the cash value of an ICBC claim is not an easy task, and not something […]
Read ArticleSenior Driving: Renewing Your License With ICBC
Driving is a life skill that requires preparation, practice, and precision. After years on the road, those of us reaching our golden years may feel as though we’re seasoned experts behind the wheel. But even a lifetime of driving and zero ICBC points can’t prepare you for the toll that aging takes on us. As […]
Read ArticleSlow Down & Move Over – Protecting BC Emergency Workers
Over 400 emergency workers in BC have been injured or killed on BC roads. The scene of a car accident is one of the most dangerous places for first responders such as police officers, fire and ambulance personnel, tow truck operators, special police constables, conservation officers and park rangers. It is disturbing to know that […]
Read ArticleWho Has The Right-Of-Way – Pedestrians Or Cars?
In the Vancouver 24 News (April 17, 2013) last week, there was an awesome observation by Keri Potipcoe regarding the rights of pedestrians. As she states, technically a pedestrian does have the right of way, but is it common sense to just step off the curb in front of a car? Of course not. But […]
Read ArticleFive Essential Things NOT To Do At The Scene Of A Car Accident
It is always good to be prepared for an accident. Having a checklist of action steps can help you know what is most important to do at a car-accident scene. But just as important, it is what you don’t do at the scene that can be most beneficial. As I posted last week, if anyone […]
Read ArticleTop Five Things To Do After Leaving A Crash Site
Once the adrenaline that comes with being in a car accident dies down, a car-accident victim is left to deal with the realities of the situation: possible injuries, car repairs, medical attention and insurance. It can be very overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you make it through the first 48 hours after […]
Read ArticleThe Single-Vehicle Accident And ICBC Coverage
A single vehicle collision or single-vehicle accident is a type of road traffic collision in which only one vehicle is involved. Included in this category are run-off-road collisions, collisions with fallen rocks or debris in the road, rollover crashes within the roadway, and collisions with animals. If you are involved in an accident of this […]
Read ArticleRCMP Launch Targeted Enforcement For Distracted Driving
BC RCMP traffic services will not be showing any love this month to distracted drivers. February is Distracted Driving Month in British Columbia. Preliminary motor vehicle statistics for 2012 indicate that 30% of fatalities and 37% of serious injuries involved distracted driving. Since January of 2010, police in British Columbia issued 105,972 violation tickets for […]
Read ArticleHands-Free Devices: Legal, But Are They Safe?
In British Columbia, the law allows for the use of hands-free devices while driving a motor vehicle. But statistics show that this is a very unsafe activity. A person talking on a mobile phone, whether hands free or not, is 4 times more likely to crash. According to research, and explained by David Teater, the […]
Read ArticleA Split Second Can Last Forever
Alex, the husband of one of my best friends has a saying, “Your life is measured in seconds and inches (ok, should be centimeters, but doesn’t have the same impact). The first time I heard him say that I didn’t really take it to heart, but after participating in many presentations by Drop It And […]
Read ArticleA Mother’s Grief: A Child Lost To A Drunk Driver Never Comes Home
November marked a month of remembrance and recognition to victims of drunk and distracted driving. The real life stories are heart breaking and if we all remember these stories whenever we take the wheel, there will be no more distracted or drunk driving. Drop It And Drive hosted a memorial event at Sullivan Heights High […]
Read ArticleAccessing Resources To Manage Chronic Pain After A Car Accident
By Cathryn Morgan Are you dealing with chronic pain after a car accident? Are you struggling, and feeling overwhelmed? Statistics paint the picture with broad brush strokes, but chronic pain patients live the reality, applying a myriad of coping strategies to deal with the physical, emotional and psychological implications of living every day with a […]
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