I’ve been in a car crash. Do I need to sign anything?
Contrary to what many people believe, you do not need to sign your statement to ICBC. The following are what you need to provide to ICBC after a car crash:
• Report the accident: You need to make a claim as soon as possible following the accident – you can do so over the telephone by using ICBC’s dial-a-claim service, or when you retain us, we’d be happy to do it for.
• Written statement: You are required to provide ICBC with a written statement setting out particulars of the accident. You are not required to sign this statement. When you hire us, we can prepare this statement for you.
• Accident benefit form: You will need to complete an insurance benefits application called a CL22 that includes some basic information. This form needs to be signed by you. Again, if you hire us, we can take care of this for you.
• Authorizations: You do not need to sign any consent forms or authorizations that an ICBC adjuster may ask you to sign. In fact, we recommend that you do not do so.
• Vehicle damage: Take care of all the paperwork related to your vehicle damage. This is separate from any personal injury claim you might make.
Remember that if you hire us, you do not need to meet with an ICBC adjuster. We also take care of all the paperwork and communication with ICBC on your behalf. That’s a huge relief for a lot of people.
So speak with us before going in to an ICBC claim centre if you’ve been injured in a car crash. We can explain what to expect. And we can give you answers to your questions that you won’t get from an ICBC adjuster.
The first visit is free. During that first visit we can tell you if you need a lawyer or not. We will also let you know whether hiring a lawyer will be worth it for you, and any immediate steps you need to take. All of this, of course, will depend entirely on your unique situation. So come in and talk to us. We can explain the process to you and you can make an informed decision.
