Ch. 10: Do You Have a Claim?

All British Columbians get car insurance coverage through ICBC.  In nearly every car crash you have at least one money source, but that source is limited to wage loss and medical treatment.  In the industry, this source of money is referred to as Part 7 benefits (Part 7 of the Regulation to the Insurance (Vehicle) Act).  The other source of money is from the at-fault person or persons.  This...

Ch. 9: Talk to an Injury Attorney About Your Auto Accident

You should be able to find an injury attorney / whiplash lawyer who takes on auto accident injury claims, including whiplash injury cases on a contingency. Lawyer and injury attorney fees generally Most auto injury attorneys (often referred to as a personal injury lawyer, injury attorney, or whiplash lawyer) will take your case “on contingency”.  This means that the legal fee is a percentage...

Ch. 8: Document Your Car Accident

Remember, you have to prove every part of your claim, including your harms and losses which may be: -    money you spent relating to your claim; -    your injuries and your treatment; -    your recovery efforts; -    how your injuries affect your life; -    your wage loss, past and future; and -    your cost of future treatment and care. This article explains how, what, and when...

Ch. 7: Should You Talk to ICBC?

My comments in this chapter are restricted to injury claims.  I do not discuss claims for property damage such as your car or personal items damaged in a crash. After a crash, either you or someone on your behalf must file a claim with ICBC.  You can do this online or on the telephone.  You can find the ICBC contact information at www.icbc.com/claims-repairs/.  If you have a lawyer, he or she...

Ch. 6: Need Money for Medical Treatment?

Types of treatment available I couldn’t possibly list all the available treatment; however, the following is a very brief list of common treatment types that many auto crash injury victims receive: 1.    physiotherapy; 2.    chiropractic; 3.    massage therapy; 4.    water therapy; 5.    yoga, Pilates, fitness gym membership; 6.    self-directed exercises at home or a gym...

Ch. 5: Off Work? Need Money?

If you are in the hospital and missing work, then if possible, ask a family member or friend to tell your employer that you are in the hospital and aren’t sure when you will be able to return to work. The following are steps (sources for income) you should take if your doctor recommends you not to go to work (or you are in the hospital and you have a family member or friend who can help you...

Ch. 4: Talk to Friends, Family, and Co-workers

A very important building block to your claim is what your friends, family, and co-workers can say about how your injuries have affected you. When you testify in court about your harms and losses you may come across as self-interested because you’re seeking money as compensation.  However, your friends, family, and co-workers have little or no self-interest in your claim.  Decision makers...

Ch. 3: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, Blogs, Your Computer & E-mail

I love the Internet.  It’s a terrific way to keep in touch with people, to learn, and be entertained. Web pages If you set up Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr, blogs, Web sites or any other visible online pages, you must review those sites.  You must also review information your ‘friends’ may have of you on their sites.  What should you look for? The question you must ask yourself...

Ch. 2: Get Photographs

There is no substitute for photographs and video footage of both the crash and all of your injuries.  Read this chapter to learn the what, when, where, why, and how. Photographs are great; video footage is a good addition (not a substitute).  Only take video footage if you own your own video camera or you can get your hands on one from a friend or family member.  It’s not necessary to go out...

Ch. 1: Visit Your Doctor – No Matter What Your Injury Is

Whether it’s a neck injury, soft tissue injury, or any other type of injury, see your doctor If you are one of those persons who prefer to let time heal all wounds, whether a neck injury, soft tissue injury, or any other type of injury, on their own, then now is the time to change.  If you’ve been injured in a car crash (or at all for that matter) and you remotely suspect that you...