Accidents are unfortunate incidents and you can never truly be prepared for the physical and emotional damage they can cause. If you were injured in an accident caused by another person, filing a claim with the ICBC is an important step in ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve.

When dealing with an ICBC claim, everything must be handled correctly if you want your case to be successful. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid:

Not collecting the driver’s and owner’s information

For you to have a personal injury claim, you must be able to identify the person who caused the accident. So, before you leave the scene, get all the driver’s information. The information you should ask for includes the driver’s name, address, contact information and insurance details. If the person at fault does not own the vehicle he or she was driving, ask for the owner’s information as well. Also, collect anything else that might later prove relevant to your claim, such as photos of the scene.

Waiting to seek medical attention

After an accident, you should never wait to have your injuries treated. The full extent of injuries may not evident at the time. Injuries that you might not even notice could end up having serious long-term effects. In some cases, they could even be fatal if not treated. Another reason you should get medical attention immediately is that failure to do so might negatively impact your ICBC case. The ICBC can claim that your injuries could not have been serious if you did not seek medical care right away. This could affect the amount you will receive for your claim.

Waiting to call ICBC

Whenever there is an accident, you should report the incident to the ICBC within 24 hours. You can even report the accident while still at the scene. If you delay calling the ICBC, it may appear as though you have something to hide. Always remember that anything you say when making a report may be recorded. This recording could end up being used against you in the case. So, think carefully about what you say but be straightforward and completely honest. Making a verbal report to the ICBC is sufficient. You do not need to give them a signed statement, regardless of what their claims adjusters may say.

Not hiring a personal injury lawyer

You are not legally required to have a personal injury lawyer in an ICBC case. However, you increase your chances of success when you choose to hire an attorney. It is common for an ICBC case to require producing expert witnesses, sorting through legal documents, following complex rules for dealing with evidence and negotiating a settlement. In some cases, when the parties cannot agree on a settlement, the case will have to be decided in court. These are matters you probably cannot handle on your own. On the other, an experienced personal injury lawyer has the requisite training and has gone through the process many times. He or she will know exactly what needs to be done in your case.

If you have an ICBC case in Vancouver, Nirwan Law Corporation can help. Our personal injury attorney has successfully represented hundreds of clients and has won millions in settlement and court-ordered payments. From our experience dealing with a range of personal injury cases, we have in-depth knowledge of all the benefits and entitlements you can access after an accident. We use this knowledge to fight to ensure you receive fair compensation. So, call us today to book a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and how we might be able to add value.