The experience of being involved in an accident is stressful and confusing at the same time. In some instances, the victims of car crashes are overwhelmed by the experience such that they may not remember everything that transpired during the accident.

However, you need to gather all the documents that can support your compensation claim if you want to get the settlement you deserve. Read on to learn why it is essential to get better acquainted with the ICBC claims process.

Visit Your Doctor

You must prioritize your health when you are injured in an accident. Check your injuries and the safety of your passengers and try to call an ambulance immediately. The challenge with some injuries that you experience from an accident is that they may affect your psychological and emotional health, apart from your physical wellbeing. Other injuries can manifest later, and that is why you should visit the doctor soon after the accident. You should follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure that all your injuries are documented and treated.

Regardless of who is to blame in an accident, the ICBC can cover part of your medical expenses at the onset of your claim. The claim process can get technical which is why your need to consult your attorney.

Consult Your Lawyer

The IBC claim process can appear straightforward, but without sound legal advice from a professional lawyer, you may end up getting little money than you deserve. Likewise, you need to seek ICBC claims process assistance from experienced lawyers since they know all the details required in dealing with injury cases. Your lawyer can also facilitate prompt payment of your compensation to help ease your financial burden. Your attorney also helps you with all the information that you may need regarding your compensation claim process. The other advantage of hiring an injury attorney is that they are familiar with such cases, and they know the procedures involved to increase your chances of getting a better settlement.

The ICBC Claims Process

You should immediately report the accident to the ICBC. The accident victims can report the claims round the clock by calling their nearest local office. You are assigned an insurance adjuster and claim number after reporting your case. It is crucial to keep this information in a safe place since you will need it in the future. The ICBC will also require a personal statement outlining what you remember about the accident. They also require you to provide other details like employment and relative activities. Your lawyer will help you with completing all the necessary information required.

You need to remember that the ICBC claims process comes with a deadline and limitation period that you should adhere to. Therefore, consulting your lawyer would be a good thing since they understand all the requirements in a claims process.

Initiating a Legal Process

Starting an action means that you are initiating a process that may lead to a trial. However, it does not always mean that you should go through a trial. Some actions do not reach the trial stage.

You begin your action by filing court documents before the expiry of the limitation period. If you fail to take action while your limitation period is still valid, then your claim would become void. In such a situation, you will not get any compensation for your injuries.

Expert Knowledge

If your injuries are complicated, you will need to involve professionals with expert knowledge to help resolve some of the queries that may arise. For instance, professionals with expertise in the medical, vocational, engineering, and other related fields may help provide technical analysis of your injuries. Other experts will help in compiling figures highlighting your financial losses as a result of the injuries caused by the accident.

Trial

If you are not satisfied with the settlement that you are offered by the ICBC, you may proceed to a court trial where the jury can decide the verdict. However, trials are costly, and they take a long period. Mediation can be a better option to trial since it can help both parties to settle without going through the rigorous trial process. It is impossible to predict the outcome of a trial and this is the reason why you can consider a negotiated settlement.

If you are injured in an accident, you may pursue the ICBC route to claim compensation for injuries. To get a fair settlement, you need to engage the services of a professional lawyer to handle your case. It is also crucial to gather all the necessary information that can help you to support your claim to get fair compensation. If you are not happy with the settlement you get, you can take your case to trial