Car Accident Tonight! Canada's Worst Drivers? VANCOUVER!!!

[Maury Beniowski]

First QM, then you - who's gonna be the third one? Hope you have witnesses, witnesses, witnesses. Your word means nothing if she decides to duck responsibility by lying. Happened to me. Woman ran a stop sign and hit me almost head on. She claimed I was speeding and she had stopped and the collision happened because I wasn't paying attention. Luckily for me I had two witnesses that saw her run the sign. She didn't suffer any penalty for lying, so it's woth it for people to lie and maybe get away with it.

Witnesses are great, but if there are none available, and no admission of guilt by either party, then ICBC analyses data by whatever is available to them. This can mean making a judgement based on the intersection or position of both cars at the location, the origin and direction of travel, and the type of damage on both vehicles. This is a good reason drivers should now carry a cheap digital camera in their glove compartment, possibly one that can capture video data as well. Newer cell phones can do this. Record the information from the other driver this way. Drivers that are at fault will usually provide excellent "voir dire" information that can be used against them at a later date.

If there is any dispute at the scene, or the possibility of one later, call the police, and "tell them someone was injured". This is the only sure way they will attend. When they get there, tell them you "thought there was". You'll then have their attention, firetruck, ambulance and all. But they will then act as a deterrent for fabricated facts, and provide you with that all-important police file number.

 

[GreatGatsby]

Quick Update

Ok, so this is getting to be a bit of a mess because I'm trying to deal with this from so far away and with the time difference and limited access to internet and email and such, you can imagine the headache of trying to get everything in order.

Can anyone tell me how long something like this takes to go from the accident to final settlement with ICBC? My car is completely written off and I'm not sure what ICBC will be offering for it, but I also put about $2000 of repair and upgrade into it in the last 6 months.

As suggested by a few of you, I also talked to a lawyer. It looks like most everything should be in my favour, but again, just wondering how long it takes for this process to go through from start to end.

As for me, just trying to take it step by step. My back, shoulder and neck are still bothering me enough to keep me through sleepless nights. Just checked in with a doc again and on a couple more meds (Naproxen and Flexiril). I hate taking drugs, even if they're prescribed!!! Guess the best thing for me to do now is just take things a day at a time. Thanks again to the people that PM'd or posted here. Your support has been Great!

GG

 

[gravitas]

my case with iCBC was fairly simple (asshole did a left hand turn in front of me, lots of witnesses, I wasn't that seriously hurt, wasn't my car) and it took 18 months to from start to payout

best of luck

 

[Maury Beniowski]

Ok, so this is getting to be a bit of a mess because I'm trying to deal with this from so far away and with the time difference and limited access to internet and email and such, you can imagine the headache of trying to get everything in order.

Can anyone tell me how long something like this takes to go from the accident to final settlement with ICBC? My car is completely written off and I'm not sure what ICBC will be offering for it, but I also put about $2000 of repair and upgrade into it in the last 6 months.

As suggested by a few of you, I also talked to a lawyer. It looks like most everything should be in my favour, but again, just wondering how long it takes for this process to go through from start to end.

As for me, just trying to take it step by step. My back, shoulder and neck are still bothering me enough to keep me through sleepless nights. Just checked in with a doc again and on a couple more meds (Naproxen and Flexiril). I hate taking drugs, even if they're prescribed!!! Guess the best thing for me to do now is just take things a day at a time. Thanks again to the people that PM'd or posted here. Your support has been Great!

GG

Like Gravitas said, it can take a long time, and with your type of "soft tissue" injuries, the payout could be delayed even further, depending on your recovery time. Keep a record of all your visits, and any related receipts. Keep notes on dates and events, as these could be useful if your case ever lands in Court. The value of your car will be based on Kelley's Blue Book, so there may not be much there. The repairs will not be covered as that is not ICBC's responsibility, but the owner's. After all, repairs are done to correct problems caused by use of the vehicle, or to maintain it, which you have benefitted from. You can submit receipts for improvements, but I doubt ICBC will cover these. The pain and suffering is what you should focus on as that is the area with the most significant awards. Talk to your attorney...