7 Expensive Mistakes That Could Ruin Your ICBC Claim

If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to ICBC compensation. Unfortunately, many people who deserve compensation are denied because of simple yet costly mistakes that they made with their claim. If you have or are thinking about filing an ICBC claim, here are some costly mistakes that you need to avoid.

1.Fighting your claim alone

Don't file and fight your case by yourself just to save some money. An ICBC lawyer from a firm like Yearwood & Company knows the system inside and out. He or she will ensure that you have all of the paperwork that you need and that you are being treated fairly. Your lawyer will walk you through the entire process to make sure everything is done properly.

2.Not getting the other driver's contact information

Car accident scenes are chaotic and stressful. You're worried about your health and the condition of your vehicle. During this time, it's important to remember that you need the other driver's contact information. Without the identity of other driver's involved in the accident, you can't complete your claim. If the police arrived on the scene of your accident and you didn't get anyone's contact information, contact the officers in charge of your case.

3.Refusing medical treatment

One big mistake that people make at an accident is refusing medical treatment. Between the adrenaline rush in your body and the initial shock of the accident, you may not feel any pain and notice you have a serious injury. However, even slow-speed collisions that don't cause any damage to your car can cause serious damage to your body.

Even if you don't think you're injured, you need to have the hospital check to make sure. If you already refused treatment and are beginning to feel some pain, GO NOW! The longer you wait to seek medical treatment, the worse it is for your claim.

4.Agree with the first amount ICBC gives you

When you first file your claim, the ICBC adjuster will try to get you to settle. He or she will give you an amount and hope that you agree to end the battle. Don't take the bait. The amount is well below the amount that they will actually pay you if you push them. Make sure your lawyer knows the amount that ICBC offered and your lawyer will tell you how much you should try for.

5.Keep a pain journal

You may eventually be asked a lot of questions about your pain during your recovery. It is difficult to remember all of the information that you may need. Keep a pain journal so you can answer questions quickly and honestly. It will let ICBC's lawyers and the judge exactly how you were feeling and they'll know you aren't fabricating anything about the recovery process.

6.Don't sign any statements for ICBC

After you give your accident report to ICBC they may try to contact you to sign a written statement. You aren't under any legal obligation to meet with them, let alone sign any papers. Tell your lawyer that ICBC wants to meet and have you sign papers and your lawyer will take care of it. You may end up signing something that hurts your case without even realizing it. Your lawyer needs to look over and approve anything that you sign regarding the accident.

7.Don't apologize for the accident

Your initial reaction may be to apologize for the accident even if it wasn't your fault. However, apologizing is a sign that you are admitting responsibility and it can hurt your ICBC claim. Keep quiet and only talk to your lawyer.

You don't want to make one small mistake that can cost you thousands of dollars or more. Your injuries have changed your life and you deserve all of the compensation that you can get. Hire a lawyer and do exactly what he or she tells you to do.