The Hidden Dangers of ICBC’s Use of Jury Trials in Car Accident Compensation

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) plays a pivotal role in the province’s motor vehicle insurance landscape. Established in 1973, ICBC is not only the sole provider of basic auto insurance but also competes in the optional insurance market. While its mandate includes providing affordable insurance and promoting road safety, concerns have arisen over…

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Why You Should ALWAYS Do a Thorough Direct and Cross Examination of ICBC Medical Experts

In all ICBC personal injury claims, medical expert evidence is required in order to prove injuries and to justify the amounts claimed for different types of damage awards at trial.  For instance, if you are claiming that you are permanently injured without any chance of full recovery, then you must have a medical expert’s opinion…

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ICBC Tries to Delay Injury Trial and Loses

If ICBC is not ready for trial, it can apply to the court for an order adjourning (rescheduling) it to a later date.  The court will not automatically adjourn a trial.  There is a heavy burden on ICBC to prove why an adjournment is necessary before the order is granted.  If the order is denied,…

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The Sad Reality of the NDP’s No Fault (Enhanced Care) ICBC Insurance

As we have discussed in prior blog articles, the NDP’s No Fault ICBC insurance has been touted as a perfect fix to a broken ICBC system.  The NDP have spent millions of dollars on advertising to convince British Columbians that this is a great new system that will save them money on their car insurance. …

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ICBC Loses AGAIN at Trial – Double Costs Awarded for ICBC’s Failure to Settle

In prior blog posts, we have written about ICBC’s current strategy of making low offers to settle which drive cases to trial unnecessarily instead of settling for a fair and reasonable amount.  This has resulted in enormous amounts of money being spent by ICBC wastefully with the NDP instead blaming injured claimants.  ICBC’s mismanagement and…

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Cyclist in Dedicated Bike Lane 15% At Fault for Attempting to Pass a Right Turning Vehicle

The Motor Vehicle Act provides guidance on the conduct and responsibilities of drivers and cyclists on roadways.  While the Motor Vehicle Act does not define cycles as vehicles, the Court of Appeal in Ormiston v. ICBC 2014 BCCA 276 noted that Section 183(1) of the act “imposes on the operator of a bicycle the same…

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Court Refuses to Remove Lawsuit from Fast Track Litigation

When filing a lawsuit against ICBC for a motor vehicle accident injury claim, an injured claimant can choose to pursue it in an ordinary action or in a Fast Track Action (Rule 15) which shortens the entire litigation process making it more cost effective.  There must be a formal election to pursue the action in…

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ICBC Hired Expert Rejected at Trial for Attacking the Injured Claimant’s Credibility

As discussed in prior blog posts, ICBC’s medical experts are hired to provide expert opinions to defend against injury claims.  There are a number of strict guidelines which govern experts and their expert reports.  One guideline requires all court experts to be impartial, independent and absent of bias. If the expert is found to be…

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Injured Claimant NOT blamed for being overweight

As we have discussed in prior ICBC duty to mitigate blog posts, injured claimants have a legal duty to mitigate their injuries and losses from motor vehicle accidents.  In other words, injured claimants have an obligation and a responsibility to take reasonable steps to minimize their losses such as by following medical advice.  If it…

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ICBC’s Request for a Late IME Shut Down – ICBC Criticized for Late Application

At some point during your ICBC claim, you may be sent by your lawyer to an independent medical examination (IME) with a specialist doctor such as a physiatrist, psychiatrist, orthopedic surgeon, etc..  At the IME, the specialist doctor will interview you, review your medical records and examine you.  Following this, an IME report is prepared…

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