Do’s And Don’ts When Making A Personal Injury Claim
At McKechnie & Company, we have over 80 years of combined experience helping clients with personal injury matters. We can identify the most challenged areas of a claim and reduce the risk of credibility issues being raised by ICBC.
Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind if you or someone you know was recently involved in an accident. They will help strengthen your claim.
Do: Take Photographs
When you file a claim, the insurance company will try to identify what negligence on your part may have contributed to injuries sustained. Proving liability may reduce the amount of compensation you are owed.
Pictures can help prove your statements. For example, the position of two vehicles immediately after a collision may assist in determining exactly what happened and which vehicle was at fault. A photograph may help verify facts better than witnesses, memories or notes.
Do Not: Make An Inaccurate Statement
Make notes to the best of your recollection as to what happened immediately before, during, and after the accident. Try to be as accurate as possible, or your credibility may be questioned. For example, if you were involved in an accident while talking on a cell phone and you deny this fact, the defendant may be entitled to compel production of your cell phone records to prove otherwise.
Also, when you make notes, make sure you record the contact info of the other party — their name and number, licence plate info and insurance company.
Do: Keep A Diary Of Your Injuries
A very common defence for ICBC is whether or not you have done everything your doctor has advised you to help you recover from your injuries. This is why it’s important to keep a record of any documents or actions that illustrate you are following your doctor’s orders. Keep a record of medications, visits, consultations or procedures you had since the accident.
Apart from medical documentation, keep a diary of your feelings/injuries since the accident. Any help you seek to get better — psychologically or physically — will help your claim.
Do: Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
A very common defence for ICBC is whether or not you have done everything your doctor has advised you to help you recover from your injuries. This is why it’s important to keep a record of any documents or actions that illustrate you are following your doctor’s orders. Keep a record of medications, visits, consultations or procedures you had since the accident.
Arrange A Consultation Today
Call McKechnie & Company at 604-800-2690 or toll-free at 877-393-3469 or arrange a consultation by email using our online form.