When should I settle my ICBC claim?
The question of when to settle your ICBC claim is one of the biggest decision you will make. There is no easy answer and will depend largely on the facts involved in your ICBC claim.
ICBC will often attempt to settle your claim very soon after the accident. It is to ICBC’s benefit to close files early and save administrative costs. Also, the earlier you settle the ICBC claim, the less ICBC generally pays.
Once you settle your claim you will not be entitled to any further compensation from ICBC. This is because, as part of your settlement, ICBC will ask that you to sign a final Release that will end your entitlement to any further compensation from ICBC. If it turns out your injuries are more severe than you thought when you settled your claim, it’s very unlikely you will be able to continue your claim because of the Release. Only in very rare circumstances will the Court overlook the Release to allow you to continue forward with your ICBC claim.
Generally, you should not settle your ICBC claim on your own until you are at least back to your pre-accident level of work/activities and you have more or less recovered from your injuries. Also, you do not want to rely on your doctor’s opinion that you will recover fully within a few months, because if it turns out you do not recover you will have settled for less than you deserve.
In most situations where you are self-represented, you should make sure that you are completely recovered from your injuries before settling the claim. You can always settle before you are fully recovered so long as ICBC also pays you for the future problems that are anticipated. Unfortunately, ICBC rarely pays out a claim based on ongoing future problems unless a lawyer is involved. Even then, ICBC often resists payment of future losses.
As a result, because you are probably new to the ICBC system, your best approach is to at least consult a seasoned personal injury lawyer before accepting any offer from ICBC. Personal injury lawyers often give free initial consultations, so it doesn’t cost anything to review a settlement offer with one. At the very least, you will get a good idea of what the potential claim is worth and then you can weigh the various options as to whether to try to settle your ICBC claim on your own, or to retain a lawyer.
If you have retained a lawyer and are pursuing the claim through litigation, as a trial date approaches, often there is a need to resolve your case regardless of how far you have recovered. Your lawyer would be able to best address the disadvantages and advantages of settling at that point.
In summary, the decision as to when to settle your ICBC claim is complex. If you are self-represented, you can try to settle your ICBC claim for a reasonable sum if you are fully recovered. Alternatively, if your condition has not stabilized but ICBC is prepared to compensate you for future problems, then you may wish to settle. Do not try to settle your ICBC claim early on if your injuries are ongoing and the future is uncertain. Also, do not settle your ICBC claim if your injuries are ongoing and the ICBC offer is based on your injuries being fully recovered or likely to full recover shortly.
The last thing you want to do is settle early for a low amount and end up with serious, life-long injuries. Maximizing the value of an ICBC claim is a complex task, and one which requires a great deal of skill and knowledge. Jan Fishman is a Vancouver personal injury lawyer with the skill and knowledge you need to maximize your ICBC claim.
Have you been injured in a motor vehicle accident? Contact Jan Fishman and put his experience to work for you.