We recently received a call from an injured motorcyclist. He was severely hurt when his motorcycle was rear ended by a negligent driver. Among other things, the motorcyclist suffered a concussion and extensive injuries to his neck and back. As a result, he’s on daily painkillers and receiving physiotherapy 3 times a week. Our experience helping injured bikers tells us he’s also likely to develop post traumatic stress disorder. Medical experts agree, and in fact, common sense tells us that injuries such as what this unfortunate motorcyclist has suffered are indeed serious.
The injured biker turned to us to handle his ICBC claim.
With great remorse, we had to give him more bad news. As far as ICBC is concerned, all of his injuries are classified as “minor.” ICBC intends to cap his compensation for pain and suffering at its maximum of $5500 (including multiple injuries). Note it’s maximum $5500, so it’s possible (and likely) that he will get even less than this. This is disgraceful.
Sadly, as with so many similar calls from accident victims, there’s nothing we can currently do to help. We advised him to keep a daily journal of his pain, symptoms and medication, continue his regular visits to his doctor and physiotherapist as needed, and then contact us again in a few months. If his condition continues to persist or worsen, he may, indeed, have a serious injury claim against ICBC.
British Columbians are required by law to insure our vehicles through the monopolized ICBC. We pay the highest insurance premiums in the entire country, and our premiums just keep rising. ICBC’s latest increase was a staggering 6.3% imposed last April. Yet, when we become injured by a negligent driver, ICBC will be quick to classify us as having “minor injuries” so that it can severely cap our compensation. This is simply wrong and only hurts the injured again. British Columbians, at the very least, deserve to be fairly treated and compensated by our insurance provider when we’re injured in an accident. ICBC needs to go.
Read more about ICBC’s caps: ICBC Is Set To Classify Many Injuries as Minor
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