Just got hit head on ! Vehicle totalled

[Quarter Mile'r]

Well folks this QM'r is in bad shape, on my way to the shop at noon and
this "N" class driver coming around the bend in the road going way to
fast, saw the ass end of her truck kick out toward the center line
and her wheels turned hard left she over corrected and hit me head on.
My fucking truck it is a write off, I'll miss that old piece of shit, It took
me to many a fishin' hole over 16 years!

I Was blacked out for a few seconds and the pain hit me.....holy shit !!
Taken to hospital, xrays, ECG, I have a broken sternum and three partially
dislocated ribs.

Now why I'm telling you guys all this is I need some advice on how to deal
with ICBC. I've never had to deal with them for more than a hit and run
claim and could use some advice.

What can I expect (other than getting fucked up the ass more than I am
now). What should I prepare, IE document everything?

I look forward to your replies folks.
Thanks.

Sorry ladies I'll be out of commision for a while.


............QM'r

 

[vancouverman]

I have no advise for you regarding ICBC ( just that they are bload suckers, and will try all tricks in the book ), just wanted to wish you all the best, quick recovery, and we will keep a seat for you at the perbertian campfire

get well

 

[pokemon]

Yeah, sounds like serious injuries and so getting a lawyer may be best. Fees will be in the 30-35% range PLUS taxes and disbursements, although ICBC may cough up for at least some of the disbursements.

Keep all your bills, maybe keep a diary of your treatment and symptoms too (however that can cause you to be too pre-occupied with your injuries so be careful). Follow everything your dr. has to say as failing to follow instructions may harm your claim.

It may be too late to find witnesses as there may always be an argumenrt over who crossed the centre line. That will depend on what the other driver has to say.

Good luck.

 

[noneasgood]

My 2 cents

I've never been in this situation but neither am I partial to giving Lawyers free money.

What I would do, especially if there is no disputing fault is determine what ICBC is prepared to offer you in terms of compensation. If you're self employed and you need financial history of what your losses are, contact your accountant. During this process make certain that ICBC is aware that you will be running this offer past legal counsel. Then if legal counsel is necessary the lawyer is under a considerable amount of pressure to ensure you're financially better off with his/her involvement than without it. Therefore he/she will be expected to negotiate in a manner that not only covers his/her fees but increases your net benefit as well. If a lawyer can do that, then they deserve to be compensated, if they can't they don't.

My 2 cents.

 

[butter]

Having seen a few people through this before. I can suggest (as others have above):

1.) Get a lawyer
2.) Document every expense, missed work, anything
3.) Go see a doctor frequently to document any pain, missed work or loss of quality of life
4.) Be prepared to wait 2+ years before you see any settlement

 

[nmjoff]

Get a lawyer on no cure no pay basis

ICBC is screwing me right now when two nice looking ICBC adjusters told me "Dont worry" Stupid me. My case is very simple compared to yours... If you werent wearing a seatbelt don't admit to it "YOU WERE WEARING IT"

You had your hand inside scratching your chest or something, they will want to know how you broke your sternum. PM me if you wan't to BS

 

[Hardatwork]

That is crappy news Quarter Mile'r! Glad to hear that you didn't suffer a worse fate. I wish you a speedy recovery.

I don't have much to add to what the other guys said, but I did have a question... did the police come to the accident? Things can go a whole lot smoother for you if they attended the scene and were able to interview witnesses and possibly get photos of the accident. Maybe one of the first places to start would be with the police and seeing if a file has been started.

 

[Dakota Wood]

Good Lord QM, a broken sternum? I hope they gave you really great drugs

 

[hitrack]

pay day brother!!

This chick I went out with got a pretty good settlement with ICBC, some $60,000 when she was in a bad accident that wasn't her fault.

Get a lawyer.

 

[HeMadeMeDoIt]

Sorry to hear about your accident and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Prior to seeing an ICBC adjustor or signing any forms for them make sure you see a lawyer and have him attend with you when you go meet with icbc. Make sure you document how badly you feel each day and express all this to your physician or any other health professionals you may be seeing (Physiotherapist, chiropractor, shrink whatever). Its important to readily be able to explain to their lawyer in discovery why and how this accident has affected your life and chaces are you won't remember all the details two years plus from now.

Your lawyer should be an experienced Insurance litigator who will accept to take you case on a contingency basis. Don't be afraid to negotiate the contingency rates, it is quite common for lawyers to ask for 25% if settled out of court and 30% if it goes to trial., you should be able to shave off at least 5 points off both those rates.

Good luck and remember the most important thing is getting well so you can go back to chasing hos

 

[gravitas]

That sucks man and best wishes for a speedy recovery!


As for what to do, follow butter's advice!

1.) Get a lawyer

And not the schister who notarizes your passport application, get a personal injury lawyer! They are loathsome sub-human scum but you want one on your side when dealing with ICBC

2.) Document every expense, missed work, anything

I can't stress this point enough....document EVERYTHING!!!!!
-start the day of the accident and what you were doing 12 hours before you were hit.....could be helpful to show you weren't drinking, had enough sleep, were feeling good before hand
-document the details of the accident in agonizing detail
-document everything thing that happens or is said post accident.....every phone call from/to your lawyer, doctor's/physio/massage visit include how you felt before and after
-no matter how trivial you think it may be document it....if your right nut is normally itchy and now your left nut itches write it down.....if you find yourself sad, despondent, anything out of the normal write it down

When documenting everything I'd suggest using using a lab book that doesn't have removable pages....include the date and time with all entries. Pick up one of those plastic accordion files and keep all your stuff in one place.

3.) Go see a doctor frequently to document any pain, missed work or loss of quality of life

If the doc tells you to get xrays then get xrays, see a specialist then see a specialist....again, document EVERYTHING

4.) Be prepared to wait 2+ years before you see any settlement

One and only claim I had through ICBC (which was fairly minor in relative terms) took 18 months to the day from when I got smoked till I got my check from the lawyer.

Oh, and don't do anything directly with ICBC....if they call, write, fax you direct it all through your lawyer.

Best of luck!

 

[tao]

Having seen a few people through this before. I can suggest (as others have above):

1.) Get a lawyer
2.) Document every expense, missed work, anything
3.) Go see a doctor frequently to document any pain, missed work or loss of quality of life
4.) Be prepared to wait 2+ years before you see any settlement

what he said

get a lawyer immediately, they will charge a lot, but they are worth the money. they will usually get a larger settlement than you could get on your own.

 

[georgebushmoron]

QM!!!

So sorry dude!!!! So sorry to hear you got hurt! Take good care of yourself 'bro!

 

[westwoody]

Like everyone else says:get a lawyer, and make sure they are well-versed in ICBC practice.
Document everything and write down exactly what happened in as much detail as possible. I was in the same boat as you but on my bike. Be sure you get the police report and make sure it matches your recollection or be prepared to justify any disagreement you have with the police version of events. When I got to court the lawyer asked me the same questions over and over for a couple of hours, trying to trip me up so that he could make me look inconsistent or unreliable. Don't let them get to you, remember they are deliberately trying to fluster you.
Also beware that they might try to buy you off with a quick payout. They called my mom and tried to get her to talk me into taking a payout, but fortunately I listened to my dad and his lawyer.

 

[Kev]

Sorry to here about your injuries Quarter Mile'r. Heres something to lighten the mood.

 

[curvy_nympho]

Hope you are ok!

I will just repeat what everyone else has said, get a lawyer. I should have retained one a lot sooner than I did. It makes everything much easier.

ICBC adjustors will say things like, "I am here to work with you. I am on your side." Mine even said, "If you get lawyers involved then I can't help you as much."

Get an injury lawyer with expertise in this area. Document everything. Tell friends and family members how you are feeling as well, in case they are interviewed.

Most of all, make sure you take care of yourself! Hope you heal quickly.


Bella

 

[badwolfcgy]

Get well soon and get a GOOD lawyer.
There are practices that just handle ICBC claims.

 

[Gentleman First]

Sorry to hear about your accident QM....rest lots and i hope you heal quickly.

I was in a major accident and knew by day 2 they were going to screw me....I hired a good lawyer and they soon paid out and i got what i felt was a fair settlement.

I am very glad i hired a lawyer, and if it happens again will be hiring that same lawyer again to.

 

[deke]

Hey QM, is that the Steve Moore injury?
Get better soon, and don't take ICBC's first few offers!

 

[Randy Whorewald]

Sorry about your pain man. Hope you get better soon !!