 Read the Latest Blogs Written by Lawyers at Bronson Jones Gray & Company LLP

Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience. If you are attacked or bit by a dog, it can leave lasting scars and disfiguring injuries – and for some, a dog attack can cause psychological issues such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is unfortunately the case that people are injured in accidents caused by uninsured drivers, underinsured drivers, or unidentified drivers. The good news is that there are options for accident victims to receive personal injury compensation in each of these situations.

Yes. If you are injured in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can still bring an ICBC claim. This post will discuss the options for benefits and compensation and what you will need to do to get compensation from ICBC.

Yes, you can bring an ICBC claim for personal injury compensation if the accident was caused by a driver of a vehicle who fled the scene or a driver who left before you were able to get information to identify them.

Whether you were legally married or in a common-law relationship, the date of separation is extremely important to the determination of a number of BC family law matters, including child support, spousal support, and the division of property and debt.

Spousal support, which is also known as alimony, spousal maintenance, or partner support (for common-law couples) is money that is paid by one spouse or partner to the other after separation or divorce. In BC, spousal support is not an automatic right.

Pets are often considered to be members of the family. The intense emotional bonds people form with cats, dogs, or other family pets can lead people to think of pets as if they were children, and to expect the law to do the same when family law disputes arise.

Under BC family law, children have a legal right to child support. Whether parents are married, common-law, or never lived together at all, they have a legal obligation to provide child support for their children.

In today’s highly mobile world, it is not uncommon for spouses to marry outside of Canada and later move to live in BC. It is also increasingly common for BC residents to travel abroad to have a destination wedding. If your marriage took place in another country and later breaks down, can you get divorced in BC?

Spousal support (also known as alimony or spousal maintenance) is money that is paid by one spouse to the other after separation.

The decision to adopt a child is one of the most significant you may ever make. In addition to personal and emotional considerations, it is important that you understand the process and legal implications of BC adoption.

When your marriage has broken down, what do you need to do get a “legal separation” in BC? The answer may surprise you.

The Vancouver personal injury lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP have been carefully following changes to driving laws that accompanied the legalization of cannabis.

It takes time for an accident victim who sustains personal injuries as a result of a BC motor vehicle collision to recover.

Is child support still owed if it is not sought until long after the time it should have been paid? Can a parent claim back child support if the amounts paid were not as much as they should be based on the paying spouse’s income?

In many BC family law matters, spousal support is a contested issue. Spouses often disagree on entitlement to spousal support and the amount or duration of spousal support payments.

When a marriage or common-law relationship comes to an end and children are involved – whether the children were born of the relationship or are from a previous relationship – it becomes essential for the exes to understand the law of access and child custody BC.

In BC, prenuptial agreements – which are also known as marriage agreements and cohabitation agreements – are contracts entered into by couples to ensure there are clear guidelines on how property, debt, and support (among other things) will be dealt with if separation or divorce occurs.

Unfortunately, the answer to the question of “Who gets what?” upon separation or divorce is not always straightforward. The law with respect to BC property division is complex. There are detailed laws, which have been interpreted and applied in reams of court decisions, governing how property and debt are to be divided when spouses separate or divorce. The goal of this post is to shed some light on the ins and outs of the BC property division regime.

When married or common-law spouses separate, it is open to them to enter into a BC separation agreement that settles issues arising from the end of their relationship. A separation agreement in BC is a legal contract that can address many subjects, and if done properly, can settle all matters without needing to go to court.

If there has been a denial of your claim for long-term disability, our lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP in the Lower Mainland can help. It is exceptionally challenging and difficult to struggle with a disability while also fighting with the insurance company to get the benefits you deserve.

As of April 1, 2019, a person injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC may be referred for a consultation with a “registered care advisor.” What exactly is a “registered care advisor” and how might a consultation with a registered care advisor impact ICBC reporting and the outcome of an ICBC claim?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident while working or by someone who was on the job, our lawyers can offer legal guidance about filing your claim with WorkSafeBC or ICBC to protect your personal interests.

Whether you have been injured while driving a vehicle or in a pedestrian accident, lawyers will tell you how crucial it is to gather eyewitness evidence. 

A spinal cord injury is perhaps the most devastating, life-changing injury that can be caused by a car accident.

Did you know that if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC, you may be able to claim a number of different “heads of damage”?

If you are suffering from an illness or injury that impairs your ability to work, do you need a long-term disability lawyer to assist you with your benefits claim?

BC personal injury lawyers have noted an alarming increase in the number of vehicle collisions – including fatal accidents – since speed limits were raised on a number of highways throughout the province in 2014.

At this time of year, when weather changes for the worse and the number of daylight hours decreases, pedestrians in BC are almost twice as likely to be injured in car accidents

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recognize and build a claim for compensation not just for your initial injury (e.g., a broken bone or soft tissue injury), but also for complications due to extended periods of immobilization related to the initial injury.

Motorcycle accidents generally surge in the summer as warmer weather and drier conditions bring more riders onto the road. On average, in July and August six motorcyclists are injured each day in BC, according to ICBC data.

Our personal injury lawyers from Bronson Jones & Company LLP discuss the updates to the limits for ICBC minor injury claims

Slip and fall injuries can be serious. A serious tumble can result in broken bones, head trauma, injuries to the neck and spine, or even chronic or psychological pain. If you slip and fall and sustain an injury on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation.

The personal injury lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP are frequently asked by injured victims when and if they should settle their ICBC claims. ICBC often puts pressure on injured victims to settle their ICBC claims. It benefits ICBC to settle claims as quickly as possible so they can save administrative costs and pay as little as possible to the injured person. Here are some of the major factors that you should consider in deciding if the time is right to settle your ICBC claim.

Claims for negligently caused mental injury (also referred to as “psychological injury” or “psychiatric damage”) are often treated with greater scepticism than claims for physical personal injury. While some types of physical injury such as soft tissue injuries can be more challenging to prove, generally speaking, physical injuries such as cuts and broken bones are objectively verifiable. Mental injury, however, is often not as readily apparent.

The lawyers at our law firm recently discussed the BC Attorney General’s controversial announcement of a $5,500 limit on pain and suffering for minor injury claims, to take effect on April 1, 2019. The new cap on minor injury claims has caused quite an uproar, but it wasn’t the only announcement made: BC’s Attorney General also announced that it would be doubling the lifetime limit for Autoplan Accident Benefits from $150,000 to $300,000.

The lawyers at our personal injury law firm have previously discussed what qualifies as distracted driving and how distracted driving causes auto accidents. Essentially, distracted driving is any activity that impacts a driver's ability to focus on the road, and it is one of the top contributing factors in police-reported accidents in BC. On average, 78 people are killed in distracted driving-related crashes in BC each year, and research shows that electronic device use is the most common distraction that drivers engage in behind the wheel.

According to the most recent ICBC statistics, approximately 60% of all accidents in BC occur at intersections. Accidents at intersections are often the most serious because they include head-on and side-impact crashes. Our ICBC lawyers have previously discussed the most notoriously accident-prone intersections in Vancouver, BC. ICBC’s website has an interactive crash map which shows the alarming prevalence of accidents at intersections throughout BC.

With the warmer, drier weather comes a greater number of cyclists on the roads in Vancouver, BC. Bicycle accident lawyers see a corresponding increase in personal injury claims at this time of year as a result of crashes between bicycles and vehicles. This article will set out safety tips for cyclists to avoid bicycle accidents, followed by tips from the personal injury lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP on what to do if you have been injured as a result of a bicycle accident.

There is no doubt that technology has had a significant impact on the driving experience. Many new vehicles come equipped with an array of tech-based features – such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane assist technology – that did not exist a decade ago. The car accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP continually monitor new driver-assist technologies and related legislative changes, as both usher in important implications for insurance claims and personal injury law.

The results of a recent survey of Canadian drivers came to the attention of the auto accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP. The survey results indicate that Millennials – those under 34 years of age – readily admit to distracted driving, but at the same time lack awareness of what qualifies as distracted driving. Millennials overwhelmingly equate distracted driving with smartphone use and personal grooming, but are less cognizant of the fact that other behaviors (e.g., eating, drinking, adjusting the sound system, looking at roadside distractions) are just as risky – they can also cause a driver to lose focus, which may cause an auto accident.

We have previously discussed the role of a police report in a motor vehicle accident claim. A police report contains critical information about the parties involved in the accident and will be considered when determining fault for the accident. It is a valuable piece of evidence because it contains a description of the accident produced by an impartial third party (the police officer) shortly after the accident occurred. Given the important role that a police report plays in a claim for personal injury compensation, the car accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP are often asked if it is possible to make an ICBC claim without a police report. The short answer is yes, but this article will examine the issue in greater detail.

Bronson Jones & Company LLP’s accident lawyers recently discussed the consequences of distracted driving. Distracted driving is a growing problem and BC law prohibits cellphone use while driving. But what about “distracted walking”? Should there be a law against inattentive pedestrians? One Ontario lawmaker says yes.

Personal injury lawyers have many roles throughout the course of a lawsuit. One important ongoing role is to gather facts and evidence to support the injured person’s claim. In many personal injury cases, that will include expert evidence to support or strengthen the claim of the plaintiff. Generally speaking, if an issue falls outside of the normal experience of a layperson, it will be necessary to hire a person possessing specialized skill and knowledge – in other words, an expert – to provide an opinion at trial that will assist the trier of fact (the judge or a jury) in deciding that particular issue. 

An expert’s opinion can also be very helpful during settlement discussions with ICBC and the defendant’s lawyer and may convince ICBC to settle the claim without going to trial. In fact, settlement discussions, mediations, and trials alike regularly boil down to a battle of the experts (for example, the plaintiff’s expert says the defendant is at fault for the accident while the defendant’s expert says the plaintiff is at fault; or the plaintiff’s expert says the plaintiff is seriously, permanently injured while the defendant’s expert says the plaintiff’s injuries are insignificant and not expected to last).

To most people, “impaired driving” means driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Given the recent headline-grabbing move toward decriminalization of marijuana in Canada, some people are also aware that impaired driving includes driving while under the influence of illicit drugs. Fewer people, however, realize that impaired driving includes getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after taking prescription or over-the-counter medication if that medication impairs the ability to drive safely. The car accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP prepared this article to help BC drivers understand the implications of taking medication while driving.

Drivers who use hand-held electronic devices are being asked to “Think Inside the Box” as part of a distracted driving awareness campaign organized by the police department in Abbotsford. Car accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP recently discussed what qualifies as distracted driving and the consequences of distracted driving. While distracted driving includes eating, drinking, smoking, and personal grooming, hand-held electronic devices such as smartphones have become the foremost problem in recent years. The BC government banned the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving as of January 1, 2010 and added tougher penalties that took effect June 1, 2016. Despite the toughened laws, drivers continue to use hand-held electronic devices while behind the wheel, to devastating effect. The number of distracted driving crashes is rising in BC, and now account for more than 27 per cent of all fatal car accidents in the province, with an average of 78 deaths a year. In fact, distracted driving is the second-leading cause of motor vehicle fatalities, second only to speeding.

Over the years, the Vancouver car accident lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP have been carefully following the toughening of distracted driving laws in BC. Most recently, increased sanctions for distracted drivers came into effect on June 1, 2016, raising the minimum penalty for a first-time offence in BC to $543 – a $368 ticket, along with $175 for four ICBC driver penalty points. Prior to that, the fine for distracted driving was $167, along with three ICBC driver penalty points. Police across BC are increasing their enforcement of distracted driving laws to try to reduce crashes caused by distracted driving. A staggering $46-million worth of tickets has been issued for distracted driving since 2010 when BC brought in the new laws.

Vancouver lawyers know that motorcyclists are often perceived by the general public to be at fault for motorcycle accidents. Vancouver lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP also know, however, that the general perception is wrong – in the majority of multi-vehicle collisions, the other vehicle is at fault, not the motorcycle. The determination of who is at fault is extremely important, as it impacts who is liable for any injuries or damage caused by the accident. Any portion of fault that is assigned to you will correspondingly reduce your claim for personal injury compensation. For example, if you and the other driver are equally at fault for the accident, your claim for personal injury damages will be reduced by 50 per cent. Given how important the finding of fault is to the overall claim for compensation, this article will review how liability for a motorcycle accident is determined.

Vancouver lawyers are aware of the alarming rise in motorcycle accidents and injuries in BC. ICBC statistics indicate that more than 1600 motorcyclists were injured in 2016, up from 1500 in 2015. Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be shocking and overwhelming, and unlike automobile accidents, motorcycle accident victims often have severe injuries to arms and legs, including loss of a limb.

You were injured in a car accident and now ICBC has offered you money to settle your claim – should you take ICBC’s settlement offer or hire a personal injury lawyer? As Vancouver car accident lawyers who exclusively represent injured plaintiffs, we are asked that question on a regular basis. People want to know whether the amount ICBC offered is fair and they are often worried about what happens if they reject ICBC’s offer. Here is what you should consider when deciding whether to take ICBC’s offer or hire a personal injury lawyer.

Pedestrian accidents are alarmingly common in Vancouver, and are often fatal. As car accident lawyers who help injured pedestrians with ICBC claims, we know that pedestrian accidents happen because drivers and pedestrians are not aware of (or do not follow) the rules relating to the right of way. Safe pedestrian crossing relies on the proper exercise of judgment by both pedestrians and drivers.

A car crash can be a very traumatic experience. Even the calmest of people can be quite shaken up due to shock or injury following a motor accident. Vancouver lawyers who represent accident victims often hear their clients say that they felt overwhelmed and did not know what to do after the accident.

Driving while fatigued is a serious threat to road safety. And unfortunately, it is also very common. In an ICBC survey, 30% of respondents admitted that they have nodded off while driving. Fatigue can be caused by too few hours of sleep the night before or it can be the result of chronic sleep debt (lost hours of sleep that accumulate over time). Other factors contributing to driver fatigue include the amount of time spent on the road, the time of day, undiagnosed sleep disorders, and the use of medications or alcohol.

Vancouver ICBC lawyers know the adversarial nature of the ICBC claims process

When you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, regardless of whether the accident was your fault, you must report it to ICBC. If you were injured in that accident and your vehicle was damaged, you will need to claim for rehabilitation benefits (also known as “no-fault” or Part 7 benefits), vehicle damage repairs, and compensation for your injuries. ICBC will assign an adjuster to handle your claim. The ICBC adjuster has two main objectives: first, to assign blame for the accident (sometimes called assessing liability or fault), and second, to resolve your injury claim for an amount that is fair from ICBC’s perspective, not yours.

As veteran Vancouver car accident lawyers, we have seen it all when it comes to distracted driving. It doesn’t just mean using a cell phone while driving. Distracted driving is anything that diverts attention from driving tasks: wiping a spill from your morning coffee to-go; looking for an address on a GPS; changing the song on an MP3 player; grooming in the rear-view mirror; or reaching behind the seats to find a toy dropped by a child in a car seat. These distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road and can pose a serious threat to the safety.

Spring is a lovely time of year – the sun comes out more often, flowers bloom, and the days get longer. The dark days of treacherous winter driving may be over, but driving in the spring can be hazardous, too. When it comes to road accidents, lawyers know that spring presents its own set of driving challenges. This spring, drivers should be on alert for the hazards discussed in this article.

Each year in British Columbia there are 1,400 crashes where at least one cyclist is involved. A startling fact is that each year almost 1,000 of those 1,400 crashes occur in the Lower Mainland. Vancouver’s mild climate, densely populated downtown area, and extensive network of bicycle lanes brings cyclists out in greater numbers and for a longer cycling season than in the rest of the province. As such, accident lawyers in Vancouver are aware of the increased concern for cyclist and motor vehicle accidents.

Road rules are necessary to keep traffic flowing smoothly – just imagine the traffic jams you would be stuck in every day if there were no rules of the road. But road rules serve another highly important purpose: following road rules increases the safety of people travelling on or near roads. Traffic accidents can often be avoided if drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are careful and follow road rules. Because we are lawyers who have extensive experience representing motor vehicle accident victims, we see first-hand the devastating effects of failure to follow the rules of the road, including broken bones, whiplash, and brain injury. Vancouver lawyers in particular see the vital importance of road rules, as there are a greater number of cars, trucks, cyclists and pedestrians to contend with in the busy city.

Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike expect that they will be safe when using the road. Accident lawyers know that despite that expectation, not all drivers use safe driving behaviour or follow best driving practices. Driving has become such a routine task for some; they forget the serious consequences that can be caused by a car accident.

Trucks, semi-trailers, and 18-wheelers require special training to operate and can be difficult to control. Because of their extra length and weight, these larger trucks require a wide turning radius that creates significant blind spots. Wide turns increase the likelihood of accidents which can cause significant personal injury. Vancouver and other busy cities are especially challenging to navigate in a large truck as there is less room for a large truck to pivot and more traffic to contend with.

Vancouver was hit with extreme winter weather in December 2016 that created chaos on the road. Accident lawyers in Vancouver experienced a significant spike in personal injury claims following December’s treacherous conditions. Drivers in Vancouver have experience with rain and wet roads, but when the winter weather rolled in, drivers were forced to contend with ice, slush, and snow accumulation on the roads as well as reduced visibility due to falling and blowing snow.

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most important ways for drivers and passengers to protect themselves. Proper use of a seatbelt is the most effective way to save lives and avoid severe injuries in motor vehicle collisions. When worn correctly, a seatbelt can reduce the chances of death in a collision by 47 per cent and the chances of serious injury by 52 per cent (Transport Canada’s Road Safety in Canada).

Since 1986 our firm of experienced road accident lawyers has represented injured plaintiffs. In that time, we have observed a clear trend: winter months bring more motor vehicle accidents.

Drunk driving is the cause of many motor vehicle accidents and fatalities each year. Criminal consequences for drunk driving are well established, and personal injury law (Vancouver and Canada-wide) in relation to law suits for injuries caused by drunk drivers is well developed.

As experienced Vancouver car accident lawyers, we know that winter conditions such as rain, snow, slush, ice, and fog dramatically increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents, making driving during winter more challenging and dangerous. A driver’s chances of being injured or killed in a crash dramatically increase during British Columbia’s winter driving season, which runs from October 1 to March 31.

Being injured in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia is very stressful. The accident itself and the personal injury you suffer as a result are traumatic. The situation can be made worse by not having an experienced Vancouver ICBC lawyer to guide you through the complex claims process in the aftermath of the motor vehicle accident.

Every person who commences a personal injury claim after a motor vehicle accident will at some point be faced with an important choice: should I settle my case or go to trial? It is important to understand the pros and cons of each option.

Through our years of experience as car accident lawyers in Vancouver and the surrounding area, we have noticed a few common misconceptions about car accident claims. When it comes to motor vehicle accident claims, knowledge is power: the more you know about the ICBC claims process, the better you will fare in terms of assistance while recovering from your injuries and the final cash payout for your claim.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, the police may attend at the scene of the collision. If the accident caused injury, death, or sufficient property damage, the officer will fill out a BC Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Police Investigation Report, more commonly known as a “Police Report”.

When you have suffered a personal injury or a family member has suffered a wrongful death, it can be difficult to decide whether to commence a claim for compensation. There are a number of factors to consider.

Most people injured in a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia are entitled to medical and rehabilitation benefits from the Insurance Company of British Columbia (ICBC). These benefits are paid regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Entitlement to these benefits is set out in Part 7 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Regulation.

Brain injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents can have significant and permanent implications for a person’s life. Brain injuries are common in serious motor vehicle accidents. According to the Brain Injury Association of Canada, 160,000 Canadians sustain brain injuries each year. Collisions involving automobiles, motorcycles or bicycles are a common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Approximately 50% of all acquired brain injuries result from falls or motor vehicle accidents.

The popularity of cycling is on the rise in Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia. According to the City of Vancouver, between 2008 and 2011, the number of cycling trips per day increased 41 percent from 47,100 to 66,500.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the neglect of someone else, certain evidence will be necessary to prove your personal injury case. Information regarding the events prior to, during and after the accident, any damage to your vehicle, any injuries you may have sustained and the observations of any independent witnesses will be relevant to the case. This information can also be used to prove your entitlement to compensation from the Insurance Corporation British Columbia (ICBC).

An accident lawyer in Vancouver at Bronson Jones & Company LLP will be able to assist you in obtaining specific types of evidence, many of which are listed here.

Every day in British Columbia there are motor vehicle accidents that lead to serious injury or death. According to RoadSafety BC, in 2013, the number of accidents in BC where a victim was injured was 85,000. Insurance Corporation British Columbia (ICBC) reports that high-risk driving was a top contributing factor in the 5 year average of 143 of 269 fatal crashes. High-risk driving includes failing to yield the right of way, following too closely, ignoring a traffic control device, improper passing and speeding. Each of these driving behaviours are discussed in detail below.

Car accidents are the top cause of death of teenagers in British Columbia according to the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA). The fatality rate for teens involved in auto accidents in Canada is four to nine times greater than any other age group. The demographics show that male drivers in BC between the ages of 16 - 20 are 20 percent more likely to be killed in a serious car accident. Drivers under the age of 21 are involved in 14 percent of all vehicle crashes in BC when yet they represent fewer than seven per cent of the drivers. As a pre-emptive measure, learner and novice drivers are required to display a sign on the back of the vehicle to indicate their driving status. However, teens still get into auto accidents. Some of the common reasons are discussed here below, including distracted driving, drinking and driving and drugs and driving.

What is a Multi-Vehicle Accident?

A multi-vehicle accident is when two or more vehicles (cars, bikes, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.) collide due to the negligence of one or more drivers. Such accidents are more common than you may realize. They often lead to serious personal injuries and/or death, major road or highway closures to allow for investigation or clean-up, and expensive damage to vehicles.

Despite stringent laws against impaired driving, impaired driving accidents in British Columbia (BC) continue to occur each year. Impairment remains in the top three contributing factors for fatal car crashes, next to distracted driving and speeding. Approximately 27 percent of motor vehicle fatalities are related to impaired driving, according to Insurance Corporation British Columbia (ICBC).

In Clements (Litigation Guardian of) v. Clements, 2009 BCSC 112 the plaintiff suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when the motorcycle she was a passenger on crashed after the rear tire burst. The defendant argued that the loss of control was caused by a rapid deflation of the tire resulting from the sudden expulsion of a nail that had punctured the tire and that he was not negligent. Although the defendant was speeding, he argued that the rapid deflation would have resulted in a crash even at a lower speed and that the plaintiff had failed to prove causation. In finding the defendant liable the court held that although the rear tire deflated through no one’s fault, the defendant was driving too fast and with too heavy a load, and that those factors materially contributed to the inability of the defendant to maintain control after the tire deflated.

Motorcycles can be very dangerous, and as such, they are heavily regulated in British Columbia (B.C.) and across Canada. According to Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), motorcycles make up 3 percent of insured vehicles, yet they’re involved in 11 percent of road fatalities. Moreover, approximately 1500 people are injured in crashes involving motorcycles each year in B.C., with about 37 riders dying.

In British Columbia, distracted driving is the second highest contributing factor to motor vehicle related fatalities, with 88 deaths a year. This number even surpasses the ICBC figures for deaths attributed to drunk drivers on B.C. roads. Despite these statistics, it is estimated that over 9,500 drivers continue to use a hand-held device while driving at any given time in British Columbia. Approximately 40% of those drivers are specifically texting while driving. In 2014, police issued approximately 55,100 tickets to drivers who were caught using an electronic device behind the wheel in B.C. This was an increase from 2013, when police issued about 53,000.

With an aging population, there are a lot more seniors on the road – as we are living longer, we are also driving longer. This is a good thing as seniors are often our most experienced drivers. However, as we age we are also clearly more vulnerable due to age-related changes to our vision, alertness and sometimes even our confidence. That is the rationale behind a number of laws, regulations, practices and procedures that govern how and when we can drive as we age.

Accidents involving motorcycles are on the rise in British Columbia and so it is essential that both car drivers and motorcyclists are mindful of the risks involved in sharing the road. If you or a family member have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you are aware of your rights, including what liability issues are involved and your eligibility to file a personal injury claim.

As many Canadian families enjoy trips to the lake during the summer, it is quite common for a trailer to be attached to a vehicle in order to tow boats, camping supplies and a variety of other recreational items. Similarly, in the winter, it is common for drivers to tow snowmobiles on trailers behind their cars. However, it is important that drivers are aware of the liability issues arising from driving with these trailers attached to their vehicles.

If a family member is injured after a car accident, you will want to help however possible but may not know how. You may be unsure about what you can do, what treatment is available and what you can expect in terms of recovery. The information will depend on the severity of the injury. Doctors will provide initial instructions about medical care when your loved one is released from the hospital.

If you have a personal injury case, you may be required to attend an examination for discovery. A brief overview of what an examination for discovery entails is provided here, however your lawyer will review the procedure in advance, and the purpose and importance of this meeting for your case.

Insurance adjusters are representatives of the insurance company. By nature of their employment, the insurance adjusters are on the defence side of your personal injury claim. They are trained to encourage you to settle the case on your own and to discourage you from hiring a lawyer. Typically, the same adjuster works on the claim from beginning to end. It is in his or her interest to settle quickly and for as little money as possible, as adjustors are evaluated on this statistic by their employer.

The information we share online with friends and family can be used in ways we never imagined. Rather than showing how you try to look positive despite having injuries, the information can be used negatively in a personal injury case. Often, unfair conclusions are drawn and posts are presented to overshadow other evidence. For example, posting about a soccer game or charitable bike ride you participated in could be used to show that no serious injury exists. A friend’s photo showing you drinking at a party could be used to discredit your character. A six month motorcycle trip over rough terrain in South America could be used to argue debilitating neck injuries are being exaggerated. This is what happened in a 2015 ICBC case, when a woman’s award was reduced to $12,000 from the $35,000 requested after her Facebook posts were revealed in court.

If you have lost time from work as a result of a motor vehicle accident, you may be able to make a claim for a loss of future earnings amount as part of your claim. The amount is not a simple calculation based on being unable to work the same number of working hours at the same pay rate over your remaining career. Rather, loss of future earnings is to be determined according to your lost ability to earn income for your remaining career. Your income potential before the collision occurred is given much weight as is your limitations resulting from injuries.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and are not the at-fault driver, you may find it worthwhile to consult a personal injury lawyer for professional advice about a tort claim. A lawyer will ask questions about what happened and what your injuries are and then discuss whether you have a case for financial compensation. The lawyer can tell you what factors influence the total compensation amount, including the type and extent of the injuries suffered.

A motor vehicle accident can cause various personal injuries, including a rotator cuff strain or tear. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons connected to your shoulder that you use to lift your arm or lift a heavy object. Your family physician can assess the range of motion in your arm and perhaps order tests, such as an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound, to rule out a fracture or other injuries.

When meeting a personal injury lawyer for the first time, much information needs to be exchanged to determine the nature and potential for a law suit for damages and if the fit is right for both parties. It is recommended that you learn what you can about the lawyer you will meet with, including by reviewing the law firm’s website, length of time in existence, any online reviews, if they have successfully handled the type of case you have and if they have trial experience. The initial meeting usually is not long, especially if you come prepared with an intake form completed in advance.

The amount of compensation for damages payable from a collision depends largely on establishing who is at fault. Often, fault is found to lie with more than one person. The plaintiff’s counsel will argue that the defendant’s conduct departed from the applicable standard of care and will seek to prove a causal relation between the defendant’s breach of that standard of care and the accident. The defendant’s counsel will seek to defeat the plaintiff’s claim on the basis that he or she met the standard of care and that someone else contributed to the plaintiff’s injury.

Winter driving conditions in BC can be challenging at the best of times. Such issues are often in dispute with respect to the cause of automobile accidents. The chance of being injured or killed in a collision dramatically increases during BC’s winter driving season, which runs from October 1st to April 30th. The average number of collisions whereby a person is injured or dies as a result of driving too fast for the road conditions also nearly doubles from fall to early winter in BC. The incidence of collisions increases with the volume of vehicles on the road, with densely populated urban centres having the highest collision rates.

If you are a British Columbia resident who incurred a personal injury motor vehicle accident, the best firm to hire is one that exclusively practices personal injury law in British Columbia. A personal injury lawyer will explain the deadlines and technical requirements that you must follow, help you understand the type of compensation available and assist in completing the necessary documents while you focus on your treatment and recovery.

People often assume that since the at-fault motorist is nowhere to be found, a victim of a hit and run accident is out of luck when it comes to compensation for personal injury. Road accident lawyers know that in fact, a victim of a hit and run accident in British Columbia may be able to claim against ICBC for personal injury compensation. The potential for a claim for damages following a hit and run accident is set out in section 24 of the Insurance (Vehicle) Act. The hit and run accident protection in section 24 is available to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists who are injured by an unidentified motorist, but only if proper steps are taken.

Your chances of surviving a motor vehicle accident increase dramatically if you are wearing a seat belt. However, most children are not tall or heavy enough for a seat belt to function properly. As such, the law in British Columbia states that a driver must ensure all children in the vehicle are buckled up in a manner that is appropriate for their weight, height, and age. This post will discuss the importance of child safety seats and how to know whether your child should be in a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat, a booster seat, or a seat belt.

As experienced Vancouver motor accident lawyers, we know that a large number of crashes occur at intersections, and that crashes at intersections often result in the most significant personal injury. In fact, according to Transport Canada, about 30% of fatalities and 40% of serious injuries occur as a result of crashes at intersections.

Cyclists are vulnerable to significant injuries or death in the event of a crash. A cyclist’s head will hit a hard surface in half of all bicycle accidents. Vancouver lawyers at Bronson Jones & Company LLP often represent cyclists who have sustained significant head and facial injuries as a result of such crashes. The purpose of this post is to discuss the importance of bicycle helmets to reduce the risk of head and facial injuries.

Lawyers with experience representing car accident victims are consistently asked certain questions about insurance coverage after a car accident. Lawyers at the plaintiffs-only personal injury firm of Bronson Jones & Company LLP have extensive experience representing victims injured in motor vehicle accidents, so they know the ins-and-outs of the insurance claim process. They drew from their experience to provide answers to some common questions about insurance coverage after a car accident. Lawyers in our office are available for a free initial consultation; if you would like more information or have any specific questions about your personal injury claim, please call us at 1-855-852-5100 (toll free, 24 hours).