Vancouver BC Personal Injury Lawyers - Stephens and Holman

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dos and Don’ts at the Scene of an Auto Accident

Being in an auto accident in Delta, British Columbia can be a scary and disorienting experience. You may not know what you should and should not do if you are involved in an auto accident. The auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman offer the following dos and don’ts to all British Columbia residents to help them know what to do at the scene of an auto accident.

What to Do at the Scene of an Auto Accident

The most important action you can take immediately following an auto accident is to see if everyone involved is all right and uninjured. If anyone has suffered a personal injury, contact the proper authorities and request that an emergency medical response team be dispatched.

If you are uninjured, visit your primary care physician as soon as you can. Your physician will notice if you have suffered any minor injuries that you may not notice right away. Some injuries do not appear until a few days after an auto accident.

Ask for names and contact information of any witnesses. This information will be important in determining who was at fault for the cause of the auto accident. The other information you will want to gather includes:

• Names of the drivers involved
• The insurance information of the drivers
• License plate numbers of the vehicles in the accident
• The make and model of the vehicle

Be sure to write down any details of the auto accident either at the scene of the accident or right when you get home. Writing the details down as soon as possible following the accident will help ensure that you do not forget any important details later.

What Not to Do at the Scene of an Auto Accident

It is very important that you do not sign any documentation until you have spoken with the Delta auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman. ICBC may ask you to sign documentation or agree to a settlement that may hinder you in your case to get the compensation you need and deserve. Our auto accident lawyers will speak with ICBC directly so they cannot take advantage of you.

Do not admit fault or blame anyone for the accident. The authorities will ask you for a recount of what happened. Answer all of their questions and cooperate fully. Do not tell them that you may have contributed to the accident and do not blame the other driver. Give the authorities the details of the accident as best you can.

Do not wait too long to speak with our auto accident lawyers. There is a statute of limitations that governs how long you have to file your auto accident case. You may not be able to get the compensation you need if you wait too long.

Please contact the law offices of Stephens & Holman today to speak with an auto accident lawyer in Delta if you have been involved in an auto accident. We will guide you through the legal process and protect your rights.

posted by Admin at 4:59 PM

Monday, August 30, 2010

What is the ICBC?

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, more commonly known as the ICBC, is an insurance company that provides universal auto insurance to residents of British Columbia. By law, every resident of British Columbia must have auto insurance through the ICBC.

The basic auto insurance package offered by ICBC is called the Autoplan and includes the following:

• Third party legal liability protection
• Under-insured motorist coverage
• Accident benefits
• Hit and run protection
• Inverse liability

ICBC offers additional coverage such as:

• Collision
• Extended liability
• Comprehensive plans

The ICBC holds the monopoly on auto insurance in British Columbia. There are private insurance firms that can offer residents additional coverage. However, all registered BC vehicles that are parked or driven on public streets are required to have ICBC insurance. Proof of insurance can be noted by the application of an ICBC decal on the vehicle’s license plate.

It is important to remember that ICBC insures both the at-fault party and the injured party in auto accident cases. This means that ICBC does not have either party’s best interests in mind. In fact, ICBC wants to pay as little compensation for your personal injuries as possible. To ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to and to ensure that your rights are protected, it is a good idea to speak with the Vancouver, BC, ICBC lawyers at Stephens & Holman about your auto accident case.

Before you contact ICBC about your auto accident, please contact our Vancouver, BC, ICBC lawyers to schedule a free, no obligation consultation about your case.

posted by Admin at 4:56 PM

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Why do I need a lawyer if I was injured in an auto accident?

It makes perfect sense to believe that you will get compensated fairly for your injuries if you were injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, The ICBC represents both the injured party and the at-fault party. Independent representation is the best way to guard your rights and get fair compensation. There are many reasons why you need an auto accident lawyer in Vancouver.

Insurance companies are businesses. They are out to make money. Their insurance adjusters are trained to give you the least amount of compensation as possible for your claim. They also have tricks to get you to sign paperwork that can harm you when filing your claim. Our skilled Vancouver, BC auto accident lawyers at Stephens & Holman are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with insurance companies like the ICBC. The ICBC insurance adjuster assigned to your case does not have your best interests in mind. The insurance adjuster works for ICBC. Our auto accident lawyers work for you and have your best interests in mind.

Our auto accident lawyers will also help you:

• Gather and prepare the necessary legal documents
• Walk you through the legal process so you know what steps to take
• Tell you what your rights are and not let the insurance company take advantage of you
• Get you the compensation you need to help you recover from your injuries
• Defend your rights
• Evaluate your claim and determine what compensation you need
• Obtain statements from witnesses
• Gather and preserve evidence and important details

Our auto accident lawyers are here to help you through every step of the legal process. Do not let the ICBC take advantage of you. If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident in Vancouver, BC, please contact the law offices of Stephens & Holman today to schedule a free consultation about your case.

posted by Admin at 4:52 PM

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Auto Accidents Due to Road Defects

We expect our roadways in Vancouver, BC to be safe. Unfortunately, the roadways are sometimes inadequate or defective. Defective roadways can cause auto accidents that lead to serious personal injury and, on occasion, death.

Some of the road defects that cause auto accidents are:

• Unmarked or inadequately marked construction zones
• Inappropriate road surface material and surface defects
• Debris in the roads
• Areas with incoming traffic are not marked
• Narrow shoulder drop-offs
• Intersections with poor visibility
• Stripped roads without proper warning
• Defective guardrails and medians
• Malfunctioning traffic signals
• Obscured traffic signs and stop signs
• Excessive potholes
• Uneven lanes

A defective road can cause an auto accident or contribute to the accident. A large majority of drivers involved in auto accidents note that some part of the roadway was a contributing factor to the accident. A defective roadway may cause a driver to lose control causing an accident or a driver may lose control of the vehicle in a situation where the vehicle could have been corrected and an accident been avoided.

The government is responsible for maintaining our Vancouver roads. The government may be responsible for damages and personal injuries if a defective roadway was the cause or played a role in the auto accident. A lawsuit involving the government has different statues of limitations and is very different than a lawsuit involving another driver and the insurance company. Our experienced auto accident lawyers in Vancouver, BC have the knowledge needed to get you compensation for your injuries and damages when a lawsuit involves the government.

Our Vancouver roads should be safe and well maintained. If you have been in an auto accident caused by a defective road, please contact the law firm of Stephens & Holman today to speak with an auto accident lawyer.

posted by Admin at 4:48 PM

Friday, August 27, 2010

Texting and Driving Laws

Texting while driving can cause a serious auto accident and may result in the personal injury of another driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Because of the potential harms and the auto accidents caused by texting while driving, the following Canadian provinces have outlawed texting while driving:

• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Newfoundland/Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

British Columbia began enforcing the ban on texting while driving following a month long warning period that began January 1, 2010. A driver caught by law enforcement texting while driving will be issued a $167 ticket and may receive up to three penalty points. Approximately 715 tickets were issued in the first two months of the ban. Drivers need to understand the dangers of texting while driving and learn to avoid participating in such acts.

This new legislation is a preventative action to help keep the roads of Vancouver safe for everyone. A driver texting while driving is distracted and may take his or her eyes off the road for several seconds at a time. Several seconds may not seem like a long period of time. However, an auto accident can happen in less than a few seconds. A driver must keep his or her eyes on the road at all times to ensure the safety of themselves, their passengers, and the drivers and passengers of other vehicles.

If you have been in an auto accident due to another driver texting while driving, please contact our auto accident lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia today to discuss your case.

posted by Admin at 4:46 PM

Thursday, August 26, 2010

How do I choose a personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have been in an accident, you may find that choosing a personal injury lawyer in Delta, British Columbia is a difficult task. It is important to find a personal injury lawyer that you are comfortable with and trust. There are many personal injury lawyers to choose from. However, not all lawyers have your best interests in mind. Some lawyers will urge you to settle your claim quickly or for an amount that does not meet your needs. Other lawyers are not attentive and caring.

Some lawyers like the personal injury lawyers at Stephens & Holman offer a free, no obligation personal injury case consultation to residents in and around Delta. Your consultation is the perfect place to ask all of your questions about your case, get to know the personal injury lawyer, ask about his experience, and decide if you feel comfortable having him represent you.

Stephens & Holman also offer a no recovery, no fee policy to help you with the financial burden of a personal injury case. The costs required for a personal injury case can total into the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Stephens & Holman believe that every resident of British Columbia deserves to have legal representation. For this reason, their personal injury lawyers do not get paid until you do.

The best choice for a personal injury lawyer is one who:

• You feel comfortable with
• Offers a free, no obligation case consultation
• Offers a no recovery, no fee policy
• Will answer all of your questions
• Returns your calls in a timely manner
• Is compassionate and has a desire to help you

The British Columbia personal injury lawyer you choose to help you will make a huge difference in your case. Before you speak with an ICBC adjuster, please contact the personal injury lawyers at Stephens & Holman today.

posted by Admin at 4:34 PM

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

What are the most common types of personal injury?

An accident that results in a personal injury can happen just about anywhere and in any type of situation. You can be injured at work, on the road, at a business, on someone’s property, or at the hospital. You can be injured due to someone else’s negligent behavior, by a defective product, or by being on a dangerous premises.

The most common causes of personal injury in Vancouver are:

• Auto Accidents
• Dangerous Premises
• Defective Products

Auto Accidents

By far, auto accidents are the most common type of personal injury. Auto accidents are usually caused by a driver operating a vehicle in a negligent manner. A negligent driver may cause an auto accident by:

• Driving too quickly
• Talking on a cell phone
• Texting on a cell phone
• Adjusting the controls of the vehicle
• Looking at the scenery

Because there are many drivers on the road, auto accidents happen frequently and typically result in the personal injury of another driver, passenger or pedestrian.

Dangerous Premises

A dangerous premises is any property that is not safely maintained. Property owners such as homeowners and business owners are required to keep their property safe for visitors. The most common type of personal injury suffered on a dangerous premises is a slip and fall injury. A slip and fall accident may be caused by:

• No railing on stairways
• Unmarked wet floors
• Uneven sidewalks
• Unsafe flooring

The Vancouver injury lawyers at Stephens & Holman can help you recover compensation for your injuries if you have suffered from a slip and fall.

Defective Products

Any product that is unsafe or has faulty parts and has the potential to cause you harm constitutes a defective product. All products that are sold have safety standards that they must meet as well as requirements for labeling and packaging. However, many products that seem to comply with these standards and requirements are not safe and may cause you personal harm.

If you have been injured in the Vancouver area, please contact the Vancouver, British Columbia injury lawyers at Stephens & Holman today for a free, no obligation personal injury case consultation.

posted by Admin at 3:07 PM

Thursday, August 19, 2010

What Constitutes a Personal Injury?

A personal injury in Vancouver, British Columbia is any injury that is the result of an accident. A personal injury can be a physical, mental, or emotional injury. There are many types of accidents that may cause a personal injury and are usually caused by someone else’s negligent behavior.

A personal injury can be the result of:

• An auto accident
• A motorcycle accident
• A truck accident
• An SUV rollover
• A bus accident
• A bicycle accident
• A boat accident
• An airplane accident
• A dangerous premise
• A defective product

These accidents may cause you serious personal injury. You may suffer a head trauma, lacerations, broken bones, or burns. The Vancouver personal injury lawyers at Stephens & Holman are knowledgeable in personal injury cases and are able to answer all of your questions. Our personal injury lawyers will guide you through the steps you need to take for your case and will help you get the compensation you deserve.

Depending on the specific details of your personal injury case, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Damages to your property
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional loss of a loved one
• Mental anguish
• At-home medical care
• Lost wages

A personal injury can drastically change your life and the life of your loved ones. If you have suffered a personal injury, please contact Stephens & Holman today to speak with one of our caring personal injury lawyers in Vancouver, British Columbia.

posted by Admin at 2:29 PM

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