League and Williams Lawyers

Category: Road Safety

  • That’s a Crosswalk, Really? (Video Blog)

    That’s a Crosswalk, Really? (Video Blog)

     

    Perhaps one of the most common mistakes drivers make is not understanding what is a crosswalk, and who, pedestrian or vehicle, has the right of way.  Most people think that a crosswalk is only that area on a street marked with parallel white lines.  Unfortunately, those people are incorrect.

    The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act defines a crosswalk as either:

    One: the portion of the roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs or by lines or other markings on the surface,

    Or

    Two: the portion of a highway at an intersection that is included within the extension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk, curb or edge of the roadway (whether it is marked or not).

    This means a crosswalk is the area within imaginary lines drawn across the street from the edge of the sidewalk, curb or pavement edge, on one side of the street, to the similar edge on the other side of the street.  Put another way, there are really three types of crosswalks.

    1.  Marked crosswalks at intersections,
    2.  Marked crosswalk other than at intersections (such as on a long stretch of road where there is no cross-street), and;
    3. Unmarked crosswalks, but still a crosswalk, at intersections where there is no marked crosswalks.

    This begs the question, however, if intersections have unmarked crosswalks, what is an intersection?

    Again the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act comes into play.  It defines an intersection (and the words get a bit fancy) as:

     “the area within the prolongation of the curbs or boundary lines of two roadways that join one another at or approximately at right angles, “ 

    Or,

    “if the roadways do not join each other at close to right angles, the area within which vehicles travelling on different highways may come in conflict;”

    What this means is that where roadways cross (even at a T-intersection), the crosswalk exists in the area where the direction of each roadway’s edges intersect, whether it is controlled by a stop sign or a stop light, and whether or not there are distinct pedestrian markings.

    This definition of crosswalk is important when it comes to who has the right of way.

    The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act states the following about the right of way between a vehicle and a pedestrian at a crosswalk:

    “the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian where traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, when the pedestrian is crossing the highway in a marked or unmarked crosswalk”

     And,

    “the pedestrian is on the half of the highway on which the vehicle is travelling,”

    Or,

    “is approaching so closely from the other half of the highway that he or she is in danger.”

    That said, the motor vehicle act requires that a pedestrian not leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impracticable for the driver to yield the right of way.

    What does all this mean? It is simple.

    While a pedestrian may not step off a curb at an unmarked crosswalk when it is dangerous to do so, the pedestrian does have the right of way over a vehicle at an unmarked crosswalk when they are crossing from the same side of the road as the passing vehicle, or so closely from the other side of the road that they would be in danger if the vehicle did not stop.  Unfortunately, many pedestrians are injured, or at least very frustrated, because motorists do not understand the rights of pedestrians.

    Many motorists become frustrated because people treat marked crosswalks with a sense of entitlement, or as if it will envelope them in a magical force field, and step off the curb blindly into traffic.  On the other hand, many motorist become frustrated with pedestrians who step off the curb at intersections when those pedestrians clearly have the right of way.

    Regardless of what the law says, however, at the end of the day, if we are all courteous and careful, we will all be better off.

    We hope you have learned something from this week’s blog.  Please feel free to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive notice of our future weekly video blogs on the law.  League and Williams is a Victoria, BC based law firm with expertise in injury law, estate disputes and marine law and may be reached via email at info@leaguelaw.com or phone at 250-888-0002.  If you are injured and would like a free consult, give us a call for a free consult.  We are here to help injured parties get the fair compensation that they are entitled to.

  • Cycling Injuries – The Door Prize – ICBC Claims (Video Blog)

    Even the most cautious drivers tend to relax and let their guard down when their cars are safely parked. Getting out of your car can seem like such an innocuous act that we only rarely consider the dangers to ourselves and others. Cyclists in particular are vulnerable to doors opening suddenly in front of them and some are injured every year. Despite wearing helmets, some are even killed by winning the door prize and others may face life altering injuries. Sadly, being doored remains one of the leading causes of cycling injuries in BC.

    In BC, the Motor Vehicle Act places responsibility squarely on drivers to keep a lookout for the safety of traffic when exiting their vehicles.  There are two simple rules:

    1.  A person must not open the door on the traffic facing side of a vehicle until it’s reasonably safe to do so.

    2.  A person must not leave a door open in moving traffic for longer than is necessary to load or unload passengers.

    The courts in BC have been asked to consider these rules in the past because of the injuries car doors have caused to those cycling. It’s established that when a door is opened into traffic and a collision results, the fault usually lies with the driver who opened their door into traffic. The decision as to if it was reasonable to open a car door and who is responsible for any resulting collisions will always depend on the exact circumstances, but the best solution is to be aware of your surroundings and check outside your vehicle before opening your door.  Letting the courts decide who is at fault for an injury (and the associated costs) is always less preferable than preventing the injury in the first place.

    League and Williams is a team of experienced injury lawyers who work with their clients to ensure the best recovery and results possible.  Cyclists who have been injured may be able to make an ICBC claim and can rely on our lawyers’ to ensure that they can focus on recovering from their injuries.  We offer free consultations, pay for treatment when ICBC won’t, and don’t get paid if we don’t get results.  If you have been injured and would like to talk to one of our lawyers about making an ICBC claim, please call us at 250-888-0002, or contact us via email at info@leaguelaw.com. 

  • ICBC Claim: How to Navigate

    ICBC Claim: How to Navigate

    The simplest way to explain how a motor vehicle ICBC claim is handled is to divide it into two categories: (1) accidents that you are at fault for, and (2) accidents that are the fault of someone else.  When you are injured in a vehicle accident that is your own fault, the Insurance (Vehicle) Act requires ICBC to pay you minimum mandatory benefits regardless of your fault for the accident.  These are called “no-fault benefits”.  On the other hand, when you are injured and someone else is at fault (even partly), you can claim no-fault benefits, but importantly, you can ALSO claim under the other driver’s insurance policy for any compensation that is not provided by your own “no-fault benefits”.  This ICBC claim against the other driver is called a “tort claim”.  This is an important difference because the benefits provided by your own no-fault insurance (as described below) are minimal compared to the benefits you are entitled to from the insurance policy of the other driver by making a tort claim.  As such, it is important to understand which benefits apply to your ICBC claim.

    Your No-Fault Benefits

    No-fault benefits are available to you even if you cause an accident, for example, you slide off the road and crash into a tree and break your leg, or you rear-end someone and hurt your neck.  No-fault benefits are provided to anyone who is injured as a result of the “operation of a motor vehicle” in B.C., whether they are in the vehicle or not (you might be a pedestrian or a cyclist struck by a vehicle).  However, in order to qualify for no-fault benefits you must either have a B.C. driver’s licence or live with someone who does.  At law, ICBC must provide up to $150,000 in no-fault benefits.  Sounds good, right?  Unfortunately, no-fault benefits are more limited than they sound and are restricted to two primary forms: temporary wage loss supplements and partial rehabilitation benefits.

    If your injuries cause you to lose time at work, no-fault benefits only pay up to (a maximum of) $300 per week of lost wages.  However, they will only pay this if all other sources of income replacement (EI, CPP, short or long term disability) have not already replaced 75% of your pre-accident income. For example, if you were making $1,200 per week prior to the accident, and after the accident your short term disability was paying you $800 per week, ICBC would only pay you an additional payment of $100 per week, for a total of $900 per week.  In many cases, this shortfall makes it tough to pay the mortgage, food and other family expenses.  Also, this temporary wage loss replacement only lasts for 104 weeks before it is permanently terminated.

    In addition to some temporary wage loss replacement, no-fault benefits also provide limited rehabilitation expenses (again, part of the global $150,000 cap on no-fault benefits).  These expenses are largely at the discretion of ICBC, although, they are intended to be funded whenever “medically necessary”.  Rehabilitation expenses may include physiotherapy, massage, chiropractic and other medical treatments.  No-fault benefits also provide funding for an injured person’s inability to care for themselves (nursing care) as well as caring for their household (for example, yard work).  Obtaining approval for payment of these benefits can be difficult and where they are improperly denied, the only recourse is to sue ICBC for breach of your no-fault benefits.  Unfortunately, this is common.

    Your Tort Claim

    A “tort claim” refers to the ability to sue someone for your losses caused by their negligence.  In a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, or at least partly caused by another driver, you have a tort claim against them (which their insurance will cover) to the extent they are at fault.  The amount of compensation available to you will depend on the extent of your injuries, what effect they have on your life, and the amount of insurance carried by the other driver.  Most drivers carry at least $1,000,000 in insurance (per collision).  However, if a person owns significant assets (such as a house) in the same name as the vehicle driven by them, I recommend carrying at least $2,000,000 in insurance for the additional cost of about $75 per year.

    Importantly, in a tort claim, the types of compensation you can claim are not limited by the same categories as under your own no-fault benefits. Remember, you are suing the other driver for their negligence (which is why they have insurance in the first place), and you are entitled to be put in the same financial position you would have been in had the other person not injured you.  As a result, you are entitled to payment for all of your lost wages, your medical expenses, your future loss of earnings due to disability, as well as the pain and suffering for the general effect that the injuries have on your life.  While the prospect of going to court often deters people from making a claim, it should be known that most people are able to get fair compensation through negotiation and more than 95% of cases settle out of court.

    Tips for the Injured

    While there are hundreds of worthwhile tips to convey to the injured person about navigating their motor vehicle ICBC claim, here are the most important, given the space available:

    1. Don’t be afraid: if you are injured by another person, remember the purpose of their insurance is to compensate for accidental loss (an injury such as yours).  That insurer has been paid to provide insurance coverage.  Don’t be ashamed of asking an insurer to fulfill their obligation.  In most cases, the person who injured you will be unaware their insurer is paying for your recovery.  If you are injured, don’t play the tough guy and pretend you are not hurt.  In the event your injury does not resolve and you have not made an ICBC claim, you lose the right to do so two years after the accident.
    2. Be careful of what you say: remember, although ICBC is your insurer for your no-fault benefits and the insurance adjuster may seem keen to participate in your healing and recovery, that adjuster simultaneously represents the interests of the driver who injured you, and will be guided by the objective of paying as little compensation as possible.  This problematic conflict is typically resolved when the injured party hires a lawyer and the lawyer controls what personal information the adjuster has access to.
    3. Follow your doctor’s advice: following your doctor’s advice will typically speed in your physical recovery. You also have an obligation at law to take reasonable steps to speed your recovery, which means following sound medical advice.
    4. Keep good records, when you can: your compensation, by negotiated settlement or court judgment, will depend on the quality of medical and financial records you have.  Ensure your doctor is keeping good records of your treatment and recovery.  If you are pursuing past or future wage loss, records of your historical income are useful but not necessary (for example, not all your income may be reported).
    5. Don’t be bullied: if you do not have experience or the help of a person familiar with what is fair compensation for your injuries, don’t be bullied by an insurer into taking a settlement you are unhappy with.  There are many lawyers who provide free consultations and they can confirm whether you are on the right track, or help you get on the right one.

    If you have a question about this topic or another legal issue, contact us for a legal consultation.  Reach us at 250-888-0002, or via email at info@leaguelaw.com.

  • Don’t be Frustrated at the Driver Who Stops for the Pedestrian to Cross

    Don’t be Frustrated at the Driver Who Stops for the Pedestrian to Cross

    Most drivers do not know that a pedestrian has the right of way to cross at an uncontrolled intersection, whether there is a marked crosswalk or not.  In our blog post “Common Driver Mistakes:  The Unmarked Crosswalk”, we described how many drivers misunderstand that a pedestrian has the right of way to cross the road at an intersection whether there is a marked crosswalk or not.  This is because the definition of “crosswalk” in the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act defines a crosswalk as including the unmarked area between lines drawn from the edges of the road on either side of an intersection.

    As a result of this misunderstanding, many drivers become frustrated with other motorists who stop for pedestrians to cross the road at an uncontrolled intersection when there is no marked crosswalk.  There is often honking of horns and statements like “don’t stop for him, it’s not a crosswalk”.  Some drivers believe stopping for the pedestrian is unsafe because stopping at an uncontrolled intersection when there is no other vehicle traffic, but just a pedestrian, may surprise other drivers and cause a rear-end collision.  Despite this belief, it is correct to stop for a pedestrian at an uncontrolled intersection.

    Indeed, if a vehicle stops in front of you to let a pedestrian cross, and you attempt to pass the stopped vehicle, you might be ticketed, or worse yet, injury the pedestrian.  The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act contains a provision designed to prevent this scenario:

    179(3) If a vehicle is slowing down or stopped at a crosswalk or at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the highway, the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear must not overtake and pass the vehicle that is slowing down or stopped. [note: this is true even if there are two lanes in the same direction]

    Our message is this:  do not become frustrated with other drivers that stop for pedestrians at unmarked and uncontrolled intersections; they are actually doing the right thing.

    At LaW, we care about pedestrian rights and fight to make sure your rights are protected.  For a free consultation, call 250-888-0002.

  • What is a Crosswalk? The Answer Might Surprise You

    What is a Crosswalk? The Answer Might Surprise You

    Most people think that a crosswalk is only that area on a street marked with parallel white lines.  Unfortunately, most people are incorrect.  The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act defines a crosswalk as:

    “crosswalk“ means

     (a) a portion of the roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs or by lines or other markings on the surface, or

     (b) the portion of a highway at an intersection that is included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on the opposite sides of the highway, or within the extension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on one side of the highway, measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the roadway;

    B.C. law clearly states that a crosswalk includes an unmarked area if it is at an intersection and within imaginary lines drawn from opposite sides of the highway (road), or within imaginary lines on one side of the highway (such as across the base of a “T” at a T-intersection).  An intersection is defined in the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act as:

     “intersection” means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of the 2 highways that join one another at or approximately at right angles, or the area within which vehicles travelling on different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict;

    This means that a crosswalk exists whether the intersection is controlled by a stop sign or a stop light, and whether or not there are distinct pedestrian markings.

    At LaW, we care about pedestrian rights and fight to make sure your rights are protected.  For a free consultation, call 250-888-0002.

  • Young & New Drivers Beware – The Consequences of Restricted Licenses

    Young & New Drivers Beware – The Consequences of Restricted Licenses

    On Friday, June 19, 2015, three young people were rushed to the hospital after the vehicle they were in exited the road and rolled over before coming to a stop in a farmer’s field on Burnside Road in Victoria, BC. The vehicle lost control on a corner that had a posted speed of 30km/h. Police suspect speed was a factor in the collision.

    These young people were extremely lucky that no fatalities occurred. The young driver, however, now faces many different penalties including traffic violation fines, increased insurance rates, driver point premiums, and, because he only had his “N” license, he will likely have his license suspended.

    Many new drivers with their “N” license do not understand the serious nature of violating traffic rules while they are participating in BC’s graduated licensing program. When new drivers have an “N” license, they are likely aware of the rule to display bright green “N” sign while driving, to only have one passenger in the vehicle while driving and to have a blood alcohol level of zero while driving. What many probably aren’t aware of is what happens when an “N” driver fails to follow the rules of the road and gets a traffic ticket. While driving with an “N” license, there are no free passes. When the rules are violated, it is not taken lightly. A single traffic violation can result in a driving suspension of anywhere from 1 to 6 months. In a single incident, an “N” driver can receive a ticket for violating several rules and the more rules violated, the longer the possible prohibition. If too many points are accumulated in one incident or within a period of time the prohibition against driving can be as long as 18 months.

    Further, if a driver with an “N” license is suspended, the 2-year clock starts all over again. This means that the suspended driver is not able to get their full license until 2 full years have passed since the prohibition.

    While it is never worth the risk to violate traffic rules, it is even less worth the risk when new drivers have an “N” license.

    Been injured in an accident?  Even if you are considering dealing with ICBC yourself, it is worth it to talk to an experienced lawyer about your case.  At League and Williams, our experienced lawyers offer free consultations and do not get paid until you do.  We care about your physical and financial recovery – and have the skills needed to get fair compensation for your injuries.  We are conveniently located in Westside Village in Victoria, BC and practice across British Columbia.  We may be contacted at 250-888-0002 or via email at info@leaguelaw.com.

  • Common Driver Mistakes: The Unmarked Crosswalk

    Common Driver Mistakes: The Unmarked Crosswalk

    Perhaps one of the most common mistakes drivers make is not understanding what is a crosswalk and who has the right of way at a crosswalk.

    As noted in our blog “What is a “Crosswalk”? The Answer Might Surprise You”, a crosswalk includes an unmarked area if it is at an intersection and within imaginary lines drawn from opposite sides of the highway (road), or within imaginary lines on one side of the highway (such as across the base of a “T” at a T-intersection). This means that a crosswalk exists whether the intersection is controlled by a stop sign or a stoplight, and whether or not there are distinct pedestrian markings.

    The definition of crosswalk is important because the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act states the following about the right of way between a vehicle and a pedestrian at a crosswalk:

    179  (1) Subject to section 180, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian where traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation when the pedestrian is crossing the highway in a crosswalk and the pedestrian is on the half of the highway on which the vehicle is travelling, or is approaching so closely from the other half of the highway that he or she is in danger.

    (2) A pedestrian must not leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impracticable for the driver to yield the right of way.

    (3) If a vehicle is slowing down or stopped at a crosswalk or at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the highway, the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear must not overtake and pass the vehicle that is slowing down or stopped.

    This means that, while a pedestrian may not step off a curb at an unmarked crosswalk when it is dangerous to do so (section 179 (2)), the pedestrian does have the right of way over a vehicle at an unmarked crosswalk (an uncontrolled or controlled intersection) where they are approaching the road on the same side of the road as the passing vehicle or so closely from the other side of the road that they would be in danger if the vehicle did not stop.

    Unfortunately, many pedestrians are injured, or at least very frustrated, because motorists do not understand the rights of pedestrians. At LaW, we care about pedestrian rights and fight to make sure your rights are protected. For a free consultation, call 250-888-0002.

  • Groom-to-be in Serious Condition after Hit and Run

    Groom-to-be in Serious Condition after Hit and Run

    There’s a bride-to-be who was less than 6 weeks away from what was supposed to be her wedding day.  This time was supposed to be the start of a new life together – filled with planning and anticipation.  This time was supposed to be the time when she should have been imagining the years ahead, of hoping and dreaming about their future together.

    This past weekend, their dream turned into a nightmare.  While at Sun Peaks, her fiancé was celebrating the upcoming nuptials with close friends.  On the walk back to where he was staying, at about 3:00am on July 19, 2015, he was struck by a truck (described as a dark coloured Chevy S10 or similar) and sustained severe injuries. 

    The bride-to-be is now sitting by her fiancé’s side in a Kamloops hospital room.  Praying, pleading for his health; he is in serious condition.  The bright future that laid ahead for the couple, just a few days ago – now seems incredibly uncertain.    The months ahead will be focused on recovery and healing – coping as best as possible. 

    The prospect of the future is made even more uncertain as the person responsible for his injuries remains at-large.  The driver of the truck that struck him did not remain on the scene and has not come forward – making a tragic and heartbreaking situation an order of magnitude worse.

    It is hoped that the damage will be mitigated.  That he will recover as best as possible from his injuries.  That the person responsible will come forward, or that information will lead to his/her identification and that he/she will be held accountable for the hit and run.  The family has posted a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the driver responsible being held accountable. 

    Anyone with information on this hit and run incident is asked to call League and Williams Law Corporation at 250-888-0002 – information that leads to a criminal or civil conviction of the driver will be considered for a $10,000 reward. 

  • Distracted Driving a Problem for Young Drivers in BC

    Distracted Driving a Problem for Young Drivers in BC

    In British Columbia, about 6.6% of drivers are aged between 16 and 20 years old, however, they account for 14% of drivers involved in a crash.  Research has shown that those who are in the beginner stage of the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) – “N” drivers are 45% more likely to get into an accident than experienced drivers.  Further, the crashes young drivers are involved in tend to be severe, with 1 in 4 accidents involving a young driver resulting in a serious injury or fatality, perhaps because of less seat belt use or a tendency to drive faster.  A significant share of the accidents involving young drivers are the result of distracted driving.

    Due to the growing number of young drivers involved in car accidents as a result of distracted driving in British Columbia and the far reaching consequences these crashes have on the lives of young people and their families, the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC) is supporting a program to directly address the issue.  The goal of the program is to reduce distracted driving among young drivers and to ultimately spare young drivers from life changing injuries and death that result from distracted driving accidents.

    The TLABC program is an outreach initiative that will give presentations to students at BC high schools on the dangers and impacts of distracted driving.  It highlights the reality of increased risk that comes with taking attention away from the road for even just two seconds.  It also highlights that distracted driving is not limited to just cellphone use behind the wheel but also includes smoking, eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, and using a digital map.  The risk of injury is amplified by the fact that younger drivers tend to use seat belts less and to drive at higher speeds.  The program aims to reduce the frequency of these incidents by educating high school students about safety from distracted driving and the legal consequences related to negligence.

    It is important to note that, under British Columbia’s GLP, new drivers are not permitted to use any electronic devices, even if they are hands-free due to the distraction the use of these devices pose.  Use of these devices by a driver with either a “L” or an “N” license can result in a violation ticket being issued and will also come with 3 penalty points that will trigger a review by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.  If a “L” or an “N” driver is issued a suspension (is prohibited from driving for a period of time), the 24 month “N” driving period starts over when the prohibition ends and the driver gets re-licensed.

    League and Williams are pleased to support the TLABC End Distracted Driving program and share that associate Karina Carson will be actively contributing to this program aimed at saving young lives.

    If a distracted driver has injured you or a loved one, it is important to take the necessary measures to recover from the accident and to keep a record of what happened (keep photographs and a diary) and the information from those who witnessed the accident (contact information and witness statements).  Recovering fair compensation for the damages from a BC accident is easier when working with an experienced BC personal injury lawyer, such as Darren Williams.  It is best to speak with a lawyer shortly after an accident has happened to protect your interests.  Lawyers at League and Williams may be reached through (250) 888-0002 or our website’s contact form. You may also email us at info@leaguelaw.com.

  • When a bus crashes, can passengers claim compensation?

    When a bus crashes, can passengers claim compensation?

    Bus crashes in British Columbia are rare occurrences.  Passengers who choose to ride the bus tend to have peace of mind about the qualifications of the person entrusted to drive the bus and the road worthiness of the bus they are riding in.  Given the consequences of a bus accident, should it happen, it is imperative that bus operators minimize the risk by ensuring drivers and equipment are appropriate for the trip at hand as failure to do so results in the potential to significantly injure or kill many people.  Bus operators and drivers are often held to a higher standard than other drivers on the road and face significant liability when bus accidents occur.

    When bus crashes happen, they can be nothing short of horrific.  For example, in December 2012, a tour bus en route to Vancouver, BC from Las Vegas, Nevada was traveling in icy conditions in Oregon when it crashed into a guardrail and tumbled 100 feet (30 metres) down an embankment.  Thirty-eight passengers were injured in the accident and 9 passengers died.  The victims included several residents of British Columbia.

    Many victims of the Oregon bus accident suffered multiple injuries including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, collapsed lungs, psychological injuries and probable brain injuries.  The injuries sustained by victims of the accident caused significant amounts of pain, the need for ongoing medical treatment, and a loss of capacity to earn incomes and enjoy life.

    Unsurprisingly, many passengers of the Oregon crash filed lawsuits against the driver, Haeng-Kyu Hwang, and the tour bus company, Mi Joo Tour and Travel, as well as the Oregon state government and its Transportation Department to claim compensation for the injuries and damages sustained in the accident.  The damages sought by those injured in the accident and some of the estates of those who perished could total more than $700 million USD.  As of April 8, 2015 the case is still ongoing.

    Bus Accident Claims

    Making an accident claim after a bus accident (or any accident that involves personal injuries) can be complex.  Details of the accident, the injuries sustained, the medical treatments needed, the impact of the injuries going forward, the insurance coverage available and the laws that apply to the circumstance are all critical to being able to make a claim for fair compensation.  The process can be overwhelming, particularly at a time when the focus needs to be on undergoing treatment for and recovering from the injuries that were sustained in the accident.  It can also be frustrating as sometimes the parties responsible for the accident deny responsibility or fail to provide for the costs of treatment for the injuries sustained – delaying recovery and causing the victim financial hardship.

    Contacting a lawyer who knows about the law where the accident happened and who cares about your recovery can make the process of making an accident claim less overwhelming and can ensure that fair compensation for the injuries sustained is realized.  A good lawyer has the attention to detail needed to enable accident victims to focus on their recovery.

    The team at League and Williams, specializes in personal injury law in BC and are committed to meeting the needs of their clients by providing exceptional legal services that enable injured victims to focus on their recoveries. We may be contacted via phone at 250-888-0002 or via email at info@leaguelaw.com.