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With the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia expecting an $800 million loss this fiscal year, provincial officials have taken steps to cut costs. Reforms have targeted injury claims costs. These expenses represent about two-thirds of ICBC spending, and payments for vehicle damage make up the rest. Vehicle damage expenses have jumped by 50 percent during the last five years and prompted calls for ICBC to improve its management of this expense category.

Any lawyer in Prince George can tell you that safe driving requires not only a thorough understanding of traffic laws but also a realistic evaluation of your physical and mental state. Law firms in Prince George often see accidents that could have been avoided with proper foresight, so this post will outline five helpful tips to help drivers of any age stay safe on the roads.

The Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. has made its disapproval clear concerning changes coming from the Insurance Corporation of B.C. Starting April 1st, 2019, ICBC intends to cap some minor injury claims at $5,000. Additionally, claims valued below $50,000 must be handled out of court in a Civil Resolution Tribunal. A letter from the Trial Lawyers Association to its members stated that the group was investigating legal options for challenging the ICBC caps on settlements.

The group Rights Over Arbitrary Decisions for British Columbians has recently made a Facebook post that garnered a lot of attention.

Do-it-yourself will kits that you see online or in-office supply stores might be tempting. You want the peace of mind of making your final wishes official, and they appear affordable. Will kits, however, only have a limited capacity to meet estate planning needs. Courts also have trouble accepting or interpreting the legal language within some of these fill-in-the-blanks documents. For these reasons, we recommend seeking guidance from lawyers in Prince George, BC when writing a will. If you cut corners with a DIY will kit, then your plans might not become reality. Your heirs could experience stress and unexpected legal expenses as well. Here are some common reasons that DIY will kits fail in their purpose.

Like any end-of-life conversation, discussing estate planning may be difficult. However, if you have loved ones who will be receiving your assets after death, it’s extremely important to begin estate planning now in order to avoid heavy taxation, fees and bureaucratic red tape after your passing.

It’s almost time for the back-to-school frenzy to begin. Once you’ve gotten the kids ready to make it through the new school year, you might think that your worries are over. The truth is that everyone of driving age has more to think about once school is in session again. Below are a few driving tips from personal injury lawyers in Prince George that will help to keep everyone safer once school starts back up.

For many younger people, the idea of creating a will is something that should be done “later.” This is especially true for anyone who is single and has no dependents. People often think of wills as documents that are only required for people who are older or have families, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

While summer is a great season for outdoor activities, law firms in Prince George also note that there are plenty of opportunities to get hurt if you’re not careful. Doctors and personal injury lawyers in Prince George say that the five most common summer injuries listed below can happen to anyone, so be sure to play with caution this season.

Thinking about end-of-life planning can be difficult, but it is something that should be considered. It’s incredibly important for you to ensure that your affairs will be handled properly in the event that you are rendered incapable of making important legal decisions for yourself.

This is why we recommend that you begin setting up a will, power of attorney and representation agreement even if you are in early adulthood, and don’t yet have dependents. These legal contracts will give you and your loved ones peace of mind because they make your final wishes crystal clear.

Lawyers in Prince George, BC, and across the province are appalled by the state of affairs that the NDP has created regarding the treatment of citizens injured in traffic accidents.

For British Columbians, the fight against ICBC’s persistent unfairness has not stopped or slowed. Law firms in Prince George are gearing up for yet another brawl as Attorney General David Eby attempts to enact even more restrictive legislative changes.

During the first of April, the 6.3 percent boost in insurance rates for most in British Columbia was perhaps expected. This amounted to an increase of $60 in the average annual insurance bill. But that hike alone would not have been enough to balance the budget at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Instead, the provincial crown corporation also instituted limits on how much it pays for insurance claims.

In a recent Supreme Court ruling, a judge has made it very clear that the courts are not in favour of the new ICBC litigation strategy that has been implemented over the past few months. Justice Neena Sharma gave a scathing oral opinion on a case she said was “ripe for settlement” yet was taken to trial anyway. Not only was she angry that ICBC wasted the court’s time, but she further said that she would have awarded more in costs to the plaintiff if she had been able to.

The days are starting to get longer and the weather is becoming fairer. And while hitting the road is easier now than in the winter months, drivers still require some care behind the wheel unless they want to consult a personal injury lawyer in Prince George. Here are some tips for driving in the springtime.

A car, bicycle, or pedestrian accident happens instantly but can have life-long consequences on your health, finances, and general wellbeing, if not handled properly. As one of the law firms in Prince George, we urge you to follow these steps after an accident occurs.

As the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s costs of settling claims rises, many citizens are finding that their settlement offers are being rescinded or lowered in order to help the Crown agency manage the financial burden. Across British Columbia, lawyers are finding that all current settlement offers are being taken off the table, regardless of where in the negotiations process the case had previously been.

For many, the holiday season is a time of celebration. Temptation is everywhere and it’s easy to overindulge in good food and intoxicating drink. But if you’re planning on drinking even a small amount, it’s best not to drive. Here are a few tips for ensuring you keep yourself (and others) safe this holiday season.

Winter can be particularly harsh on roads (and those who use them). Drivers have to contend with slippery surfaces and snow-covered roads, see through vision-impairing fog and falling snow, and cope with other vehicles that may be driving slowly or have broken down due to harsh weather. If you want to avoid a visit to a personal injury lawyer in Prince George, heed these tips for driving safely this winter.

The Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia (TLABC) recently submitted a detailed paper in response to changes in the Insurance (Vehicle) Amendment Act. TLABC specifically addressed changes to the ICBC under Bills 20 and 22 with a goal of improving transparency while protecting victims’ concerns and civil liberties.

Distracted driving can lead to accidents and injuries that may cause you to search for lawyers in Prince George BC. Every year, more than 78 British Columbians die each year due to distracted driving. If you’re tempted to use your phone when driving, try these five apps recommended by our lawyer in Prince George the next time you hit the road.

Once smartphones arrived on the scene, it wasn’t long before drivers started using them while behind the wheel. Making calls, sending texts, and even browsing social media while driving can lead to distraction – which ultimately can cause accidents.

For those who love to get behind the wheel, traffic-free summer roads can be a dream to drive on. But summer months can also bring their share of problems. Here are four tips that will help you . drive safely through the summer.

Crashes involving impaired drivers are a leading cause of fatalities in Canada. Every day, approximately 3.5 Canadians are killed in an alcohol- or drug-related incident on public roads. During the busy grad season, young Canadians are especially at risk of being involved in a car accident. In fact, MADD Canada states that most young people are likely to be killed or injured in crashes during the summer months. Fortunately, there are road safety tips that you can follow to ensure all parties arrive at their destination safely.

It’s summer, and for plenty of people, that’s the best time for motorcycle riding. Motorbike safety is especially important during this season. Motorbikes are involved in around 10 percent of traffic fatalities despite being just three percent of all insured vehicles. In addition to the usual safety rules, new regulations have been introduced for motorcyclists.

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia continues to struggle, according to a recent report from the Fraser Institute. Professor Emeritus John Chant stated that the corporation’s problems began years ago, but they grew worse as the government failed to take action.

The British Columbia government is enacting a cap on pain and suffering claims for minor injuries caused by automobile accidents. The new $5,500 cap has been criticized by lawyers, rehabilitation centers and health care experts, who claim that the cap could penalize those who need medical care.

When you need legal representation, the process is similar to hiring any type of service professional. You’ll want to pay close attention to qualifications, willingness to communicate, and pricing. Apply these tips to identify a lawyer who’ll be a good fit for your case.

Winter is in full swing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Prince George, with cold temperatures expected for the next several weeks. Snow, ice, and rain can cause safety concerns for motorists, making it essential to prepare your vehicle ahead of time. Here are a few winter safety tips that may lower the risk of an accident or injury this winter.