ICBC Unfair

Mr. Thomson couldn't be more correct regarding ICBC. An SUV in which I was a passenger was rear ended. The damages were not extensive however both vehicles required repairs. Immediately after the accident I experienced a severe headache and pain between my shoulder blades which persisted and I attended at my physician's office. He referred me to therapy and I attended several sessions, assuming the $15 user fee I was paying would be covered by ICBC.

The driver of the SUV in which I was riding was also injured - neck, shoulders and back. She also was referred for therapy by her physician, also assuming the costs would be covered by ICBC.

This was not the case! In a letter from the ICBC adjuster both the driver and I were advised there would be no compensation for injury due to the fact that the damage to the vehicles was not extensive. In spite of my subsequent telephone call to this adjuster, advising him that I did sustain injuries, there was no change to his decision.

My therapist gave me a report which I took to my physician, and emailed a copy of same to ICBC. My physician advised me that ICBC had never contacted him for a report of my condition. So I ask, who determined whether or not I had been injured?

My advice to anyone in an accident is to call an ambulance and go to the hospital, even for a rear-ender, or you will not be eligible for any compensation from ICBC, unless the vehicles have been totaled. The woman who hit the SUV would likely have been charged with offenses had we waited and called the police but due to extremely heavy traffic on the bridge, we opted to exchange paperwork and let ICBC take care of the rest. Big mistake.

ICBC, to the best of my knowledge, does not employ physicians, therefore an adjuster, or panel of adjusters, made a medical decision, without a medical degree, that due to the fact the vehicles were not in worse condition the drivers and passengers could not possibly have been hurt! Excuse me, this is not right! Only a doctor can determine whether or not a person has been injured but the adjuster told me they would not pay for a medical report with too little damage to the vehicles. And so I have had to not only suffer with the pain from injuries sustained in the accident but have also had to pay for all the treatments necessary to relieve the pain out of my own pocket. Thanks for nothing ICBC.

N.D.