ICBC wins lottery; denies liability (*until 2 days before trial).
As we have previously noted - knowing that they are set to make billions with the implementation and advent of No-Fault - ICBC has been playing with the money of British Columbians. A few examples include attending Mediations with minimal, and clearly unreasonable offers-to-settle, as well as taking unreasonable legal positions. These actions undoubtedly cost us, the citizens of this Province, millions.
ICBC dictates and takes as they please.
A Mediation, for example, is an expensive process. Mediators regularly charge approximately $500.00 per hour which does not include the cost of the room rental and other amenities. Despite this, ICBC attends meretriciously: with no intentions of settling. ICBC has just hit the lottery with the inception of no fault insurance which promises them years and years of profits north of a billion dollars. And, as we all know, they are the only game in town; they have zero competition. Must be nice, right?
They dictate and take as they please.
ICBC is the only game in town; they have zero competition.
Must be nice, right?
In our recent case, which Vic S. Maan took to trial last week, ICBC refused to admit liability in a minor rear-end collision. In doing so, ICBC delayed settlement, forced a Mediation where time was wasted arguing liability rather than quantifying damages, and caused the Plaintiff emotional/mental stress. The Plaintiff in this case could not understand why ICBC was calling him a liar and forcing him to Examinations for Discovery, under oath, to answer for the accident. In fact, the Defendant had admitted liability (in writing) for the collision, yet this was not good enough for ICBC.
Instead, ICBC wasted thousands of dollars on their liability argument and investigation (not to mention Court time), only to admit liability two (2) days before trial. Let me repeat that:
ICBC admitted liability 2 days before trial.
All these wasted expenses and costs, not to mention emotional stress for the client, for nothing. This is ICBC since the advent of no-fault and we lawyers do not see them changing their positions anytime soon; unfortunately. What costs did they waste? Here are two instances:
ICBC wasted time examining our client for two hours re liability which we, as citizens, incur costs for the ICBC lawyer’s preparation, examination, and post-discovery summary as well as the cost of the court report/transcriber.
The Mediation was wasted discussing liability when in fact, time ought to been allocated for damages. We citizens incur costs for the ICBC lawyer’s prep. time, attendance at the mediation, summary thereafter, and the cost of the Mediator.
If you are having trouble with ICBC, and feel that your present lawyer is unwilling to stand up to the insurer like we do and drag them to trial, contact us now! You can contact me, Vic S. Maan at: (604) 628 8952, at vsm@tricitylegal.ca, or by filling-out the below form: