Contact The Snowbird Helpline Today!
1-800-436-0353
Every year there are an estimated 4 million Canadian and northern US residents that migrate south to popular destinations like Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Texas, and California. These states experience high volumes of migrating birds better known as “snowbirds” or tourists during these colder months. Who can really blame them? These sunny, southern states provide non-stop sun, fun, relaxation, and activities for everyone.
Snowbirds who reside in British Columbia but vacation in the US may find themselves in need of legal services while down there. The unfortunate reality is that car accidents and other serious personal injury accidents happen every day. Since many Canadian – British Columbia residents opt to drive to their winter residences, driving long hours through unfamiliar locations increases one’s risk of misfortune. If the fun comes undone due to catastrophic or serious personal injury, Snowbird Accidents is here for you.
Before travelling south, BC residents need to review their current medical and travel insurance. First of all, you need to make sure you understand what you are actually covered for. If you’re not sure or you want to purchase extra travel and medical insurance, speak to an insurance broker. You must do this prior to leaving your province.
In the event of a motor vehicle accident (car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian) outside of your home province, accident benefit claims (contract) must be remitted to ICBC and your private car insurer.
Accidents need to be reported to your insurer. They, in turn, will send you an Accident Claim Form. This form must be completed and returned to them as soon as practicable. Once submitted, you will become eligible for benefits.
Please note, if you are involved in a car accident in any state or province outside of BC, your car insurance policy is to comply with State or Provincial laws. For instance, if an American is injured in BC he is not allowed to sue but his or her US policy must provide British Columbia Accident Benefits. Conversely, as a BC resident, your car policy must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction where the accident happened. In most instances you have to elect which accident benefit coverage you would like to access. As an injured party, this can be tremendously complicated since you need to compare the two insurance schemes and decide which is in your best interest.
Property damage claims are to be reported to your car insurer immediately, especially if your vehicle needs to be towed or returned to Canada.
Each state and province require car drivers to have certain minimum liability coverages. It is suggested that 70% of the car accidents in the United States involve car drivers who are inadequately insured, if at all. If you are injured by an underinsured or uninsured driver, you can claim any financial shortfall from your own car insurer up to the limit of your car policy.
The law of the state where the accident happened dictates the rights and remedies you have (Tort rights). In most states, you can sue (or be sued) for pain and suffering and any economic losses suffered. Furthermore, each state has different procedural rules as to when and how a claim can be made. If a claim is not brought against the defendant within the statutory time limits, it will be statute barred and can result in you being denied the compensation you deserve.
Therefore, BC residents can sue in most other jurisdictions that allow car accident litigation. In addition, if the defendant driver has inadequate funds to properly compensate the claimants, BC residents can look to the ICBC for their financial short fall. This is the uninsured and underinsured provisions in the ICBC policy.
This particular contractual claim must be made in BC. The ICBC will not necessarily recognize a damage assessment from a different jurisdiction – in that they want the “quantum” of the damages to be determined by the laws of British Columbia.
It is very important that BC residents involved in a accident outside of BC, NOT accept any tort settlement or dismiss one of the tortfeasors unless and until the contractual claims that fall upon ICBC have been dealt with and/or a procedural process has been agreed to. For example ICBC should be notified as soon as possible if it is possible (or probable) the defendant driver has inadequate car insurance.
This is where we come in. For over 35 years, we have been assisting Canadians and US car drivers involved in car accidents throughout North America.
Very few lawyers understand the complexity of cross-border accidents. After a car accident or other serious accident, has occurred, you will need a lawyer in both the state the accident occurred and in your home province too. It’s crucial that the two lawyers work collaboratively to ensure your rights and remedies are properly protected.
Snowbird Accidents can arrange for some of the best personal injury lawyers and attorneys to help you navigate this process quickly, without added stress. Both lawyers share one contingency fee based on the work performed. Since these lawyers work on a contingency basis, you will only pay for the services rendered once your settlement has been received, helping you to focus on your recovery, not your finances.
Any personal injury law firm, personal injury lawyer, or personal injury attorney we recommend has shown they have extensive knowledge and expertise you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident. In most instances, you can deal directly with them by going to their website. As an alternative, you are welcome to complete the contact form or give us a call.
Lawyer
Joseph, an associate at Preszler Injury Lawyers, is known for his strong advocacy in personal injury law, particularly in cases involving brain injuries. A Queen’s University philosophy graduate and University of Victoria law alumnus, Joseph has significant courtroom experience, including precedent-setting cases in Canadian law. Before joining Preszler Injury Lawyers, he practiced with two prominent litigation firms in Vancouver and served in several governmental roles. He’s also a contributor to legal education and pro bono services, enhancing his reputation not just as an attorney but as a thought leader in the field.
Super Membership
Snowbird Accidents is not a law firm. We are an International “Qualifying Referrer”. We provide information about car accidents, car insurance options, medical insurance options, personal injuries, and more. We do not provide legal advice. That is the job of the personal injury attorney or lawyer that you end up retaining.
We can recommend personal injury lawyers familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents in the province you reside in and the state you were injured in. The lawyers and attorneys recommended by us are leaders in their field and frequently deal with catastrophic car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
The Snowbird Helpline offers peace of mind if the unthinkable happens. We are here to connect you with a team of lawyers and attorneys that are knowledgeable about personal injury claims, no matter what province or state you were injured in.
When a serious personal injury happens in a different country, you quickly need help. That’s where Snowbird Helpline comes in. Our team has extensive knowledge and expertise that you can trust when faced with the challenge of a cross-border accident.
We are not lawyers or a law firm. No legal fees are paid or shared with us. Instead, we offer advice on what your next steps should be and who you should contact. We recommend personal injury lawyers and attorneys that are familiar with the complexities of cross-border accidents.
For over 35 years, we have assisted Canadian snowbirds involved in car accidents and other personal injury accidents in the United States.
Snowbird Accidents assists people experiencing serious personal injuries of all kinds. Primarily we assist with those who have been involved in serious car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, or trucking accidents.
We are here to help organize the steps you have to take with your insurance company and connect you with experienced personal injury lawyers and attorneys, and more.
Snowbird Accidents is a USA corporation with headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, and offices in Toronto, Canada.
We offer expertise and personal injury lawyer recommendations in over 50 states and 10 provinces. To quickly get in touch with us about your situation, give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.
Our goal is to be accessible at all times to snowbirds who require assistance. You can fill out our online contact form or give us a call at 1-800-436-0353.
Additionally, you can contact the lawyers mentioned on our site directly through their websites or online contact information.
Your health and safety, plus the health and safety of your family or other injured parties is always top priority. Be sure to seek out medical attention immediately. It is important to make sure the police are contacted.
If possible, while still on the scene, obtain the driver’s license and insurance information of those involved in the accident. If possible, get contact information for all witnesses. Additionally, you should take notes and pictures of everything you can. This includes the scene of the accident, the other car, any visible injuries, and what caused the accident if known.
Make sure that your doctors are informed about the accident and all of your injuries. Take notes of what the doctor advises and keep a record of your injuries and healing process.
As soon as you are able, contact Snowbird Helpline. We can help advise you of the next steps you should take.
1-800-436-0353
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