Re: “Going lawyer-free against ICBC,” column, May 2.
I am tired of hearing about how personal-injury lawyers only work for the money.
I am a legal assistant in a personal-injury law firm. Each of our lawyers, legal assistants and other support staff represents all of our clients with respect and understanding. We take the time to get to know your circumstances and know you by your first name.
On average, personal-injury lawyers receive 25 per cent of your settlement amount with ICBC. If you were to add up our actual time spent on your claim on an hourly basis, our fee would be substantially higher, but we do not do this, so you receive a greater amount upon settlement.
We spend hours of our time trying to obtain the best treatment from various treatment providers you might need, among many other requirements you have. We treat you as a human being, caring what you say.
If you deal only with ICBC, they will treat you as a number on a chart, give you the quickest and cheapest treatment they think you need, and then push you out the door. Then you are left on your own to deal with the continuing pain and not being fairly treated, especially when you are the innocent party in the collision.
Meanwhile, the negligent driver, who caused this pain and suffering to you, has not suffered anything, and does not have to deal with the various doctors and treatment providers that you, the innocent victim, have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.
M.L. Turner
Victoria
