Trial Tip – Truth and Consequences

The fact is that very few ICBC cases end up in Court. The vast majority settle without trial. However, when they do go before a Judge, it is important to know what will enhance and what will detract from the value of your claim.

Some of you oldies (like me) will remember the television show in the 50s and 60s called Truth and Consequences. The real life version plays itself every day in our courtrooms.  Trials in personal injury cases are all about the truth or lack of the truth.  The job of the ICBC lawyers at trial is to expose any untrue statements made by the injured person. The consequences, if the Judge believes the ICBC lawyer, are that the injured person may get much less compensation for his or her injuries than what he or she deserves.

Some people at trial truly forget about some small injury or pain that occurred before the accident. If that happens, it is usually fine. However, other people try to hide previous injuries or other facts, thinking that they won’t get caught.  The problem is, if it comes out at trial, it makes the job of the ICBC lawyer to convince the Court that you should not get much money much easier.

What is the solution? Be completely honest. Tell us everything. Our job is to figure out how to best present it for the Court. Don’t take the chance that the ICBC lawyer will paint you as a less than honest person.