Accidents, injuries & damages
Last reviewed July 2024 by the Clicklaw editors
In British Columbia, accidents or injuries can be caused in all sorts of ways. Most vehicle-related injuries are handled by ICBC under no-fault insurance. Other injuries, including non-physical injuries such as defamation, are handled directly by the people involved. If an injury was caused by negligence, it must be proved in court within two years.
Explore the links below to reliable online guides and tools and to organizations in BC. They have been chosen by librarians at Courthouse Libraries BC.
Selected resources
Click on a topic to see a list of resources.
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Dial-a-Law: If You’re Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident
People’s Law School
Explains your legal rights and answers common questions if you’re hurt in a motor vehicle accident. It includes information about ICBC benefits, appealing if your claim for benefits was denied, and more.
Last reviewed June 2024
Dial-a-Law: Making a Vehicle Damage Claim
People’s Law School
Explains that insurance may cover the claim if your car is damaged in an accident, or if you damage someone else’s car. Find the answers to common questions relating to vehicle damage claims.
Last reviewed June 2024
Denied Benefit Disputes
ICBC
Explains your options if you don’t agree with ICBC’s decision to deny an accident benefit. You can talk to your ICBC support and recovery specialist, resolve your dispute with the Claims Decisions Review, file a dispute with the Civil Resolution Tribunal, or dispute your claim in court.
Last reviewed June 2024
Solution Explorer: Vehicle Accidents
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
This tool asks you simple questions and gives you customized legal information and options based on your answers. Depending on the type of claim, there may be strict requirements or timelines set by law. It will classify your issue and give you the right online application form.
Last reviewed June 2024
If You Are Injured in a Bike Accident
People’s Law School
Explains your rights if you’re injured in a bike accident, how bike accidents are treated under the law, accident benefits you may be eligible for, the circumstances under which you may be able to claim damages, and more.
Last reviewed June 2024
If You Slip and Fall
People’s Law School
Explains the law if you’re injured after a slip and fall, including the occupier’s duty of care. It covers who is responsible for a slip and fall, and explains the time limit to bring a legal action relating to a slip and fall.
Last reviewed June 2024
Dial-a-Law: Medical Malpractice
People’s Law School
Explains that medical malpractice occurs if a health care provider gives substandard treatment that causes harm to a patient. It explains the legal duty to give proper medical care, and your rights. It also covers the time limits to start a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Last reviewed June 2024
How Much Your Personal Injury Claim Might be Worth
People’s Law School
Explains the legal term “damages,” including what damages are for, and the different types of damages. Find out how you can figure out what your claim might be worth.
Last reviewed June 2024
Solution Explorer: Intimate Images
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
This free and anonymous tool is for those who’d like to make a claim for an intimate image protection order, damages, and a penalty if someone doesn’t comply with an intimate image protection order. It asks you simple questions and gives you customized legal information and options based on your answers. It also has self-help tools and referrals.
Last reviewed October 2024
Defamation: If Someone Hurts Your Reputation
People’s Law School
Explains the law of defamation, which protects your reputation from harm that is unjustified. It explains the differences between libel and slander, and what you must show to establish a claim for defamation.
Last reviewed June 2024
If You’ve Been Accused of Defamation
People’s Law School
Explains your rights and the steps to take if you’ve been accused of defamation. It explains the defences to a defamation claim.
Last reviewed June 2024
Civil Law Guidebooks (Supreme Court BC)
Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
A series of guidebooks on the Supreme Court of BC for cases involving a civil matter — claims exceeding $35,000, as well as bankruptcy, personal injury, and contract disputes. Explains everything from starting an action and serving documents to how trial works and how to enforce an order after trial.
Last reviewed March 2024
LSLAP Manual: Automobile Insurance (ICBC)
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on automobile insurance law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at the LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s an overview of the legislation, claims for accidents, optional insurance, disputes with ICBC, personal injury claims, and more.
Last reviewed September 2024
LSLAP Manual: Motor Vehicle Law
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on motor vehicle law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It provides an overview of licensing requirements and driving offences such as impaired driving, careless driving, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
Last reviewed August 2024