16 — Sunday, March 8, 1998 — Know your legal rights in an ICE IT happens when you least expect it. One moment you're dri- ving your son to soccer or going to work, and the next, somebody smashes into you from behind. If you're lucky, you escape a little shaken up. If not, you suffer a whiplash injury or worse, resulting in hospitalization, pain, lost pay- cheques, and countless visits to the physiotherapist. Quite understandably, you want ICBC to compensate you for your “damages.” You call ICBC and make a THE following are some of the recent issues before North Shore councils: NORTH VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL FEB. 23 Attendance: 12 Capacity: 50 Duration: 3:45 Whenever. North Shore News report, and an adjuster is appointed. Usually, you'll be asked to sign a release allowing ICBC to examine your med- Issue: That the following motion be referred to the Finance Committee for com- ment: consideration be given to display banner artwork sub- mitted as part of the Youth Street Banner Contest on the city’s existing street hardware; and that the costs of produc- tion and installatién be pro- vided from the Streets 1998 current budget: and thar ban- ner production and installa- tion include tails to advertise the Communities in Bloom contest. along the — city’s streets; and that cash awards be granted to three North Vancouver youths for first prize, first runner-up and sec- ond runncr-up, for their sub- missions to the Youth Strect Banner Contest. Result: passed unanimously — Jolanda Waskito NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL FEB. 23 ical and employment history. After the adjuster has investi- gated the accident, he or she may offer you an amount of money to settle your claim. You'll then be asked to sigr a release saving vou agree to the settlement and preventing you from claiming anything more trom ICBC. But before you sign anything, know what your legal nghts are. Can ICBC examine all your medical and employment records? The form you may be asked to sign may allow ICBC to look at your complete his- tory, including events trom Attendance: 48 Capacity: 126 Duration: + hours Issue: That a development permit for a car wash facility at 1790 Marine Drive not be issued to Tamarack Ventures Led. Result: passed unanimously That a rezoning bylaw for 1505 Lillooet Road to adjust the zoning for ongoing ceme- tery use be sent to Public Hearing on March 17 and that staff provide a report on how height restrictions may be implemented if the rezon- ing goes forward. Result: passed unanimously Issue: That a rwo-lot subdivi- sion in the 2300-blk. Swinburne be approved sub- ject to a stipulation prohibit- ing basement construction See mure page 23 Whatever. Choose from 3 state-of-the-art, dual-made phones for just $199. © Unlimited free local calling on weekends. Starting Friday night at 6:00 pm and ending Monday morning at 7:00 am. © 100 free minutes a month, anytime. ¢Per second billing. °25¢ a minute local calling rate, 20¢ a minute after 500 minutes. ©Caller ID at ne extra charge. *Convenient 12 month contract. 4234 Marine Drive. _ ; ~ (at Pemberton) ‘Lynn Valley | Centre. - _1199 Lynn Valley Rd. 7 North Van 984-7017 TEL Mobility B / free. AA ‘Authorized Dealer Digital Freedom plan and purchase price of Digital PCS phones based on new 12-month contract, OAC. Free calling time applies to local calls anywhere in Canada. Per-second billing applies only to local cals made in British Columbia. Annual system access fee of $48, long distance charges and taxes extra. Early cancellation fee applies. Limited time offer. way back before the accident that you'd rather keep confi- denaal. You don’t have to sign this relcase. Most lawyers only give ICBC copies of any rele- vant records. fs the money offered a good settlement? It may not be. The adjuster appointed to settle your claim is not vour adjuster. He or she works tor ICBC, not you. Ina minor injury claim, it’s not uncommon for an adjuster to make an ofter a few weeks after the accident. Before accepting an offer, vou need to know the full extent of your injuries so you can assess whether the offer is really fair. Seeing a lawyer almost always ensures a higher settle- ment. Of course, the trade-off is that vou have to pay legal tees. However, most Erwyers will give you a free initial con- sultation in which you should probably get a good idea what your claim is worth and whether you want a lawyer to represent you. Remember, too, that hav- ing a lawver doesnt mean you have to go to court. Most claims with a lawver are in fact settled; 80% to 90% never go C claim & to trial Sometimes, vou, your lawyer, and the ICBC adjuster go to a professional “media- tor.” If you decide to sce a lawyer, act quickly. There are time limits you must follow to protect your claim, and ICBC isn’t required to advise you of these. —— Janice Mucalov, LLB. This column is written with the assistance of law firm Ratcliff c Company, Suite 500, 221 West Esplanade, 988- 5201. The cabonn provises information only and is not to be relied on for legal advice. vals Ree ~ atte a oRH ip Alec fee «tm i onal RICHMOND NEW WESTMINSTER ENGLISH BAY 669-2225 273-7014 C Crom the sparkling waters of New Zealand's South Pacific to the deep blue ocean off Hawaii; from Chile to Costa Rica, and north to Washington State, we've fished for a menu full of new and exotic tastes. It's a festival of fresh ocean flavor! For a limited time only, MARCH 3 - 29, 1998 Reservations Welcome. se WATERPRONT RESTAURANT Pied WHITE ROCK HORSESHOE BAY 525-3474 536-7320 921-8188 * Sales K Leasing * Service K Parts + Used Cars “Minors must be accompanied by an adult