Starting May 1, 2021, most disputes relating to injuries from motor vehicle accidents will come to the CRT.
As part of our preparations, we’re developing plain language legal information for the public. This will become the content for our Solution Explorer for the new “enhanced accident benefits” area of CRT jurisdiction.
We’re looking for Subject Matter Experts to help us develop this content, on a volunteer basis. Are you a personal injury lawyer or community advocate, and work with clients who have disputes with their insurer about injuries from a motor vehicle accident? If yes, read on!
The New Care-Based Insurance Model and Legislation
Bill 11 – 2020: Attorney General Statutes (Vehicle Insurance) Amendment Act received Royal Assent on August 14, 2020. It contains significant changes to how motor vehicle insurance works in British Columbia.
These changes include moving to a “care-based” model of accident compensation, where people are compensated for their injuries according to amounts and categories set by regulation and policy. In most cases, a person won’t be able to sue the person responsible for the accident for damages.
Many of the provisions are not in force yet. The change to a care-based model will take effect on May 1, 2021.
Since April 1, 2019 the CRT has had exclusive jurisdiction over accident benefit claims. This means that the CRT is the only place that can determine entitlement to accident benefits, if someone has a dispute with their insurer. Bill 11 greatly expands the amounts and types of accident benefits provided under basic automobile insurance.
How You Can Help
We’d like to invite you to help us develop our plain language Solution Explorer content for the public.
This involves 1 meeting a week, about 90 minutes long, between now and early January. Sessions are held remotely by phone and web-based screen-sharing. The timing is flexible and we can work around your schedule. The sessions are facilitated by a legal expert who structures and guides the discussion by asking probing questions.
You don’t need to know the details of Bill 11 or the new care-based insurance model. We’re looking for your perspective and expertise from working with clients who deal with injuries from motor vehicle accidents.
Your knowledge, experience, and client-facing perspective will go into a service that directly benefits the public and increases access to justice for all British Columbians.
Want to Participate?
If you’d like to volunteer, please contact us with the subject line “SE Subject Matter Experts” and briefly outline your interest and availability. Our Solution Explorer Lead will follow up with you.