Case Description

I was the passenger in a vehicle accident. April 3rd 2009. My husband was driving. We have Alberta
insurance. The accident happened in British Columbia. Our vehicle rear ended another vehicle who also
was from Alberta and had Alberta Insurance.
I sustained strains, sprains, and WAD 2 from the accident. (I was the passenger) My husband was the
driver and he rear ended the vehicle in front of us as we were traveling through a construction zone.
I saw what was going to happen and tried to reach over and steer away from them, but it was too late to do
anything. My husband put on the brakes HARD and we hit at the same time snapping my neck to the side because I
was extended forward and out towards the side reaching for the steering wheel.

I let our insurance company know right away that I was injured.
I was passed from one injury adjuster to another, each time they found out the accident happened in British
Columbia they said they couldn't help me. I was told that even though we had Alberta Insurance and lived
in Alberta, because the accident happened in BC they had to follow BC regulations and policy. They said
they had to follow ICBC Policy's.
Eventually they found an adjuster to help me and she said she would send some forms for me to fill out. I
got her letter the next week but there was no documents inside. I phoned her and she said she had been
pretty busy and would email them. I got them in an email the next week. After filling them out I faxed
them back. Weeks! later I was still not getting any financial help. I was trying to go to Chiropractor and
Massage therapy as often as I could, but just couldn't afford to be going! We just didn't have the money to
afford these treatments.
I asked the adjust about this and she said not to go till they knew I could be covered by insurance. I told
her I was in pain but they said directly to 'wait'.
We had insurance so I didn't understand why I was discouraged from getting the medical care I needed, but
as I had never gone through this before I trusted my insurance company that they were doing everything
necessary for my care. I went as often as I could to get treatments, but it wasn't enough and it wasn't early
enough and the pain was increasing daily. I sent my receipt for treatment into the insurance adjuster but she
said that I had to submit them to our medical insurance. I sent them to our Medical Insurance company
and they put them under 'review' and even at best the only thing they would cover would be a small portion
of each visit.
Then...
On Aug. 14th 2009.. .. I was in another car accident.
I was the driver and it was the other person who was at fault. I was in the left hand lane driving south on
QE2 freeway. A big van I was passing pulled right into my passenger side. It was a large van with a crane
on the top with a long steel extension on the back ( I have pics).
He failed to signal or to look when he changed lanes and hit me as I was driving over the over pass on the
south side of Red Deer, AB.
He kept banging into me pushing me into the guard rails on the sides of the road. I tried to keep from
hitting the guard rail as I knew that would more than likely rebound me into the many travelers on the
freeway that Friday afternoon. Our vehicles became locked together and no matter how hard I tried to brake
and pull free he kept hitting me all across this overpass. Eventually we broke apart thankfully after the
overpass and I ended up on side of the road on the left side of freeway.
I had terrible neck and mid back pain immediately. My injuries from the first accident were not yet healed
and this just re injured it even worse than before.
I was diagnosed again with Sprain 2, Strain 2, and WAD 2. in my back and kneck.
I immediately called my insurance company and they said ok.... your old file from your first accident is
closed. They hadn't paid me a cent and yet they said the file was closed. Next they said it was actually a
blessing I was in the second accident because now I would be able to get the care I needed. ?? first that
statement revealed they knew I needed better care and second it reveal that I wasn't getting the care I was
needing. Hopefully they record all their phone calls.
I received other calls from our insurance company from a different injury adjuster and she also told me it
was fortunate I was in another accident as it would now be possible for me to get proper treatments. So, she
was aware I wasn't getting the proper care as well.
This time around I go to the Chiropractor and do not have to pay a cent, and go to the massage therapist
and send in my receipts and within days they reimburse me, so yes... I am getting much much better care.
Unfortunately I am in so very much pain and cannot sleep because of pain. I have also suffered from
anxiety from the accidents the pain and dealing with insurance company and fighting for financial help. I
am seeing mental health and have been now diagnosed with PTSD...
I would like bring this to my insurance companies attention. Phoning and emailing and faxing has not
worked for me. I am willing to go to court and fight for the principle of the situation and to get a little help
financially for bills incurred from treatments in the first accident.
I am not sure If I have to sue using ICBC policy, province of BC policy??

or if it is my husband I take to court.

I appreciate any help anyone can give, even if it just information.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your interest.