Wrecks Involving Canadian Drivers

I grew up in Bellingham in the 1970s. It was filled with cars that had BC plates. How come?

Well, the political climate was a lot different than it is now. But an even bigger factor was the exchange rate:

The Canadian dollar (there was no Loonie yet) was worth as much or more than the American dollar. Things were cheap and plentiful in Bellingham.

Things have changed since the 1970s. But there is still a lot of cross-border traffic.

BC has totally changed its law related to injury claims from motor vehicle collisions. It's basically a "no fault" system and injured people don't get to recover a lot of their damages. But that doesn't impact a lot of cases we see involving BC drivers.

There is still a claim in Washington under Washington law if:

• You get hit by a Washington driver in BC.

• You get hit by a BC driver in Washington.

• You're a passenger in a car driven by a BC resident who causes a wreck here in Washington.

Some firms use the designation "cross-border law." I think that's fine if you're advising businesses that have franchises in the US and Canada or that are subject to tariffs. But if you get hurt by a BC driver in Washington or a Washington driver in BC, what you really want is a firm with over 30 years of experience in Washington courts. (Hint: that's Myers & Company.)