What to Do After a Car Accident in BC: A Step-by-Step Guide

Even if it is just a minor collision, you may find yourself unsure of what to do next. Should you call the police? What information should you exchange with the other driver? Do you need to contact ICBC right away? And what should you do if the other driver offers to settle the matter privately?

If you drive in British Columbia, this guide covers the key steps to take after a car accident so you can handle the situation more confidently and know what to expect.

1. What Should You Do Immediately After an Accident?

After a collision, your first priority should always be the safety of yourself and others involved, rather than dealing with vehicle damage or insurance claims.

If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.

If no one is injured and the scene is safe, follow these steps:

• Move your vehicle to a safe location: If your vehicle is still drivable and moving it will not create additional danger, try to move it to the side of the road or another safe location to avoid obstructing traffic.
• Turn on your hazard lights: Alert other road users to the situation.
• Stay calm: Avoid arguing with the other driver or rushing to admit fault at the scene.
• Contact the police when necessary: If someone is injured, you suspect alcohol or drug impairment, or police assistance is required, contact the police immediately.

Keep in mind that you should not automatically accept the other driver’s version of events simply because they claim they are not at fault. You should also avoid deciding fault at the scene yourself. ICBC will assess responsibility based on the available evidence and applicable traffic rules.

2. Exchange Information and Keep a Record

Once the scene is safe, remember to exchange the following information with the other driver:

• Driver’s Licence: Take a photo of the other driver’s licence to record their name and relevant details.
• Insurance Documents: Take a photo of their insurance documents to record the insurer and policy information.
• Phone Number: Obtain their contact number if you may need to follow up with them.

In addition to exchanging information, it is a good idea to take photos of the following:

• Both vehicles: Take photos of the overall condition of both vehicles and all damaged areas. Ideally, photograph each side of the vehicles.
• Licence plates: Make sure you capture the licence plates of all vehicles involved.
• Vehicle positions: Photograph where the vehicles were positioned at the accident scene.
• Road conditions: Take photos of intersections, traffic signs, traffic lights and road conditions.
• Surrounding area: Capture anything else that may help explain how the accident happened.

If your vehicle has a dash cam, remember to save the footage from before and after the collision as soon as possible to prevent important recordings from being overwritten.

If there are any witnesses, remember to collect their names and contact information. Witness statements and dash cam footage may be helpful when ICBC investigates who was responsible for the accident.

3. Report the Accident to ICBC Promptly

Once you have collected the necessary information at the scene, the next step is to report the accident to ICBC.

Even if you believe the collision is minor or the other driver offers to settle the matter privately, it is still advisable to report the accident to ICBC as soon as possible.

This is because both drivers may have different interpretations of what happened and who was responsible. Even if both parties initially agree to settle privately, disagreements may arise later.

ICBC advises drivers to report accidents promptly. Delaying a report may affect the handling of a future claim.

You can report an accident through the following channels:

• Online: Visit the ICBC website at icbc.com/report (my recommended option)
• By phone: 604-520-8222 (Lower Mainland) / 1-800-910-4222 (other areas)
  • Chinese-language service: 1-855-813-2121 (Cantonese and Mandarin support)

Online reporting is available 24/7, while phone reporting is subject to designated service hours.

Before reporting the accident, it is helpful to have the following information ready:

• Driver’s licence details for yourself and the other drivers involved.
• Licence plate numbers and insurance information for the vehicles involved.
• Date, time and location of the accident.
• A description of how the accident happened and photos of the scene.
• Witness information and the police report number, if applicable.

If you are unsure how to report the accident, you can also contact your insurance broker for assistance.

4. What Happens After You Report an Accident to ICBC?

Once you have submitted your report, ICBC will assign a Claims Representative or Adjuster to handle your claim.

Generally, the process involves the following steps:

① Accident Responsibility Assessment

ICBC will gather information from the drivers involved, witnesses and other relevant sources to understand what happened. It will then assess each party’s share of responsibility based on the applicable traffic rules.

Responsibility does not always fall entirely on one driver. In some cases, both parties may share responsibility for the accident.

② Vehicle Damage Assessment

ICBC will arrange for the vehicle damage to be assessed to determine the necessary repairs and associated costs.

If your vehicle is still safe to drive, you can follow ICBC’s instructions to arrange an estimate and repairs.

If your vehicle is not safe to drive, you should arrange for towing and have it moved to a safe storage location. Check with ICBC to confirm whether towing and storage expenses are covered under your claim.

③ Repairs or Settlement

If your vehicle can be repaired, the repairs will be arranged based on the damage assessment.

If the repair costs are not economically reasonable, ICBC may declare the vehicle a Total Loss. In that case, compensation may be based on the vehicle’s Current Market Value.

5. Accident Benefits: Medical and Rehabilitation Coverage

In addition to vehicle repairs, it is important to understand that BC has implemented Enhanced Care, which provides eligible people injured in motor vehicle accidents with medical and rehabilitation benefits.

In simple terms, even if you were the at-fault driver, you may still be eligible for medical and rehabilitation services through ICBC’s Accident Benefits, provided you meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

These services may include:

• Physiotherapy
• Chiropractic Treatment
• Registered Massage Therapy
• Counselling / Psychotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Kinesiology

The specific services available, number of treatments and coverage arrangements will depend on the injured person’s circumstances, medical needs and ICBC’s applicable requirements.

For more details, visit ICBC’s guide to accessing treatment during your first 12 weeks of recovery.

If you experience any discomfort after a motor vehicle accident, even if the injury does not appear serious, it is advisable to seek a medical assessment as soon as possible and report the accident to ICBC.

6. Can You Settle an Accident Privately Without Reporting It to ICBC?

If the collision is minor, such as a small scratch in a parking lot, the other driver may suggest settling privately. This usually means negotiating directly with each other to cover the repair costs without going through ICBC.

While this approach may be possible in certain situations, there are a few things to consider before agreeing to a private settlement:

• Repair costs may be higher than expected: What appears to be minor damage on the surface may involve hidden damage discovered during repairs, resulting in a much higher bill than initially estimated.
• Disagreements may arise later: Even if both parties initially agree that one driver will pay for the repairs, disputes may develop over the repair costs, responsibility or other losses.
• Future claims may become more complicated: If the accident is not formally reported and additional damage or losses are discovered later, handling a subsequent claim may become more complicated.

Therefore, even if both parties are considering a private settlement, it is advisable to check with ICBC about reporting and claim requirements first. You should also keep all accident photos, driver information and related records.

Most importantly, do not rush into a private settlement or give up your potential claim rights simply because the other driver offers to pay. If you are unsure how to proceed, it is safer to check with ICBC or your insurance broker first.

Final Thoughts: Stay Safe First, Then Take Care of the Insurance Matters

Being involved in a car accident can be stressful, and it is easy to forget what you should do next.

To make things easier, remember these five key steps:

1. Ensure Everyone’s Safety: Call 911 if anyone is injured, and move your vehicle to a safe location if it is safe to do so.
2. Exchange Information: Collect the other driver’s, vehicle’s and insurance details.
3. Keep Evidence: Take photos of the scene, save your dash cam footage and record witness information.
4. Report the Accident to ICBC: Report the accident promptly to avoid unnecessary delays in the claims process.
5. Follow Up on Your Claim: Cooperate with ICBC’s investigation and understand the arrangements for accident responsibility, vehicle repairs and any medical or rehabilitation services available if someone is injured.

Finally, remember that even if an accident appears minor, it is important not to overlook the value of reporting it and keeping proper records.

Understanding your auto insurance coverage before an accident happens can make a big difference when you need to deal with an unexpected situation.