After a car accident in BC, work through it in order: make the scene safe and check for injuries, exchange information, document what happened, report the crash to ICBC for a claim number, see a doctor for anything serious, and then start physiotherapy early. Following that sequence protects both your recovery and your ICBC claim. The steps below walk through each one.
The steps to take after a crash in BC
- 01Stop and make the scene safe. Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If it is safe, turn on hazard lights and move vehicles out of traffic. Call police if there are injuries, a significant amount of damage, or you suspect impaired or dangerous driving.
- 02Exchange information with the other driver. Record names, phone numbers, driver licence numbers, vehicle makes and plates, and insurance details. Stay calm and do not admit or assign fault at the scene; that is for ICBC to assess.
- 03Document the scene. Take wide photos and close-ups of all vehicle damage, the road and signage, weather and lighting, and any visible injuries. Note the date, time, and location, and get names and numbers of any witnesses.
- 04Report the crash to ICBC. Report online at icbc.com or by phone (Dial-A-Claim, 604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland) as soon as reasonably possible. You will be given a claim number. Keep it; you need it for repairs and for treatment.
- 05See a doctor for anything serious. If you hit your head, have severe or worsening pain, numbness, weakness, or any neurological symptoms, get medical assessment promptly or go to emergency. Tell the doctor it was a motor vehicle accident.
- 06Start physiotherapy early. With your claim number you can book straight away; no referral or adjuster approval is needed. ICBC pre-approves 25 physiotherapy visits in the first 12 weeks after the crash.
- 07Keep records throughout. Save your claim number, photos, receipts, medical notes, and a simple symptom diary. Good records make the rest of the process smoother.
Make the scene safe and check for injuries first
Your first priority is safety. Check yourself and anyone else for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs help. If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe, move them out of the flow of traffic and switch on hazard lights. Call police when there are injuries, major damage, or you suspect impaired or dangerous driving.
Adrenaline can mask pain, so feeling fine in the moment does not mean you are uninjured. Whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries often appear hours or even a day later. Note how you feel and keep watching over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Exchange information and document the scene
Collect the other driver’s name, phone number, driver licence number, vehicle make and plate, and insurance details, and give yours in return. Keep the conversation factual. Do not admit fault or agree on blame at the scene, because fault is ICBC’s call once they have the full picture.
Then document everything. Take wide shots showing the whole scene and close-ups of the damage, capture road conditions, signage, and lighting, and photograph any visible injuries. Witness names and numbers are valuable, since an independent account can settle questions about how the crash happened.
Report to ICBC and get your claim number
Report the crash to ICBC as soon as reasonably possible, online at icbc.com or by phone through Dial-A-Claim (604-520-8222 in the Lower Mainland). Reporting promptly avoids delays and opens your claim. You will receive a claim number, which is the key that unlocks both vehicle repairs and your treatment.
See a doctor for anything serious
Some injuries need a doctor before any other treatment. Seek prompt medical assessment, or go to emergency, if you hit your head, lost consciousness, or have severe or worsening pain, numbness, weakness, vision changes, or problems with balance or coordination. Tell the doctor the injury came from a motor vehicle accident so it is recorded against your claim.
For straightforward soft-tissue injuries, a physiotherapist can assess and begin treating you without a doctor’s referral and will screen for any signs that need a medical opinion.
Start physiotherapy early
The most common crash injury is whiplash, and like most soft-tissue injuries it recovers faster with early, guided movement than with rest. Starting in the first week or two settles pain sooner and lowers the risk of a short-term injury becoming a long-term one.
ICBC pre-approves 25 physiotherapy visits in the first 12 weeks after a crash, with no referral and nothing upfront at a clinic that direct-bills. That 12-week window starts on the day of the accident, so booking early means more of your coverage goes toward recovery. You can start ICBC physiotherapy with just your claim number, in English or Farsi, at either West Vancouver location.
Keep records through your recovery
Good records make the whole process smoother. Keep your claim number, scene photos, any police file number, medical and physiotherapy notes, and receipts for crash-related costs. A short symptom diary noting pain levels, sleep, and what eases or worsens things helps your care team adjust treatment and gives a clear record of how the injury affected you.
For an overview of the car accident injuries we treat and what recovery looks like, see our crash recovery page. If you have a claim number now, the next step is simply to book your first assessment.