What to Do After a Car Accident in BC

A crash is disorienting, and the first few minutes matter most. Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, or if you are not sure, call 911 right away. Do not try to move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger.

If the vehicles are drivable and it is safe to do so, move them out of traffic to reduce the risk of a second collision. Turn on your hazard lights. On a busy road or highway, stay aware of passing traffic and keep everyone well clear of the lanes while you wait.

Stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of a collision, especially one involving injury or significant damage, can carry serious legal consequences. Take a breath, and deal with one step at a time.

Not every minor collision needs police at the scene, but some situations do. Call the police if someone is injured, if a driver appears impaired, if there is a hit and run, if a driver refuses to give their information, or if there is significant damage. In some cases police may ask you to report the crash yourself rather than attending.

If police do attend, ask how you can obtain the file or report number later. That number can help when you deal with ICBC. If police do not come, you are still responsible for exchanging information and reporting the crash through the proper channels.

The details you capture at the scene are hard to recreate later, so gather what you can while everything is fresh. Use your phone to take photos of the vehicles, the damage, the position of the cars, the road, traffic signs and signals, and anything that helps show what happened. A few extra photos rarely hurt.

Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, address, driver's licence number, plate number, and insurance details. Note the make, model, and colour of each vehicle. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information, because an independent account can matter a great deal if there is any dispute about what happened.

Write down the basics as soon as you can, including the date, time, location, weather, and a short description of how the crash unfolded. Stick to the facts. It is best not to argue about fault at the scene or to admit blame, since the full picture is not always clear in the moment.

Report your crash to ICBC as soon as you reasonably can. You can start a claim by phone or online, and ICBC will give you a claim number and explain the next steps. Prompt reporting matters because strict time limits apply, both to reporting a crash and to accessing certain benefits. Waiting can make things harder than they need to be.

Since May 1, 2021, most crashes in British Columbia fall under Enhanced Care, which is a no fault system. In practice this means that for most crashes you do not sue the other driver for a settlement. Instead, you claim a defined set of benefits through ICBC to support your recovery, no matter who caused the crash. These can include medical and rehabilitation treatment, income replacement if you cannot work, and care benefits.

There are narrow exceptions where a claim outside Enhanced Care may still be possible, such as certain serious criminal convictions against the at fault driver, or a claim against a manufacturer or distributor in some cases involving a defective vehicle or part. These situations are limited, and whether they apply depends on the specific facts. When you are unsure, it is worth having the rules checked rather than guessing.

Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries do not show up until hours or days later. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common after a crash and are easy to underestimate. Seeing a doctor early protects your health and creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash, which can be important for your claim.

Follow the treatment your doctor recommends and keep up with appointments. Hold on to records, receipts, and notes about how your injuries affect your daily life and your ability to work. Consistent treatment and good records help support the benefits you may be entitled to under Enhanced Care.

If symptoms change or get worse, go back to your doctor. Recovery is not always a straight line, and your medical team can only help with what they know about.

The choices you make in the first days after a crash can shape what follows. Reporting promptly, getting medical care early, and keeping clear records all make the process smoother and reduce the chance that something important slips through the cracks.

Time limits are a big reason to act early. There are deadlines for reporting a crash, for applying for certain benefits, and for any legal steps that might apply in the narrow situations where they are available. Missing a deadline can affect what you are able to claim, so it is better to deal with these things sooner rather than later.

No fault does not mean automatic. ICBC still decides what treatment and benefits you receive, and those decisions can be delayed, reduced, or denied. Knowing your rights, and asking questions when something does not seem right, puts you in a stronger position.

After a crash in BC, the order is simple. Get safe, look after injuries, document the scene, report to ICBC, and see a doctor. Keep your records organized, mind the deadlines, and do not assume that feeling fine today means you were not injured.

If you have questions about your benefits, a decision you disagree with, or whether any exception might apply to your situation, a lawyer can help you understand where you stand. Ng Sidhu Law offers a free, no obligation case evaluation, so you can get clear information before deciding what to do next.

This article provides general information about British Columbia law and is not legal advice. The rules around motor vehicle crashes, ICBC claims, and Enhanced Care benefits are detailed, and how they apply depends on the specific facts of your situation. For advice about your own circumstances, speak with a qualified BC lawyer.