What to Do After a Car Accident in BC

A collision is disorienting even when nobody is seriously hurt. Knowing the sequence of actions in advance means you can work through it calmly rather than improvising at the roadside.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Move to Safety

Before anything else, check whether anyone in your vehicle or the other vehicle is injured. If anyone is hurt, unconscious, or trapped, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger from fire or traffic.

If the vehicles are driveable and the collision is minor, BC law requires you to move them out of traffic before exchanging information. Turn on your hazard lights and pull to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot. Leaving vehicles in a live lane creates a secondary hazard.

Step 2: Decide Whether to Call 911

You must call 911 if:

• Anyone is injured or unconscious
• A driver appears impaired
• A driver leaves the scene (a hit and run)
• A commercial vehicle, bus, or vehicle carrying dangerous goods is involved
• The road is blocked and vehicles cannot be moved

For collisions with only property damage, where everyone is uninjured and cooperative, you do not need to call police. Report directly to ICBC instead.

Step 3: Exchange Information at the Scene

BC law requires both drivers to exchange:

• Full name and address
• Driver's licence number
• Vehicle plate number
• Vehicle registration information
• Insurance details (your ICBC policy number is on your insurance card)

Do not leave the scene without exchanging this information. Do not admit fault. That determination belongs to ICBC, not to either driver at the roadside.

Step 4: Document Everything

Before the vehicles move, photograph:

• All vehicles involved, showing the damage and their positions on the road
• Both licence plates
• The road conditions, traffic signs, and any skid marks
• Any visible injuries (with consent where applicable)
• The nearest kilometre marker, street sign, or landmark for your location record
• Any witnesses who stop

Even a quick set of photos on your phone takes under two minutes and gives ICBC the visual record they need.

Step 5: Report to ICBC Within 24 Hours

Since May 1, 2021, BC operates under Enhanced Care, a no fault insurance system. You report your claim to ICBC regardless of who caused the collision, and ICBC covers injury benefits and vehicle repair based on the facts of the incident.

ICBC claims: 604-520-8222 (Metro Vancouver) or 1-800-910-4222 (toll free)

You can also start a claim online at icbc.com. Have your policy number, the other driver's information, and your photos ready before you call.

Step 6: Decide Whether the Vehicle Needs a Tow

If your vehicle is not driveable, call a tow truck before the scene clears. A few things to know:

• Ask for a quote before authorising the tow. A reputable towing company provides an upfront price.
• Choose your destination. You have the right to specify which repair shop or storage facility the vehicle goes to. A tow operator cannot compel you to use a specific shop.
• Accident damage and ICBC. ICBC's Enhanced Care policy covers some towing costs for tows after an accident. Keep your receipt and submit it with your claim.
• Never drive a vehicle that feels unsafe. Pulling noises, steering changes, or visible structural damage mean the vehicle needs a professional assessment before going back on the road.

What Not to Do

• Do not post about the accident on social media before your ICBC claim is resolved.
• Do not sign any documents from a tow company or repair shop under pressure at the roadside.
• Do not leave the scene before exchanging information, even for a minor impact. Leaving makes it a hit and run.
• Do not assume your vehicle is fine because the exterior damage looks minor. Bumper structures, airbag sensors, and fuel systems can be affected by impacts that leave small visible marks.

After the Scene

Follow up with your body shop or ICBC repair facility within a day or two. Keep copies of all paperwork, receipts, and correspondence. If your vehicle is a total loss, ICBC will assess its actual cash value based on comparable vehicles in the BC market.