Being in a car collision can be a very disruptive and painful event; unfortunately thousands of car accidents occur each year in British Columbia. Many injured car crash victims report experiencing shock and anxiety immediately following a car accident.

Steps to take after a car accident in BC

1. Make the earliest appointment available with your family doctor – as long as you are mobile and discharged from the hospital.

It’s critical you be very detailed about all your pain areas and symptoms. Consider headaches, nausea, memory loss, mood swings, any movements that cause discomfort, etc. It’s a good idea to make some brief notes about your injuries before going to your doctor so you can quickly give your doctor a detailed reporting.

2. Should you do an ICBC dial-a-claim?

The law in BC is that you must at some point make a statement to the Insurance Corporation of BC. Obviously your car accident must be reported. Why? Because the Insurance Corporation of BC is the liability and property auto insurer in British Columbia. However, you can have someone such as your attorney do the dial-a-claim for you.

3. What if I was a passenger, must I do a dial-a-claim?

If you’re hurt or any of your property is damages as a result of a motor vehicle collision in BC, and you want compensation and/or reimbursement, then you need to file a claim. Typically a claim is made with ICBC’s dial-a-claim. Again, someone, such as your lawyer can do it for you.

4. Do what your family doctor suggests.

Sometimes your doctor will prescribe treatment such as physiotherapy, massage therapy, or some other prescription to help you recover. It’s important that you do what your doctor prescribes. If you don’t like your doctor’s suggestion, discuss it with him or her in an effort to arrive at alternative treatment options.

5. Consult an injury lawyer.

I suspect (I can’t talk on behalf of other lawyers) that most injury lawyers will talk to you at no cost to you – it’s what is coined a “free initial consultation”. Take advantage of this to learn your legal rights after a BC car collision.

After a car crash in BC, don’t do nothing if you’re injured. First, follow your doctor’s advice. If you’re recuperating, don’t worry about the legal side. Second, get legal advice. There are stringent deadlines, so if you can’t talk to a lawyer, have a family member or friend contact a personal injury lawyer for you).

Learn more about your ICBC claim. Stop by our site where you can find out all about reporting a claim via ICBC dial-a-claim.