Move to safety when possible
Follow police or emergency directions and avoid creating additional danger on the roadway.
The first priorities are safety and medical needs. After that, preserve useful information, report the claim, understand the vehicle and benefit processes, and keep important decisions and deadlines organized.
Follow police or emergency directions and avoid creating additional danger on the roadway.
Record driver, vehicle and insurance information as required, along with contact information for witnesses where available.
Photos of vehicle positions, damage, signs, lanes, weather and road conditions can be useful later.
Symptoms can change after a crash. Seek appropriate medical care and follow current ICBC treatment guidance once the claim is opened.
Use 9-1-1 or an appropriate emergency department for urgent medical needs.
Document symptoms, appointments, treatment recommendations and how injuries affect work or daily activities.
A claim number is commonly needed for the current pre-approved treatment process.
If treatment or benefits are reduced or denied, ask for the reasons and review the dispute route.
Use ICBC's current reporting process and keep the claim number, adjuster/recovery-specialist contacts and written decisions.
Store photos, receipts, medical correspondence, work records, repair estimates and ICBC communications together.
Note the date, reason and next review step for any benefit, responsibility or vehicle decision you disagree with.
If the vehicle cannot be driven or will be in a repair shop, separate the vehicle claim from the question of how you will get to work, medical care and other necessary trips.
Use ICBC's current Repair Network locator to identify participating facilities and verify network status.
Confirm whether rental, courtesy-car or other transportation costs are covered before assuming reimbursement.
Transit, taxi/rideshare or pre-arranged private transportation may be practical depending on mobility, trip distance and cost.
A post-2021 BC crash does not automatically create a bodily-injury lawsuit. Most disputes involve benefits, responsibility, vehicle issues or a specific statutory exception.
Ask for the decision and reasons, then review ICBC's internal escalation and CRT options.
ICBC dispute guide →Preserve evidence and follow the specific responsibility-review process.
Responsibility guide →Where criminal driving or another statutory exception may apply, get current legal advice before assuming the general lawsuit bar controls the outcome.
Legal-action exceptions →If the accident occurred before May 1, 2021, use the separate pre-2021 guide because the legal framework is materially different.
Pre-2021 claims →