First Steps After an Accident

An accident can be traumatic and confusing for anyone. Here are a few tips to help protect you and your family at the collision scene:

At the Scene

Check to see if everyone is okay.

Call 911 if anyone involved in the collision has any injuries that require medical attention.

Obtain the names, contact information and driver’s license numbers of the other people involved in the collision.

Get the license plate numbers, the insurance policy information and the make and model of the other vehicles. You have an obligation to make your best effort to ascertain the identity of the other vehicles and their drivers.

Use your smart phone to take photographs. Take photographs of the vehicle damage and the resting positions of the vehicles.  If you do not have a pen and paper, use your smart phone to take photographs of the driver’s licenses and insurance policies of the other parties involved in the collision.

If your vehicle is too damaged to operate, call a tow truck.  If there is gasoline or oil leaking from your vehicle, stand a safe distance away.

Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses to the collision.

We recommend that you not call ICBC Dial-A-Claim until you have obtained legal advice.