What to Do After a Car Accident: A Complete Checklist for ICBC & Insurance

Being in a car accident, whether it’s a minor fender-bender or something more serious, can be a stressful and confusing experience. Knowing what to do after a car accident is crucial for your safety, for following car accident laws, and for ensuring a smooth insurance and repair process.

At Cerna Collision, we’re not just here to repair your vehicle; we’re here to help you through the entire process. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist to follow after a crash.

Car Accident Checklist: Your First Steps

Here is a quick checklist of what to do immediately following a car accident.

• Stay Safe: First, check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If the accident is minor, move your vehicle to a safe location off the road and turn on your hazard lights.
  
  
• Call 911: If there are injuries or significant damage, call for police and medical assistance immediately. A police report is essential for a major car accident.
  
  
• Exchange Information: Get the full name, contact details, driver's license number, insurance company, policy number, and license plate from the other driver.
  
  
• Document Everything: Use your phone to take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, the positions of the cars, and the surrounding scene. Note the time, date, and location.
  
  
• Don't Admit Fault: Stick to the facts when discussing the incident. Avoid saying "it was my fault," as this can complicate the insurance process.
  
  
• Contact Your Insurer: Report the accident to your insurance provider or ICBC as soon as possible.
  
  
• Get a Professional Estimate: Contact a trusted auto body shop like Cerna Collision for a damage estimate and to begin the repair process.

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What to do after a car crash: Immediately

Your immediate actions at the scene of the crash are the most important.

1. Ensure Safety First: If it’s a minor car accident or a small car accident and your vehicle is drivable, pull over to a safe location away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Before anything else, check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
   
   
2. Call for Help: For a major car accident or if there are any injuries, call 911 immediately. The police will file an official report, and paramedics can provide medical attention. Even in a minor collision, a police report can be invaluable for insurance claims.
   
   
3. Exchange Information: This is a critical step after a car crash. Collect the following information from the other driver(s):
   
   
   
   • Full Name and Contact Information
   • Driver's License Number
   • Insurance Company and Policy Number
   • License Plate Number
   • Make, Model, and Color of the Vehicle
   • Get contact information from any witnesses at the scene.
     
     
4. Document Everything: Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to all vehicles, their positions, license plates, and any relevant road signs or conditions. Note the date, time, and specific location.

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Do’s and Don’ts After a Car Accident

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‍Navigating Insurance and ICBC Claims

Once you are safe and have left the scene, the claims process begins.

What to do after a car accident with insurance?

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. The information you collected at the scene will be essential for filing your claim. Be prepared to provide a detailed account of what happened.

What to do after a car accident with ICBC?

In British Columbia, you must report your claim to ICBC. You can do this online or by phone. Having the police file number (if applicable) and the other driver’s information will make this process much smoother. As an ICBC-accredited collision repair shop, Cerna Collision can guide you through this process and work directly with ICBC to manage your repairs.

What to do after a car accident that's not your fault?

The process is largely the same. Your primary responsibility is still to collect all necessary information and report it to ICBC and your insurance provider. They will then coordinate with the at-fault driver's insurance to cover the costs of repairs and any medical expenses.

Getting Your Vehicle Repaired

After you have a claim number from ICBC, the next step is to get your vehicle repaired. You have the right to choose your own repair shop. At Cerna Collision, we provide free estimates and are a certified repair facility for leading brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, Jeep, and Dodge Ram. We handle everything from minor paint scratches to major collision damage, ensuring your vehicle is returned to you in pre-accident condition, with a lifetime guarantee on all our work.

Follow This Guide After a Car Accident For Smooth Collision Repair and Insurance

Being in a car accident is stressful, but following a clear plan can make it easier. Stay safe, document everything, report to ICBC, and get professional repairs.

Contact Cerna Collision today for a free estimate and expert guidance on your ICBC claim.

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