When you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, thoughts of shock and fear may be racing through your mind. It can be hard to remember all the necessary actions you need to take in the event you, or someone around you is involved in a motor vehicle accident. We’ve compiled a car accident checklist that includes what you are required to do and some actions you should take if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Failure to do the things you are required to do could invalidate your insurance, affect whether you will need to pay a deductible, your insurance premium/road star status as well as the likelihood of success in any potential personal injury claim.
You may want to put a copy of this list in your glove box with your vehicle registration so you don’t have to think about what you need to do in the event you are involved in an accident.
Requirements For When You’re Involved in a Car Accident
- Stop your vehicle
- Remain at the scene of the accident
- Render all reasonable assistance
- Produce in writing, your name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number and if you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, the name and address of the registered owner to: (1) any other driver involved in the accident; (2) to anyone sustaining loss or injury; and (3) if requested, to a witness
- Obtain the name and driver’s license number of all the other drivers involved
- Obtain the license plate number and province/state the license is from, for all the other vehicles involved
- Report the accident to ICBC (this can be done online at www.ICBC.com or by phone: 1-800-910-4222)
- If you have additional insurance, report the accident to your third party liability insurer
- If injured in the accident, within 30 days of the date of the accident, provide ICBC with a written statement setting out the circumstances of the accident and the consequences (If possible, speak to a lawyer before providing this statement)
- If injured in the accident, within 90 days of the accident, fill in an ICBC Form called a CL22 – Insurance Claim Application Form.
Recommendation from a Kelowna Lawyer
- If you are blocking traffic or are in a dangerous place, pull over to a safe place
- Turn off your engine and if still on the road, turn your hazard lights on
- Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
- Report the accident to the police
- Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses (ask witnesses for their business card)
- If an ambulance attends and you are injured or are not sure about whether you are injured, do not refuse treatment
- Think before you speak. Refrain from making any statements regarding the fault for the accident to anyone at the scene of the accident
- If injured, but not taken to the hospital by ambulance, immediately seek medical treatment
- Make a note of the date, time and location of the accident, including street names, cross streets and landmarks
- If possible, take photographs of (1) the scene of the accident; (2) damage to vehicles; and (3) injuries
- If possible, take video of (1) the scene of the accident; (2) damage to vehicles; and (3) injuries
- Make a note of any skid marks observed, including their approximate length
- As soon as possible after the accident, make notes of how the accident happened, descriptions of the vehicles and people involved, lighting and road conditions, weather, details of any conversations you had at the scene of the accident, injuries (if any) felt at the scene of the accident, treatment received at the scene and shortly thereafter
- Sketch the scene of the accident
- Keep all information (i.e. police report, notes, contact information, receipts, etc.) and physical evidence (i.e. damaged clothing, eyeglasses, etc.) that relate to the accident
- If injured, consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to determine whether you should retain a lawyer to assist you with your claim (see April 29, 2008, Injurywise Column which deals with hiring a lawyer)
*Important Note: The information contained in this column should not be treated by readers as legal advice and should not be relied on without detailed legal counsel being sought.