After you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, it’s important to take the necessary steps not only in making your ICBC claim, but to get you on the path to recovery sooner!
The question is, what are the ICBC next steps following a car accident?
Throughout this article, we will uncover the steps required for ICBC to approve your claim and provide you the necessary reimbursement for your injuries. From submitting an ICBC claim all the way to your final active rehabilitation session, we guide you through every detail about what to expect after a car accident.
On the Day of Your Car Accident
Immediately following your car accident, there are a few key recommendations that ICBC has to offer for a more seamless claim approval process.
Stay on the scene
In the efforts of providing full disclosure to your ICBC adjuster, it’s important to avoid leaving the scene of your accident, even if it’s a minor collision. Not only is this considered a “hit-and-run”, but it will also put you in danger of a lawsuit.
Contact the police
Contacting the authorities for help and/or medical assistance is essential for emergency situations. After discussion with the police, make sure to get the officer’s name and badge number to request your report in the future.
If the police are not required to assist, it’s helpful to record the information yourself to file your own report thereafter.
Collect all essential information
Maintain your own record of the collision by collecting all pertinent information about the accident.
During this time, you must exchange names, contact details, and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. If necessary, you may want to collect any witness details — especially in the case that you don’t have police available to file their own report.
Go see a doctor
Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s essential to visit your doctor to check your health status. Since many injuries do not appear until later (i.e. concussion symptoms), having the documentation that you have seen your family physician can increase the likelihood of receiving adequate compensation by your ICBC adjuster.
In addition, checking in with your doctor will offer your active rehab specialist more information to customize a rehabilitation plan fit for your needs — more on this in a moment.
Common injuries following a motor vehicle accident:
- Fractured bones
- Muscle strains or sprains
- Head or neck trauma (i.e. concussions or whiplash)
- Back or spinal cord trauma
- Burns, lacerations, and scarring
The Week of Your Car Accident
Now that we’ve gathered all the necessary information from the car accident, it’s time to report an ICBC claim.
Contact ICBC to file a claim
In the days following your car accident, you’ll need to report your ICBC claim online or over the phone. The sooner the better since any delay in reporting an accident to ICBC may affect your claim.
What you will need to report your ICBC claim:
- Details collected from the collision (i.e. license plate number and driver’s license of all vehicles involved)
- Details about your injury (i.e. doctor’s note)
- Police file number (if applicable)
An ICBC claim representative is assigned to you
Once submitted, a claim representative (also known as an ICBC adjuster) will be assigned to your case. The ICBC adjuster is responsible for representing the interests of all individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident and providing the appropriate reimbursement for your injuries.
Your ICBC claim representative will explain the rehabilitation benefits that will be available to you while your doctor or healthcare provider will determine your individualized care.
Claim your rehabilitation benefits
Once you’ve successfully filed your claim and your ICBC adjuster has been assigned to your case, you’re ready to begin your rehabilitation journey.
Enhanced Accident Benefits are available to all B.C residents injured in a car accident, no matter who is at fault. These benefits provide you access to all medical and rehabilitation care necessary to support your recovery.
For the first 12 weeks following your motor vehicle accident, you’ll have access to treatment from the following health care practitioners:
- Kinesiologist*
- Athletic Therapist*
- Physiotherapist
- Chiropractor
- Massage Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Acupuncturist
* Wildewood Health approves more than the recommended 12 sessions provided by ICBC to help ensure all major injury concerns are both addressed and have had time to heal.
Billing to ICBC
Many healthcare facilities including Wildewood Health offer direct ICBC billing options for your active rehabilitation sessions. Direct billing will save you the headache from submitting receipts for reimbursement or be out of pocket with any payment.
If, however, your healthcare provider does not offer direct billing options, you can submit your receipts for review one by one. If your car accident took place on or after May 1, 2021, you must submit your receipts within 180 days of the treatment to be eligible for consideration.
The Bottom Line
Car accidents are incredibly traumatic. That’s why we want to make your road to recovery stress-free and efficient to save you more time and money along the way.
Drop us a comment if you have any questions about claiming your active rehabilitation benefits and we will get back to you shortly!