What to do after a car accident

Getting into a car accident can be scary, especially if it’s your first one. Your heart and adrenaline are racing, your thoughts are buzzing, and you’re not sure what to do next.

For anyone in Alberta, here are a few tips and guidelines you can follow to keep yourself safe, follow the law, and protect yourself with insurance.

Step 1: Stop your vehicle

Step 2: Turn on your hazard lights (the button with the triangles)

Step 3: Take a huge deep breath, and do your best to remain calm

Step 4: Ask yourself before stepping out, am I okay? Am I injured anywhere visible?

Step 5: Check on the other driver and all passengers

Step 6: Call 911 only if:

1. Anyone is injured (if they can’t move, do NOT touch them or move them unless it’s immediate danger)
2. Someone is impaired
3. It's a hit and run

Step 7: Take all necessary photos of the current scene

Step 8: If your car is moveable, move it to a shoulder or safer location once photos are taken. Always stay standing a safe distance from traffic.

Step 9: Grab all documentation for your vehicle. This includes:

1. Driver's License
2. Insurance
3. Registration
4. License plate number
5. Save any possible dash cam footage

Step 10: Collect all information about the other driver such as:

1. Their full name
2. Phone number
3. Driver's License Number
4. Insurance company and policy number
5. Their vehicle year, make, model
6. License plate number

Step 11: Do not admit fault or argue

Step 12: When safe, get witnesses at the scene of accident (if any). This will help with an insurance claim or with police.

1. Name
2. Phone number

Step 13: If police are called, make sure to give a statement. You may also now need to:

1. Report on the collision at a Collision Reporting Centre
2. Retrieve collision sticker for damage(s)

For Edmonton area collision information click here: Collision Reporting

For Calgary area collision information click here: Calgary Police Service district offices

For anyone not near a collision reporting Centre may call local authorities at their own discretion and may be asked to do an online collision report.

Note: If any damage exceeds $5,000 in Alberta, you must have a collision sticker for any shops to make repairs after an accident.

Step 14: Call your insurance company and state that you’ve been in an accident, give them any necessary details and documents they will need to investigate.

Step 15: If no emergency services are needed at the scene, do follow up with a doctor’s appointment.

Extra tips:

1. Never take cash on the spot to “forget about it”
2. Don’t post about the accident
3. Always keep an emergency kit in your vehicle at all times

Although there are many steps. A car accident can be a long process for recovering physically/emotionally to fixing or replacing a vehicle. Sometimes it can be both. It’s important to always know the proper steps to not delay the process.