A car accident can turn an ordinary day into chaos in seconds. Between the shock, potential injuries, vehicle damage, and insurance concerns, it’s hard to know what to do first—and mistakes made early can affect your health, your insurance claim, and your right to compensation.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Alberta, the steps you take in the first minutes, hours, and days matter more than most people realize.

Step One Always Comes First: Make Sure You’re Safe

Before thinking about insurance or fault, your priority is safety.

If possible:

Move yourself and others out of traffic
Turn on hazard lights
Call 911 if anyone is injured

Even injuries that feel minor at first can be serious. If there is any doubt, emergency medical help should be requested.

Get Medical Attention — Even If You Feel “Fine”

One of the biggest mistakes accident victims make is delaying medical care.

After a collision:

Adrenaline can mask pain
Symptoms from concussions, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries may appear hours or days later
Medical records created early are critical evidence

Seeing a doctor promptly protects both your health and your claim.

Call the Police and Get a Report

In Alberta, accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported to police.

A police report:

Documents the scene objectively
Records statements while memories are fresh
Can be important if fault is later disputed

Do not rely solely on insurance reports to capture what happened.

Document the Scene Yourself

If you are able, gather evidence before vehicles are moved or conditions change.

This includes:

Photos of vehicle damage
Photos of the intersection or roadway
Weather and lighting conditions
Visible injuries
Licence plates and insurance cards

Independent evidence often becomes critical later.

Exchange Information — But Don’t Admit Fault

You should exchange:

Names and contact information
Insurance details
Licence plate numbers

You should not:

Apologize in a way that implies fault
Speculate about what caused the accident
Argue at the scene

Fault is a legal determination, not a roadside discussion.

Notify Your Insurer — Carefully

You are required to notify your insurer of the accident. However:

Keep your report factual and brief
Avoid recorded statements without advice
Do not accept early settlements or sign releases

Insurers begin protecting their interests immediately. You should do the same.

Understand That Alberta Uses a Fault-Based System

Alberta is not a no-fault system for injury claims. Fault still matters.

This means:

Who caused the accident affects compensation
You may still recover damages even if partly at fault
Early assumptions about fault can be costly

Don’t assume you know how fault will be assessed.

Why Early Decisions Matter More Than People Think

Insurance companies evaluate credibility, consistency, and documentation from the very start.

Common early missteps include:

Delaying medical treatment
Minimizing injuries
Giving detailed recorded statements
Accepting the insurer’s version of events

These mistakes can reduce compensation long before settlement discussions begin.

When to Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer

You should strongly consider legal advice if:

You were injured
Fault is disputed
An insurer is pressuring you
You are unsure about next steps

Early advice is about protection, not escalation.

The “Home Field” Advantage

Alberta accident claims involve local laws, medical systems, and insurer practices that affect outcomes.

At Shiv Ganesh Professional Corporation, we represent injured people—not insurance companies. We understand how early accident decisions impact claims and how insurers evaluate files from day one.

Don’t Guess Your Way Through the First Steps

The first things you do after a car accident can shape your recovery and your claim. Acting deliberately—and getting advice when needed—can make a significant difference.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Alberta and aren’t sure what to do next, get guidance before making decisions you can’t undo.

Injured in a car accident in Alberta?
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll explain your rights, your options, and what to do next—at no cost unless we recover compensation for you.