After a motor-vehicle crash, symptoms can affect driving, sleep, work, exercise, and daily activity. Early steps include reporting the claim, seeking urgent medical care when needed, and arranging an assessment if symptoms are affecting function.
Start with safety
Call 9-1-1 or seek emergency care for severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, new weakness or numbness, confusion, a rapidly worsening headache, major bleeding, or other urgent symptoms. Some symptoms can appear after the initial collision, so monitor changes and contact a medical professional when concerned.
Report the claim and confirm current coverage
ICBC states that people injured in a crash have access to pre-approved rehabilitation treatments during the first 12 weeks after the collision once a claim is submitted. You generally need your ICBC claim number to begin. Coverage rules, limits, provider requirements, and timelines can change, so confirm your current eligibility directly with ICBC rather than relying on an older blog post.
What physiotherapy may include
Your first appointment may review the collision, symptoms, medical history, work and driving demands, and recovery goals. The physical assessment is adapted to your presentation. Treatment may include education, strategies for pacing daily activity, mobility work, gradual strengthening, balance or vestibular rehabilitation, and task-specific return-to-work or return-to-driving planning.
Common symptoms assessed after a crash
- Neck or back pain
- Headache or dizziness
- Shoulder or chest-wall discomfort
- Reduced movement or activity tolerance
- Balance problems
- Difficulty returning to work, exercise, or normal routines
Symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, visual changes, or memory problems may need concussion screening and medical follow-up. Read about
whiplash rehabilitation,
concussion care, and
vestibular rehabilitation.
Recovery timelines vary
There is no single number of visits or guaranteed timeline. Progress can depend on the nature of the injuries, health history, work demands, sleep, stress, and response to activity. Your clinician should reassess progress and communicate with other providers when appropriate.
ICBC treatment in Abbotsford
For clinic-specific details, visit our
ICBC injury treatment page. You can
contact Townline Physiotherapy with your claim number to ask about appointments and direct billing.
This article is general information. ICBC policies and coverage can change; verify current details with ICBC.
