Injured in a Car Accident in Edmonton? What to Do Next
- zenithwellnessco
- Apr 22
- 7 min read
Being in a motor vehicle accident can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with pain or injury afterward.
If you are injured in a car accident in Edmonton, knowing what steps to take can help you access the right care and begin the treatment process under Alberta’s accident benefit system.
In Alberta, car accidents are often referred to as motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in insurance and healthcare settings.
In Edmonton and across Alberta, many people know the first step is to contact their auto insurance provider to begin a claim. However, what often gets missed is the next question:
What are you supposed to do if you are injured?
Unfortunately, the next steps for injury care and treatment coverage are not always communicated clearly during the insurance process. This article outlines what to do after an accident so you can protect your health, access treatment, and understand what supports may be available.
1. Prioritize Safety at the Scene
Immediately after an accident:
Check yourself and others for injuries
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the situation is unsafe
Move vehicles out of traffic if possible
Turn on hazard lights and remain calm
Even if injuries seem minor at first, it is still a good idea to take the situation seriously.
2. Report the Collision
If you were involved in a crash, you are required to report it according to local procedures.
In Edmonton, many collisions that do not involve serious injury or an emergency police response are reported through an Edmonton Collision Reporting Centre.
For official instructions on when and how to report a collision, visit:
If the collision involves serious injuries or an unsafe situation, call 911 immediately.
3. Get Assessed the Right Way for Your Injury Claim
Even if your injuries did not require immediate emergency care, it is still strongly recommended to get assessed after a car accident.
However, if your assessment is intended to start treatment under your insurance claim, Alberta’s rules are specific.
Under Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation (DTPR), the initial injury assessment that supports treatment coverage must be completed by one of the following regulated health professionals:
Physiotherapist
Chiropractor
Physician
That said, the DTPR also notes that:
Physicians should not complete Form AB-2 unless they are actively treating the patient or coordinating their ongoing care and treatment visits.
For this reason, many clients begin the accident benefit treatment process through an assessment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor, as these providers routinely complete the AB-2 treatment plan documentation.
When booking your appointment, it is important to tell the clinic:
You have been in a motor vehicle accident
You are seeking an assessment for the purposes of beginning treatment coverage
You will require completion of the AB-2 Treatment Plan form
If you are looking for a physiotherapist or chiropractor for an initial MVA assessment, you can visit our Resources page for local recommendations.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Many people feel shaken up after a collision but may not notice symptoms immediately. It is common for discomfort to develop over the hours or days following an accident.
Some of the most common injuries reported after a car accident or MVA include:
Neck pain or stiffness
Back pain
Headaches
Whiplash-associated symptoms
Soft tissue strains or sprains
If you notice new or worsening symptoms after an accident, seeking an appropriate assessment early can help ensure your injuries are properly documented and addressed.
4. Start Your Claim — What Comes Next for Injury Care
Most people contact their insurance company quickly after a car accident or MVA to start a claim. This is an important first step.
However, many Albertans find that conversations with insurance providers focus primarily on vehicle damage, and that the next steps for injury care are not always explained in detail.
Some clients may also be told they must attend a specific clinic or that only certain treatments are covered, when in fact patients generally have the right to choose their own qualified providers.
If you are injured, it can be helpful to seek an appropriate assessment promptly and ensure the correct forms are completed to support your recovery.
5. Choosing Treatment Providers After a Car Accident in Alberta
No, you do not have to attend a specific clinic chosen by your insurance company for treatment after a car accident (MVA) in Alberta.
Under Alberta’s auto insurance regulations, you have the right to choose your own treatment providers and build a care team that fits your recovery needs.
While insurers may recommend a “preferred” or “partner” clinic, it is legally your choice to attend clinics and practitioners that are convenient for you (near home or work) and where you feel comfortable.
Here are a few key points to know:
You have the right to choose your own physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, or other regulated providers involved in your recovery
No referral is needed in Alberta to book an initial assessment with a chiropractor or physiotherapist under the DTPR
You can change clinics or providers if you are unsatisfied with your care, though you should inform both your adjuster and your new clinic about treatments already received
Timelines matter: it is strongly recommended to book an initial assessment with a primary health care practitioner as soon as possible after the accident.
Under Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, early assessment helps ensure that injuries are properly documented and that the accident benefit treatment process can begin smoothly. Many protocols are designed around assessments occurring within the first 10 days, so it is best not to delay seeking care.
Many private clinics offer direct billing for in-protocol MVA treatments, though not all do. Choosing clinics and providers that can bill your insurer directly may reduce the stress of managing paperwork and out-of-pocket payments during recovery.
For many people in Edmonton recovering from an MVA, finding a clinic that offers direct billing can make the treatment process significantly easier.
Helpful Next Steps After an Accident
If you are injured after a car accident or MVA, these steps can help:
Complete the AB-1 Form to begin your accident benefit claim
Choose a qualified clinic or multidisciplinary team that is convenient and experienced in MVA recovery
Book an assessment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor and ensure proper documentation is completed, including the AB-2 Treatment Plan form submitted to your insurer
6. Understand the Forms That Support Treatment Coverage
Accident benefit coverage depends on completing the correct forms, but these are not always explained clearly upfront.
AB-1: Notice of Loss and Proof of Claim
The AB-1 form is typically filled out by the individual involved in the accident. This form officially begins the accident benefit claim process with your insurer.
AB-2: Treatment Plan Form
The AB-2 form is completed by the regulated health professional who performs your accident assessment (most often a physiotherapist or chiropractor, and in some cases a physician coordinating care).
You can access Alberta insurance forms directly through the Government of Alberta here.
7. Begin Treatment and Keep Documentation
Once you have been assessed and the appropriate forms are in place, your healthcare providers may recommend a coordinated treatment plan involving more than one type of care.
This may include:
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic care
Acupuncture
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
Some clients also include manual osteopathy as part of their recovery plan. While manual osteopathy itself is not one of the assessment provider types under Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols Regulation, many insurers may cover manual osteopathy services under broader accident benefits once treatment has been initiated, depending on your specific policy and limits. Coverage and billing arrangements can vary by insurer and plan, so it is always a good idea to confirm details directly with your adjuster.
Keep copies of:
Treatment plans
Receipts
Medical notes
Insurance correspondence
More Resources on MVA Recovery in Alberta
If you are navigating recovery after a car accident or MVA, you may find these additional resources helpful:
Understanding Alberta MVA Forms (AB-1 and AB-2) (coming soon)
Massage Therapy After a Car Accident in Edmonton (coming soon)
Direct Billing and Treatment Coverage for MVA Claims (coming soon)
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Injuries and Treatment in Alberta
Do I need to see a doctor after a car accident in Alberta?
It is always a good idea to seek medical attention if you have pain or new symptoms after an accident. For the purposes of starting treatment under Alberta’s accident benefit protocols, the initial assessment must be completed by a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or physician. Many people begin this process through physiotherapy or chiropractic care, as some physicians do not complete the AB-2 treatment plan unless they are actively coordinating ongoing care.
What is the AB-1 form in an MVA claim?
The AB-1 form is typically completed by the person involved in the accident to begin the accident benefit claim process with their insurer.
What is the AB-2 Treatment Plan form?
The AB-2 form is completed by the regulated health professional who performs the initial accident assessment (most often a physiotherapist or chiropractor). It outlines the proposed treatment plan and is submitted to the insurer to initiate coverage.
Can my insurance company make me go to a specific clinic after a car accident?
No. In Alberta, you have the right to choose your own treatment providers after an MVA. While insurers may recommend certain clinics, you are free to attend a provider that is convenient for you and where you feel comfortable.
Is massage therapy covered after a car accident in Alberta?
Massage therapy is commonly included as part of accident recovery care. Coverage depends on your insurer, your accident benefit limits, and whether treatment has been initiated with the appropriate assessment and documentation.
How soon should I get assessed after an accident?
It is strongly recommended to book an initial assessment as soon as possible after an accident. Many protocols are designed around assessments occurring within the first 10 days, so early documentation is important.
Need Support After an Accident?
At Zenith Wellness Co, we provide massage therapy and manual osteopathy for individuals in Edmonton recovering from motor vehicle accidents.
If you have already completed an initial assessment and are looking to include massage therapy or manual osteopathy as part of your MVA recovery plan, we are here to help.
Click here to book massage therapy or manual osteopathy as part of your MVA recovery plan.
This information is based on Alberta’s accident benefit regulations and protocols. If you are in another province or territory, forms and requirements may differ.
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