What to Do After a Car Accident in Canada: Safety, Reporting, and Insurance
Step-by-step priorities after a collision—injuries, police thresholds, photos, exchanging info, when to notify your insurer, and provincial collision centres.
People search “what to do after car accident Canada,” “Ontario collision reporting centre,” “report accident insurance same day.” Rules vary by province; use this as a planning checklist—not legal advice.
First 60 seconds: injuries and scene safety
- Stop safely—hazard lights, cones where appropriate.
- Call 911 when anyone appears hurt, traffic is blocked dangerously, or you suspect impairment.
- Move vehicles off travel lanes only when movement is safe and legally permitted.
Exchange information (even before debating fault)
- Names, phone numbers, licence plates, insurer/policy numbers when available.
- Witness contacts plus dashcam footage preservation.
- Police file numbers when officers attend.
Photos that speed claims later
- Wide shots showing lane positioning.
- Close-ups of damage points plus debris/traffic signals.
- Odometer + VIN plate photos when theft-like damage.
Ontario collision reporting snapshot
Ontario directs drivers above certain combined damage thresholds—or when injuries/deaths occur—to report collisions via designated centres or police within statutory timelines. Threshold dollar figures change—confirm current Ministry of Transportation guidance rather than trusting stale numbers.
Calling your insurer
Policies typically expect prompt notice—even when not at fault—so claims teams can preserve evidence and arrange appraisals. Delay can complicate towing/storage approvals.
Should you admit fault at the scene?
Stick to factual descriptions with police/brokers; fault determination blends statutes, diagrams, statements, and sometimes independent adjusters.