Personal injury · 9 min read · Published September 2026
What to do after a car collision in Ontario
A practical sequence for safety, reporting, evidence, insurance notice, treatment, expenses, and legal deadlines after a collision.
Short answer
After an Ontario car collision, deal with immediate safety and medical needs, call 911 where required, exchange and preserve information, follow the applicable police or collision-reporting-centre instructions, and notify your automobile insurer promptly. Keep the evidence and forms even if injuries initially seem minor, because symptoms, benefit claims, property damage, and deadlines can develop later.
What should happen at the scene?
Move to safety when it is lawful and possible, avoid further risk, and request emergency help for injuries or dangerous conditions. Do not argue about fault or guess about injuries; provide accurate identifying and insurance information and follow police directions.
- Record the location, time, weather, road conditions, and direction of travel
- Exchange driver, owner, vehicle, plate, insurer, and policy information
- Photograph vehicle positions, damage, the roadway, signs, and visible injuries where safe
- Collect witness contact information and the police or occurrence number
When should the insurer be notified?
Ontario’s standard automobile policy requires prompt notice and generally says a claim should be reported within seven days, or as soon as possible after that if the insured cannot comply. Contact the insurer even when another driver may be at fault and ask which property-damage and accident-benefit forms and deadlines apply.
- Keep the claim number and adjuster contact details
- Ask for required forms and instructions in writing
- Save towing, storage, rental, repair, medication, travel, and care receipts
- Review any statement, authorization, repair direction, or release before signing
What if pain or disability appears later?
Seek appropriate medical assessment and describe symptoms accurately. Keep a dated record of treatment, work restrictions, daily limitations, and expenses; do not exaggerate or minimize the effect of the collision.
- Tell providers the collision date and how symptoms developed
- Keep employment, benefit, and missed-work records
- Preserve damaged property and digital evidence where practical
- Ask promptly about accident benefits, tort claims, notice requirements, and limitation periods
Common questions
Should I report a collision if the damage looks minor?
Reporting duties depend on injuries, damage, the vehicles and property involved, and current police instructions. Check the applicable local and provincial reporting rules rather than estimating only from visible damage.
Do accident benefits depend on who caused the collision?
Ontario automobile policies provide statutory accident-benefit coverage for eligible injured people regardless of fault, subject to the policy, legislation, elections, and claim requirements.
Should I speak with the other insurer or sign a release?
You may need to communicate with insurers, but understand who the adjuster represents and what a statement, authorization, settlement, or release covers before agreeing. Obtain advice when injuries or disputed losses are involved.
Official sources to check
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