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Take the Quiz: Do You Know How to Report a Car Accident in Ontario?
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Unfortunately, good drivers aren’t immune to car accidents. Collisions can happen to the best of drivers, most often when they least expect it.
Whether due to slippery road conditions, a wild animal darting out in front of you, mistakes made by an inexperienced driver, or a run-in with an impaired motorist, there are many unforeseen risks on the roads. Thankfully, your car insurance can help cover the unanticipated costs of an accident. But first, you’ll need to report it.
Test your knowledge to see how well you know when to report a car accident and to whom in Ontario by taking our interactive quiz:
What to do if you have been in a car accident
If you have been in an accident, follow these next steps:
- Don’t leave the scene and pull over as soon as it is safe.
- Check to make sure no one is hurt. Call 9-1-1 if someone is injured and don’t move anyone who has been hurt.
- When it is safe to do so, move your car off the roadway and out of traffic. If you can’t, turn on your hazard lights or set up flares.
- Call the police if the damages to both vehicles total more than $2,000.
- If it is safe to do so, document the damage with photographs and video if possible, and exchange information with the other driver(s).
- Call your car insurance provider and file a claim.
Visit a collision reporting centre within 24 hours of the accident if directed to by the police or to self-report a minor collision. From there, you can work with your adjuster and your car insurance provider to navigate the claims process.
Hayley Osmond, Freelance writer
Hayley Osmond is an editor and writer in the personal finance space, where she uses her eight years of media and marketing experience to bring content to life. She specializes in money products, including mortgages, home and auto insurance, and credit cards. Hayley holds a Broadcast Journalism diploma from Sheridan College and was awarded the Shaw Media Journalism and Media Award for graduating at the top of her class. Her work has appeared in Global News and diverse digital corporate training materials behind the scenes.
Hayley is passionate about making complex subjects, such as home buying and financial literacy, concise and intriguing. Her work has garnered media coverage from The Globe and Mail, blogTO, Yahoo! News, and CityNews 680 and has been syndicated across other publications.
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