What To Do After A Car Accident In Ontario (2026 Guide)
Updated: Sep 30
A car accident can leave you overwhelmed, shaken, and unsure what to do next.
In the moments after a collision, many people are worried about injuries, vehicle damage, insurance companies, lost income, and whether they need a lawyer.
If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Ontario, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly impact your health, insurance claim, and potential legal case.
At DR Injury & Disability Law, we help injured people across Ontario navigate accident benefits claims, insurance disputes, and personal injury cases with no upfront legal fees.
Last reviewed and updated on September 2, 2026 by Daniel Rabinovitch, an Ontario lawyer whose practice focuses exclusively on personal injury and disability claims.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Ontario
Immediately after a car accident in Ontario, check for injuries and call 911 when emergency assistance is required. If it is safe, move out of active traffic, exchange driver and insurance information, photograph the scene, obtain witness information, and preserve any available video. Report the collision to the police when someone is injured or the combined property damage appears to exceed $5,000. Seek medical attention and notify your automobile insurer within seven days, or as soon as possible afterward if you are unable to meet that deadline.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911 if Necessary
Your health and safety come first.
If anyone is injured, unconscious, trapped, or experiencing significant pain, call 911 immediately.
Step 2: Move to a Safe Area if Possible
If the accident is minor and the vehicles can be safely moved, Ontario law generally requires drivers to move vehicles out of active traffic lanes to prevent further collisions.
Turn on hazard lights and remain cautious of surrounding traffic.
Step 3: Exchange Information
Obtain:
Full names;
Driver’s licence information;
Insurance details;
Licence plate numbers;
Vehicle ownership information; and
Contact information for witnesses.
Remain calm and avoid arguing about fault at the scene. Be courteous, but do not speculate about how the collision occurred or make admissions concerning responsibility. Ontario’s Apology Act generally provides that an apology does not, by itself, constitute an admission of fault or liability.
Step 4: Take Photos and Preserve Evidence
One of the biggest mistakes people make after a car accident is failing to document the scene.
Take photographs of:
Vehicle damage;
The roadway;
Weather conditions;
Traffic signs/signals;
Skid marks;
Debris;
Visible injuries; and
The surrounding area.
If there are witnesses, try to obtain their contact information before they leave.
Preserve any dashcam footage you may have captured.
Note whether any other vehicles involved were equipped with a dashcam.
Take a look to see if there were any nearby businesses or homes that may have captured the accident on their security cameras.
Strong evidence can make a significant difference in both accident benefits and tort claims.
Step 5: Report the Collision When Required
In Ontario, a collision must be reported to the police if anyone is injured or if the total apparent damage to the vehicles or other property exceeds $5,000. The $5,000 threshold concerns the combined apparent damage—not the damage to each vehicle individually.
Call 911 when emergency assistance is required or if you suspect impaired driving or another criminal offence. In other circumstances, the police may direct you to attend a Collision Reporting Centre.
Even if the collision does not meet the reporting threshold, drivers are still required to exchange identifying and insurance information. If a police or Collision Reporting Centre report is prepared, obtain the report or occurrence number and preserve it with your other accident records.
Step 6: Seek Medical Attention and Document Your Symptoms
If paramedics attend the collision scene, describe all of your injuries and symptoms accurately. If an injury requires immediate assessment or investigation, attend a hospital or other appropriate medical facility.
Some symptoms may become more noticeable in the hours or days following a collision. If symptoms develop or worsen, seek appropriate medical attention and explain when and how they began.
Follow up with your family doctor or another appropriate healthcare provider. They can assess your symptoms, coordinate treatment, make referrals, prescribe medication when appropriate, and monitor your recovery.
Keep track of your medical appointments, treatment recommendations, medications, receipts, and accident-related expenses. Accurate, contemporaneous records can assist your healthcare providers and may also become important evidence in an insurance or legal claim.
Step 7: Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Ontario drivers should notify their automobile insurer within seven days of the collision. If injuries or incapacity prevent you from doing so, notice should be provided as soon as possible afterward.
If you were injured, advise the insurer that you intend to apply for statutory accident benefits and request the application package. A completed and signed Application for Accident Benefits (OCF-1) should generally be submitted within 30 days after you receive the application forms.
When speaking with insurance companies:
Stick to basic facts;
Avoid speculation;
Do not exaggerate or minimize injuries; and
Avoid providing recorded statements without understanding your rights.
Insurance companies may begin investigating your claim immediately after the accident.
You may also be entitled to accident benefits in Ontario regardless of who caused the collision.
Step 8: Understand the Claims That May Be Available
An injured person may have an accident benefits claim, a tort claim against an at-fault party, or both.
Accident benefits may be available through an applicable automobile insurer regardless of who caused the collision. As of July 1, 2026, medical, rehabilitation and attendant-care benefits remain mandatory in Ontario, while other accident benefits may depend on the coverage selected under the applicable policy and the claimant’s circumstances.
If another person caused or contributed to the collision, the injured person may also have a tort claim for damages such as pain and suffering, income loss, healthcare expenses and other proven losses, subject to Ontario’s statutory rules.
These claims are separate but interconnected, with different insurers, evidence, procedures and deadlines. Learn more about the difference between accident benefits and tort claims in Ontario.
Important Deadlines After an Ontario Car Accident
Do not assume that you have two years to take every required step. In addition to the insurance deadlines discussed above, a person intending to bring a tort claim arising from a motor vehicle accident should generally provide written notice of that intention within 120 days. Court proceedings are commonly subject to a two-year basic limitation period running from the date the claim was discovered, but exceptions and other notice requirements may apply.
Missing a notice deadline does not always end a claim, but it can affect your rights and create avoidable disputes. Obtain legal advice promptly rather than waiting until a deadline approaches.
For a more detailed explanation, read our guide to personal injury deadlines in Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions After an Ontario Car Accident
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Ontario?
Not every collision requires a lawyer. Legal advice may be particularly important when someone has been injured, fault is disputed, an insurer denies or limits benefits, the collision causes income loss or continuing treatment needs, or an insurer asks the injured person to sign a release or accept a final settlement.
Can I Make a Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes. Being partly responsible does not necessarily prevent an injured person from making a claim. Accident benefits may be available regardless of fault, subject to the applicable policy and statutory rules. Compensation in a tort claim may be reduced to reflect the injured person’s degree of responsibility for the collision.
Can an Injured Passenger Make a Claim?
Yes. An injured passenger may have access to accident benefits and may also have a tort claim against one or more responsible drivers. This can apply even when the passenger was travelling with a spouse, relative, or friend. The appropriate insurer and responsible parties depend on the circumstances.
What If the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Left the Scene?
An injured person may have options through uninsured or unidentified motorist coverage under an applicable automobile policy. If no insurance is available, the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund may provide compensation in certain circumstances as a payer of last resort. Notice and evidence requirements may apply, so legal advice should be obtained promptly.
How Much Is an Ontario Car Accident Claim Worth?
There is no standard or average settlement that applies to every claim. Value depends on factors such as the nature and duration of the injuries, their effect on daily activities and employment, treatment needs, income loss, available insurance coverage, liability, and the supporting evidence. An early estimate may be unreliable before the person’s recovery and losses are sufficiently understood.
Official Ontario Sources and Further Information
This article provides general information about Ontario law and automobile insurance. It is not legal advice and does not address every exception. Available claims, insurance coverage, notice requirements and limitation periods depend on the specific facts, parties and policies involved.
How DR Injury & Disability Law Can Help After an Ontario Car Accident
DR Injury & Disability Law represents people injured in motor vehicle accidents throughout Ontario. We can help you understand the claims and insurance coverage that may be available, protect important deadlines, and gather the evidence needed to support your case.
Depending on your circumstances, our firm can:
Identify the insurers and claims that may apply;
Assist with accident benefits applications and insurance forms;
Gather medical, employment and income-loss evidence;
Investigate liability and preserve relevant evidence;
Address denied benefits and other insurance disputes;
Communicate and negotiate with insurers on your behalf; and
Commence legal proceedings when necessary.
We offer free consultations and accept eligible cases on a contingency-fee basis. This generally means that legal fees are payable only if compensation is recovered, subject to the terms of the retainer agreement.
Why Clients Choose DR Injury & Disability Law
Choosing a lawyer after a serious collision is an important and personal decision. Our firm offers:
A legal practice focused exclusively on personal injury and disability claims;
Ontario-wide service by telephone, video conference and in-person appointments;
Clear communication about the legal process, important decisions and next steps; and
A strategy tailored to the client’s injuries, circumstances and goals.
Speak With an Ontario Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident and have questions about insurance benefits, fault, evidence or important deadlines, contact DR Injury & Disability Law for a free consultation. We can review what happened, explain the claims that may be available and help you understand your next steps.
We represent injured people throughout Ontario. Call (416) 668-3944 or contact us online to arrange a consultation.
