What to do when you face a car accident in Ontario
October 31, 2023
1. Check Yourself
Are you hurt? Can you move? First make sure that you are oriented to the time and place of what just occurred. Do you have passengers, are they okay? Do you need to call 911 for medical concerns?
2. Stay Calm and Remain at the Scene
Keep your emotions in check - stay calm and breathe, you need to think as clearly as possible in the moment of concern. You don’t want to over escalate the situation and state words in a panic like “it was my fault” or “I didn’t see you”, these typically will point blame - you never want to admit fault. Do not make promises to “cover the cost”, most often insurance will be able to handle the situation. Be cautious not to utter any mentioned statements when authorities arrive also.
3. Call the authorities
One of the biggest mistakes that can happen is having a mutual agreement amongst all parties, independently. I cannot say how many times I’ve seen both drivers coming to a conclusion on their own without having an authority figure present. This might seem like a good idea at the time to quickly resolve the situation however, you are required to report your accident if the collective damages exceed $2,000, which is typical for most accidents. The police officer on site will help collect the necessary data for your police report and serve as the third party if the accident is escalated.
4. Exchange necessary Information
Now that everyone seems okay and the authorities are on their way, instead of waiting you can be proactive - it’s time to exchange information. What information? You should exchange each other’s insurance information, contact information, license plates and driver’s licenses.
5. Take Photos and Record Details
Get as many details that you can capture. Record the location, time, date, speed of your vehicle, weather conditions and road conditions. You should also take photos of the environment, both vehicle conditions including area of impact and any additional internal damages, the positions the vehicles were in and feel free to make a quick sketch for visual interpretation. If there are any eye witnesses, quickly jot down their contact information.
6. Check-in with your Physician
Most often after a motor vehicle accident, you are likely to have minor injuries such as back pain, headaches and most commonly - whiplash. Check-in with your family doctor or physician as soon as possible just to confirm that everyone involved is okay. It is also highly recommended to have everything documented by a medical professional any legal concerns that may arise.
7. Report the accident to your Insurance Company
It is important to report your accident to your insurance company, even if you are not at fault. Claims should be reported within seven days of the occurrence for it to be honoured. Your adjuster will also be able to share any additional information with you if you have any questions about the process.
8. Contact a personal injury Lawyer
Insurance companies do not want to pay out, they are mostly guaranteed to pay less than what you are entitled to. A personal injury lawyer will help guide you through the processes of insurance claims and fight to ensure that you get the fair settlement that you deserve.
End Note: Although no two incidents are exactly the same, these steps will only serve as the template. If you are unable to alert the authorities at the scene, you may visit the nearest collision reporting center within 24 hours to make a report. Additionally, if your vehicle airbag has deployed, your vehicle may be deemed unsafe and would require towing. The most important takeaway is to remain calm and remember that you’ve taken the steps necessary.