What to Do After a Car Accident in Ontario: A Step-by-Step Guide
The phone call we dread most at Roughley Insurance is the one that starts with "I've just been in an accident." Not because we mind helping — that is literally what we are here for — but because so many drivers freeze up in the moment and skip steps that end up costing them time, money, and coverage down the road.
After 80 years of guiding Durham Region drivers through the claims process, we have seen the same mistakes come up over and over. Drivers who forget to photograph the scene. Drivers who admit fault out of politeness. Drivers who miss their Accident Benefits deadline by a single day. Every one of those mistakes is preventable if you know the process before you need it.
Here is the step-by-step guide we wish every Ontario driver had in their glovebox.
At the Scene: The First 10 Minutes
The moments right after a collision are chaotic, but what you do (and do not do) in those first minutes shapes everything that follows.
1. Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
Your first priority is safety. Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved. If anyone is injured — even if the injury seems minor — call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger (for example, from fire or oncoming traffic).
2. Move to safety if possible
If your vehicle is drivable and no one is seriously hurt, move it off the road and out of traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. If you are on a highway and your car cannot move, stay inside with your seatbelt on until emergency services arrive. Standing on the shoulder of a busy highway is one of the most dangerous things you can do after a collision.
3. Do NOT admit fault
This is the single most important thing we tell our clients. Do not apologize. Do not say "I didn't see you" or "It was my fault." Even a well-intentioned "I'm sorry" can be used against you later. Ontario's Fault Determination Rules under the Insurance Act use a standardized process with more than 40 diagrammed scenarios to assign fault — your insurer and the other driver's insurer will sort out liability based on the facts. What you say at the scene is not how fault gets determined, but it can complicate your claim.
4. Exchange information
You are legally required to provide your information to the other driver. Collect (and share) the following:
- Full name and contact information
- Driver's licence number
- Vehicle make, model, colour, and year
- Licence plate number
- Insurance company name and policy number
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers as well. Witness statements can be decisive when fault is disputed.
5. Document everything
If you have your phone and it is safe to do so, take photos and video of:
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- Damage to each vehicle (close-up and wide shots)
- The overall accident scene, including road conditions, traffic signs, lane markings, and skid marks
- Weather and lighting conditions
- Any visible injuries
Also write down (or dictate a voice memo with) the time, date, location, your approximate speed, and a quick description of what happened. Fresh details fade fast — even a few hours later, your memory will be less reliable than you think.
When to Call the Police
Not every collision requires a 911 call, but many do. Here is how Ontario's reporting rules work.
You MUST call 911 immediately if:
- Anyone is injured, no matter how minor it seems
- You suspect impaired or dangerous driving
- The other driver flees the scene (hit and run)
- A government or municipal vehicle is involved
- Municipal property is damaged (guardrails, signs, utility poles)
You must report to police within 24 hours if:
- Total damage to all vehicles and property appears to exceed $5,000
- Any of the situations above apply but are not immediately life-threatening
As of January 1, 2025, Ontario raised the property-damage reporting threshold from $2,000 to $5,000. This change, made through an amendment to Ontario Regulation 596 under the Highway Traffic Act, reflects the rising cost of modern vehicle repairs. A cracked bumper cover with sensor damage on a newer car can easily exceed $5,000, so do not assume your collision falls under the threshold just because it looks minor.
What about fender-benders under $5,000?
If nobody is injured and combined damage appears to be under $5,000, you are not legally required to file a police report. However — and this is important — your insurance policy almost certainly requires you to report all accidents to your insurer, regardless of the dollar amount. Failing to report an accident to your insurance company can give them grounds to deny a future claim related to that collision.
Collision Reporting Centres
If police do not attend the scene, they will usually direct you to your nearest Collision Reporting Centre (CRC). These are facilities operated by police services across Ontario where you can file an official collision report, have your vehicle damage photographed, and get a copy of the report for your insurance claim.
Key things to know about CRCs:
- Report within 24 hours of the collision
- You must visit the CRC in the jurisdiction where the collision occurred, not the one closest to your home
- Bring your driver's licence, vehicle registration, and insurance information
- There are more than 30 CRCs across Ontario — find your nearest location at accsupport.com/locations
Failing to report a reportable accident is an offence under section 199 of the Highway Traffic Act. The penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 and three demerit points on your licence.
After the Scene: Filing Your Claim
Once everyone is safe and the scene is documented, it is time to start the insurance process. The sooner you act, the smoother this goes.
Call your broker first
This is where having a broker — not just a 1-800 number — makes a real difference. When you call Roughley Insurance, our claims team walks you through the process, contacts the insurer on your behalf, and advocates for you throughout the claim. We know which adjusters to talk to, what documentation they need, and how to push back if a decision does not seem right.
The 7-day and 30-day Accident Benefits deadlines
If anyone in your vehicle was injured, Ontario's Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) provides coverage for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement — regardless of who was at fault. But there are strict deadlines:
- Within 7 days: Notify your own insurance company about the accident. This starts the Accident Benefits process.
- Within 30 days: Once your insurer sends you the Application for Accident Benefits form (OCF-1), you have 30 days to complete and return it.
Missing the 30-day deadline does not automatically disqualify you, but you will need to provide a reasonable explanation for the delay — and "I didn't know about the deadline" is rarely accepted. Hospitalization or severe injury may be valid reasons; procrastination is not.
What Accident Benefits cover
Your standard Ontario auto insurance policy includes Accident Benefits that cover:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses: Physiotherapy, chiropractic, counselling, prescriptions, and other treatments not covered by OHIP or your group health plan — up to $65,000 for non-catastrophic injuries and up to $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries
- Income replacement: 70% of your gross income, up to $400 per week (you can purchase optional coverage to increase this to $1,000 per week)
- Attendant care: For those who need help with daily living activities due to their injuries
- Other benefits: Housekeeping, caregiving, and funeral/death benefits
These are first-party benefits — they come from your own policy, not the at-fault driver's insurer. That is one of the features of Ontario's no-fault insurance system that catches people off guard.
Know Your Rights with Tow Trucks
Ontario has a long history of problems with predatory towing — aggressive operators racing to accident scenes, overcharging for tows, and steering drivers to specific body shops. The province passed the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act (TSSEA), which took effect January 1, 2024, to crack down on these practices.
Here is what tow operators are now required to do:
- Hold a valid MTO certificate — both the driver and the towing company must be certified
- Get your consent before hooking up and towing your vehicle
- Provide a written estimate before performing any service
- Accept multiple forms of payment — they cannot insist on cash only
- Charge only their filed rates — operators must register their maximum rates with the Ministry of Transportation and cannot exceed them
- Not charge for travel distance under 10 km to reach your vehicle
On designated highway tow zones (portions of highways 400, 401, 409, 427, and the QEW), only authorized operators and CAA can provide towing service. If an unlicensed tow operator shows up at your accident scene, you have every right to refuse their service.
Our advice: if you have CAA or roadside assistance through your auto policy, use it. And if you do not have roadside assistance, talk to us about adding it — it is one of the most affordable add-ons and saves enormous headaches in exactly this situation.
Your Post-Accident Checklist
Print this out and keep it in your glovebox:
- Check for injuries — call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Move to safety and turn on hazard lights
- Do NOT admit fault or apologize
- Exchange driver's licence, insurance, and vehicle information
- Photograph everything: damage, scene, road conditions, licence plates
- Write down time, location, speed, and what happened
- Get witness names and phone numbers
- If damage exceeds $5,000 or anyone is injured, report to police or a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours
- Call your broker — Roughley Insurance at (905) 576-7770
- Notify your insurer within 7 days for Accident Benefits
- Complete and return the OCF-1 form within 30 days
The Bottom Line
Nobody expects to be in an accident, but the drivers who handle it best are the ones who knew the process before they needed it. Document everything, keep your mouth shut about fault, meet every deadline, and let your broker go to bat for you.
If you have questions about your auto coverage — or you want to make sure your Accident Benefits limits are where they should be — get in touch with us. We have been helping Durham Region drivers navigate this stuff since 1945, and we are always happy to do a quick policy review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call the police after a car accident in Ontario?
You must call 911 immediately if anyone is injured, you suspect impaired driving, a government vehicle is involved, or the other driver flees the scene. For property-damage-only collisions, you must report to police or a Collision Reporting Centre if total damage exceeds $5,000. Even below that threshold, you should still report the accident to your insurance company.
What is the collision reporting threshold in Ontario?
As of January 1, 2025, the threshold increased from $2,000 to $5,000. If total damage to all vehicles and property exceeds $5,000 — or anyone is injured — you must report within 24 hours. The increase reflects the rising cost of vehicle repairs due to advanced technology and materials in modern cars.
How long do I have to apply for Accident Benefits in Ontario?
You must notify your insurer within 7 days of the accident. Once your insurer provides the OCF-1 application form, you have 30 days to complete and return it. Missing these deadlines can result in delayed or denied benefits.
Should I admit fault at the scene of an accident?
Never. Ontario uses a formal Fault Determination Rules process that assigns fault based on the facts of the collision, not on what drivers say at the scene. Admitting fault — or even apologizing — can complicate your claim. Let the insurers investigate and determine liability.
What are my rights with tow trucks in Ontario?
Under the Towing and Storage Safety and Enforcement Act, tow operators must hold a valid MTO certificate, get your written consent before towing, provide an estimate, and accept multiple payment methods. They cannot charge more than their filed rates, and they cannot charge for travel distance under 10 km. On designated highway tow zones, only authorized operators can provide service.