Short answer: Make sure everyone is safe and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Report the collision to police if anyone is injured or the damage looks to be over $2,000, exchange information, take photos, see a doctor, tell your insurer within seven days and keep every record. Strict deadlines apply to accident benefits and injury claims.
At the scene
- Stop, turn on your hazard lights and check whether anyone is hurt. Call 911 for injuries, fire or danger.
- If the vehicles can be moved safely and no one is hurt, move them out of traffic.
- Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's licence numbers, plate numbers and insurance details with the other drivers.
- Get the names and contact details of witnesses.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signs and lights, the weather and any visible injuries.
- Do not argue about fault or admit fault. Stick to the facts.
Reporting the collision
In Ontario you must report a collision to police if anyone is injured or killed, or if the total damage appears to be more than $2,000. In Toronto, collisions without injuries are usually reported at a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours rather than by calling police to the scene. If a driver leaves the scene, appears impaired or involves a pedestrian or cyclist, call police right away.
In the days that follow
- See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including concussions and soft tissue injuries, show up later, and early medical records matter.
- Tell your insurer within seven days, or as soon as you can. You report to your own insurer even if another driver caused the collision.
- Complete the accident benefits application (OCF-1) and return it within 30 days of receiving it.
- Keep a file: receipts, time off work, medical appointments, prescriptions, transportation costs and notes on how the injuries affect daily life.
- Be careful what you post on social media and what you sign.
What changed in Ontario auto insurance on July 1, 2026
From July 1, 2026, only medical, rehabilitation and attendant care benefits remain automatic in every Ontario auto policy. Income replacement, non-earner, caregiver, housekeeping, death and funeral and several other benefits became optional coverage that drivers must choose and pay for. Auto insurers now pay first for medical and rehabilitation treatment, ahead of workplace or private health plans.
After a collision, find out what your policy, or the policy of anyone in your household, actually includes. That decides which benefits you can claim.
Two separate claims
Accident benefits come from your own insurer whoever was at fault, under the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule. A lawsuit against the at-fault driver can claim pain and suffering, past and future income loss and other damages, subject to a legal threshold and a deductible for pain and suffering. Each has its own rules and deadlines.
Deadlines that matter
| Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Notify your insurer | Within 7 days, or as soon as practicable |
| Return the accident benefits application | Within 30 days of receiving it |
| Notify the at-fault driver in writing of a claim | Within 120 days of the collision |
| Start a lawsuit for injuries | Generally within 2 years of the collision |
| Dispute a denied accident benefit | Generally within 2 years of the denial |
Missing a deadline does not always end a claim, but it can make it much harder. If you were hurt, get advice early. Read what to do if your accident benefits are denied.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report a car accident to police in Ontario?
Yes, if anyone is injured or killed, or the total damage appears to be over $2,000. In Toronto, non-injury collisions are usually reported at a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.
How long do I have to report a car accident to my insurance in Ontario?
Notify your insurer within seven days, or as soon as you reasonably can.
How long do I have to sue after a car accident in Ontario?
Generally two years from the collision, and you must notify the at-fault driver in writing within 120 days.
Who pays for my treatment after a car accident in Ontario?
Since July 1, 2026, your auto insurer pays first for medical and rehabilitation benefits, ahead of workplace or private health plans.
Is income replacement still covered after a car accident in Ontario?
Only if the policy includes that optional coverage. Since July 1, 2026, income replacement is an optional benefit.
Should I see a doctor if I feel fine after an accident?
Yes. Some injuries appear later, and early medical records support any claim.
Talk to our team
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, see our personal injury lawyer in Toronto page. For personal injury matters, book a free 10-minute case review with the lawyer or call (647) 271-1646; the phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Civitas Law is a team of legal professionals under the leadership of lawyer Nasibeh Mehrpouyan, serving clients in English, French, Farsi, Russian and Serbian.