If you are involved in a car accident in Ontario, it’s important to follow certain steps to ensure your safety and to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome with your insurance company
- First and foremost, check for injuries, both yours and of others involved in the accident. Call 911 immediately if there are any injuries or if there is extensive vehicle damage as there is always the risk of fire and further injuries.
- If the vehicles are drivable and there are no serious injuries, move the vehicles to a safe location to avoid blocking traffic and prevent further accidents.
- Exchange information with the other parties involved, including names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle registration details. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
- If you don’t have a dash camera take pictures of the accident scene, including the vehicles, damage, license plates, and any relevant road signs or signals. This documentation can be crucial for insurance claims.
- In Ontario, you are required to report accidents to the police if there are injuries, if the damage appears to be over $2,000, or if it involves government property. If any of these conditions are met, call the police to report the accident. If the police had shown up to the scene its likely they filed the accident report for you, make sure you follow up at the scene before leaving.
- Call a tow truck or any roadside assistance program you may be enrolled in (CAA etc) and have the vehicle brought to a facility that can assess the damage and contact the insurance company on your behalf. At Parts Plug we work with all major insurance companies and would be more than happy to help you through the process.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide them with all the details and information you gathered at the scene. Make sure you follow up with them often, sometimes insurance companies provide poor initial compensation offers, they will do what’s in their best interest, not necessarily yours. We deal with these companies regularly and on behalf of our customers to ensure you get what’s best for you, because we know this is a stressful situation and you deserve to get back on track quickly and as stress free as possible.
Remember that these are general guidelines, and specific circumstances will likely vary. It’s essential to consult with either one of our experts, a legal professional or your insurance company for advice tailored to your unique situation. Additionally, Ontario’s laws and regulations may change, so it’s a good idea to stay informed about the latest requirements.
