Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers | October 8, 2025 | Car Accidents \ Personal Injury

The moments following a car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. Despite the shock, the decisions you make in those first few minutes and hours can impact your health, safety, and legal rights.

Proper actions taken immediately after an accident can make a tremendous difference, but simple mistakes can complicate recovery, both physical and financial. These are the steps to take immediately after a car accident in Ontario to protect yourself and preserve your legal options.

Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize safety first by moving to a safe location and checking for injuries.
  • Exchange complete information with all parties involved and document the scene thoroughly with photos.
  • Report accidents resulting in injuries or damage over $2,000 to the police or a Collision Reporting Centre.
  • Seek medical attention even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
  • Consult with a car accident lawyer before providing statements to insurance companies.

Table of Contents

Ensure Safety at the Accident Scene

Your immediate priority following a collision should be ensuring safety for yourself and others.

First, check yourself and passengers for injuries before attempting to move. Turn on hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers. If it’s safe to do so, move vehicles to the shoulder or off the road to prevent additional collisions.

Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured or if there appears to be significant damage. Even in minor collisions, having police documentation can be valuable for insurance claims.

Remain at the scene until proper information has been exchanged and any required official reports are completed. Leaving the scene of an accident can result in serious legal consequences, including potential criminal charges.

If you’re seriously injured, try to remain still and wait for emergency personnel. If you’re able to move safely, check on others involved in the accident, but avoid moving injured people unless there’s immediate danger, such as fire or risk from oncoming traffic.

Exchange Information and Document Evidence

Comprehensive documentation of the accident scene and thorough information exchange are required for insurance claims and potential legal action.

From all drivers involved, collect:

  • Full names, addresses, and phone numbers
  • Driver’s license numbers
  • Insurance company names, policy numbers, and contact information
  • Vehicle make, model, year, and license plate number

Using your phone, take photos showing all vehicles involved from multiple angles, capturing both close-up images of damage and wider shots showing the entire scene. Photograph road conditions, traffic signs, and weather conditions.

Gather contact information from any witnesses, as their accounts can be invaluable if there are disputes about how the accident occurred. Also, note the badge numbers of responding police officers.

Write down your recollection of how the accident occurred while it’s still fresh in your mind. These details will prove valuable when filing your car accident injury claim and speaking with your insurance company.

Report the Accident

In Ontario, reporting requirements are specific and mandatory in certain situations. You must report an accident to the police if anyone is injured, the combined damage appears to exceed $2,000, any driver seems impaired, the collision involves a government vehicle, or an uninsured driver is involved.

If police don’t attend the scene but a report is required, you must visit a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. Bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance information, and details about other drivers involved.

You must also notify your insurance company, typically within seven days. Provide them with basic facts about the accident, but avoid discussions of fault or detailed statements until you’ve consulted with a car accident lawyer.

Seek Medical Attention

After a collision, adrenaline can mask pain and injury symptoms, making it possible to feel relatively fine despite having serious injuries. Many conditions, including whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries, may not present symptoms immediately but can worsen without proper treatment.

Visit a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible after an accident, even if you believe you’re uninjured. This medical visit serves two important purposes:

  1. It ensures any hidden injuries are identified and treated promptly.
  2. It creates official documentation connecting your injuries to the accident.

Follow all medical advice and attend recommended follow-up appointments. Keep detailed records of all medical visits, diagnoses, treatment recommendations, and expenses. Document how your injuries affect your daily activities and ability to work. This medical documentation will be important if you need to file a car accident injury claim or negotiate with insurance companies for appropriate compensation.

Should I Call a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Many accident victims wonder, “Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?” While minor accidents with no injuries may not require legal representation, consulting with a lawyer is advisable in many situations.

Consider contacting a lawyer if:

  • You’ve suffered injuries requiring medical treatment
  • You’ve missed work or anticipate missing work due to injuries
  • The insurance company disputes liability or seems to be delaying your claim
  • You’ve been offered a settlement that seems inadequate
  • The accident involved multiple parties or complex circumstances
  • There are disagreements about how the accident occurred
  • You’re experiencing chronic pain from the accident

Early legal consultation offers several advantages. Car accident claim lawyers can protect you from making statements that might harm your claim, guide you on proper documentation and evidence preservation, and help you understand your rights and potential compensation. They can also handle communications with insurance companies and evaluate settlement offers to ensure they fairly address your needs.

Findlay Law offers a 100% free consultation. If we agree to open your case, there is $0 fee upfront, so you can get clear legal advice and decide your next steps without any financial pressure.

Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

Admitting Fault

After a collision, many people instinctively apologize even when they aren’t responsible. However, avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Determining liability in an accident often involves factors you may not be aware of at the scene, such as vehicle mechanical failures, road design issues, or the actions of other drivers.

Even partial fault can affect your car accident legal case in Ontario’s contributory negligence system. Let investigators and insurance adjusters determine liability based on all available evidence rather than making assumptions at the scene.

Declining Medical Treatment

Refusing medical care at the scene or failing to see a doctor promptly afterward can seriously compromise both your health and your legal claim. Insurance companies often argue that delays in seeking treatment indicate either that injuries weren’t caused by the accident or weren’t serious.

Even if you believe your injuries are minor, get a professional medical evaluation. Some serious conditions, particularly head and spinal injuries, may initially present with subtle symptoms but can worsen without proper treatment.

Giving Recorded Statements Without Counsel

Insurance adjusters often request recorded statements shortly after an accident when you may still be recovering and unaware of your legal rights. Although these requests may seem routine, statements given without legal counsel can later be used to minimize your injuries, question accident circumstances, or reduce your potential car accident settlement.

Politely defer giving detailed statements until you’ve consulted with a lawyer for car accident advice. Your lawyer can prepare you for insurance interviews and may attend these sessions with you to protect your interests.

Accepting Early Settlement Offers

Insurance companies frequently make quick settlement offers, hoping to resolve claims before the full extent of injuries becomes apparent. These early offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim and typically don’t account for ongoing medical treatment needs, future rehabilitation costs, long-term disability, or potential lost income.

Once you accept a car accident settlement, you typically waive your right to seek additional compensation, even if your condition worsens. A Burlington car accident lawyer can help evaluate whether an offer adequately compensates you for both current and future losses related to the accident.

Posting About the Accident on Social Media

Social media posts can seriously undermine your car accident injury claim. Insurance companies routinely monitor claimants’ social media accounts for evidence that contradicts their injury claims.

Avoid posting photos or videos of yourself engaged in physical activities, details about the accident or your injuries, check-ins at locations that suggest you’re not injured, or statements about your recovery or medical treatment. Remember that even seemingly innocent posts can be taken out of context to challenge your credibility.

How to Find a Lawyer for Car Accidents

Finding the right legal representation can significantly impact your car accident settlement. When searching for a lawyer near me for car accident cases, consider these approaches:

  • Ask for recommendations from family, friends, or colleagues who have had positive experiences with car accident claim lawyers.
  • Research lawyers’ websites to find those who specialize in car accident cases specifically, not just general personal injury.
  • Consult your provincial Law Society for referrals to qualified practitioners.

Most importantly, look for a lawyer who makes you feel comfortable, communicates clearly, and demonstrates genuine concern for your well-being and recovery.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Ontario, contact Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation. Our experienced team can evaluate your situation, explain your legal options, and help you secure the compensation you deserve for your car accident injury claim.

FAQs About What to Do After a Car Accident

How Long Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in Ontario?

In Ontario, you must report an accident to the police within 24 hours if it involves injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,000. You must notify your insurance company as soon as possible, typically within 7 days.

For pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, Ontario’s Limitations Act generally provides a two-year window from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances may affect this timeline, so consulting with a lawyer promptly is advisable.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

For minor accidents with no injuries and clear liability, you may be able to handle the claim directly with insurance companies. However, for accidents involving injuries, significant damages, or disputed liability, having legal representation is worthwhile.

Accident victims who retain car accident claim lawyers typically receive higher settlements than those who don’t, even after legal fees are deducted. Lawyers understand how to value claims properly, gather compelling evidence, negotiate effectively with insurers, and pursue all available compensation sources.

A lawyer also relieves you of the stress of dealing with insurers during your recovery and ensures your rights are protected throughout the claims process.

Can I Still Make a Claim If I Was Partially At Fault?

Yes, Ontario follows a “contributory negligence” system, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you’re found to be 25% at fault, you would receive $75,000. An experienced car accident lawyer can help minimize your assigned percentage of fault through proper investigation and evidence presentation.

How Does Ontario No-Fault Insurance Work?

Ontario’s “no-fault” insurance system doesn’t mean no one is at fault in an accident. Rather, it means you deal with your own insurance company for certain benefits regardless of who caused the accident.

Under this system, you’re entitled to Statutory Accident Benefits (SABS) from your insurer, which may include:

  • Medical and rehabilitation expenses
  • Income replacement benefits
  • Attendant care
  • Non-earner benefits
  • Other specified benefits

For serious injuries, you may also be able to pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver for damages not covered by SABS, including compensation for pain and suffering, excess medical and rehabilitation costs, and family members’ claims. This is particularly important for cases involving long-term conditions, as a chronic pain car accident settlement in Ontario can provide substantial compensation beyond basic benefits when properly pursued with legal assistance.