Ryan Findlay | November 22, 2023 | Car Accidents
FAQs: Car Accident Reports in Ontario
After a car accident, you may feel confused and unsure of what to do. Aside from getting medical attention for any collision-related injuries, it’s critical to report your accident to the authorities.
What Is a Car Accident Report?
A car accident report contains vital information regarding your collision, including:
- Names and contact information of parties involved
- Details about the vehicles, including make and model
- The date, time, and location of the collision
- Summary of the road conditions at the time of the accident
- Description of the collision
- Names and information of the police officers called to the scene
Accident reports are important for both insurance claims and legal processes. They provide useful information to assist you with your claim and could help answer questions about cause and liability.
Do I Have To Report My Car Accident in Ontario?
If you’ve been involved in a collision, you might wonder whether you need to report it, especially if it appears to be a minor accident.
Under Ontario law, there are certain situations in which you must report your accident:
- The total value of the damage between the two vehicles is greater than $2,000
- The accident resulted in injuries or death
- At least one driver does not have insurance
- A criminal act occurred, including driving while impaired
- There was damage to private or municipal property
- The accident involved a pedestrian
- A governmental vehicle was involved
- A vehicle transporting dangerous goods was involved
Even if the law doesn’t require you to report the crash, you should consider calling the police just in case. This will ensure that you’ve fulfilled your legal obligations.
Do I Need To Call the Police After an Auto Accident?
If your accident must be reported because it meets the criteria under Ontario law, call the police. You can contact the authorities to determine if your accident needs a police investigation. When police arrive, they’ll survey the scene, talk to the parties involved, and get information to create their report.
If your accident was minor, you typically don’t need to call law enforcement. Instead, you can take your vehicle to a Collision Reporting Centre. There, an officer can take down information regarding your collision, take photographs, and help you complete a report. From there, you can take your vehicle for repairs.
How Long Do I Have To File My Car Accident Report?
In Ontario, you generally have just 24 hours after your collision to report your accident. If you call the police to the scene of your accident, you don’t have to worry about taking any additional steps; contacting law enforcement is enough to report your crash.
What If Someone Hits Me and Doesn’t Report It?
Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law, and it could result in serious consequences. Even if the other person does not report the accident, you should still do so. If you’re hit by someone and they flee the scene, contact law enforcement.
What Are the Consequences of Failing To Report My Collision?
You may consider not reporting your car or truck accident, especially since accidents can increase insurance costs. Still, it’s never a good idea to refrain from reporting your collision. Failing to report your accident can negatively affect your ability to recover compensation and could even result in your insurance getting canceled.
Failing to report is a bad idea, and leaving the scene of an accident is even worse. If you cause a collision and don’t stick around or report it, you could face serious repercussions, like fines, jail time, and license suspension.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Reporting My Car Accident?
Hiring a lawyer after an auto collision can give you the best chance of obtaining a favorable case result. An Ontario personal injury lawyer can order a copy of your car accident report and use it to fight for your rights to fair compensation.
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