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Being involved in a car crash can be stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and follow the correct steps to protect everyone’s safety and your legal rights. In Canada, drivers are legally required to stop and remain at the scene of an accident, See the official rule.
First and foremost, make sure you and others are safe, check for injuries, and call 911 if anyone needs immediate medical help. Once you’ve secured the scene, follow these key steps:
1. Stay at the Scene
Even if the collision seems minor, do not leave the accident site. Under Canadian law (such as the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario and similar legislation across provinces), every driver involved must:
- stay at the scene,
- help anyone who is injured, and
- cooperate with emergency responders.
Turn on your hazard lights and, if it’s safe, move vehicles to the shoulder or a secure location. Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 immediately if someone is hurt.
Providing basic assistance such as first aid until emergency help arrives is part of your legal responsibility. Remaining at the scene also protects you from potential criminal charges such as “fail to remain.”
2. Exchange Contact and Insurance Information
Next, exchange essential details with the other driver(s). This step is legally required and vital for insurance or future claims. Share and record:
- full names and phone numbers,
- driver’s licence numbers,
- insurance company names and policy numbers,
- vehicle licence plate numbers and make/model/year.
If the police do not attend and no one is seriously injured, some provinces require you to report the incident at a collision reporting centre within 24 hours. Avoid accepting cash or agreeing not to report the accident—it can invalidate insurance coverage later.
3. Report the Accident to Police
Call the police unless the crash is extremely minor and no injuries occurred. In many Canadian jurisdictions, collisions involving injury, death, or significant property damage must be reported.
For reference, see the official collision reporting guidelines.
If police arrive, explain the situation calmly and stick to the facts. Avoid admitting fault. Make sure to record:
- the officer’s name,
- badge number, and
- the accident report (file) number.
If police do not come, report the incident at your local collision centre as required. Always request a copy of the collision report, as insurers and lawyers may need it later.
4. Document the Scene with Photos
Use your phone or camera to thoroughly photograph the scene before vehicles are moved (if safe to do so). Capture:
- vehicle positions,
- damage on all cars,
- skid marks, debris, or road hazards,
- traffic lights, signs, and intersections,
- weather and road conditions.
Take close-ups and wide shots. Ensure photos are timestamped (most smartphones do this automatically). This visual evidence is extremely useful for insurance claims and legal investigations.
5. Talk to Witnesses
If anyone witnessed the crash, politely ask for their:
- name,
- phone number, and
- a brief summary of what they saw.
Keep their statements separate from your own recollection. Witness accounts can help clarify who had the right-of-way or whether someone ran a stop sign. Police and insurers often follow up with witnesses later, so collecting this information early is important.
6. Preserve Dashcam Footage (and Consult a Brain Injury Lawyer)
If your vehicle has a dashcam, secure the footage immediately. Dashcam videos are powerful, objective evidence used by insurers and accepted in legal investigations. Back up or save the recording covering the moments before, during, and after the collision.
Canadian courts and insurers accept clear, unaltered dashcam video as valid evidence. This is why preserving the footage without editing or overwriting it is critical.
Here is an official resource on legal obligations related to collisions that supports the importance of evidence.
If anyone suffered a head injury or concussion, you should share the footage with your lawyer. These cases often require specialized legal advice.
This helps your attorney determine fault, demonstrate negligence, and guide your next steps.
Final Step: File Your Insurance Claim
Submit your insurance claim as soon as possible. Provide:
- the police report number,
- witness contacts,
- photos, and
- dashcam footage.
The more detailed your documentation, the easier it will be for your insurer to assess your claim and ensure proper compensation.
By following these steps, accident victims and general drivers in Canada can protect their safety, preserve their rights, and strengthen any insurance or legal claim that may follow.