What to Do After a Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident can be a nerve-wracking experience. That’s why it’s crucial to know the steps to take afterward. The entire process of dealing with a car crash begins at the accident scene and ensures all passengers and drivers are safe. You may never be involved in a motor vehicle accident, but if you are, here’s what you should do.

Stay Calm

As much as you want to scream, yell, and/or cry, staying calm is the best option for your safety and your health. The moments following a car accident are important for gathering key information about the incident and getting the help you need.

There are many things you should do after an accident to ensure your safety and the safety of passengers or drivers involved in the accident. Remaining calm and focused can help you figure out what needs to be done and will certainly make a stressful situation manageable.

The sheer suddenness of the car accident is likely to incite panic, fear, and other strong emotions. However, it’s important to remember that you can handle the immediate aftermath of an accident better with a clear mind.

Check Yourself, Your Passengers, and Other Party(s)

Ensure you and all passengers involved are not visibly injured or in immediate danger. If you can exit your vehicle, check on the other driver(s) involved in the car accident and let them know you are calling 911 (or the local police) for assistance.

Alert the dispatcher of any injuries requiring immediate medical attention and the extent of vehicle or property damage. Remember, you may be in shock and fail to feel the extent of your own injuries. Therefore, exercise caution when helping others and see a medical professional when the emergency responders get to the accident scene.

In addition, it’s recommended not to move an injured person to avoid worsening their injuries. Instead, use blankets or towels to cover the injured individuals and wait for the police and medical emergency responders to arrive.

If your vehicle is safe to drive and may be causing danger where it is, try to pull it to the side of the road or away from the traffic (while ensuring you remain within the accident scene). Otherwise, leave it and get yourself to safety. Warn the oncoming traffic about the crash using your car’s hazard lights or by setting up a road flare. Never flee a motor vehicle accident scene.

Do not Admit Fault

Canadians have the habit of apologizing, and there’s a chance you will want to offer financial assistance to an injured person. This is particularly true if you think you were at fault for the car collision. However, this isn’t the right decision.

In the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, it’s important to measure words and don’t admit fault. What you say may be later used by the other driver’s insurance company to undermine your personal injury claim.

Similarly, if the other driver appears to be at fault for the auto accident, do not express your anger towards the driver. Emotions may be running high on all sides. Concentrate on the issue at hand and don’t accept any offer of financial assistance from the at-fault party. You may be accepting less financial compensation than you legally deserve.

Call Police/Emergency Services and Follow Their Instructions

It’s a legal requirement to report any motor vehicle accident to the police, particularly if someone is injured or there’s significant property damage. Therefore, call the police immediately and provide details of the accident.

The investigating officer will later create an accident report, which is a crucial piece of evidence for your claim and all legal proceedings that may arise. Thus, you should obtain a copy of the police report and provide it to your insurer when filing a claim. Get the contact information of the police officer involved if you need to provide further information or follow up on the report.

Can you Call the CRC Instead of the Police?

A Collision Reporting Centre (CRC) is simply a police service or facility that helps motorists report motor vehicle accidents. It allows drivers to self-report accidents with the guidance of police officers. This frees up the police for more pressing issues and can help clear traffic congestion quickly.

Not all motor vehicle accidents require the filling of a police collision report at the crash scene. Here are the circumstances where a collision reporting centre may help:

• You were involved in a minor accident with no significant vehicle damage (less than $2,000 in collective damage between the involved vehicles).
• No one at the collision scene requires medical attention
• The vehicles are drivable. If not, call tow truck drivers to take the vehicles to the reporting centre.
• The police advised you to go to the collision reporting centre. Remember, you may need a tow truck driver if your car isn’t drivable.

Note that collision reporting centres will send the collision report to your insurance company automatically. If you don’t intend to make a claim and the damages are below $2,000, ask the centre not to contact your insurer. It’s equally important to check your insurance policy because some auto insurance policies have mandatory reporting of vehicle damage.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

A smartphone can be a great tool to capture the information needed to begin your insurance claim process. Take a photo of the driver’s licence number, auto insurance card (insurance information), and driver’s license plate, and note the make, model, and colour of the vehicle.

Also, take photos of the car accident scene and damage to the involved vehicles. Remember that you MUST exchange information with involved parties and report all collisions where damages exceed $1000.00 as per Ontario law. Here’s the information you should exchange:

• Full name
• Contact information like phone numbers
• Full address
• Licence information (driver’s licence numbers)
• Vehicle details ( such as licence plate number, vehicle identification number, and more)
• Insurance provider and driver’s policy number

It’s recommended to consult a skilled car accident lawyer. The lawyer can offer safety tips that won’t get you in legal trouble. Whether the crash involved a government vehicle, municipal property, or other vehicles, a lawyer can help.

Notify Your Car Insurance Company

Within 7 days, contact your insurance company and provide information about the accident, even if you do not plan on making a claim. Remember, you may be entitled to accident benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Failure to do this can be an excuse for your car insurance provider to deny you the accident benefits you may be entitled to.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer

Seeking legal counsel from a personal injury lawyer can greatly benefit your case and protect your legal rights. The lawyer can provide legal guidance and support throughout the process, from investigating your case and gathering evidence to fighting for fair compensation for you.

An experienced lawyer can help investigate the accident, identify other drivers involved and their insurance companies, and obtain accurate details of the accident. This can help determine fault and pursue a personal injury claim.

With our years of experience handling motor vehicle accidents, you can rest assured knowing that our team will complete all the paperwork and get your claim moving, including any specified benefits you are entitled to. Call us for your no-obligation consultation and discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer.