What to do in a Traffic Accident
It’s almost inevitable that after living in Waterloo Region for a while you, or someone you know will be involved in a traffic accident. Let’s talk about what to do if you are involved in a traffic accident in Waterloo Region.
Should I call the Police?
Yes, you should call 911. Here’s why:
If someone is injured, they can dispatch an ambulance.
They can ask you some questions to determine if an immediate police response is required such as:
the accident has caused damage to buildings, poles, hydro wires or any public or private property, or
is there reason to think that the other driver might be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
It’s not your job to decide if the accident is “serious enough” to call the police. Call them and tell them what happened. They’ll tell you what to do next.
Do I need to give the other driver my insurance information?
Your insurance company will want to know the details of the accident. Time, date, place, road conditions, and the license plate number and insurance information of the other driver.
Take photos of the damage to both cars with your phone. Take a photo of their license plate. Get their name and phone number.
All insurance companies in Ontario issue a pink insurance card. Take a photo of the other drivers insurance card with your phone so you have all of the details. The other driver will also want to take a picture of yours.
Can we avoid reporting this to the insurance company? I don’t want my premiums to go up.
Ontario law requires all collisions where persons are injured, or where property damage exceeds $2,000 among all vehicles involved, to be reported to the police. That information is shared with the insurance companies.
Even if you don’t file a claim, insurance companies may still use this information in determining your insurance rates.
Notify your insurance company as soon as possible about the accident.
What if nobody was hurt? What if the damage seems minor?
If the only property that was damaged was the vehicles, then report the collision at a Collision Reporting Centre
Remember, Ontario law requires all collisions where persons are injured, or where property damage exceeds $2,000 among all vehicles involved, to be reported to the police.
It doesn’t take much damage to incur repair bills of $2,000 on the two cars involved. Don’t assume that “it’s just a scratch.” The sensors in the bumpers in your car are very sensitive and expensive to replace. Even a “scratch on the bumper” may have caused thousands of dollars of damage to the electronics. Notify your insurance company and report it.
What should I do if the other driver is not co-operating?
If the other driver refuses to give you any information (or if they can’t due to a language barrier), just note the license plate number and notify your insurance company.
If they try to talk you out of reporting it, or offers you cash on the spot to settle, say no. It’s important that you follow the proper legal procedures in reporting accidents.
Don’t make deals at the scene of an accident. Don’t talk about whose fault it was.
No matter what, don’t accept cash from the other driver or start negotiating or arguing who’s fault the accident was. If you feel threatened, call the police. Stay calm and cool. Get the information you need to report this to your insurance company and report the collision to the police.
