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5 minute read Published on Jun 25, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Getting into a car accident is overwhelming and even a small fender bender can shake your confidence. This guide walks you through what to do, how to stay safe, when to contact the police, which photos to take, what information to exchange, an overview of the claims process and more. You’ll also find a province-by-province reporting checklist you can reference any time. Key takeaways:
Protect your surroundings, then people, then paperwork.
Document the scene of the accident: photos, videos, witnesses and police file number.
Report the accident to your broker or insurance company as soon as possible.
Never admit fault. Only exchange facts.
You just got into a car accident, now what? After any sort of collision, whether major or minor, your knee-jerk reaction might be to panic. The moment you realize you’ve hit another car or they’ve hit you, stop your vehicle and take a deep breath. You then want to:
Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If safe to do so, place cones or triangles to alert other drivers.
If your vehicle is drivable, safely maneuver to the shoulder of the road or a parking lot. Staying in the lane is extremely dangerous and can cause a pileup or block traffic.
If you can’t move your vehicle, stay in your car with the seatbelt on. Keep your hazards on and only exit your vehicle on the non-traffic side if it’s safe to do so.
Look and listen for fuel leaks, smoke or other unusual noises.
Electric vehicle and hybrid owners should keep your distance from damaged batteries or orange high-voltage cables. Inform emergency responders at the scene.
If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
Contact local police when:
You’ve suffered a personal injury or others involved in the accident are injured.
You suspect the other driver is impaired.
Airbags have been deployed and injured you, your passengers or the other driver
There is a hazard blocking the road.
It is a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident.
Let's take a closer look at how you should go about reporting an incident:
Because traffic laws and regulations vary by province, so do reporting rules:
Ontario: In Ontario, property-damage-only car accidents must be reported to a collision reporting centre if the damage is over $5,000 (as of January 1, 2025).
Alberta: Alberta law requires that all collisions where a person is injured or property damage exceeds $5,000 must be reported to the police. This includes collisions with animals and hit-and-runs.
British Columbia: Anyone involved in a car accident must notify police within 24 or 48 hours in a rural area if the estimated damages exceed $1,000.
Quebec: Accidents with major property damage must be reported to police. In a minor accident, all drivers must complete a joint report form (constat amiable) without involving authorities.
To summarize all of the information above, take a look:
Province
Where to report
When
Ontario
Collision reporting centre
Within 24 hours if tow required/no injuries.
Alberta
Local police or Report My Collision
Property damage exceeds $5,000.
Quebec
Police/SAAQ guidance
Mandatory in injury cases or major damage.
British Columbia
Police and ICBC
When injury, criminality, or damage over $1,000 is suspected.
Once you have received medical attention and if you are physically able, gather as much information as possible about the accident. Take pictures of:
The full car accident scene from multiple angles.
All vehicles and license plates.
Close-up photos of the damage.
Skid marks, debris, road conditions, traffic lights.
VIN plates, insurance papers and any visible injuries from all car accident victims.
Record notes of:
Weather conditions and time of day.
Exact location and lane position.
Direction each vehicle was travelling.
Digital essentials:
Save your dash cam footage immediately.
Use a voice memo if your hands are shaky.
Back everything up on the cloud.
Gathering this important information is essential to building a claim with your insurance provider.
Before leaving the scene you’ll want to exchange information with anyone else involved in the accident, including witnesses. Collect from each driver:
Full name
Home address
Phone number
Driver’s license number
License plate number
Other driver’s insurance company
Policy number of the other driver’s insurance
Vehicle make, model, year, VIN
Registered owner (if different)
Do NOT share:
Your social insurance number
Photos of health cards
Your employer information
Anything that sounds like you are admitting fault
Here's what you should know:
You get to choose where your vehicle goes, not the tow truck operator.
Ask for the towing rates and destination in writing before your vehicle is hitched.
Take pictures of your car before it is taken away.
Request an itemized invoice and a copy of any authorization you signed.
Ask your insurance company or broker about preferred repair shops.
For those in Ontario, you can learn more about your towing rights here.
If you are injured following a car accident, it’s important to be checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. Accident benefits can provide medical, rehabilitation and income replacement benefits for personal injuries, regardless of who is at fault in the collision. Keep records of:
All doctor notes
Receipts
Time-off work records
Treatment plans
Important note for drivers licensed in Ontario: effective July 1, 2026, Ontario’s auto insurance reform will take effect, introducing changes to the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS). Visit Brokerlink.ca for more about what this means to Ontario drivers.
The final step in your car accident checklist is to call your insurance provider and report the incident. Most insurance companies give policyholders 7 days from the date of the collision to report it.
Let's take a closer look at what each auto insurance coverage type has to offer:
Coverage
Used when
Notes
Collision
You hit something.
A deductible applies.
DCPD (not required in all provinces)
Not-at-fault damage.
Your insurer repairs your car, not the other driver.
Comprehensive
Theft, vandalism, fire, weather, and wildlife collisions.
Uninsured auto
Hit-and-run or uninsured driver.
Police report needed.
Accident benefits*
Medical, rehabilitation, and income replacement.
Regardless of fault.
Here's what you should do if you ever get into any of the following situations:
Wildlife collision: Stop when it’s safe. Comprehensive applies.
Multi-vehicle crash: Exchange info with all parties involved.
Rental or company vehicle: Follow your employer or rental agency reporting rules.
Hit-and-runs: Contact 911 immediately.
Have you been in an accident? Contact your insurance provider immediately. If you have questions, you may also contact your BrokerLink advisor for information about next steps, how to navigate the claims process, questions about car insurance, and support.
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Call emergency services, seek medical attention, and move to a safe location if possible. Then, document the scene of the accident and report the accident to your provider as soon as possible.
Most insurance providers require that you notify them within 7 to 30 days. But you'll want to check with your insurance company directly to confirm.
Yes, your insurance will cover medical bills after your accident up to your coverage limits.
Oftentimes, injuries like whiplash have delayed symptoms. If you notice an injury a couple of days after the accident, seek medical assistance immediately and inform your insurance company.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
