Ontario legal information · Sources appear with each important rule
Deal with injuries and immediate danger first
Call 911 for injuries or an emergency. If a vehicle is not driveable, Ottawa Police directs drivers to call its non-emergency number so the next step can be assessed. For a non-injury collision with driveable vehicles, exchange information and attend a Collision Reporting Centre.1
Do not take risks to photograph a live traffic lane. Move to safety when possible and follow emergency instructions.
Collect facts without trying to argue the case at the roadside
Preserve what you can
- Driver, owner, vehicle and insurance information
- Witness names and contact details
- Wide and close photographs of the vehicles and location
- The police or collision-reporting information
- A short note about weather, traffic controls and what was said
Later, keep copies of repair information, insurer correspondence, medical visits, missed work and expenses.
Report the claim and read the forms before they are sent
Ontario’s standard automobile policy requires notice of a claim and sets out duties after an accident.2 Accident benefits are governed by the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule and may respond regardless of fault.3
The OCF-1 begins an accident-benefits application. Other forms may address disability, employment, expenses or treatment. FSRA publishes the current approved consumer forms.4
One collision can create more than one claim
Accident benefits are claimed through an automobile insurer. A liability claim may also be available against a person responsible for the collision. The two claims answer different losses and can affect one another.
Ontario’s general limitation period is usually two years from discovery, but that rule requires a full analysis and does not replace shorter notices or tribunal deadlines.5
How a personal injury lawyer may use this information.
General information explains the framework. Legal advice should connect that framework to the event, the people and insurers involved, the available records and the deadlines in the individual claim.
- Identify who may be responsible and which policies or benefits may respond.
- Build the medical, functional, financial and event evidence around disputed issues.
- Protect notices and deadlines and explain the available next steps.
Sources and legal references
The numbered footnotes link to the official sources used on this page.
View 5 sources
- Ottawa Police Service — Collision reporting
When to call 911, when to contact police and when to attend a Collision Reporting Centre.
Back to footnote ↑ - FSRA — Ontario Automobile Policy (OAP 1), 2026
The current standard Ontario automobile policy form and duties after an accident.
Back to footnote ↑ - Ontario — Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule
The regulation governing Ontario automobile accident benefits.
Back to footnote ↑ - FSRA — Auto insurance consumer forms
Current OCF application, disability, expense and treatment forms.
Back to footnote ↑ - Ontario — Limitations Act, 2002
The basic limitation period and discoverability framework.
Back to footnote ↑