Brampton personal injury lawyers always advise clients to report a car accident immediately or as soon as possible. However, most people are unsure how, where and to whom they have to report the accident.

Ontario has clear rules for reporting accidents, based on certain criteria.

If you or a dear one has been involved in a car accident, whether you’ve sustained injuries on not, consult a doctor without delay, contact the right agency to report the accident, report your accident to your own insurance agency and contact the nearest personal injury lawyer in Brampton immediately.

Minor Collisions Under $2000

Since September 2015, if damage sustained in a collision is estimated to cost $2000 or more in total, drivers are required to report it to the police or to a Collision Reporting Center (CRC). However, if someone is injured, or there is damage to property apart from the vehicles, the accident has to be reported to the police, regardless of cost.

This regulation is designed to enhance collision data integrity and bring Ontario in sync with other provinces that have enacted similar rules. The earlier limit was placed at $1000, which put an excessive burden on commercial vehicle (taxi/limousine) drivers’ safety records.

It also seeks to reduce the burden on the police by reducing the number of collisions to be investigated, as long as such non-serious collisions are reported to the insurance companies.

What To Do In Case Of An Accident

• Ontario rules specify that in the event of an accident, it’s mandatory to stop, since criminal charges can be filed against drivers who fail to remain at the accident scene.

• Move your vehicle to the side of the road if possible, otherwise switch on your hazard lights or ensure that you provide some kind of warning to other road-users.

• Never attempt to move injured persons. Call the police if the combined damage appears to be above $2000. Wait for the authorities to arrive. When you talk to the police, get details of the officer to whom you spoke and also of the investigating officers.

• Try to take photographs of the accident scene that show location, important landmarks, position of the vehicles and the damage. Get contact details of witnesses, co-passengers of the other vehicle etc. Look around for possible CCTV cameras which may have captured the incident and make a note of the time and location.

• Never try to confront the other driver, especially if you suspect that they are drug/alcohol impaired or they have violated any criminal codes.

• If no one was injured and the combined damage appears less than $2000, call the nearest CRC within 24 hours after exchanging details with the other driver.

• Call your insurers as soon as possible and provide as many details as possible regarding the accident, how it occurred, details of the other vehicle etc.

These steps ensure that you have followed the right procedure as far as reporting is concerned.

To further protect your interests and safeguard your rights, contact an experienced car accident lawyer without delay.