Here’s What To Do if You Get in a Car Accident in Ontario
Car accidents are unfortunate but unavoidable. While your driving skills help reduce the probability of an accident, you can not avoid it altogether.
In Ontario, the increasing number of cars and distracted driving are the main contributors to road accidents. Therefore, you need to know what to do in a car accident in Ontario.
This can save you from legal action and helps you maximize your car insurance claim.
This step-by-step guide will guide you through what to do in a car accident in Ontario. Once you’re done with today’s article, click the following link to get a competitive car insurance quote from one of the top-rated Canadian car insurance brokerages.
What to do if you are in a car accident in Ontario?
A car accident could be a nightmare for anyone, but if possible, remain calm and follow the steps mentioned below to control the situation.
Check for injuries
Whether it is your or someone else’s fault, do not leave the accident scene. Doing so will put you in big legal trouble. If you can move, assess the situation, and check for injuries to other parties involved in the accident. In case you are stuck inside the car, do not force yourself out. Wait till the help arrives.
Call 911
Do you know what to do if you get in a car accident? One of the first things that you should do is call 911. Call 911 under the following circumstances:
- There are injuries
- The accident was caused due to the fault of another driver — for instance, drunk driving
- There is significant damage to the car
In case of minor injuries and no to very minor damage to the car, do not call the police.
Move your vehicle to a safe place
If possible, try to move yourself and the passengers to a safe place. Similarly, if the car is working, move it safely to the side of the road. In case it is not possible to move the car, put warning signs (triangles, cones, flags, or flares). These actions ensure the safety of another vehicle and help you avoid further damage to your car.
Call a collision reporting center
In the event of no injuries and the total damage to the vehicles involved costs less than $2,000, call a collision reporting center. Here you need to furnish some details and file a police report. Further, they might photograph the damage to the vehicle. Many insurers require this documentation from a collision reporting center to process the claims.
Gather evidence
In this step, document everything on the accident scene. You can take photographs of the accident scene, damages to the vehicle, and the registration numbers of the vehicle involved. You can use this accident worksheet to gather the most crucial evidence.
Call your insurance company
Following an accident, you must contact your insurer as soon as possible to file a report. If you fail to report the accident within seven days, your chances of getting the claim approved become thin.
During the call to your insurance broker, company, or agent, understand your policy carefully. The extent and type of coverage and ad-on will decide the amount of your claim.
Your insurer may need the following details, so keep them handy.
- Car insurance policy number
- Type, make, model, age, and registration number of the vehicle
- Driver’s details with license number
- Details of the accident scene like location, date, and time.
- Details of victims or passengers
- Full detail of any type of injury
- Details of damages to the car
- Other driver’s license numbers and car insurance policy numbers
- If the scene was reported, the name and badge number of the investigating officer.
What happens after you file a car insurance claim?
Once you file your claim, an insurance company representative (also known as a claims adjuster) will contact you. The claim adjuster will be responsible for assessing the extent of injuries to your or any passenger and damages to the car.
The claim amount significantly depends on the adjuster’s assessment. So, it is vital to keep all evidence and documents handy. If you are not satisfied with the assessment of the claim adjuster or the claim amount is huge, you can convey your concern to the insurance broker or hire a public adjuster to represent you.
What are the factors that affect your claim?
Perhaps every insured driver is eligible to file a claim for any injury or car damage. However, the success of the claim varies from one case to another. Now that we know what to do in a car accident in Ontario, let us look at some factors that can affect your claim process.
Serious injuries
While claims involving minor injuries do not take much time to process, you must wait longer if the injury is serious. To establish the seriousness of any direct or indirect injuries, both parties must consult a medical specialist and relevant professionals. As a result, the claim takes longer to settle.
Case complexity
In the absence of facts, eyewitnesses, and sufficient evidence, claim settlement becomes complex. The case becomes more challenging when it is not possible to identify an at-fault driver. This is why it is crucial to document everything after an accident.
Claim amount
Lastly, the larger the claim amount, the longer the time for settlement. Insurer’s claims adjusters are industry-trained professionals. Any fraud claim or exaggerated amount tends to delay the claim. Similarly, if you find the compensation amount is less, you can make your representations accordingly. Ultimately in both cases, the claim will get delayed.
What to do in a car accident in Ontario — Endnote
You can handle a scary situation like a car accident with awareness.
Moreover, knowing what to do if in a car accident can help you significantly with the legal and claim process. Like most drivers, do not panic and leave the scene.
Instead, remain calm, focus on the details, and report the incident to the police and your insurance company immediately. as soon as possible. The outcome of your claim and even legal proceedings depends on how smartly you act after the accident.