What to do after a collision

By the end of this topic you can

• You can make the scene safe and check for injuries.
• You can exchange the right information with other drivers.
• You can record useful evidence at the scene.
• You can decide when your province requires a police report.
• You can report the collision to your insurer and the vehicle owner.

What you need to know and understand

• Every driver involved must stop, or return to the scene immediately, and give reasonable help.
• Collisions where someone is killed or injured must be reported to police; Manitoba applies this to injuries needing hospital care.
• Ontario requires a police report if anyone is injured or damage exceeds $5,000; Alberta also uses a $5,000 threshold.
• Some provinces and territories set lower damage thresholds; the NWT, for example, requires a report when damage is over $2,000.
• Manitoba does not require a police report for a straightforward damage-only collision.
• Do not admit fault or agree to pay at the scene.
• If you hit an unattended vehicle or property, you must try to find the owner and leave your details or report it as your province requires.

Step by step at the scene

If a vehicle has hit a power pole, SGI advises staying at least 10 metres away from it and from any fallen line, not touching anything, calling 9-1-1 and keeping others back.

1. Stop as close to the scene as is safe and switch on your hazard lights.
2. Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 9-1-1 if anyone is hurt, if a driver seems impaired, or if the road is blocked.
3. Do not move an injured person unless there is fire or another immediate danger.
4. If no one is hurt and the cars can be driven, move them off a busy road where your province allows, after taking photos if it is safe.
5. Exchange information with the other drivers.
6. Record the scene: photos of vehicles, plates, damage and road conditions, plus witness names and numbers.
7. Report to police if your province requires it, then report to your insurer.

Information to swap

Be polite and stick to facts. Do not discuss who was to blame; SGI, ICBC and the NWT manual all advise against it. If the other driver refuses to give details, note their plate and call the police.

• Your name and address.
• Your driver's licence number.
• The vehicle's plate number and registration.
• The registered owner's name and address, if you do not own the car.
• The insurance company and policy number (in Ontario, the details on the liability insurance card).

Reporting: police and insurance

Police reporting rules depend on the province. Ontario and Alberta require a report for any injury or for damage over $5,000. Some other provinces and territories use lower amounts, such as over $2,000 in the NWT. Manitoba requires a report for a death, an injury needing hospital care, a hit and run or a suspected impaired driver, but not for a simple fender-bender. Some cities direct minor collisions to a collision reporting centre or an online system, such as Alberta's Report My Collision. If you are not sure, call the police non-emergency line and ask.

Report to your insurer as soon as you can, whatever the size of the damage. As a learner or novice, tell the vehicle owner straight away, because the claim will usually go on their policy. ICBC notes that reporting is usually in your interest even if the other driver offers to pay, because they may change their mind later.

Common mistakes

• Driving off after a small bump because no one seems hurt. You must stop and exchange information.
• Saying sorry in a way that admits fault. Check on people, but leave fault to police and insurers.
• Forgetting to photograph the scene before moving cars. Take pictures first if it is safe.
• Assuming your province's police threshold matches another province's. Learn your own rule.
• Agreeing to settle privately with cash. Tell your insurer and the car's owner.

Test yourself: What to do after a collision

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Do I have to report a collision? Rules by province in Canada