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What to do after a car accident in Ontario, step by step.

Six steps to take right after a crash

Call 911 if anyone is hurt. If there are injuries, or a pedestrian or cyclist is involved, call 911 right away and stay at the scene until help arrives.
Exchange information with the other driver. Get their name, phone number, insurance policy number, and licence plate — and give them yours. Stick to the facts; don't get into a discussion about who's at fault.
Take photos. Photograph both vehicles, the damage, the road or intersection, and anything else relevant. These photos matter more the longer you wait to take them.
Report it correctly. If total damage looks like it's over $5,000, or anyone is hurt, call police to the scene. Below that threshold, Ontario requires you to self-report at a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.
Notify your own insurer. Do this regardless of who was at fault and regardless of how minor the damage looks — most policies require it, and waiting can complicate things later.
See a doctor, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, especially whiplash and soft-tissue injuries, take days or weeks to show up. Getting checked early protects both your health and your claim.

The deadlines that matter

A few Ontario deadlines are worth knowing from day one: you generally need to apply for accident benefits within 30 days of the crash, you're expected to respond to requests from your insurer within 10 business days, and if a benefit is ever denied or reduced, you have up to 2 years to dispute it. None of these deadlines mean you need to have everything figured out immediately — but missing them can make an otherwise valid claim harder to pursue.

If you're reading this days or weeks later

If it's already been a few days or weeks since your accident and you're only now noticing pain, or only now looking into what you're entitled to, you haven't missed your window. Delayed symptoms are common and still claimable, and late is not the same as never — the deadlines above start from key events like the accident itself or a denial, not from today. It's still worth a quick, free conversation to find out exactly where you stand.

Not sure where you stand? Find out free.

A free case review takes one phone call — no cost, no obligation, and your insurer isn't notified.

This is general information, not legal advice — timelines and requirements depend on your specific situation.