There's no single deadline — it depends what kind of claim you're making. Some steps need to happen within about a week, some within 30 days, and a lawsuit against an at-fault driver generally has to start within two years. The safest rule: don't wait to find out which clock is running on your situation.
After an Ontario car accident, you're usually dealing with two separate tracks, each with its own timing:
Missing an early deadline can limit your options even if you're still well within the two-year window for a lawsuit, so it helps to know both timelines rather than just the one everyone talks about.
These are the ones that catch people off guard, because they run whether or not you were at fault. You generally need to notify your own insurer within about seven days of the accident, and the first accident-benefit application form is typically expected within 30 days after that. Other forms follow as your treatment plan develops. Our step-by-step guide to what to do after a car accident walks through this timeline in more detail.
These deadlines can sometimes be extended for good reason, but the safest approach is to treat them as firm and get the paperwork moving early, especially while you're also trying to recover.
If another driver caused the crash and you were injured, a lawsuit for damages generally has to be started within two years — usually counted from the date of the accident. Two years can feel like a long time, but building a strong case takes time too: gathering medical evidence, documenting how the injury has affected your life, and negotiating with an insurer that's in no hurry to settle. Starting early, even just with a free consultation, keeps every option open.
Disputing a denied, delayed, or cut-off accident benefit is its own clock, separate from the lawsuit deadline — and it also generally runs about two years from the date of the denial, not the date of the accident. If your insurer has said no to a treatment plan, an income replacement benefit, or another claim, see our guide on what to do if your accident benefits were denied for the options available to you.
Deadlines aren't the only thing working against a delayed claim. Witness memories fade, vehicle damage gets repaired or scrapped, and medical records are easiest to line up while treatment is still happening. Insurers also tend to take a claim more seriously when it's clear the person is organized and getting advice early. None of this means you need to rush a decision — it just means finding out where you stand sooner rather than later almost always helps, and rarely hurts.
We're a free intake service for people injured in car accidents across Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and the GTA. We're not a law firm — we connect you with vetted personal injury lawyers and registered physiotherapy clinics, and explain your options in plain language, in English, Punjabi, Hindi and French. No cost, no obligation, and someone is reachable 24/7.
Not sure which deadlines apply to you? Don't guess — get a free, no-pressure answer. Call or message any time at (416) 418-7797, or request a free consultation on our site.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation and the deadlines that apply to it, speak with a licensed lawyer — we can connect you with one for free.
A free consultation 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.