When an accident happens in Ontario, timing is more than a formality. Every step of the accident reporting process is built on deadlines set by law, insurance contracts, and municipal rules. A late report can affect insurance coverage, limit accident benefits, or close the door on a lawsuit.
The most recent Transport Canada statistics show the human cost of delays and mistakes on the road. In 2023, driver fatalities rose by 10 percent. Over 32 percent of drivers killed were not wearing seatbelts, a jump from 29 percent in 2022. That change represents a relative increase of 12 percent in unbelted driver deaths.
At DWA Law, our car accident lawyers and personal injury lawyers guide clients through processes of making personal injury claims and assist with claiming accident benefits. If you are looking for answers to essential questions, such as “how long do I have to report an accident” and others, a few clear answers can mean the difference between a complete claim and one that stalls before it starts.
Accident Reporting Timelines
Reporting to Police or a Collision Reporting Centre
The Highway Traffic Act requires that certain accidents must be reported to police immediately. If the collision involves personal injury or death, damage to municipal or highway property over $5,000, or a vehicle transporting dangerous goods, call police immediately, and a police officer will attend if available.
If no officer can respond at the accident scene, you must report the collision at the nearest collision reporting centre within 24 hours. At that centre, operated in partnership with Accident Support Services International, staff will process collisions, create the collision report, and may photograph the damaged vehicle, if it is present.
When you attend the local accident reporting centre, be sure to bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration, vehicle permit, insurance slip, and the licence plate number of all involved vehicles. Drivers involved must also exchange information at the accident scene before leaving.
Notifying Your Insurance Company
Separate from the police requirement, your insurance company must be contacted as part of the claims process. Most insurance policies state that a collision must be reported within seven days or as soon as reasonably possible. A late report can result in severe consequences, including denial of coverage.
When you report the collision, provide your insurance information, vehicle information, driver’s licence numbers, and details about the vehicles involved. If the other driver was impaired, uncooperative, or if the collision involves stolen vehicles or a criminal code offence, tell your insurance provider immediately. These factors can affect the claims process and how the insurance policy applies.
Applying for Accident Benefits
Once the insurer has notice, you have 30 days to submit the completed accident benefits application, which includes medical expenses, proof of income loss, and any supporting documents. A timely submission helps the claims adjuster assess eligibility and issue approvals.
For longer dependent recovery periods, such as with fractures or concussion symptoms, applying promptly ensures funding for treatment and income replacement is available. The accident benefits process can be complex, and legal guidance often helps avoid mistakes that lead to delays.
Limitation Period for Lawsuits
Ontario’s general limitation period for lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident. This applies to car accidents, slip-and-fall cases, and property damage claims.
Missing this period can prevent any claim from proceeding, regardless of how strong the case may be. Our car accident lawyers review each accident report, police accident report form, and supporting documentation to ensure the claim stays active within the limitation window.
Municipal Notice Periods
Accidents involving unsafe public infrastructure, such as icy sidewalks or broken pavement, require additional notice. Under the Municipal Act, notice must be given within 10 days to the municipality where the collision occurred.
The notice must identify the location, time, and property conditions. If the damage to private municipal or highway property is part of the claim, failing to give notice can end the case before it begins.
Special Cases: Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Drivers
When a collision involves a suspect vehicle in a hit-and-run or an uninsured motor vehicle, the response must be immediate. You should report a collision of this kind to the local police department at once and notify your insurance provider within a few days.
Details about the collision scene, suspect vehicle, and any independent witnesses are critical. Criminal activity, such as an impaired driver or stolen vehicle, must be reported to police.
Risks of Delay
Delaying a police report or failing to report the collision on time can affect everything from insurance coverage to legal claims. Medical attention delayed after an accident can weaken injury claims. An incomplete accident report at the police station can leave the claims adjuster without enough information to process the file.
Gaps in evidence affect the driving record, and in some cases the insurance company may argue that the collision was not properly reported to police. These issues are avoidable when timelines are followed.
For Support During the Reporting Process, Choose DWA Law
If you have been in an auto accident, whether a serious crash or one of the many minor car accidents that still result in injury, our lawyers can help you in making a personal injury claim or assist with challenges you might encounter when trying to get your accident benefits.
Contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation
