Step 1: Stop Your Vehicle and Check for Injuries

If you are involved in a collision, stop your vehicle immediately.

Check yourself, your passengers and the occupants of the other vehicles for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 and follow the instructions provided by emergency services.

According to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) , injured people should generally not be moved unless instructed to do so by emergency personnel or remaining in place would create an immediate danger.

Step 2: Move Your Vehicle Out of Traffic if It Is Safe

If no one is seriously injured and your vehicle can be moved safely, move it to the side of the road or another safe location.

Turn on your hazard lights and stay aware of passing traffic.

If the vehicle cannot be moved safely, leave the hazard lights on and wait for police, emergency services or a tow operator in a safe location.

Step 3: Take Photos and Document the Accident

Before vehicles are moved, when it is safe to do so, take photographs or video of the scene.

Useful photos can include:

• Damage to every vehicle involved
• Vehicle licence plates
• The overall accident scene
• Lane markings and intersections
• Traffic signs or traffic lights
• Debris or skid marks
• Road and weather conditions
• Damage to nearby property

These photographs may help your insurance company and collision repair facility understand what happened and document the extent of the damage.

Step 4: Exchange Information With the Other Driver

Exchange the necessary information with the other driver or drivers involved in the accident.

Try to record:

• Full name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Driver’s licence number
• Licence plate number
• Vehicle make, model and year
• Insurance company
• Insurance policy information

If there are independent witnesses, ask for their names and contact information as well.

Halton Regional Police recommends collecting this information from everyone involved in the collision.

Step 5: Know When an Oakville Collision Must Be Reported

Not every minor vehicle collision requires police to attend the scene, but Ontario law requires certain collisions to be reported.

According to Halton Regional Police Service , a collision must be reported if it involves:

• Personal injury or death
• Combined vehicle damage that apparently exceeds $5,000
• Damage to private, municipal or highway property
• A pedestrian or cyclist
• Suspected criminal activity, such as impaired driving
• An uninsured or suspended driver
• A vehicle transporting dangerous goods
• An uncooperative driver who refuses to exchange required information

If there is an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency police assistance in Halton Region, contact Halton Regional Police at 905-825-4777.

Step 6: Visit the Oakville Collision Reporting Centre if Required

For less-serious reportable collisions where police do not need to remain at the scene, you may be directed to a Collision Reporting Centre.

For collisions that occurred in Oakville, Halton Regional Police currently directs drivers to:

Halton Regional Police – 2 District (20 Division)
95 Oak Walk Drive
Oakville, Ontario L6H 0G6
Telephone: 905-825-4640

Halton Police recommends starting the collision report online before attending and bringing your driver’s licence, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

Check the Halton Regional Police collision reporting page before attending for current procedures and hours.

Step 7: Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company, broker or agent as soon as possible after the accident.

FSRA advises Ontario drivers to report an accident to their insurer within seven days, or as quickly as possible afterward if circumstances prevent you from doing so.

Your insurer may ask for:

• Your insurance policy number
• The date, time and location of the collision
• A description of what happened
• Driver and vehicle information
• Names of other drivers and insurance companies
• Details about injuries
• The police report number, if applicable
• Photographs of the vehicle damage

Your insurer will then assign a claims adjuster who can explain your coverage, deductible and next steps.

Step 8: Choose Your Own Collision Repair Shop

One of the most important things Ontario drivers should know is that you have the right to choose your collision repair facility.

Your insurance company may recommend a body shop or provide a preferred repair network, but FSRA identifies choosing your own repair shop as an Ontario auto insurance consumer right.

Learn more in our guide: Can I Choose My Own Collision Repair Shop in Ontario?

Step 9: Arrange Towing if Your Vehicle Cannot Be Driven

Do not drive a vehicle if collision damage may make it unsafe.

Damage to wheels, suspension, steering, lights, airbags, cooling systems or structural components can make a vehicle unsafe even when it still appears capable of moving.

Ontario consumers also have the right to choose a tow operator. Make sure you understand where the vehicle is being taken and request documentation for any towing or storage charges.

Budds’ Collision offers 24-hour accident and towing assistance.

Call 905-845-1441 if you need assistance after an accident.

Step 10: Have the Vehicle Professionally Inspected

Collision damage is not always visible from the outside.

Behind a damaged bumper or body panel there may also be damage to structural components, mounting points, sensors, wiring, suspension components or safety systems.

Modern vehicles can also contain cameras, radar sensors and advanced driver assistance systems that may require inspection, scanning or calibration after a collision.

A professional collision repair facility can inspect the vehicle and prepare a repair plan based on the actual damage.

What Should I Avoid Doing After a Car Accident?

In the confusion immediately following a collision, avoid making rushed decisions.

• Do not leave the scene without exchanging the required information.
• Do not drive a vehicle that may be unsafe.
• Do not ignore injuries that appear after the initial collision.
• Do not forget to photograph the damage and accident scene when it is safe to do so.
• Do not delay unnecessarily in contacting your insurance company.
• Do not assume you must use the body shop suggested by an insurer, tow operator or another party.

What If I Notice Damage After Leaving the Accident Scene?

Some vehicle damage may not be obvious immediately after an accident.

For example, bumper covers can return close to their original position even when components underneath have been damaged. Alignment issues, sensor warnings, unusual sounds or changes in vehicle handling may also appear later.

If you notice additional damage, document it and contact your insurer or collision repair facility.

Collision Repair in Oakville After an Accident

Budds’ Collision provides collision repair services for drivers throughout Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Milton, Hamilton and the surrounding GTA.

Our Oakville collision repair facility can inspect accident damage, prepare a repair estimate, communicate with insurance providers and complete repairs using appropriate manufacturer repair procedures.

Collision services include:

• Structural collision repair
• Aluminum vehicle repair
• Carbon fibre repair
• Automotive paint repair
• Paintless dent repair
• Vehicle damage estimates
• Insurance collision repairs