When To Report a Car Accident; Can You Get in Trouble for Not Reporting an Accident?
TL;DR
- In Ontario, you must report a car accident to the police if damages exceed $2,000 or if there are injuries.
- Failing to report a required accident can lead to charges of leaving the scene, fines, higher insurance premiums, or even jail time.
- Notify your insurance company after any accident to avoid policy cancellation, increased premiums, or claim denial.
- Collisions on private property should be reported to both the police and your insurer if damages exceed provincial limits or if there are injuries.
- Report accidents involving injuries, criminal acts (e.g., impaired driving), uninsured drivers, government vehicles, hazardous goods, or pedestrians.
- Always consider contacting a personal injury lawyer for a consultation to understand your rights and ensure you receive proper compensation.
While it’s easy to know what to do after a major car accident, it can be harder to know the right steps to take in other accident scenarios. What many people don’t know is that if you don’t report certain accidents, you can face serious consequences down the road.
Below, you’ll learn how and when to report a car accident and the consequences of not reporting.
When to Notify the Police After A Car Accident In Ontario
While many people think that notifying the police after an accident is a personal choice, there are actually rules in place about when you need to report a collision. In fact, each Canadian province sets a dollar amount for estimated damages that you can use to gauge whether you need to report your accident.
For example, in the state of Ontario there is a set a limit of $2000. That means if you are in a car accident in Ontario and the total estimated damages incurred by both vehicles involved in the accident is more than $2000 or there were injuries you are required to report it to the police or to a collision reporting center. If the damages are less than $2000 and there are no injuries, you don’t need to report it to the police.
What many people don’t know is that if you don’t report an accident, and it is required by law that you do so, the police can charge you with leaving the scene. This is a serious charge that can not only increase your car insurance payments, but it can also result in serious fines and jail time. Because it can be different to accurately estimate the damages that have resulted from the car accident, especially because damages can include both vehicle and property damage, it is best practice to simply report every accident to the police where any damage has occurred. This way, you can ensure that you’re behaving within the limits of the law.
When to Notify Your Insurance Company After A Car Accident in Ontario
What Happens if You Don’t Report a Car Accident to Your Insurance?
Insurance companies require all involved drivers to report any accident, whether the damage is major or minor. Drivers often believe that they can pay damages themselves without notifying their insurance company, but it is imperative that you notify your insurer.
If you fail to report a collision to your insurance company, the consequences you might face include: policy cancellation, increased insurance premiums, or possibly the denial of your claim if personal injuries or damages occurred. Unreported car accidents can also impact your ability to seek compensation because there will not be the proper documentation in place. This is especially true if the other driver involved in the accident reports the car accident. This is because the other driver’s insurer will likely contact your insurer regarding how to negotiate the claim, at which point your insurer will learn that you failed to notify them.
It’s also important to remember that even if you pay for damages on your own, your insurance rates will go up if you are found to be partially or totally responsible for the accident.
To ensure that your insurance company will pay your claim, consider using a dash cam recorder at the scene of the accident. This kind of evidence usually results in claims being paid.
When to Report Private Property Collisions
A collision on private property like a parking lot should be reported the same as an accident that happened on a roadway. If there are injuries or damages that exceed your province’s dollar amount limits for damages, you must report it to the police as well as your insurer.
Types of Car Accidents Where You Must Report Them
In certain scenarios, you must report a car accident to the police and your insurance company, regardless of how much property damage is incurred. You must report an accident if it involves:
• Major or minor injuries or death
• A criminal act such as impaired driving
• An uninsured driver
• A government vehicle
• A vehicle transporting of hazardous goods
• Damaged property, including homeowner property, private property, municipal property, or highway property
• A pedestrian
• A bicyclist
Now that you understand the basics of when to report a car accident in Ontario, you can feel more prepared in case you’re involved in one. It’s essential to remember that regardless of the level of injury or damages, it’s a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer right away if you’ve been in a car accident. At minimum, getting a free consultation and learning more about your rights can help you understand how to proceed to ensure that you claim the damages you’re entitled to.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, book a free consultation with an Ontario accident lawyer to better understand your rights.
