Questions and answers about car accidents and Collision Reporting Procedure.

Note: All those Q&A are researched by Our Site Staff and questions we have received from our readers. For correct information you should always Contact the Collision Reporting Centre Facility By Phone.

Q. Is there a time limit to reporting about a car collision?

A. Best time to report the accident is right away, less questions will be asked. if not right away You should try your best to report the accident within 48 hours from the time the car accident had happened.

Q. When Should i report car accident?

A. when the combined damage to all vehicles involved is $2000 or more. If anybody is hurt or there is property damage or anything illegal like drunk driving. if damages are under $2000 and nothing is criminal then police wont do a report.

Q. what information should i collect from the other driver who hit my car?

A. Full name (copy from driver license Directly). Phone number, insurance name and policy. car make model and license plates.

Q. can i report my accident in the reporting centre near my home?

A. you must report the collision at the same city where it happened, not necessary where its comfortable for you.

Q. should we wait for police or just go to reporting centre?

A. if you called the police then just wait, if you didn’t just call the reporting centre in same city where the accident happened and ask for incident number. after they provide you with incident number confirm with that reporting centre that you can start heading there. if anybody injured call 911 right away.

Q. What are my options if I was rear ended and the damage is less than $1000 and the driver that hit me is not willing to pay my damages and did not provide me with insurance information. Also my personal insurance deductible are $1000

A. if one party refuse to provide insurance information then best to call police for instructions as different factors are involved. they wont do a report but may obtain the insurance information for you. On the other hand if insurance information is exchanged the insurance companies can be contacted without police involvement when damages under $2000

Q. Suppose I get hit from the rear and agree to allow the wrongful party to pay for the damages. After signing the paperwork indicating that he will cover the costs, which are below $1000.00, can I still make a report should he/she decides change his/her mind and refuse to pay for the damages?

A. If no one is hurt and the damage is under $2000.00 the police at the reporting centre will not create a report for you. just have all the Accident details in the paper work you prepare and the conditions and copies of drivers license and insurance, just in case one of you change their minds later. best place to get this paper work signed is before leaving the accident scene and had straight to the Auto bodyshop together.

Q. Can you report an accident online or over the phone?

A. no and no. there are only two ways to make a report. ask police to attend the accident scene before moving or drive / get towed to reporting centre. in both cases all drivers and passengers must attend.

Q. Where is the collision centre in Etobicole?

A. there is no more reporting centre in Etobicoke. ask the police to attend or had to 113 Toryork dr near HWY 400 and Weston

Q. I was rear-ended this morning while stopped at a red light on High Park Avenue at Humberside. There is some damage to my rear bumper. Where is the closest collision centre for me to report this? I see that the centre in Etobicoke has been closed and the ones in North York and Mississauga are very far to drive to in such icy conditions. Would you please let me know what to do?

A. If you want to make a report for a car accident that happened in Toronto, Etobicoke or Scarborough, you have two options. One is the collision reporting centre at 113 Toryork Dr at Finch and Weston, the second option is 39 Howden at Lawrence and Brichmount. Etobicoke Reporting center is closed for couple of years now.

Q. I was involved in an accident on Hwy 410 this morning. A vehicle spun out of control into my lane when I hit the vehicle. I got out to check on the passenger of the other vehicle. She was fine. She wanted to get off the hwy to exchange information. She said she would follow me. When I got off at the nearest exit, she was not behind me and I wasn’t able to find her. Unfortunately I did not get her plate #. What can I do?

A. Before Filling a report see if there were cameras in that spot on the hwy. try to retrieve videos information or ask the law Enforcement if they can find out who it was. without the other party information you will be liable for your own repairs.

Q – What happens when an accident is in the parking lot?

A – If the accident is on the private property and combined damage is over $2000 then you don’t need to go to a reporting centre. You need to call and wait for police in that parking lot. After taking pictures you may want to move to parking spot to clear traffic. If there is only small damage (less then $2000 of combined damage) then its usually 50/50. Meaning everybody if responsible for their own damage repair, that’s If both cars were moving. If one car was parked and the other party just hit it then usually the insurance of the party at fault will pay for the other party repairs. Keep in mind if one car is parked and one of the passengers is opening the door and come out and another car hit that opening door, then both cars were moving because of the opening door part. In this case its again 50/50.

Q – Should we wait for police or go directly to reporting centre?

A – Before you move take photos of the way the cars positioned and exchange information. See if anybody is hurt, if there are injuries call 911 immediately. In order to get police involved damage must be over $2000 of combined damage. If not, police wont do a report and you might call insurance or settle between yourselves. If there is over $2000 of combined damage and no one is hurt, then call the reporting centre and ask for an incident number. This number will be needed when you get to the reporting centre. If your car needs to be towed then call a tow truck or use the one that is already there. In some cases police will instruct you to wait on the accident scene.

Q – Can I go to the reporting centre near my home?

A – NO, you need to go to the reporting centre in the same city you had the accident in. reporting centre in other city wont accept your report and will guide you back to the one in the same city were the accident happened.

Q – What if the driver is not on the policy?

A – Not a problem as long as the vehicle is insured and that specific driver was NOT flagged by your insurance company. Meaning if your insurance provider issued you the policy under the circumstances that a specific driver wont driver a specific car and he did, then your insurance may not be valid and it coverage may not apply. If the driver is not on the policy and is not flagged and the policy is up to date then its all good and all coverage’s apply.

Q – Who will determine who’s fault it is?

A – In the reporting centre the police will have their saying. They might even issue a traffic charge. But the real decision is made by the insurance companies. They will compare the police report to what you have to say and will have the final verdict. They are also the ones to keep your records and determine your yearly premium.

Q – Can we move from the road to clear traffic?

A – If no one is hurt and there is nothing criminal like hit and run or drunk driving then yes. It is always a good idea to call police first and ask for instructions, if again combined damages are over $2000