As you transition to the year 2025, you may have found yourself facing a change in collision reporting regulations that could affect you if you’re involved in a car accident.
Starting January 1, Ontario updated its rules for when drivers need to report collisions. Previously, any accident resulting in more than $2,000 in damage required a report to the police. That threshold has now been raised to $5,000.
This adjustment aims to cut down on administrative burdens for both drivers and police, while taking into account the increasing costs of vehicle repairs and the rising value of property.
Ontario’s New Collision Reporting Threshold
When to Report a Collision to the Police
You must inform the police if the total damage exceeds $5,000, if there are any injuries, if public property has been damaged, or if there is a suspicion of criminal activity, such as impaired driving. Even if the damage is less than $5,000, it is important to ensure that information is exchanged among all parties involved. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information.
What to Do Immediately After an Accident
While the general process after an accident remains the same, it’s crucial to follow these steps:
- Ensure Safety: Make sure everyone is safe. If possible, move vehicles out of traffic, turn on hazard lights, and set up warning signals like flares.
- Exchange Information: Regardless of the damage amount, always exchange key details such as insurance information, vehicle specifics, and personal contact info. Take photographs and record witness names and contact info.
- Notify the Police: You must call the police if there are injuries, fatalities, a pedestrian or cyclist involved, any criminal activity, a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, public property damage, an uncooperative driver, or if a train or light rail vehicle is involved. For less serious accidents, you have 24 hours to report the incident to a Collision Reporting Centre.
- Visit a Collision Reporting Centre: If the damage appears to exceed the new $5,000 threshold, head to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. Alternatively, you can file a report online in the jurisdiction where the accident occurred.