Safety Tips And Next Steps After A Car Accident
A car accident can be an intense experience to go through—and sometimes it’s hard to remember what to do next. We’re here to help. We’ve put together a collection of safety tips and advice for this very situation. Follow these steps to feel confident you’ll be back on the road quickly.
You can also view this article summarized in an infographic.
Put Your Safety First
After an accident, the most important thing is making sure you and everyone involved are okay. If you’ve been involved in an accident, follow this safety-tip checklist:
- Check for injuries. If someone is injured, call 911
- Move yourself out of harm’s way
- If your car is driveable, move to the shoulder of the road or towards the nearest curb
- If there’s broken glass, don’t touch it
- Go to the side furthest from the road or stay in your car if it isn’t safe to exit
Safety Tips To Remember
It’s always best to play it safe. Follow these safety do’s and don’ts after an accident to stay safe and avoid hazardous situations:
Do:
❏ Remain calm
❏ Take care of the needs of yourself and injured passengers
❏ Walk to or stay on the side furthest from the road
❏ Gather any materials that may have fallen off during the accident, like your bumper, if it’s safe and you’re able to do so
❏ Get a police report
Don’t:
✖ Touch glass, exposed wiring or anything that appears dangerous
✖ Leave your car in the middle of traffic if it can be driven to the side
✖ Abandon the scene of an accident
✖ Get into a confrontation with someone involved in the accident
✖ Accept offers from tow truck drivers that offer to take your car somewhere
When You’re In Need Of Assistance
There’s a strong chance you’ll need some form of help after an accident. From medical support to a ride home, here’s what you can do:
- Call your local police to report the accident
- If you can’t drive your car, reach out to a loved one or call a taxi to get a ride to where you need to go
- Use the app's Accident Assist button to begin your new claim instantly
Steps To Take With Your Insurance
Once you confirm that everyone’s safe, you can start taking action on your insurance claim.
To start your insurance claim experience, you’ll want to take the following steps:
- Report the incident to us through the TD Insurance Mobile App, submit your claim online with MyInsurance, or call 1-866-454-8910
- Exchange critical information with the driver(s) of the other car(s) involved:
- Name
- Address
- Contact phone number
- Driver’s licence number
- Insurance information (including policy number)
- Licence plate number
- Make, colour and model of the other car
- Take pictures of the scene and of any damage
- If it’s safe to do so, consider capturing some other accident details:
- Witness contact information (if there are witnesses)
- The scene of the accident (like any major intersections or road conditions)
- Get a police report. You can ask officers at the scene for the police report number. If police are not at the scene, you should call your local police station to report the accident as soon as possible. It’s also important to report a hit and run to the police right away.
Where You Live Can Change Your Next Steps
What you do next after an accident might be shaped by the province or territory you’re in. Here are some things to consider and steps you may need to take:
- In Atlantic Canada, an accident must be reported to the police if the damage is significant, if there are any injuries or if you suspect a crime, such as the other driver being impaired.
- In Quebec, if no one is injured, you will need to fill out a Joint Report with the other driver.
- In Ontario, you should bring your car to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours.
- In Alberta, if the repair cost is high enough, you will need to bring your car to a Collision Reporting Centre to get a damage sticker, which the auto shop needs to begin repairs.
A dedicated TD Insurance advisor will be there for you at every step of the way to answer any questions and support you through your entire claims experience.