Most people I meet after a serious 401 collision tell me the same thing: in the first few days, they had no idea what they were supposed to do. They were in pain, their car was gone, and the phone kept ringing. This is the short version of what I wish they'd known.
If anyone is hurt, or you're stuck in a live lane, call 911. If the vehicles can move and no one is injured, get onto the shoulder and turn your hazards on. Take photos of every vehicle, the plates, the road, the weather and the nearest exit or kilometre marker. Get the other drivers' names, licence and insurance details, and the names and numbers of any witnesses.
Police must be called when anyone is injured. If no one is hurt and the damage looks to be more than $5,000, you report it at a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. Ontario raised that threshold from $2,000 on January 1, 2025.
Concussions, whiplash and back injuries often show up hours or days later. Go to your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or the emergency department and tell them you were in a collision. That visit protects your health first. It also creates the record your claim will rely on later.
Every Ontario auto policy includes accident benefits. These can cover treatment, lost income and care, and you can claim them no matter who caused the crash. To start, tell your insurer within 7 days that you intend to apply for accident benefits. If your injuries made that impossible, tell them as soon as you can.
No car insurance of your own? You may still be covered, for example through a family member's policy or the vehicle you were riding in. Don't assume you have nothing.
Write down the claim number and your adjuster's name. Your insurer will send you an application package.
You can work out your own dates with the deadline calculator.
Don't sign a release or accept a settlement before you understand your injuries. Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer without advice. And don't let a deadline slip because you were waiting to "see how it goes."
Jot down your pain, your appointments, the work you missed, your expenses, and the things you can't do anymore. Ten minutes a day now can make a real difference months from now.
This article is general information about Ontario law and programs as of November 2026. It isn't legal advice. Your situation may have exceptions or different deadlines.
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