Report a collision

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN IN A COLLISION

If there are injuries, call 911.

If there are NO injuries, call 613-236-1222.

  • The Communications Centre person on the phone will ask you questions, assess your situation and they will instruct you on how to file your report in person.

A collision will be referred to a Collision Reporting Centre when it meets the following criteria:

  • There are no injuries;
  • Two vehicles or less are involved;
  • No oversized vehicles are involved.
If you are referred to a Collision Reporting Centre, there are three locations to choose from: 

WHAT TO BRING

BEFORE LEAVING THE SCENE OF A COLLISION

Ensure you have obtained the following information from the other driver(s):

  • Driver contact information
    • Phone numbers (home and cell)
    • Email address;
  • Driver's licence (licence number, class and name on the licence)
  • Vehicle ownership (licence plate, make, model, year and owner's name)
  • Insurance (policy number and name of insured)

    You can use this form to ensure you have all the information.

IF YOU NEED A TOW TRUCK

Call the 1-800 number on your insurance documents to obtain assistance and instructions from your insurance company.

As per City of Ottawa Bylaw, it is illegal for a tow truck driver to approach a driver at a collision without having been called in by either police or the motorist. Tow trucks are not allowed within 100 meters of a collision unless they have been formally solicited by police, the driver or the driver's insurance company.

HELPFUL TIPS

  1. Never accept services from a tow truck driver arriving on the scene of your collision unless they have been called by yourself, your insurance company or by police.
  2. Do not allow a tow truck to hook up your vehicle until you specifically say so.
  3. Always ask "How much will this cost?" and better-yet, get a written estimate.
  4. Do not assume your insurance company will cover the tow unless you consult them.
  5. Do not accept any tow company's claim that they are under "police contract". Any such contracts only relate to impounded vehicles and not the public.
  6. If you are uncomfortable dealing with the towing firm - call someone else.
  7. Do not assume that "everything will be OK and taken care of." The concept of "Buyer Beware" still applies when dealing with tow trucks.

No one plans on being in a collision, but you can be prepared in case it happens. Download our app to keep our Collision Toolkit at your fingertips... 

Download the app

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More information:Collision Reporting Centres logo

 

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