What to Do After a Car Accident in Ottawa
The short answer: keep everyone safe, call the right people, and don't drive a car that shouldn't be on the road. Insurance, repairs, and paperwork are all manageable. A car that fails mid-drive because the coolant line was cracked is not. If the vehicle isn't safe to drive, call MVT at 613-262-6912. We're available 24 hours, seven days a week.
Is it safe to stay in or near the car?
Get out if traffic is moving around you. A stopped vehicle in a live lane on the 417, Hunt Club, or Merivale at commute time is a secondary-collision risk that can be more dangerous than the original crash. If the car can be moved without causing further damage, shift it to the shoulder or a nearby lot. If it can't move, get yourself and any passengers well away from the road.
In winter, watch for chain reactions on icy sections — one car spun out on the Queensway can become three before traffic slows. Once you're clear of the road, stay clear.
Turn on your hazard lights before you do anything else. They keep you visible even after the engine stops.
What does Ontario law require after an accident?
Under the Highway Traffic Act, every driver involved in a collision must stop at the scene, render aid to anyone injured, and exchange their name, address, driver's licence number, and insurance information with all other parties. If total property damage appears to exceed $2,000, Ontario law requires reporting the collision to police or a collision reporting centre.
Leaving without exchanging information is an offence, regardless of fault.
How do you document the accident scene?
Take photos before any vehicle moves. Once cars are repositioned, the physical story of the collision is gone. Capture:
- The positions of all vehicles relative to each other and to lane markings
- Visible damage on every car from multiple angles
- Road conditions: ice, standing water, construction debris, or missing signage
- Any skid marks or debris on the road surface
A short video clip of the full scene captures context that still photos miss. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. If witnesses are present, get a name and number. Insurance adjusters reconstruct accidents from your documentation, not from memory.
When is accident towing the right call?
When in doubt, call. Specifically: get a tow if the car won't start, if steering is pulling or unresponsive, if you can see fluid pooling underneath, if an airbag deployed, or if a tire is flat or visibly buckled.
Ottawa winters make the decision harder. A coolant leak obvious in July can freeze at -20°C and become invisible, then cause an overheating failure 10 kilometres down the road. What looks fine at the curb may not stay that way.
Our accident recovery team covers all of Ottawa, including Barrhaven, Kanata, Orleans, Nepean, Stittsville, and Manotick.
What should you grab before the tow truck arrives?
Driver's licence, registration, and your insurance card. Then anything you'll need in the next day or two: wallet, laptop, medications, car seat, anything in the trunk or back seat worth retrieving. Once the car is at a body shop or storage yard, getting back inside means a separate trip.
Tell the operator where the car is going before they load it. If you don't have a shop picked yet, we can transport to a secure lot while you sort out repair quotes.
What does the tow itself involve?
The operator assesses the vehicle, confirms the destination, and loads the car. For a non-drivable post-accident vehicle, a flatbed is usually the right choice — all four wheels off the ground, no added stress on a damaged axle or drivetrain. The loading takes a few minutes from arrival.
If the car needs to go to a dealer, a certified body shop, or your own driveway, tell the operator before the truck moves. Redirecting once it's on the road adds time.
Sign the release form and take a quick photo of your car on the truck. That photo records the vehicle's condition at pickup and protects you if there is ever a dispute later.
If you need a tire change or battery boost at the scene while waiting for recovery, call 613-262-6912 and we'll walk through your options.