In the first 7 days after a car accident in Ontario, focus on two things: getting checked for injuries and telling your auto insurer you want to apply for accident benefits. Everything else, from forms to treatment, follows from those two steps.
A crash is stressful, and it's easy to forget something important while you're sore and shaken. This guide walks you through the first week in plain language, so you can look after your body and your claim at the same time.
What should I do right after the accident?
Your safety comes first. If you can, move to a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights. Then:
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if a driver seems impaired, or if a vehicle is blocking traffic.
- Exchange names, phone numbers, licence plates, driver's licence details and insurance information with the other drivers.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the road, any damage and the area around you.
- Write down names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
In Ontario, a collision must be reported to police if anyone is injured or if the total damage looks like it's more than $2,000. If you're not sure, call your local police non-emergency line and ask what to do.
Do I need to see a doctor if I feel fine?
It's a good idea. Many common car accident injuries, such as whiplash and back strain, can take hours or even a day or two to show up. Adrenaline can hide pain at first. A visit to your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a physiotherapist gives you a record of how you were feeling early on, and it helps catch anything that needs attention.
Go to emergency or call 911 right away if you have a severe or worsening headache, confusion, fainting, vomiting, numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, chest pain, trouble breathing, trouble speaking, vision changes, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These need urgent medical care, not a clinic visit.
When do I have to tell my insurance company?
Contact your own auto insurer and tell them you want to apply for accident benefits. Aim to do this within 7 days of the accident. Your insurer will send you an application form, called the OCF-1. Fill it out and send it back within 30 days of receiving it.
This applies even if the accident wasn't your fault. In Ontario, you claim accident benefits from your own insurer. If you don't have auto insurance yourself, for example if you were a passenger or pedestrian, the insurer of a vehicle involved may handle your claim. Your insurer or the other driver's insurer can tell you where to start.
Since July 1, 2026, your auto insurance pays first for accident-related medical and rehab treatment, so you don't need to use up your workplace benefits for this care.
Your first-week checklist
- Day 1: Make sure everyone is safe, get medical help if needed, collect details and photos, and report to police if required.
- Days 1 to 2: See a doctor or physiotherapist, even if your symptoms seem mild.
- Days 1 to 7: Call your auto insurer, say you want to apply for accident benefits, and write down your claim number and adjuster's name.
- Every day: Keep a short symptom diary. Note pain, stiffness, headaches, sleep and anything you can't do as easily as before.
- Every day: Save receipts for anything accident-related, such as medication, parking at appointments or taxi rides.
- When the OCF-1 arrives: Fill it in and return it within 30 days. Keep a copy.
- As soon as you can: Book an assessment with an FSRA-licensed clinic so a treatment plan can be sent to your insurer.
Should I rest or keep moving?
For most soft-tissue injuries, like neck and back strains, gentle movement within your comfort usually helps more than staying in bed. Short walks, easy neck turns and changing positions often are good places to start. Avoid heavy lifting or hard workouts until you've been assessed. If something makes your pain much worse, stop and ask your practitioner.
What happens at a car accident physio assessment?
Your physiotherapist will ask how the accident happened and how you've been feeling since. They'll check your movement, strength and sore areas, and look for anything that needs a doctor's attention. Then they'll explain what they found, show you a few safe exercises to start at home, and write a treatment plan. A licensed clinic sends that plan to your insurer through HCAI, the system Ontario auto insurers use for treatment forms.
Getting started in Vaughan
Alleve Wellness Clinic is an appointment-only physiotherapy and rehab clinic at 8655 Weston Rd in Vaughan, inside Anytime Fitness Woodbridge. We're FSRA-licensed for car accident care, and we can help you with the treatment plan and forms after your assessment. See how car accident care works at AWC, or call 647-689-3207.
General information only, not medical or legal advice. Your doctor and your insurer can advise on your specific situation.