Collisions

The law requires every operator of a vehicle to identify him- or herself to the other driver, and to report the collision to the police if there are injuries or damages in excess of $1,000.

If you are involved in a collision:

• Give your name, address and phone number to the other driver(s).
    
• Get the other driver(s) name, address, phone number, vehicle particulars and insurance company and policy number.
    
• Call the police if there are injuries.
    
• You can settle between yourselves if the damages are minor (less than $1,000). Keep in mind that 'no fault' insurance in Ontario means you can't make a claim against the other driver's insurance, but you can still sue the driver personally.
    
• Call the police if the damages exceed $1,000. The police may ask you to come to the station to make a report. Explain that getting to the nearest station may not be feasible because you are on a bicycle.
    
• Obtain names of any witnesses that may be available. If anyone has stopped to help at the collision, ask for their name(s) and telephone number(s).
    
• Write out a short paragraph describing what happened if the police will not be responding to the scene. Have everyone involved sign it. Keep this for future reference.
    
• Avoid getting into a collision by taking a CAN-BIKE course.