How to File a Police Report After an Accident Has Already Happened

What every Toronto driver needs to know when reporting a collision after the fact—and why timing and accuracy still matter

You’ve been in a car accident. Maybe it seemed minor at the time, or you didn’t think anyone was injured. Perhaps you were too shaken to process what to do next, and now—days later—you’re wondering: Is it too late to file a police report?

This scenario is more common than most realize. Whether you're dealing with delayed pain, new vehicle damage concerns, or pressure from an insurance adjuster, filing a police report after the fact is possible—and often necessary. But how and where to do it, especially in Toronto, isn’t always clear.

This guide breaks down the process of filing a report after an accident, even if it happened days ago. We’ll clarify what’s legally required, where to go, and how to make sure your rights are protected—especially if you’re pursuing a personal injury claim.

When Do You Have to File a Police Report in Ontario?

Let’s start with what Ontario law says.

According to the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must report a collision to police immediately if:

• Anyone is injured or killed

• A criminal offence is suspected (e.g., impaired driving, hit-and-run)

• The collision involves a pedestrian, cyclist, or government vehicle or property

• The total property damage appears to exceed $5,000 (as of January 1, 2025)

If none of these apply, the accident is classified as minor, and in most cases you are expected to report it through a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC) rather than calling police to the scene.

That said, if you didn’t report the accident right away, it’s still possible—and often advisable—to file a report after the fact, especially if you later realize that the damage or injuries were more serious than they initially appeared.

Why Drivers Delay Reporting—and Why That’s Not Always a Problem

Plenty of people don’t file a report right away. You may have:

• Felt fine immediately after the accident, only to develop symptoms days later

• Assumed the damage was minimal, then discovered costly repairs

• Thought the other driver would handle it through insurance

• Simply didn’t know that a report was necessary

In any of these cases, late reporting doesn’t mean you’ve lost your rights. But it does mean you need to act quickly once you realize the accident needs to be documented.

Where to File a Police Report After the Accident in Toronto

If you didn’t call police at the scene, your next stop is a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC). These are designated locations run in partnership with the Toronto Police Service, where you can file a report and document the collision—without needing an officer to attend in person.

Toronto Collision Reporting Centre Locations

North Collision Reporting Centre

113 Toryork Drive, Toronto, ON M9L 1X9

East Collision Reporting Centre

39 Howden Road, Toronto, ON M1R 3C7

You’ll need to bring your vehicle (if it’s drivable and safe), along with:

• Your driver’s licence

• Vehicle ownership documents

• Insurance information

• Any photos, witness info, or notes you’ve gathered
  

If your vehicle has already been towed or repaired, or if it’s unsafe to drive, contact the CRC before you visit—they may provide alternate options for filing.

Step-by-Step: How to File the Report

Filing your report after the fact might feel stressful, especially if you’re unsure how it’ll be received. But the process is straightforward, and staff at the CRC are trained to guide you through it.

Step 1: Prepare Your Notes

Write down as much as you remember:

• Date, time, and location of the accident

• Direction you were traveling

• What the other driver was doing

• Any comments or behaviours at the scene

• Physical or property damage observed

This will help you stay consistent when describing the event.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

Bring or print:

• Photos of vehicle damage and accident location

• Repair estimates or invoices (if repairs have already started)

• Any communication from the other party or your insurer

The more information you can provide, the more thorough your report will be.

Step 3: Visit the Collision Reporting Centre

Once there, you’ll complete a Motor Vehicle Collision Report with the help of a reporting officer. They’ll inspect your vehicle (if applicable), ask clarifying questions, and enter the report into the official system.

Step 4: Request a Copy

After submitting, you can request a copy of the report online through the Toronto Police Service. This can take a few days to become available and usually requires a small fee. This report becomes an official record for insurance and legal use.

What If the Other Driver Won’t Cooperate—or Left the Scene?

If the other driver:

• Refuses to exchange info

• Won’t answer calls

• Has provided false details

• Left the scene altogether

…it’s especially important to file a report. Even if it’s late, your documentation will be used to support claims of a hit and run or uncooperative party.

Try to include:

• License plate numbers

• Vehicle description (make, model, colour)

• Description of the driver

• Any witness details or camera footage (dashcam, nearby businesses)

Police may still investigate depending on the details, but more importantly, it allows your insurer to open a claim even if the other driver can’t be reached.

Can You File a Report Online?

At the time of writing, Toronto does not offer online reporting for collisions. All police-reported vehicle collisions must be done in person at a CRC.

However, you may be able to submit insurance details online directly through your insurer’s portal. Just remember: insurance filing is not the same as police reporting. The latter creates an independent, legal record that’s often critical in personal injury claims.

How Delays Impact Legal and Insurance Outcomes

One of the most common concerns people have is whether reporting late will hurt their case. The answer depends on the circumstances.

Insurance Implications

Most insurance policies require timely reporting—often within 7 days of the accident. Delays might:

• Lead to claim denial for property damage

• Complicate fault assessments

• Create disputes around repair or rental coverage

But if you can show valid reasons for delay—like medical recovery or misunderstanding of requirements—insurers may still honor the claim, especially when supported by a police report.

Legal Considerations

For personal injury claims, timing matters but isn’t everything. What’s more important is your ability to show:

• That the accident occurred

• That injuries developed as a result

• That proper documentation was completed once symptoms became clear
  

A well-documented report—combined with medical records and legal support—can still form the foundation of a strong claim, even if reporting didn’t happen on the day of the collision.

Why Legal Support Makes a Difference

When you’re filing a report late—especially after injury symptoms have appeared—having legal guidance helps you:

• Communicate accurately with insurers and CRC staff

• Document all physical, emotional, and financial impacts

• Navigate conflicting stories from the other driver

• Meet legal deadlines and support your case with credible records
  

At Misir & Company, we work with drivers every day who are trying to make sense of late accident reporting, confusing insurance responses, or new injuries that weren’t obvious at the time of the crash.

We understand how these events unfold—and how to take corrective steps fast, so you’re not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

Contact Misir & Company

If you’ve delayed filing a police report and are unsure what to do next, we can help.

We’ll:

• Review your situation

• Help you file properly with the CRC

• Protect your claim with timely legal documentation

• Guide you through next steps with your insurer or legal case

Misir & Company Lawyers

880 St Clair Ave West

Toronto, ON, Canada

Phone: 416‑865‑6274

Email: info@misirandcompany.ca

Website: www.misirandcompany.ca