Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Collisions: Prepare for the worst
Even a minor car collision is upsetting. But being prepared and knowing what to do can keep an unpleasant experience from being a lot worse. Take these immediate steps. Then contact Manitoba Public Insurance.
Priority One: Human safety
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Look for hazards like fire or spilled gasoline. See if anyone is injured in the other vehicle or nearby. If so, call 911 and apply first aid.
Priority Two: Prevent secondary collisions
If you’ve had a minor collision, don’t block traffic. Pull over to the shoulder or curb lane and put your hood up and your flashers on.
Exchange information
Stand on the sidewalk or boulevard while exchanging information – avoid standing near a disabled vehicle. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver’s licence numbers, number of passengers, vehicle owner’s name, address and phone number, vehicle plate number, make, model, year, and insurance policy number.
Put it in writing
Record the date, time, exact location, city and province, road conditions, your speed and direction of travel, the other driver’s speed and direction of travel, and damage to the vehicles or any other property. Draw a diagram of what happened.
Get witnesses
Write down the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two witnesses if possible.
Make a police report at:
- any Winnipeg Police District Station;
- the Central Traffic Unit at the Public Safety Building, 151 Princess Street; or
- any Winnipeg Police Service Centre.
Notify police within seven days if the incident involves:
- injuries;
- combined damage of more than $1,000;
- vandalism;
- theft;
- hit and run; or
- an uninsured, suspended or impaired driver.
A standard report form is available online as a pdf. Print off a copy and keep it in your vehicle, along with a pen or pencil.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV and check out the following sections on our website:
- Accident Procedures in Driving Tips
- Reporting a Vehicle Claim in Claims
- You can access the 60-Second video on Accident Procedures directly
