Abstract:
After an accident in Ottawa, whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall on icy property, or a dog bite, most people focus on getting through the day-to-day pain and disruption. That’s understandable. But the decisions you make in the first hours, days, and weeks after an accident can significantly affect your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries. Seemingly harmless choices, like “waiting to see if it gets better” or having a friendly chat with an insurance adjuster, often give insurers tools to minimize or deny valid claims.
This blog draws on QTMG Personal Injury Lawyers’ 23+ years of experience representing Ottawa residents to highlight the most common mistakes people make after an accident and, more importantly, how to avoid them. From seeking prompt medical care and preserving evidence to understanding limitation periods and knowing when to speak with a lawyer, this guide is designed to give you practical, step-by-step direction so you can protect both your health and your legal rights.
Accidents in Ottawa rarely happen at a “good” time. One moment you are driving on the Queensway, walking into a store on a snowy day, or visiting a friend’s house; the next, you are dealing with pain, shock, and a sudden loss of normal routine. It’s in these stressful moments that people unintentionally make decisions that weaken their future personal injury claim.
At QTMG Personal Injury Lawyers, we see patterns repeat themselves. Many injured people have strong cases on the facts, but their claims are undermined by avoidable mistakes made early on. This guide explains the most common missteps and how to steer clear of them so you can focus on recovery while protecting your right to compensation.
To see how these principles play out in real Ottawa cases, you can also read our guides on slip and fall injuries in Ottawa and winter safety and accident prevention.
Important: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Every case is fact-specific. If you have been injured, speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Ottawa about your situation.
1. Not Getting Medical Attention Right Away
After an accident, many people “tough it out,” hoping the pain will disappear in a few days. Others worry about missing work or inconveniencing family, so they delay seeing a doctor.
This can be dangerous in two ways:
- Medical risk: Injuries like concussions, soft-tissue damage, internal injuries, or spinal problems do not always show their full impact immediately. Delayed diagnosis can lead to worse outcomes and longer recovery.
- Legal risk: Insurers and defence lawyers look closely at any gap between the accident and your first medical visit. If you wait weeks to seek help, they may argue that your injuries are minor, unrelated to the accident, or caused by something else.
For more on why timely medical assessments matter, especially when disability benefits are involved, see our blog Injury Lawyers Discuss the Independent Medical.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Get checked by a family doctor, walk-in clinic, or emergency department as soon as possible, even if you think you are “just sore.”
- Describe all symptoms, even if they seem small; dizziness, headaches, sleep issues, anxiety, or difficulty concentrating can all be relevant.
- Follow through on referrals to specialists, imaging, or physiotherapy; consistent treatment creates a clear medical timeline that supports your claim.
2. Failing to Report and Document the Accident
Another common mistake is not formally reporting what happened, or assuming a quick conversation with a staff member, driver, or dog owner is enough. For example:
- A slip and fall victim tells an employee but doesn’t fill out an incident report.
- A driver exchanges information after a collision but doesn’t contact the police or a collision reporting centre when required.
- A dog bite victim simply washes the wound and goes home, without getting the dog owner’s details or reporting to animal control.
Without documentation, insurers may later suggest the incident did not happen as described, or at all.
How to Avoid This Mistake
Right after the accident, if you are able:
Report the incident
- Car accident: call police or attend a collision reporting centre, depending on the severity and Ontario rules.
- Slip and fall: report to the property owner, manager, or security and ask that an incident report be completed.
- Dog bite: obtain the dog owner’s contact information and report the incident to local animal control or by-law services.
Photograph and video the scene:
- Hazards (ice, spills, broken steps, lack of lighting).
- Vehicle damage, skid marks, or debris.
- Visible injuries, torn clothing, and the footwear you were wearing.
- Collect witness details: names, phone numbers, and emails.
- Keep a copy of any incident or police report if available.
The more documentation you have, the harder it is for insurers to dispute your story later.
3. Giving Statements to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice
Insurance adjusters are trained professionals. They may sound sympathetic, but their job is to limit the insurer’s financial exposure. Early in the process, they often call and ask you to:
- Give a recorded statement
- Sign broad medical authorizations
- Explain “how you’re doing now”
Innocent comments such as “I’m feeling a bit better” or guesses about fault can be used later to challenge your credibility, minimize the seriousness of your injuries, or suggest you were partly to blame.
Before giving any detailed statement to an insurer, review our Q&A Is it ok to speak with an insurance agent or adjuster after an accident? so you understand what information is safe to share.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Be polite but cautious. You can provide basic information such as your name, contact information, and date of the accident.
- Do not provide detailed statements, opinions about fault, or sign documents without understanding their implications.
- Before engaging in any substantive discussion with an insurer, yours or the other party’s, speak with a personal injury lawyer to understand your rights.
At QTMG, we often take over communication with insurers entirely, so our clients can focus on recovery.
4. Posting on Social Media as if Nothing Has Changed
In today’s world, it’s natural to share life updates online. But after an accident, social media can be one of your biggest risks. Insurers and defence counsel regularly review public social media profiles. Even private content can find its way into litigation through disclosure requests.
Examples that can be twisted against you include:
- Photos of you smiling at a family event, even if you were in pain and left early
- Comments about “feeling fine now” made to reassure friends
- Posts suggesting you are active when you’ve told doctors you’re limited
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Consider pausing social media activity entirely while your claim is ongoing.
- Never post about the accident, your injuries, your claim, or conversations with your lawyer.
- Ask family and friends not to tag you in posts that might be misunderstood.
5. Missing Critical Legal Deadlines
In Ontario, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of when you knew, or ought to have known, that you were injured and that someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to your loss.
However, there are additional, much shorter notice periods that are especially relevant in Ottawa:
- Slip and fall on municipal property (e.g., city sidewalks, roads, parks): In many cases, you must give the municipality written notice within 10 days of the accident, with limited exceptions. https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1/report-or-request/claims-city
- Slip and fall on private property due to snow or ice: Amendments to Ontario’s Occupiers’ Liability Act require written notice to the occupier (and any snow removal contractor) within 60 days of the incident, with specific content and service requirements. https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90o02
Missing these deadlines can seriously jeopardize your claim, although courts sometimes excuse delay if there is a reasonable explanation and no prejudice to the defendant.
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
- Do not assume that “two years” is your only deadline.
- If time has already passed, seek legal advice immediately, there may still be options depending on your circumstances.
6. Not Tracking Your Losses and Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Compensation in personal injury claims often includes:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs (mileage, parking, medications, assistive devices)
- Future care needs and, in serious cases, home modifications
If you don’t keep records, it becomes much harder to prove these losses.
For a deeper look at how documented expenses and losses factor into legal fees and settlements, read What to Know About Contingency Fees
How to Avoid This Mistake
- Keep all receipts related to your injury, including prescriptions, physiotherapy, counselling, medical equipment, and transportation.
- Ask your employer for documentation of missed time from work and any changes to duties or hours.
- For self-employed or freelance workers, preserve invoices, contracts, and financial records showing loss of business or opportunities.
- Consider maintaining a simple injury journal noting pain levels, sleep issues, missed events, and activities you can no longer do.
7. Assuming You “Don’t Have a Case” or Waiting Too Long to Ask
Many Ottawa residents assume their injuries are “not bad enough” to justify legal help, or they feel guilty about “making a fuss.” Others wait to see if things improve, only to realize months later that symptoms are lingering or worsening.
Unfortunately, waiting often means:
- Evidence at the scene has disappeared
- Witnesses are harder to locate or don’t remember details
- Key notice periods or limitation periods are approaching or have passed
Even if you are unsure whether you have a claim, an early consultation can clarify your options and help you avoid costly missteps.
8. Trying to Handle a Complex Claim Alone
Personal injury law in Ontario is governed by a web of statutes, regulations, case law, and insurance rules. From coordinating medical evidence and expert reports to negotiating with insurers and, if necessary, pursuing litigation, building a strong claim is demanding work.
Trying to navigate this alone, while recovering from an injury and managing family or work responsibilities can be overwhelming and may result in a lower settlement than you deserve.
At QTMG, we:
- Investigate the accident and identify all potentially responsible parties
- Gather and fund medical and expert evidence upfront
- Manage communications and negotiations with insurers
- Provide clear, honest advice about the value and strength of your claim
- Work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless your case is successful
How QTMG Personal Injury Lawyers Help Ottawa Residents After an Accident
For over 23 years, QTMG has represented injury victims across Ottawa and the surrounding region, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, long-term disability claims, and more. We understand how disruptive injuries can be to your family, your work, and your future.
When you contact us for a free consultation, we:
- Listen to your story and answer your questions in clear, plain language
- Explain your rights, potential options, and key deadlines
- Take immediate steps, where appropriate, to preserve evidence and protect your claim
- Offer services in multiple languages to support Ottawa’s diverse community
You pay no legal fees unless we win your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don’t let avoidable mistakes stand between you and fair compensation. Call QTMG Personal Injury Lawyers today or contact us to schedule your free case evaluation.
