Receiving a ticket for hit and run in Alberta can be a really big deal. The consequences are serious and can include jail time, huge fines, demerit points, and skyrocketing insurance premiums.
And a hit-and-run ticket isn’t just for major car accidents. Even a small collision with a parked car that causes little-to-no damage qualifies as hitting-and-running if you don’t leave a note identifying yourself before leaving the scene, and the Alberta Traffic Safety Act has clear rules on the obligations of drivers in any type of collision.
But while the consequences can be grave, that doesn’t mean you should simply accept your fate and plead guilty if you’re given a ticket for the hit and run. Mistakes happen, and at We Defend, we can help you reduce and avoid the penalties that come with hit-and-run tickets.
Here’s everything you need to know about hit-and-run tickets in Alberta:
What Qualifies as a Hit and Run in Alberta?
When most people think of a hit-and-run, their mind probably immediately takes them to a major crash on a highway or an intersection where a driver hits another vehicle or pedestrian and then takes off. And that’s not necessarily wrong, but that paints an incomplete picture of what is considered hitting and running in Alberta.
Whether or not there is damage, leaving the scene of any collision of any severity is considered hitting and running, and there are two types of charges that can be laid in those situations.
Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident is the more serious of the two charges and can come with:
- Possible prison time
- A mandatory court appearance
- Seven demerit points
- Fines of up to $2000
- Increases in insurance premiums
You could also be charged with Failure to Report an Accident. While this is generally considered a lesser charge, it still comes with fines, three demerit points, and large increases in insurance rates.
An example of Failure to Report an Accident would be if you accidentally tapped another car in a parking lot and drove away without leaving a note identifying yourself and providing contact information.
What to Know About Hit and Run Tickets
As we noted above, there are serious consequences that come with hitting and running tickets, so it’s almost always worth hiring an expert ticket fighter to help reduce or avoid the penalties that come with a ticket.
There are several factors that will affect the penalties you’ll face for being charged with hitting and running. These include:
- Repeat offenders: If it’s your first time being charged with hit and run, you’ll likely face more lenient fines and penalties.
- Injuries: If someone is hurt during a hit-and-run, you could face additional charges and could be held liable for medical costs. Leaving the scene of an accident may have also made the injuries that were suffered worse, which could impact charges.
- Damages: The more damage to another vehicle or property, the more severe the charges for hitting and running could be.
Why Fight a Hit and Run Ticket?
While staying at the scene of an accident or leaving a note if you lightly bump into a parked car is always advisable; mistakes do happen, and drivers can panic in the moment after a crash happens.
The consequences of a ticket for a hit and run are severe and expensive and can impact your ability to get to and from work or attend important appointments and life events.
Because of that, it’s almost always worth fighting a ticket for a hit and run. The cost of increased insurance premiums alone can be a huge financial burden, and the costs that come with defending your ticket with We Defend will be significantly less than what you’ll pay in increased insurance and fines if you simply plead guilty.
How to Fight a Hit and Run Ticket
If you’ve just received a ticket for hit and run, contact We Defend so we can help walk you through the process of pleading not guilty and working toward a resolution. You aren’t doomed; our team can help get you out of a hit and run charge—sometimes without your need to ever step in the courtroom.
However, if you’d like to fight your hit-and-run ticket yourself, here are a few key steps you can follow:
- Review the ticket: It’s important to understand exactly what you’re being charged with. The ticket may also have inconsistencies and mistakes that could help your defence.
- Compile evidence: This could include a witness who was sitting in the front seat and could confirm that you were unaware of a minor bump or prove that there was a reason for you to leave the scene of the accident—it felt unsafe, for example.
- Plead not guilty: In Alberta, all charges for hitting and running come with a mandatory court date, so it’s important to have a team like the one at We Defend helping you out as quickly as possible.
- Request disclosure: You have the right to request all legal evidence that’s been compiled against you from the Crown Prosecutor, and this will help prepare your defence.
- Attend court: You’ll want to dress formally on your court date and be prepared for evidence from both sides to be presented before the judge makes their verdict.
Contact We Defend to Fight Your Hit and Run Ticket
While tickets for a hit and run carry hard-hitting penalties that can have a long-term impact on your driving record, finances, and more, you don’t need to just accept those consequences without putting up a fight.
We Defend can help, and we have over 80 years of combined experience helping Albertans charged with hitting and running reduce or avoid penalties.
We offer free consultations and service 365 days a year. Use our contact form or call (587)806-3586 to start fighting your ticket for hitting and running today.
FAQs About Hit and Run Tickets
How Long Do You Have to Report a Hit and Run in Alberta?
If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, you must exchange license, registration, and insurance details with the other car owner. If the damage is worth over $2,000, you must notify the police immediately.
Does Insurance Cover a Hit and Run in Alberta?
Comprehensive insurance coverage in Alberta covers hit-and-run accidents. Check your insurance policy to find exactly what you’re covered for.
What to Do if You Hit a Parked Car in Alberta?
If you hit a parked car in Alberta, you must notify the owner of the car of any damage you might have caused. If you can’t locate them, you must securely attach a note with your name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and license plate number to their vehicle.