Leaving the scene of an accident comes with stiff punishments, and that’s true whether you want to call it a hit and run or failure to remain. There is a common misconception that these two terms mean something different, but in Alberta, the truth is that a hit-and-run ticket and a failure-to-remain-at-the-scene-of-an-accident ticket are essentially the same thing.
The repercussions of receiving a ticket can be serious, including substantial fines, demerit points, increased insurance premiums, and even potential criminal charges. That means it’s almost always worth fighting a hit-and-run ticket, and our team at We Defend can help.
What Are Your Obligations If You’re Involved in an Accident?
This gets to the core of what a hit and run ticket is all about. If you’re involved in any type of accident with another person or vehicle while you’re driving, you have obligations. Failing to meet them will result in a hit and run ticket.
What are those obligations? The rules are outlined in two separate locations:
The Criminal Code of Canada
The Criminal Code of Canada makes it clear that if you’re involved in a collision, you need to stop your vehicle, provide your name and address, and offer assistance to anyone who requires it. As the Edmonton Police Service explains, a failure to do so can result in up to five years in jail or life imprisonment if someone is killed.
Traffic Safety Act
In Alberta, the province’s Traffic Safety Act goes further into detail, defining the duties of a driver in an accident in Section 69. They include:
- Remaining at or immediately returning to the scene of an accident
- Assist where possible
- Provide name, address, driver’s license, license plate of your vehicle, and insurance document.
If you strike a parked car and the owner isn’t there, you’re obligated to leave a note.
Failing to do this will result in a charge for Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident, commonly referred to as a hit and run.
What Are the Repercussions of a Hit and Run?
A hit and run is one of the most serious charges under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and can have major impacts on your driving record and your life in general. A Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident ticket can come with:
- A mandatory court appearance
- Seven demerit points
- Fines of up to $2000
- Possible prison time
- Increase in insurance premiums
What Is a Failure to Report an Accident Ticket?
While less serious than a hit and run, you could also be issued a Failure to Report an Accident Ticket if you are involved in a collision and don’t report it to police. Not every minor accident needs to be reported if all parties involved exchange information and agree. However, any collision that causes $5,000 or more in damages or causes injuries must be reported.
Not doing so will result in a Failure to Report an Accident ticket. While it’s considered less serious than a hit and run, that doesn’t mean a ticket should be taken lightly. Repercussions can include:
- Demerit points, which can accumulate and lead to a license suspension
- A fine of up to $2,000
- Increases in insurance premiums
Why You Should Always Fight a Hit and Run Ticket
Getting a ticket for a hit and run can have serious consequences, both financially and in terms of your driving record. Remember that in Alberta, 15 demerit points in a two-year period result in a suspended license, so the seven demerit points you receive for a hit and run can impact your ability to drive your vehicle to and from work or to important appointments if you have any other offences on your record.
Fines of up to $2000 and even the possibility of jail time are punishments you’ll want to avoid, too, which means that fighting a hit and run ticket is almost always worth it.
Hiring We Defend is the best way for you to fight your hit and run charge and reduce or avoid the penalties entirely. Our expert team has been helping Albertans charged with hit and runs for over two decades.
Hire We Defend to Fight a Hit and Run Ticket
People make mistakes, and just because you’ve been charged with a hit and run or a Failure to Report an Accident doesn’t mean you need to accept the consequences blindly. Fighting a hit and run ticket with We Defend is your best way of avoiding the harsh consequences or getting the penalties reduced, at the very least.
For more information on how our team can help with your hit and run ticket, call us at (587) 857-5400 for a free consultation, or learn more about our rates.
FAQs About Hit and Runs
What happens if you leave the scene of an accident in Alberta?
A charge for a hit and run has serious consequences, including possible jail time. It’s considered the most serious type of violation under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act and can come with a fine of up to $2,000 seven demerit points, and a mandatory court appearance. If you are charged with Failure to Remain at the Scene of an Accident, it’s always best to fight it with We Defend.
How long do you go to jail for a hit and run in Canada?
There is no guaranteed jail time for a hit and run in Canada or Alberta, specifically. It is a possibility, though. The penalties depend on the extent of the damage caused and whether you are a repeat offender. The punishment can be up to five years in jail and, if someone dies, could be life imprisonment. Even for first-time offenders who are likely to face more lenient punishments for a hit and run, it is always worth fighting hit and run charges.