Are you a victim of a hit-and-run accident taken place on the road in Medicine Hat Canada? Did the driver move away after hitting a car on the road? Or maybe you’re accused of a hit-and-run case that happened earlier around a block you were crossing. And now, you’re edgy about what is the charge for a hit-and-run case.
There are different charges, and the compensation may vary on the cases and damages that occurred. Read the entire article if you’re directly involved in a hit-and-run and want to know about the charges to prepare for the lawsuit.
What is a Hit-and-Run Incident?
A hit-and-run accident is an incident in which someone hit a moving or stationary vehicle and leaves the place without offering help or a note for contacting later to the victim. It can happen in many ways, such as during parallel parking, DUI driving, illegal breaking, and hitting a pedestrian or cyclist.
According to Canadian Law, regardless of how it happened, you must stay at the site if you hit the car. Furthermore, you have both ethical and legal responsibility to offer help alongside being present in the scene.
In terms of law, a hit-and-run incident is considered a failure to remain at the site after an accident and, thus, a criminal act. The punishment and charges for hit-and-run depend on how serious the harm you caused and the offence you committed.
Find out about the charges and penalties for hit and run below.
What is the Charge for Hit-and-Run Accidents in Medicine Hat, Canada?
As mentioned earlier, there’re mainly two kinds of charges. One is under the Highway Traffic Act of a specific province, and another is under Criminal Code.
Highway Traffic Act for hit and run accident
You’ll be charged under Highway Traffic Act if you fail to remain at the scene. And you get charged if you strike a car in a parking lot or hit a running vehicle and go away driving.
Note that Highway Traffic Act is provincial law. So, when you’re accused of violating the Highway Traffic Act, you’ve committed a provincial offence. And as a penalty, you will get a ticket for committing this offence.
How much is a hit-and-run ticket? Considering the minor hit-and-run charges in Canada, you might have to pay a minimum $200 fine for a hit-and-run offence.
Learn more about the penalties in the following section.
What are the penalties for hit-and-run cases under Highway Traffic Act?
The penalty you will get depends on the severity of your fault because the incident can unfold in many ways.
For instance, the penalty for a hit-and-run parked car in Canada is not the same as seriously colliding with a motor vehicle or human. However, you could expect to get the following punishments.
- $400 to $2,000 in fines
- Up to 6 months in prison
- 7 demerit points
- G1 and G2 drivers will be suspended for 30 days
- Drivers may have their licenses suspended for up to two years
- Insurance rates can increase by 100%
How Much Can I Sue for Emotional Distress in Canada?
Criminal code of hit and run accident
Is hit and run a criminal offence? If you crash with another vehicle, it’s an accident. So, leaving the scene of an accident in Canada, you’ll be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada.
This means you must have hurt someone in the incident that resulted in serious injury, including a bone fracture to death. So a hit-and-run accident falls under a criminal offence. If you’re charged under Criminal Code, you have committed a federal crime.
What are the penalties for hit-and-run cases under Criminal Code?
As the hit-and-run Criminal Code suggests, the punishment is more serious. Again, the severity of the offence will determine the type of punishment.
The punishments that offenders could receive are listed below.
- Hefty fines
- License suspension or prohibition for one to three years
- A prison time of up to 5 years—for severe accidents
- Probationary periods
- Restitution requirements
Note that the penalties under the Criminal code are not limited to these.
What to Do If You’ve Just Hit and Run from a Spot?
You must contact the police to report the incident within 24 hours. Otherwise, the other party might do it, and the police will charge you, based on the nature of the crime, which can include: fines, license suspension, and jail—if you are at fault.
However, if you are not at fault, but there’re damages, without reporting it to the police, the other party might frame you for the settlement money. So why leave the chances to others, right?
What should you do if a hit-and-run accident occurs to you?
If you ever encounter a hit-and-run accident, ensure you’re injured. Ask for help if there’re people around. Then Take photos of the damages and try to find as much information as possible about the offender.
Next, call the police and give them the details so they can catch the wrongdoer. Also, you can talk to a lawyer if you’re entitled to compensation. A lawyer can help you smoothen the overall process.
What Happens If You Hit a Pedestrian in Canada?
Final Notes
Hit and run is a common incident. But that doesn’t mean it is always minor. Besides, you might not know if it’s major or minor damage. That’s why you must report it to the police and talk to the legal authority to identify if you receive a settlement for the hit and run.
In case you are the one who is at fault, it’s better your report the incident to the police as soon as possible. Never leave an accident site so the opponent can claim against you. Also, doing so increase your chances of avoiding hefty charges if you are the faulty party.
FAQ Related to the Hit-and-run Accident
Read on the following queries in case you have further confusion.
What is the charge for hit and run in Canada?
There’re two kinds of hit-and-run charges in Canada. You could be charged under Provincial Highway Traffic Act or Criminal Code. If you hit a car in the parking lot, you would have to pay a fine from around $400 to $2000, a provincial offence. If you injure someone and drive off, you will have much more severe penalties than Highway Traffic Act.
What to do if someone hits my car and drives off?
No matter where your car has been hit, you must call the police if the person drives off. If you don’t know who hit your car, the police can help you identify the person. After that, depending on the type and severity of the crime, the offender will be penalized.
Will a hit-and-run claim raise my insurance?
If you were not at fault in particular situations, your insurance premium might not increase. In some cases, even hit-and-run accidents when the other car was at fault can increase the rate.
Can you get arrested for a hit-and-run?
You can get arrested if you’re charged under Provincial Highway Traffic Act and Criminal Code. Once proven guilty, you might spend up to five years in prison or about six months.
What to do if your hit and run a parked car with no witness?
You should stay at the spot. If you’re in a hurry, you must leave a note so the other party can contact you. Otherwise, it will be considered a hit-and-run accident. You can talk to an expert lawyer if the other party involves the police if it’s not your fault.