Do You Legally Have to Report a Car Accident?
It is a common misconception that in Alberta you do not need to report a car accident if it is less than $2000.00 damage.
That’s true if you and the other driver have exchanged your contact details and insurance card information, but if there are injuries, or damage is over $2000.00, then you MUST report the accident to the police.
What Happens if You Fail to Report an Accident?
Failure to Report an Accident carries only 3 demerits in Alberta, but the fine can be as high as $2000.00. It is a minor offence in the traffic safety act, and if it's the only violation on your Alberta driving record you may see no insurance increase. The key though is whether you have a prior accident claim or have any other minor violations on your record (u-turn, lane change, minor speeding tickets). Start stacking this charge with them and you can quickly see some monumental increases in your insurance premiums... 3 minor violations in 3 years and your insurance can double.
See more about how traffic tickets increase your insurance rates
The danger of not reporting an accident to police is that it can quickly escalate to a Fail to Remain Charge (Hit and Run). That's a completely different story and is a major violation with 50-100% insurance premium increases for three years, 7 demerits, and a significantly higher fine (read more about a hit and run charge here).
How We Can Help You with a Fail to Report Accident Charge
Whichever of these charges you are facing, Failing to Report Accident or Fail to Remain at Scene of Accident, we have more than 36 years experience representing Alberta drivers facing these charges.
Contact us… Our consultation is always free and no pressure. We'll let you know how we can help improve your situation to help save you money and give you peace of mind.
Contact us… Our consultation is always free and no pressure. We'll let you know how we can help improve your situation to help save you money and give you peace of mind.