How Long Do You Have to Report an Accident in Alberta?

A commonly held belief in Alberta is you have 24 hours to report an accident to police.

The truth is, if you have been involved in an accident, you’re required to report it to the police right away unless the damage is under $2000.00 and you and the other driver have exchanged your licence, registration and insurance details.

If the vehicle you hit is unoccupied you MUST leave a note on the car with all your contact information or call the police immediately.

 

So… When to Report an Accident and Do You Really Need to in Your Case?

Also commonly misunderstood in Alberta is that you do not need to report a car accident if it is less than $2000.00 damage. That’s true. If the damage appears to be under $2000.00, then exchanging your info as noted above should be fine, but if there are injuries, or damage is over $2000.00, then you MUST report the accident to the police. No exceptions.

If You Don’t Report an Accident, What Happens?

If you don’t report an accident, Alberta police can give you a court summons that carries only 3 demerits, but the fine can be as high as $2000.00. It’s 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 danger of not reporting an accident to police is that it can quickly escalate to a Fail to Remain Charge. That's a completely differerent story…. It can double your insurance premiums for three years, add 7 demerits to your driving record, and result in a high fine (read more about a hit and run charge here).

Keep in mind that we’ve seen situations where a client shook hands with the other driver and went on with their day only to be served with a Fail to Remain charge later. It’s a very good idea to make sure information is exchanged regardless of how minor the accident seems.

We Can Help You if You Didn’t Report a Car Accident

Whichever charge you face, Failing to Report an Accident or Fail to Remain at Scene of Accident, we have more than 36 years experience representing Alberta drivers facing these charges. Our consultation is always free and no pressure. We'll improve your situation, help save you money and give you peace of mind.