What Happens if You Hit a Car in a Parking Lot and Leave?
Have you ever bumped bumpers with a parked car in a parking lot and not left a note? Have you ever returned to your car and discovered a scuff or dent that happened while you were in a store? These are considered hit and run accidents… or Failing to Remain at the Scene of an Accident.
Hitting a parked car on the street and not leaving a note or contacting the owner immediately results in the same hit and run charge as those minor parking lot incidents. It seems far more serious, but the same section of law applies. This one most often happens in the wee hours of the night, and the police are always suspicious the offending driver was likely impaired at the time. Even clipping mirrors and not leaving a note is a hit and run accident.
Punishment for Hit and Run in Alberta
The penalty for hit and run parked car depends on which version of the charge you are given. You get 3 demerits and fines ranging from $400.00 to about $750.00, depending on the circumstances. Your insurance premiums can suffer a nasty increase for the next three years as well. Having us examine the police evidence and eventually negotiating a resolution to protect your insurance rates can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the next three years.
Reporting a Hit and Run – Parked Car
If you are the victim of a parked car hit and run, you must first report it to the police, and then your insurance company (unless you choose to repair the damage yourself).
When you hit a parked car and cannot find the owner you must always leave a note showing at least your name and phone number. The note must, at a minimum, make it easy for the vehicle owner or the police to contact you. If either of these two essential pieces of information are missing from your note you can be charged with a version of this offense.
What Happens if You Hit a Parked Car and Leave Because You are in Danger?
You can flee the scene of an accident if you feel threatened by the other party. That said, you must contact the police as soon as you are safe. Typically that means as soon as you get home. Failure to call police from home right away will result in you being charged with Failing to Remain at the Scene". We have been very successful over the years negotiating excellent resolutions in those circumstances. Contact us to find out how we can help.
Is it Possible to Hit a Car and Not Know it?
This scenario happens all the time, and you most certainly can still be found guilty of this offense even when you truly did not know you damaged another vehicle or property. Why? This level of law says that having knowledge you committed the offence isn’t necessary to be charged with a hit and run. That seems to be a really hard line… and it is… but ultimately we have great success in negotiating our way out of that version of a hit and run charge. Contact us and we’ll show you how.
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