Hit and Run Charges
In Edmonton
Hit and Run Defence in Alberta
Failing to remain at the scene of an accident is the most serious charge under the Traffic Safety Act, and depending on the circumstances, it can also result in criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. Commonly called a hit and run, this charge carries severe penalties including heavy fines, demerit points, imprisonment, and a potentially permanent mark on your record. Got a Ticket? Fight It! has represented drivers facing this charge across Edmonton and Alberta, and we understand that the circumstances behind a hit and run are often far more complex than they first appear.
If you have been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident, you need experienced representation. The consequences of a conviction are too serious to face without it.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Remain?
Under the Traffic Safety Act:
- Fines from $405 to $2,400
- 7 demerit points
- Possible loss of license for up to 90 days
Under the Criminal Code of Canada (if criminal charges are laid):
- Imprisonment of up to 5 years
- A permanent criminal record
- Mandatory driving prohibition
A hit and run conviction also carries serious insurance consequences. With 7 demerit points applied at once, many drivers find themselves pushed well into the suspension range, compounding the consequences of the original charge. Combined with related charges such as careless driving or dangerous driving, the impact on your record and your premiums can be severe and long-lasting. Some insurers will decline to renew coverage altogether following a conviction of this kind.
Violation Areas
Explore common traffic violations we can help you dispute and protect your driving record.
What Should You Know?
What the Law Requires at the Scene of an Accident
Under Alberta law, any driver involved in an accident must remain at the scene or return to it as quickly as possible. Your obligations depend on the circumstances:
- If another person is involved, you must call police immediately and offer reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured.
- If you collide with an unattended vehicle, you must stop, attempt to locate the owner, and provide your contact and vehicle information.
- If you collide with property other than a vehicle, you must take reasonable steps to notify the owner.
It is important to understand that not every driver who leaves the scene does so intentionally. In some cases, a driver may not have realized an accident occurred at all, particularly in low-speed incidents, poor visibility conditions, or situations involving a minor impact. Whether the driver was actually aware that a collision took place is a key question in many hit and run cases, and it is one our team examines carefully from the start.
Leaving the scene to avoid criminal or civil liability is treated as an aggravating factor and can result in significantly more severe penalties. However, the intent behind leaving, and what the driver knew at the time, can be central to the defence.
How We Can Help
Hit and run cases require careful review of the specific circumstances, including whether the driver was aware an accident had occurred, whether they returned to the scene, what steps were taken afterward, and whether the criminal threshold is actually met. These are not straightforward questions, and the answers depend heavily on the evidence available and how it is examined.
Our team reviews the police report, any witness statements, available camera footage, the road and weather conditions at the time, and the sequence of events as documented. We work to identify weaknesses in the case against you and build the strongest possible defence based on the specific facts.
Where the evidence is strong, we work to negotiate a resolution that minimizes the consequences, including seeking a reduction in the charge, fewer demerit points, or a lesser offence that limits the long-term damage to your record and your insurance.
If your matter also involves a Driver Control Board hearing, a related impaired driving charge, or a driving under suspension matter, we address all aspects of your case together.
Expert Traffic Paralegal Team
We’re Here to Help!
- Founded by a former RCMP officer with deep knowledge of the court system.
- Over 27 years of experience defending Alberta drivers.
- Licensed paralegals focused exclusively on traffic ticket defence.
- Free consultations with no obligation.
- In most cases, you will not need to appear in court at all.
- Affordable representation for the full range of Traffic Safety Act violations and Rules of the Road infractions.
- Precedent-setting case experience that benefits every client we take on.
- Serving Edmonton and communities across Alberta.
Before you pay, talk to us. A free consultation with our team takes just a few minutes and could save you far more than the fine. There is no obligation and no pressure. Just honest advice about your options from a team that has been fighting for Alberta drivers for over 27 years.
