Failure to Report an Accident:

Question: Do I have to report a car accident in Ontario if it happened in a parking lot or on private property and the damage seems over $5,000?

Answer: Yes, in Ontario you generally must report an accident forthwith to police if there are injuries or the apparent total property damage exceeds $5,000, and this reporting duty can apply even on private property under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8.  Paladin LLP provides Paralegal help for failure-to-report charges across Ontario, aiming to protect your record and reduce penalties, so call (289) 925-1572 to review your situation and next steps.

Understanding Failure to Report an Accident Concerns

Following an accident, unless merely a very minor accident, the law requires that the accident must be reported "forthwith" to the police. Where drivers involved in an accident fail to report the accident "forthwith", the drivers may be charged.

The Law

When any person is injured, or where the damage reasonably appears as more than five thousand ($5,000) dollars, an accident must be reported to the police as in accordance to requirements stated within section 199(1) or section 199(1.1) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 as well as the regulation as applicable thereto.  Specifically, it is stated:

As above, where an accident involves injury or damage appearing as beyond five thousand ($5,000) dollars, the drivers, among others, involved are required to report the accident to the police. It is Interesting to note that section 199(1) and section 199(1.1) are absent of the word "highway", or any other other definition for where a reportable accident must occur; and accordingly, any accident meeting the injury or damage criteria must be reported. This requirement was well stated by the Court of Appeal within the case of R. v. Hajivasilis, 2013 ONCA 27 wherein it was stated:

Accordingly, it is clearly stated that if the injury or damage criteria are met, the law requires that an accident is reported regardless of whether the accident occurred on private property such as, among other places, in a parking lot, in a residential driveway, or even in a household garage.

Defence Strategy

How to Defend Against a Failing to Report an Accident Charge

As shown by the law as cited and summarized above, the offence of failing to report an accident involves the failure to report the accident "forthwith" whenever injuries or damage exceeding five thousand ($5,000) dollars occurs.  As such, among other things, to successfully defend against a failing to report an accident charge, such can be accomplished by raising a reasonable doubt that:

• The driver charged was actually involved in the alleged accident;
• The driver charged knew, or ought to know, that an injury occurred;
• The driver charged knew, or ought to know, that damage exceeded $5,000 in total value; or
• The driver charged failed to act "forthwith" in contacting the police.

Penalty

What Happens When a Driver Is Convicted of Failing to Report An Accident

The fine that applies upon conviction for violating section 199(1) or section 199(1.1) is prescribed within section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act wherein it is stated:

Accordingly, as shown above, a convicted driver is subject to a fine of up to one thousand ($1,000) dollars.  Furthermore, when convicted, in addition to the fine, a statutory victim surcharge will be applied as per the Victim Fine Surcharges, O. Reg. 161/00 and the driver also receives three demerit points per the Demerit Point System, O. Reg. 339/94 while also being subjected to the likelihood of increased insurance rates.

Conclusion

Reporting an accident to the police is mandatory when a person is injured or there appears more than $5,000 in damage.  Failing to report an accident may result in a fine of up to $1,000 plus statutory victim surcharge and court cost.  Additionally, the convicted driver receives three (3) demerit points and likely incurs significant increase in insurance rates.