What to Do If Your Parked Car Is Hit in a Hit-and-Run in Toronto

Your Legal and Insurance Guide After a Parked Car Hit-and-Run in Toronto

Having your parked car hit in a hit-and-run can be a frustrating and stressful experience. In Toronto and across Ontario, hit-and-runs are unfortunately common, and many car owners are left wondering how to handle the situation. Whether it's dealing with insurance, reporting the accident, or understanding your legal options, knowing what to do next can make a big difference.

At Misir & Company, we help drivers navigate the legal and insurance processes after a hit-and-run, ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve. If your parked car has been hit and the driver fled the scene, here’s what you need to know.

What Is the Penalty for a Hit-and-Run in Ontario?

Failing to remain at the scene of an accident, including hitting a parked car and driving off, is considered a serious offense under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident can face a range of penalties, depending on the severity of the damage or any injuries involved.

Here are the penalties that drivers may face in Ontario for a hit-and-run:

• Fines: The driver responsible for the hit-and-run can be fined anywhere between $400 to $2,000, depending on the circumstances.

• Jail Time: In addition to fines, the driver may also face up to six months in jail.

• License Suspension: The driver could have their license suspended, which can further complicate their legal and financial situation.
  

In more serious cases, where the hit-and-run results in injuries or significant property damage, the driver could also face criminal charges. If convicted, this could lead to a longer jail sentence and more substantial fines.

If your parked car was involved in a hit-and-run, it’s essential to report the incident to the police as soon as possible, even if the damage seems minor. The police report will be necessary for both legal and insurance purposes.

Does Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run on a Parked Car?

One of the most common questions car owners ask after a hit-and-run is whether their insurance will cover the damage. The good news is that, in most cases, your insurance will cover the costs of repairing your car, but the type of coverage you have plays a significant role.

Here’s how insurance typically handles hit-and-run cases in Ontario:

• Comprehensive Coverage: If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance will usually cover the damage caused by the hit-and-run, even if the responsible driver is never found. This type of policy generally protects against damage not caused by a collision, like vandalism, theft, or hit-and-runs.

• Collision Coverage: If you don’t have comprehensive coverage but do have collision coverage, your insurance may also cover the damage. However, this type of coverage often requires you to pay a deductible.

• Will My Insurance Premium Go Up?: One of the biggest concerns drivers have is whether their insurance premiums will increase after filing a hit-and-run claim. If the responsible driver is not found, it’s possible that your insurance company will consider this an at-fault accident, which could lead to higher premiums. However, this varies depending on your policy and provider, so it’s best to check with your insurance company.
  

If you're unsure whether your insurance will cover a hit-and-run, it’s important to review your policy and speak with your provider. At Misir & Company, we can help you navigate the insurance process and ensure you’re not paying more than necessary.

Steps to Take After a Parked Car Hit-and-Run in Toronto

Discovering that your parked car has been hit and the driver fled the scene can leave you feeling helpless. However, taking the right steps immediately after the incident can improve your chances of recovering costs through insurance or even finding the responsible party.

Here are the steps you should take after a parked car hit-and-run:

Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Damage

Take a deep breath and carefully assess the damage to your vehicle. Look for any clues left behind by the fleeing driver, such as paint scratches, debris, or parts from the other vehicle. It’s important to stay calm and focus on gathering information.

Step 2: Document the Scene

Take photos of the damage to your vehicle, the surrounding area, and any visible evidence of the hit-and-run. Be thorough and capture multiple angles. This documentation will be crucial when filing a police report or an insurance claim.

Step 3: File a Police Report

In Ontario, it’s important to report a hit-and-run to the police, even if the damage appears minor. Not only is this necessary for insurance purposes, but it also allows the police to investigate the incident. Make sure to get a copy of the police report number, which you will need when filing your insurance claim.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the information you’ve gathered, including the police report number, photos of the damage, and any other details you may have. Your insurance company will guide you through the claims process.

Step 5: Look for Witnesses or CCTV Footage

If the hit-and-run occurred in a public area, there may be witnesses who saw the accident happen. Speak to any bystanders or check nearby businesses and homes for CCTV cameras that might have captured the incident. Even a partial license plate number can help the police track down the responsible driver.

What If There’s No Witness? Proving a Parked Car Hit-and-Run

One of the biggest challenges in a hit-and-run case is when there are no witnesses or physical evidence to identify the responsible driver. In these situations, many car owners worry that they won’t be able to prove what happened or recover damages.

Here are some ways to handle a hit-and-run if there are no witnesses:

• Check CCTV Footage: If the hit-and-run happened in a busy area, nearby businesses or homes may have security cameras that recorded the incident. It's worth asking around to see if anyone has footage that could help identify the driver.

• Report the Incident to the Police: Even if you don’t have a witness, filing a police report is critical. The police may be able to investigate further or identify a pattern of hit-and-runs in the area that could lead to the responsible party.

• Insurance Claims: Without a witness or the at-fault driver’s information, you may need to rely on your own insurance coverage to cover the damages. Comprehensive or collision coverage can still protect you in these cases, but it’s important to understand your policy details.
  

At Misir & Company, we can help you through this process, ensuring that all legal avenues are explored and that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.

Why You Need Legal Support for a Parked Car Hit-and-Run

Dealing with a hit-and-run can be overwhelming, especially when the responsible driver is not found. Even if you have insurance, you may face challenges when filing a claim or negotiating with your insurance company. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek legal assistance to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Here’s how Misir & Company can help:

• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: We can help you negotiate with your insurance provider to minimize premium increases and ensure your claim is handled fairly.

• Filing Claims and Legal Action: If the responsible driver is found, we can assist with filing claims or pursuing legal action to recover damages.

• Proving Liability: We work to gather evidence and build a strong case, even in situations where there is no immediate proof of the hit-and-run.
  

FAQs About Parked Car Hit-and-Runs in Ontario

What is the penalty for hitting a parked car and driving off in Ontario? Drivers who leave the scene of a hit-and-run can face fines ranging from $400 to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Serious cases may also lead to criminal charges.

Will my insurance cover a hit-and-run if the driver isn’t found? Yes, if you have comprehensive or collision coverage, your insurance will likely cover the damage. However, you may need to pay a deductible, and your premiums could increase.

What should I do if there’s no witness to a parked car hit-and-run?If there are no witnesses, you should still document the damage, file a police report, and check for any nearby CCTV cameras that might have captured the incident.

Contact Us for Help with Your Parked Car Hit-and-Run Case

If your parked car was involved in a hit-and-run, don’t navigate the insurance and legal processes alone. At Misir & Company, we specialize in helping car owners recover compensation and protect their rights.

Call us at 416.865.6274 or visit our office at 880 St Clair Ave West, Toronto, for a free consultation today.

Has Your Parked Car Been Hit in a Hit-and-Run? Get Legal Help Today!

At Misir & Company, we help car owners recover compensation and navigate the insurance process after a hit-and-run. Contact us for a free consultation. Call 416.865.6274 or visit us at 880 St Clair Ave West, Toronto.

Let us help you get the compensation you deserve—reach out today!