π¨ Just Been Hit? Do This Now
1. Stay safe β do not chase the other driver. 2. Call 911 if anyone is injured, or Ottawa Police at (613) 236-1222 for property damage only. 3. Document everything β licence plate (even partial), vehicle colour, make, direction of travel, photos of damage. 4. Report within 24 hours β file a police report and notify your insurance.
Need your vehicle towed from the scene? Call (613) 317-3924 β we provide 24/7 accident towing with direct insurance billing.
Under Ontario law, a hit and run (fail to remain) is a serious offence carrying fines up to $2,000, 7 demerit points, licence suspension, and possible jail time.
A hit and run in Ottawa β whether you are struck while driving, your parked car is damaged, or you witness someone flee after a collision β is one of the most frustrating situations a driver can face. The person responsible drives off, and you are left with damage, injuries, or both, wondering what to do next. The good news is that Ontario law provides clear paths to report the incident, hold the driver accountable, and recover your costs through insurance β even if the driver is never identified.
This guide covers every step: what to do immediately after a hit and run, how to file a police report in Ottawa, how insurance works when the other driver is unknown, the legal penalties for failing to remain, and how to protect yourself from future incidents. If your vehicle was damaged and needs towing, Towing Ottawa provides 24/7 accident towing across the city with direct insurance billing.
What to Do Immediately After a Hit and Run
The minutes after a hit and run are critical for both your safety and your ability to recover costs later. Follow these steps in order:
Do NOT chase the other driver
Your instinct may be to follow them, but pursuing a fleeing vehicle puts you and others at risk. Instead, stop safely and focus on gathering information from where you are.
Try to note the fleeing vehicle’s details
Even partial information helps: licence plate number (even a few characters), vehicle colour, make, model, body type (sedan, SUV, truck), direction of travel, and any distinguishing features (damage, stickers, dents). Write this down or record a voice memo immediately β memory fades fast after a stressful event.
Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
If anyone is injured β including yourself, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists β call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, get checked. Adrenaline can mask symptoms of whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries. See our car accident checklist for full injury guidance.
Call Ottawa Police
For injuries or criminal matters: 911. For property damage without injuries: (613) 236-1222. A hit and run must be reported to police β under Section 200 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, you are legally required to report it, and your insurance claim depends on having a police report on file.
Document everything at the scene
Photograph all damage to your vehicle from multiple angles, the surrounding area, any debris or paint transfer left by the other vehicle, skid marks, road conditions, and nearby security cameras. Get witness names and phone numbers. Write down the time, date, and exact location while details are fresh.
Look for security cameras
Check for surveillance cameras on nearby buildings, parking garages, traffic lights, or dashcams from other vehicles. Footage is often the single most important piece of evidence in identifying a hit and run driver. Note the camera locations and share this with police β footage may be overwritten within days.
How to File a Hit and Run Report in Ottawa
In Ottawa, where and how you report depends on the severity of the incident:
π¨ Injuries or Criminal Activity
Call 911
If anyone is injured, police will respond to the scene. They will take your statement, document the scene, and begin an investigation to identify the fleeing driver.
π Property Damage β Driver Fled
Call (613) 236-1222
Ottawa Police non-emergency line. Report the hit and run and ask for a police report number. You may be directed to visit a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC) with your vehicle within 24 hours.
β° Critical deadline: Report the hit and run to police within 24 hours. Failing to report promptly can complicate your insurance claim β insurers may question whether the damage actually occurred as described, and some coverage (including unidentified motorist benefits) requires a timely police report.
Insurance Claims After a Hit and Run in Ontario
One of the biggest concerns after a hit and run is how insurance works when the other driver is unknown. Ontario’s no-fault insurance system provides several paths to coverage:
π‘ Key point: A not-at-fault hit and run claim generally does not increase your insurance premiums. As long as police and your insurer determine you were not at fault, your rates should remain unaffected. Some insurers even offer a hit-and-run deductible waiver β check your policy or ask your broker.
Vehicle Damaged in a Hit and Run?
24/7 accident towing β’ Direct insurance billing β’ Tow to CRC, body shop, or home
π (613) 317-3924
Ontario Penalties for Failing to Remain (Hit and Run)
If the driver who hit you is caught, they face serious consequences under two separate laws:
Provincial
Highway Traffic Act β S. 200
βοΈ Fine: $400β$2,000
βοΈ 7 demerit points
βοΈ Licence suspension up to 2 years
βοΈ Up to 6 months jail
βοΈ Massive insurance premium increase
Criminal
Criminal Code β S. 320.16
βοΈ Minimum fine $1,000 (first offence)
βοΈ Up to 10 years imprisonment (bodily harm)
βοΈ Up to life imprisonment (death)
βοΈ Permanent criminal record
βοΈ Minimum 1-year driving prohibition
The distinction matters: the Highway Traffic Act charge (“fail to remain”) is a provincial offence used for property-damage-only incidents on roadways. The Criminal Code charge (“fail to stop”) is used when there is bodily harm, death, or intent to evade responsibility, and it can apply anywhere β including parking lots and private property. Both carry devastating consequences for the driver who flees, and both can be investigated up to six months after the incident under the Provincial Offences Act.
What to Do If Your Parked Car Was Hit
Coming back to your car and discovering new damage with no note left behind is incredibly frustrating. Here is what to do:
πΈ Photograph all damage β multiple angles, close-ups of scrapes, paint transfer, and the surrounding area.
π Check for a note β a responsible driver may have left their information on your windshield.
πΉ Look for security cameras β parking lots, nearby businesses, and residential ring doorbells may have captured the incident. Ask building management before footage is overwritten.
π£οΈ Ask witnesses β anyone nearby who might have seen or heard the collision.
π Report to police β call (613) 236-1222 or visit a CRC. You need a police report for your insurance claim.
π Notify your insurer β if you have collision coverage, it will cover repairs minus your deductible even if the driver is never found. DCPD does not apply when the other driver is unidentified.
π Get a tow if needed β if the damage is significant or the car is not driveable, call (613) 317-3924 for accident towing to a body shop or home. See our towing rates guide for pricing, or if the vehicle was towed to an impound lot, read our impound recovery guide.
How to Protect Yourself From Hit and Run Damage
πΉ Install a dashcam with parking mode
A dashcam with parking mode records when it detects motion or impact, even when the car is off. This is the single best investment for hit and run protection β footage often provides the licence plate and vehicle description needed to identify the driver.
π‘οΈ Carry collision coverage on your policy
Without collision coverage, you will pay for repairs out of pocket if the other driver is never found. DCPD only covers you when the other driver is identified and insured. Collision coverage is your safety net for unidentified driver claims.
π Add OPCF 44R Family Protection
This optional endorsement extends your injury coverage beyond the standard $200,000 uninsured motorist minimum. If you are seriously injured by an unidentified driver, OPCF 44R can mean the difference between adequate compensation and financial hardship.
π ΏοΈ Park strategically
Park under security cameras when possible, choose well-lit end spots, avoid tight spaces where doors swing into your panels, and park further from high-traffic areas in mall lots where cart impacts and door dings are common.
Towing Your Vehicle After a Hit and Run
If your vehicle is not driveable after a hit and run, you need a tow β and under Ontario’s TSSEA regulations, you always have the right to choose your own towing company. Here is what to know:
π You choose the tow company β never accept an unsolicited truck that shows up at the scene. Call (613) 317-3924 for trusted accident towing.
π You choose the destination β CRC (474 Elgin, 211 Huntmar, or 3343 St. Joseph), your preferred body shop, or home.
π° Insurance may cover the tow β if you have collision or all-perils coverage, the accident tow is typically covered as part of the claim. We offer direct insurance billing so you often pay nothing out of pocket.
π§Ύ Keep the tow receipt β your insurer needs it for reimbursement if you pay upfront.
Our Accident Towing & Roadside Services
We provide 24/7 accident towing across every Ottawa neighbourhood after hit and run incidents:
If you are unsure whether you need a tow or roadside help, check our guide to choosing a towing company or call us at (613) 317-3924 β we will advise you on the best option.
Critical Deadlines After a Hit and Run in Ontario
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance cover a hit and run if the other driver is never found?
For vehicle damage: only if you have collision or all-perils coverage (you will pay your deductible). DCPD does not apply to unidentified drivers. For injuries: Ontario’s mandatory uninsured motorist coverage ($200,000 minimum) covers medical expenses and income replacement. You must file a police report within 24 hours to qualify.
Will a hit and run claim increase my insurance premiums?
Generally no. If your insurer determines you were not at fault β which is the standard finding when your car was hit by a fleeing driver β your premiums should not be affected. Some insurers also offer a hit-and-run deductible waiver that eliminates or reduces your out-of-pocket cost.
How long do police investigate a hit and run in Ottawa?
It depends on the severity and available evidence. Serious cases involving injury or death receive extensive investigation. Property-damage-only cases with no witnesses or footage may have limited investigation resources. Under the Provincial Offences Act, charges for fail to remain under the HTA can be laid up to six months after the incident. Criminal Code charges have no statute of limitations for indictable offences.
What if I only have the licence plate number?
A licence plate number is often enough for police to identify the vehicle and its registered owner. Provide whatever you have β even a partial plate combined with the vehicle description can narrow the search. This information also helps your insurer pursue the at-fault driver’s insurance directly.
Is a hit and run a criminal offence in Ontario?
It can be. Under the Highway Traffic Act, “fail to remain” is a provincial offence. Under the Criminal Code (Section 320.16), “fail to stop” is a criminal offence β this charge is typically used when the accident involves bodily harm, death, or intent to evade responsibility. Criminal charges carry penalties up to 10 years imprisonment for bodily harm and life imprisonment if someone dies.
What if my parked car was hit but the damage is minor?
Report it anyway. Even minor damage may exceed the $5,000 reporting threshold once sensors, cameras, paint, and body panels are factored in β modern vehicles are expensive to repair. A police report also creates documentation for your insurance claim and helps police track repeat offenders in parking areas.
Do I need a lawyer after a hit and run?
For minor property damage where insurance covers repairs, a lawyer is usually not necessary. For cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, or insurance claim denials, consulting a personal injury lawyer can protect your rights and maximize your compensation. Many offer free initial consultations.
Can I tow my car to a body shop after a hit and run, or does it have to go to a CRC?
You can tow your vehicle wherever you choose β a collision reporting centre, your preferred body shop, home, or a storage facility. Under the TSSEA, you always decide the destination. If police require an inspection, they will tell you to visit a CRC. Otherwise, going directly to a body shop can save you storage fees.
What is the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVACF)?
The MVACF is an Ontario government fund that provides compensation to victims who have no other insurance coverage β such as pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers without their own auto policy. It is the “payer of last resort” when no other insurance is available. Coverage is available for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and income replacement, but amounts are typically lower than standard insurance payouts.
How can a dashcam help after a hit and run?
A dashcam with parking mode automatically records when it detects motion or impact. The footage can capture the other vehicle’s licence plate, colour, make, direction of travel, and the moment of impact. This evidence dramatically increases the chances of identifying the driver and significantly strengthens your insurance claim. Many Ottawa drivers consider a dashcam essential protection after experiencing a hit and run.
Vehicle Damaged? We Handle Accident Towing β 24/7
Insurance direct billing β’ Tow to CRC, body shop, or home β’ TSSEA certified
π (613) 317-3924