Windsor police are looking for the driver of a white or grey sports sedan that struck a pedestrian in a hit-and-run accident on Drouillard Road Tuesday.
According to police, around 3:15 p.m., witnesses reported seeing the northbound vehicle strike an 18-year-old male as he was walking across the street. The impact of the collision sent the man into the air, causing him to land a distance away.
Despite the impact of the crash, the vehicle made no attempt to stop and sped away from the accident scene, continuing north on Drouillard Road.
The victim remains in critical condition, and police are asking witnesses of the accident or anyone with information to come forward. The suspect’s vehicle is believed to be a white or grey four-door sedan, possibly a Lexus, that likely has front-end damage.
The Penalty for a Hit-and-Run Accident
Drivers who fail to remain at the scene of the accident could face penalties under the Ontario Highway Traffic Safety Act or the Criminal Code.
Under the Highway Traffic Safety Act, all motorists who are directly or indirectly involved in an accident are required to:
- Remain at the scene of the accident
- Provide all possible assistance
- Provide their name, address, driver’s license number and insurance information
The penalty for failing to do this could include a fine between $400 and $2,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Drivers are most often charged under the Highway Traffic Safety Act in cases involving two vehicles, such as in a parking lot or while driving.
More serious hit-and-run accidents, such as those involving pedestrians or resulting in bodily harm, are generally covered by the Criminal Code.
Under the law, a person can be charged with a failure to stop at the scene of the accident if he or she is involved in an accident with another person or vehicle and intends to escape liability by failing to stop to give his or her name and address or provide assistance if a person has been injured.
This type of charge can carry a punishment of up to five years in prison. If the driver left the scene knowing that he or she had caused bodily harm to another person, the driver could face up to ten years in prison. The driver could face life in prison if he or she knew the other person involved was dead or was reckless as to whether serious bodily harm done to the other individual would result in death.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Drivers convicted of hit-and-run accidents face such serious consequences because these accidents can lead to serious injuries and because all motorists should be held liable for the damage they have done.
Unfortunately, not knowing who the driver is that left the scene of the accident can make it difficult to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. To combat this, follow these steps to help build your case after a hit-and-run accident:
Try to Get as Much Information as Possible
Unfortunately, the circumstances of a hit-and-run accident may make it difficult to obtain information about the driver. However, as best as you can, you should try to gain as much information about the driver and his or her car as possible, including:
- The make, model and color of the vehicle
- Identifying features about the driver, such as gender, race or hair color
- Identifying features about the vehicle, such as damage
- The license plate number
If there are witnesses nearby, you will also want to get their information, including their name, phone number and other contact information. This will be important for putting together the pieces of the accident.
Call the Police
After any accident, you should always immediately call the police, especially if someone has been injured in the collision. Once the police arrive, you can provide details about what you saw and experienced.
The responding officer will also talk to any witnesses and analyze other evidence at the scene to attempt to identify what happened, who the driver was, and where he or she may have gone.
Obtain Medical Care
You should never decline medical care after an accident. This is vital to ensuring you receive the care you need for your injuries, and it is especially important if your injuries are severe.
Additionally, this will provide a link between your injuries and the accident.
Contact the Insurance Company
You should also contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident to report the incident. Although you may not know who the driver was, you can provide as many details as possible.
Most standard insurance policies should include statutory accident benefit coverage and uninsured automobile coverage, which should provide coverage for injuries resulting from a hit-and-run-accident.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer
Your next step should always be to contact a trusted accident lawyer who can help ensure your rights are protected. Our lawyers will work directly with your insurance company, negotiating for the maximum compensation you need for your injuries. If necessary, we can also file a personal injury lawsuit seeking additional compensation.
Contact Greg Monforton & Partners Today
Hit-and-run accidents involving pedestrians can have serious consequences and cause severe injuries. Having a car accident lawyer on your side will be vital to helping ensure you receive the compensation you need for your injuries.
Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you will not pay any upfront fees or other costs unless we obtain compensation for you.
Call (866) 320-4770 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.