Most drivers know that if they’re involved in an accident they should get as much information as possible from the other driver. But what if the other driver resists giving you that information?
Section 69 of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act requires any driver involved in an accident to provide the following information upon request:
- name and address of driver
- driver’s licence number
- name and address of vehicle owner
- licence plate number of vehicle
- insurance policy information
The above information must be provided to any witness, to the police, and to any other person involved in the accident.
Informing the other driver of their obligation is usually enough to get compliance. If they don’t comply with Section 69 they are guilty of an offence. Upon conviction they can be fined or imprisoned and their driver’s licence can be suspended.
If the other driver continues to refuse to provide their information, get as much information as you can, even if it’s just their licence plate number and a vehicle description. Then call police and inform them that the other driver won’t provide their vehicle and insurance information. The police will obtain this information for you. The police will also inform you if the other driver is uninsured and in such a case the driver will likely face charges.
If the other driver is uninsured (or the driver is unknown because he or she flees the scene), your insurance company will cover your immediate medical expenses and you’ll be able to recover damages through Alberta’s Motor Vehicle Accident Claims (MVAC) Program.
You can learn more about dealing with uninsured and unknown drivers by reading our blog post on this topic.
