Hit and Run in Hamilton? Steps to Take and How Towing Helps

A hit and run is disorienting. One moment you’re parked or driving normally — the next, your vehicle is damaged and the person responsible is gone. You’re standing there with a dented fender, a broken mirror, or worse — and the other driver didn’t stop. Your heart’s pounding, you’re angry, and you’re not sure what to do first.

A hit and run in Hamilton is a criminal offence under Section 320.16 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The other driver is legally required to stop, identify themselves, and exchange information — failure to do so carries penalties including licence suspension, fines, and up to 5 years in prison if injuries are involved. But knowing that doesn’t help you in the moment. What helps is a clear, step-by-step process.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do after a hit and run in Hamilton — from the first 60 seconds through the insurance claim and vehicle repair process. We’ll cover where to report it, how the collision reporting centre works, what your insurance covers, and how to get your damaged vehicle towed safely. If your vehicle is undriveable right now, call Towing Hamilton’s accident towing service at (905) 481-0133.

The First 10 Minutes: What to Do Immediately

The actions you take in the first 10 minutes after a hit and run have the most impact on the police investigation, your insurance claim, and your safety. Follow these steps in order:

Where to Report a Hit and Run in Hamilton

A hit and run in Hamilton must be reported to police. Here’s where and how:

Hamilton’s Collision Reporting Centre: What to Expect

After a hit and run in Hamilton, you’ll likely be directed to visit a collision reporting centre (CRC) in person. Here’s what to know:

What is a collision reporting centre? A CRC is a facility where drivers report motor vehicle collisions to police. Instead of tying up patrol officers at every collision scene, Ontario uses CRCs for property-damage collisions where injuries are not involved. You drive (or tow) your vehicle to the centre, and an officer documents the collision, inspects your vehicle, and generates an official collision report.

Hamilton’s CRC location. Hamilton Police operates a collision reporting centre where residents report collisions including hit and runs. The centre processes your report, photographs your vehicle’s damage, and provides you with a collision report number that your insurance company needs to process your claim. Check the Hamilton Police website for current hours and the address, as locations and hours may change.

What to bring: Your driver’s licence, vehicle ownership (registration), proof of insurance, all the notes and photos you collected at the scene, witness contact information, and any dashcam footage. The more documentation you bring, the stronger your report.

What if your vehicle can’t be driven to the CRC? If your car is too damaged to drive, you have two options: have it towed to the CRC for the officer to inspect there, or photograph the damage thoroughly and bring the photos (plus any debris evidence) to the CRC. The officer can file the report based on photos and your statement if the vehicle can’t be physically presented. Call the CRC in advance to confirm their process for undriveable vehicles.

The collision report. You’ll receive a collision report number — this is the document your insurance company uses to process your claim. It typically takes 7–10 business days for the full report to be available. Your insurer can request it directly from Hamilton Police using the report number. For a detailed guide on what happens after the collision report is filed, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Hamilton.

How Insurance Works for Hit-and-Run Victims in Ontario

Ontario’s no-fault insurance system means your own insurance company handles your claim — regardless of who caused the collision. For hit and runs specifically, here’s how it works:

Unidentified motorist coverage. Under Ontario’s standard auto insurance policy, you have coverage for collisions involving unidentified drivers — which is exactly what a hit and run is. This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle (up to your policy limits) when the at-fault driver can’t be identified. You don’t need the other driver’s information to file a claim.

Your deductible applies. You’ll pay your collision deductible (typically $500–$1,000) upfront. If the hit-and-run driver is later identified and their insurance pays, your insurer may reimburse your deductible. Ontario’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees auto insurance claims in the province.

Report it promptly. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible — ideally within 24 hours. Provide the police report number, your photos, and all documentation. Delays in reporting can complicate or jeopardize your claim.

Injury claims. If you were injured in the hit and run, Ontario’s accident benefits coverage provides medical, rehabilitation, and income replacement benefits regardless of fault. This applies even when the at-fault driver is unknown. Report injuries to your insurer within 7 days to preserve your benefits entitlement.

Will a hit-and-run claim raise your premiums? In Ontario, a not-at-fault claim (which a hit and run is, by definition — you’re the victim) should not raise your premiums under most policies. However, practices vary by insurer, so confirm with your specific company. For the full post-accident insurance process, see working with insurance adjusters after your car is towed.

How to Get Your Damaged Vehicle Towed After a Hit and Run

If your vehicle is undriveable after a hit and run, you need accident towing. Here’s how to handle it properly:

You choose the towing company. Under the TSSEA, you have the right to select your own towing provider — even at an accident scene. If a tow truck arrives unsolicited (a practice called “chasing”), you are not obligated to use them. Call a towing company you trust.

Request a flatbed. Accident-damaged vehicles should always be transported on a flatbed — not a wheel-lift. Hit-and-run damage may affect the suspension, steering, or drivetrain in ways that aren’t visible from outside. Dragging damaged wheels on a wheel-lift can worsen existing damage. A flatbed with all four wheels off the ground is the safest transport method. See our flatbed vs. wheel-lift comparison for more detail.

Choose the right destination. You have three options for where the vehicle goes: directly to your preferred body shop, to the collision reporting centre for inspection (if the police direct you there), or to a secure storage facility while you arrange the insurance claim. Don’t let the tow truck take your vehicle somewhere you haven’t authorized — your choice of destination is protected by Ontario law.

Keep the towing receipt. The towing cost is typically covered by your insurance as part of the accident claim. Keep the itemized invoice — your insurer will need it. For guidance on what a fair towing invoice looks like, see how to read your towing invoice.

Dashcam Footage: Your Most Powerful Evidence

If you have a dashcam, it may have captured the entire incident — including the other vehicle’s licence plate, make, model, and direction of travel. Here’s how to use it:

Preserve the footage immediately. Most dashcams record in a loop — old footage is overwritten as the memory card fills up. Lock or save the relevant clip as soon as possible so it isn’t overwritten. Remove the memory card and store it safely if you’re unsure how to lock clips on your camera.

Make backup copies. Transfer the footage to your phone or a computer. Cloud-upload it if your dashcam has Wi-Fi capability. A single memory card can be lost or damaged — multiple copies protect your evidence.

Share with police and your insurer. Provide the footage to Hamilton Police when filing your report and to your insurance adjuster when filing your claim. Dashcam footage that captures a licence plate dramatically increases the chance of identifying the at-fault driver — which means their insurance pays, not yours.

If you don’t have a dashcam: Consider investing in one after this incident. A basic front-facing dashcam costs $50–$150 and runs continuously while you drive. A front-and-rear dual setup ($100–$300) captures incidents from both directions. For parked-car hit and runs, models with a “parking mode” detect impact and record even when the car is off — this is exactly the scenario where a dashcam proves its value.

Hit and Run While Your Car Was Parked

Parked-car hit and runs are the most common type — you return to your vehicle and find new damage with no note and no driver in sight. The process is slightly different:

Document immediately. Photograph all damage before moving the vehicle. Note the exact location (parking lot, street address, which side of the car), the time you discovered the damage, and the approximate time you last saw the car undamaged.

Check for a note. Look on the windshield, under the wipers, and tucked into the door handle. Ontario law requires a driver who hits a parked vehicle to leave their name, address, phone number, driver’s licence number, and insurance information. No note means it’s a hit and run.

Look for nearby cameras. Parking lot cameras, business security cameras, and residential doorbell cameras may have captured the incident. Ask nearby businesses or residents if they have footage from the relevant time window.

Look for paint transfer. If the other vehicle left paint on yours, photograph it closely. Paint colour and type can help identify the vehicle’s make and model. Don’t clean the paint transfer off before photos and police documentation.

Report to police and insurance. Follow the same process: call Hamilton Police non-emergency, visit the collision reporting centre within 24 hours, and contact your insurer. Even for parked-car hit and runs, a police report is essential for your insurance claim. If the damage leaves your car undriveable, call (905) 481-0133 for a flatbed tow to a body shop.

Hamilton’s Hit-and-Run Hotspots

While a hit and run can happen anywhere, certain Hamilton locations see higher rates of these incidents:

Downtown core — King Street, James Street, and Barton Street. High traffic volume, narrow lanes, tight parking, and a mix of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles create frequent minor collisions. Parked-car hit and runs are particularly common on downtown streets where parallel parking puts your car inches from moving traffic.

Shopping centre parking lots. Limeridge Mall, Centre Mall, Eastgate Square, and other busy lots see regular parking hit and runs — drivers clip neighbouring vehicles while parking or reversing and leave without reporting. Tight spots, distracted drivers, and the anonymity of a busy lot contribute to the problem.

The mountain access roads. The Claremont Access, Jolley Cut, and other escarpment routes are narrow and heavily travelled. Side-swipe hit and runs occur when vehicles pass too closely. The speed of traffic and limited pull-off areas make it harder to catch the other driver.

Residential side streets. Overnight parked-car hit and runs are common on narrow residential streets — particularly in older Hamilton neighbourhoods (Crown Point, Stipley, Beasley, Keith) where street parking is tight and visibility is limited at night.

QEW and highway interchanges. Higher-speed hit and runs on the QEW, Red Hill, and Linc typically involve more significant damage and are more dangerous. Highway hit and runs require an immediate 911 call because of the speed differential and safety risks of being stopped on a highway.

Legal Consequences for Hit-and-Run Drivers in Ontario

Understanding the penalties the other driver faces may provide some perspective — and motivation to report thoroughly so they can be identified:

Criminal Code charges. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident is a criminal offence under Section 320.16 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Penalties include fines, licence suspension, and up to 5 years in prison if the collision involved bodily harm, and up to 10 years if it caused death.

Highway Traffic Act penalties. Under Ontario’s HTA, failure to remain at the scene carries 7 demerit points, a fine of $400–$2,000, and possible licence suspension of up to 2 years.

Insurance consequences. A convicted hit-and-run driver faces dramatically increased insurance premiums — often 100–300% increases — and may be denied coverage entirely, requiring high-risk insurance through the Facility Association at significantly higher rates.

Civil liability. Beyond criminal charges, the hit-and-run driver can be sued in civil court for all damages — vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Your detailed documentation of the scene helps build both the criminal case and any future civil claim.

Preventing Hit-and-Run Damage to Your Parked Car

While you can’t prevent every hit and run, you can reduce your risk and improve your chances of catching the driver:

Install a dashcam with parking mode. Dashcams with parking mode detect impact or motion and begin recording. Even a basic parking-mode dashcam ($80–$200) captures the other vehicle’s plate and the moment of impact — making identification almost certain.

Park strategically. End spots in parking lots are hit most often (cars turning into the row clip the exposed end). Pull-through spots reduce backing-in collisions. Spots near cameras (ATMs, store entrances, gas pumps) provide surveillance coverage.

Park under lighting. Well-lit areas are both deterrent and documentation aids. A hit-and-run driver is less likely to flee in a well-lit, high-visibility area, and any camera footage from the area will be clearer.

Use street parking strategically. On narrow residential streets, park tight to the curb and fold your mirrors. Avoid parking at intersections or near driveways where turning vehicles are most likely to clip yours.

Consider comprehensive insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage (as opposed to basic liability only) covers hit-and-run damage to your parked vehicle. If you park on Hamilton streets regularly, comprehensive coverage provides peace of mind against the most common type of hit and run.

The Complete Hit-and-Run Timeline: From Incident to Resolution

Here’s the full timeline from the moment of the hit and run through to your vehicle being repaired:

Minutes 0–10: Safety check, document scene, photograph damage, note vehicle details, find witnesses.

Minutes 10–30: Call Hamilton Police (911 or non-emergency). If the vehicle is undriveable, call (905) 481-0133 for accident towing.

Within 24 hours: Visit the collision reporting centre with your documentation. File the in-person report.

Within 24–48 hours: Contact your insurance company. Provide the collision report number, photos, and all documentation. Your adjuster opens a claim.

Days 3–14: Insurance adjuster assesses the damage (either in person or through photos you provide). They determine whether the vehicle is repairable or a total loss.

Days 14–30: If repairable, the body shop completes repairs and you get your vehicle back. If a total loss, the insurer offers a payout based on fair market value. For information on total-loss options, see our guide on scrap car removal prices.

Ongoing: If the hit-and-run driver is identified through investigation, their insurance takes over the claim and you may recover your deductible.

Your Towing Rights After a Hit and Run

The same TSSEA protections apply after a hit and run as after any other collision. You should know:

✅ You choose the towing company. No one — not police, not a tow driver who shows up uninvited — can force you to use a specific operator (unless police require an immediate removal for safety).

✅ You choose the destination. Your body shop, the collision reporting centre, your home — you decide.

✅ You receive a price estimate before consenting. No surprises on the invoice.

✅ You receive an itemized invoice. Needed for insurance reimbursement.

✅ Multiple payment methods accepted. Cash, debit, credit, cheque.

✅ Free access to personal belongings. If your vehicle is stored, you can retrieve items at no charge. For full details on choosing a trustworthy towing company at the scene of an accident, see our guide on how to choose a towing company you can trust.

Hit and Run FAQ