Whenever a driver in Calgary causes a car accident that results in serious injuries to others, they are responsible for the financial fallout those injuries cause. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, they may also be charged with a driving infraction—a relatively minor legal issue, all things considered.

When a driver flees the scene of an injury-causing accident, however, they will find themselves wanted by Calgary Police for a far more serious charge. This can hurt them both legally and financially and is always a bad decision.

Last week, Calgary Police arrested a suspect in a hit-and-run case that left a Calgary woman and two children injured. In addition to evading his responsibility by fleeing the scene, the accused now faces criminal charges as well as the civil penalties and restitutions he may be required to pay to the accident victims and the City of Calgary.

While criminal charges do not always have a direct bearing on the outcome of related personal injury cases, attempts to avoid legal responsibility for the injuries one has caused certainly don’t help the defendant in a related injury lawsuit. In some instances, criminal convictions can be used as evidence in personal injury trials or as leverage in pre-trial personal injury settlement negotiations.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident and the driver responsible for the incident fled the scene, a Calgary personal injury lawyer may be able to help. Contact Cuming & Gillespie LLP for a free consultation and get the justice you deserve.