criminal-law canada liability minor
Accidentally hit someone&#39;s car with a branch, made minor dent, unable to pay damages, what can he do to me?
<p>I am a 15 year old student.</p>

<p>While walking with my friends, an event transpired that resulted in a branch hitting a car (it was not a malicious act) and leaving a minor to medium sized dent. After I was confronted by the owner I immediately was honest and gave him my name and my phone number (First name only) and said I would try to pay damages, however, I believe I am unable to do so, and telling my parents would be out of the question. Provided he has my first name and my number, and he knows the school that I go to, what could he do to me? Am I under any legal obligation, being a minor? What do I have to do? note: I was well mannered and did apologise profusely.</p>

<p><strong>Tell your parents</strong></p>

<p>Given the circumstances it is a near certainty that the least he will do if you do not pay for the damage is make contact with them. It will be far, far better for you if they learn it from you rather than him.</p>

<p><strong>What could he do?</strong></p>

<p>He (or his insurance company) can contact your parents - he will almost certainly do this.</p>

<p>He (or his insurance company) can sue you for <a href="http://www.duhaime.org/LegalResources/TortPersonalInjury/LawArticle-663/Childrens-Liability-for-Torts-and-Personal-Injury.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">negligence</a>. Children are responsible for their own <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort" rel="nofollow noreferrer">torts</a> providing they have the capacity to recognize and avoid risk and harm - based on your question I have (and a court would have) no doubt that that you are. If you lose the case, and don't pay, he can have the government seize whatever you own in order to sell it to pay the debt you owe. If this happened in British Columbia or Manitoba he can sue your parents.</p>

<p>He could report you to the police - they may or may not choose to prosecute if what you did was criminal: it probably wasn't but the police may investigate to determine this. If he is insured he may be required to notify the police.</p>
