This article explains when you should report a car accident to the police and the possible penalties for failing to report an accident.
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When Should You Report a Car Accident to the Police?
Being involved in a car accident can be traumatic, even if no one is severely hurt. Every 17 minutes, someone is killed or severely injured on UK roads, and many other people sustain less severe injuries.
After a car accident, it is essential to take the right steps to protect both your health and your legal rights. In many cases, this includes reporting the accident to the police as soon as possible and providing as much information as you can about what happened.
This guide explains when and how you should report a car accident to the police, the penalties you could suffer for failing to report it, and the other important steps you should take following a road collision.
Table of Contents
When do I have to report a car accident to the police?
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, anyone involved in a road traffic collision that results in injury or damage to someone else’s property must stop and exchange the following details:
- Name and address.
- The vehicle owner’s name and address.
- The vehicle registration number.
If both parties have stopped and exchanged details, nobody was injured, and there are no allegations of driving offences, the accident does not need to be reported to the police.
However, you must report the collision to the police if:
- You were unable to exchange details at the scene.
- Anyone other than the driver who caused the accident was injured.
- There has been damage to a vehicle other than the one that caused the collision.
- An animal (dog, goat, pig, sheep, cattle or horse) has been injured.
- There was damage to a property adjacent to the road.
- You believe a crime has been committed.
How long do I have to report the accident?
Legally, you are required to report a car accident to the police as soon as you can and, in any case, within 24 hours if you did not exchange details at the scene. To do this, you can:
- Call 101, the non-emergency police number.
- Visit a local police station in person.
- Use the online reporting form for road traffic incidents if your local police force offers an online service.
However, you should call 999 immediately if the incident involves or is likely to involve serious damage or injury, the road is blocked, or there is a dangerous build-up of traffic.
What information do I need to give the police?
If you were involved in an accident and need to report it to the police, you should be ready to provide the following information:
- Your name, address, and contact details.
- Your vehicle registration number.
- As many details as possible of the other vehicles involved.
- Your driving licence and insurance certificate.
- Your MOT certificate.
- The date, time, and location of the accident.
- A brief description of what happened.
- Details of any injuries or damage sustained.
- Names and contact details of witnesses, if there were any.
Once a report has been made, you should always ask the police for a reference number or incident report number. You may need it later for an insurance claim or a road traffic accident compensation claim.
What happens if I don’t report a car accident to the police?
If you were involved in a collision and someone was injured or you didn’t exchange details at the scene, you must report it to the authorities within 24 hours. Failing to do so could be considered an offence and may result in various penalties:
- A fine of up to £5,000.
- Unpaid community work.
- Five to ten penalty points on your driving licence.
- Disqualification from driving.
- A prison sentence of up to six months in the most serious cases.
What else should I do if I am involved in a road traffic accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, you should take the following steps to protect your safety and ensure compliance with the law:
- Immediately stop, turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights.
- Check if you and any passengers are injured and call 999 if necessary.
- Exchange the necessary details with the other parties involved.
- Do not apologise or say sorry, not even in passing.
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene, from various angles, before anything is moved or tampered with.
- Ask for the names and contact details of any witnesses.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
- Speak to a personal injury solicitor to determine if you can make a road traffic accident claim.
If you believe you have reasonable grounds to make a claim for a car accident, call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation with an experienced solicitor who will answer all your questions.
