Failing to stop and report an accident

We all hope that we will never be involved in a road traffic accident, but it is important to be aware of your legal responsibilities if you are. If damage is caused to another person or property then you must stop and provide full details to the injured person or owner of that property. The details should include your name, your address, details of the vehicle or details of the person who owns that vehicle. If someone has been hurt you have to report the incident to the Police as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within 24 hours. There is no duty to inform the Police if only damage to property has occurred as long as full details have been exchanged between parties.

Many people fall foul of their obligation to report the incident believing that they have a full 24 hours within which to do so. The important wording is “as soon as reasonably practicable”. This means that it should be given priority, not left until you feel you have got more time. A telephone call is insufficient. The matter must be reported to a Constable in person or at the Police Station.

No matter how minor the damage is, you should stop at the location for a reasonable length of time to make enquiries as to who the owner of the vehicle or property is. Details should be exchanged or alternatively reported to the Police no matter how minor the damage is. If you believe that there is no damage or are honestly unaware of any damage having been caused then you have a potential defence to charges of failing to stop and report an accident.

If an incident like this does occur it is always better to inform your insurance provider to avoid any risk that insurance could be invalidated.

The offences of failing to stop and report an accident are usually dealt with by way of a financial penalty of up to £2,500 and a mandatory endorsement of between 5 and 10 penalty points but each carry up to six months imprisonment for the most serious cases.

So, next time you knock off a wing mirror or nudge someone’s Mini in the supermarket carpark, don’t drive off and hope no one will notice. You will only make things worse. Be sure your sins will find you out. Someone is bound to have seen you and the Facebook detectives will soon catch up with you, and car parks do have cameras.

If another person is involved, just stop and sort it out. The consequences of running away are just not worth it.

If you need advice about any issues raised in this article, call Trystan at Poole Townsend on 01229 811811.

You’re in safe hands

Trust our team of local experts to provide the best advice on a wide range of legal and financial issues whenever you’re facing a life change and need the best support.

0800 389 2939

Our team are available Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Find Your BranchMEET THE TEAM

Sign up for our newsletter

Your details

Signing up to our newsletter will place you on our weekly property guide, providing you with the latest properties for sale and industry news.
You can unsubscribe at any time. We value your privacy and will not share your details.

© Poole Townsend 2017 - 2025. All rights reserved.
Poole Townsend Estates Ltd. (Company number 10960705) is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at 69-75 Duke Street, Barrow in Furness LA14 1RP. A list of directors is available at the registered office address. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority number 8004592. VAT Registration number 288092466. Our Estate Agency is a member of The Property Ombudsman Scheme.

Poole Townsend Estates Ltd Property Client account has client money protection, to view our Client Money Protection Certificate please click here. To view our Equality and Diversity Data please click here. The Propertymark Conduct and Membership Rules can be found here.

Poole Townsend Financial Services Ltd (Company no:10964550) is a company registered in England and Wales with its registered office at 69-75 Duke Street, Barrow in Furness, LA14 1RP. A list of directors is available at the registered office address. We are independent financial advisers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. VAT registration number :154365563. Poole Townsend Financial Services Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register. https://register.fca.org.uk under reference 807084..

Professional Indemnity Insurance – please contact Martin Oates at the address above if you require details of cover held.

Registered with the Information Commissioners Office for data protection purposes (ICO No: ZA494153 & ZA331395)

Top