How to Deal With a Road Traffic Accident

More and more motorists are staging deliberate accidents so that they can claim money back on car insurance.
In simple terms, scammers are crashing for cash.

More on 2passHow To Deal With Crash For Cash Scams

What details should you give or receive after a accident?

Insurance, address, telephone number?
Should the police be called?

If you are not sure then read on!

If as a driver, you are involved in a road accident and one or more of the following occurs:-
  • A person, other than yourself, is injured.
  • Damage is caused to another vehicle or someone else's property.
  • An animal has been killed or injured, expect in your own vehicle or trailer.
You must:-
  • Stop and remain at the scene for a reasonable period.
  • Give your vehicle registration number, name, address and that of the vehicle owner ( if different) to anyone with reasonable grounds for asking for those details.
  • If you do not exchange these details at the scene, you must report the accident at a police station or to a police officer within 24 hours.
  • Where injury is caused to another person, you must produce your insurance certificate, if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to see it.
  • If you don't have your insurance details with you, you may take them to the police station you nominate when you report the incident within 7 days.(5 days in Northern Ireland)
Note:- Reporting the accident to the police by telephone is not sufficient.

You are obliged to do these things not only when you are directly involved in an accident, but also if your vehicle's presence was a factor.

Failure to comply with these obligations can mean two offences are being committed:-
  • Failing to stop
  • Failing to report
The penalties for each offence include a maximum fine of £5000 and 5-10 penalty points.
The courts can also disqualify for each offence.

Even if there was no personal injury, if someone holds you responsible for the accident they have the right to request your insurance details

Failure to provide that information without a reasonable excuse is also an offence.

What happens if my car is written off?

Ownership of the vehicle is usually transferred to your insurance provider and you will receive a pay-out in compensation.

However, you could buy the car back and fix it yourself.
More information 2passWhat happens if your Car is written off