Guides › Reporting a car accident to the police
Do I need to
call the police?
Do I have to report a car accident to the police?
The short answer
Not always. Under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, if you’re driving and an accident causes injury to someone else, or damage to another vehicle, certain animals or property, you must stop. If anyone with reasonable grounds asks, you must give your name and address, the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number. If you don’t give those details at the scene, for any reason, you must report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.
- Stopat the scene if the accident causes injury or damage
- Give detailsto anyone with reasonable grounds to ask
- 24 hoursto report to the police if you didn’t give details
When does the law say you must stop?
The duty applies when an accident happens on a road or other public place, such as a car park, because of a motor vehicle, and it causes:
- Injury to anyone other than the driver of that vehicle
- Damage to another vehicle, or to a trailer it’s towing
- Damage to an animal that isn’t in your own vehicle. The law lists horses, cattle, donkeys, mules, sheep, pigs, goats and dogs
- Damage to property on or next to the road, such as a wall, fence, lamp post, sign or tree
In any of these cases, the driver must stop at the scene.
When must you report the accident to the police?
You must report it if either of these applies:
- You didn’t give your details at the scene. For example, the other driver had left, the owner of a damaged car or wall couldn’t be found, or nobody was there to give them to.
- Someone was injured and you didn’t show your insurance certificate at the scene to the police or to someone with reasonable grounds to ask for it.
The report must be made in person at a police station or to a police officer, as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours of the accident at the latest.
If you had to report because someone was injured and you couldn’t show your insurance, you can still produce it within seven days, at the police station you named when you reported the accident.
What happens if you don’t report an accident?
Failing to stop, or failing to report an accident when the law requires it, is a criminal offence and can carry serious penalties. If you’re unsure whether you need to report, it’s safer to contact the police and ask.
When should you call 999?
- Someone is injured
- The road is blocked or there’s a danger to other road users
- You suspect the other driver has been drinking or taking drugs
- The other driver leaves without giving details, or you think a crime has been committed
For non-emergencies, such as reporting an accident where everyone is safe, you can call 101 or contact your local police force.
Should I report an accident even if I don’t have to?
It can help. A police reference number is useful evidence, especially if the other driver later disputes what happened or gave false details.
If the other driver drove off or had no insurance, reporting to the police quickly matters, because claims through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau usually depend on it. See hit by an uninsured driver or one who drove off.
Do I need to tell my insurer as well?
Most policies say you must tell your insurer about any accident, even if it wasn’t your fault. Telling them isn’t the same as claiming on your policy. See do I have to claim through my own insurer?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to report a minor bump in a car park?
A car park can count as a public place, so the duty to stop applies. If nobody was hurt and you exchanged details with the other driver, you don’t usually need to report it to the police. If you damaged an empty parked car and couldn’t find the owner, you must report it within 24 hours. Leaving a note alone isn’t enough.
The other driver refused to give me their details. What should I do?
Note their registration number, the make, model and colour of their car, and what they looked like. Take photos if it’s safe. Then report it to the police. The other driver has a legal duty to give their details, and failing to do so is an offence.
I hit a cat. Do I have to report it?
Cats aren’t on the list of animals in section 170, so the legal duty to report doesn’t apply in the same way. It’s still the right thing to stop if it’s safe and try to find the owner, or contact a local vet or animal charity.
Can I report an accident online?
The law says the report must be made at a police station or to a police officer. Some forces offer online reporting for certain incidents, so check with your local force how they want accidents reported.
Does a police report decide who was at fault?
No. The police decide whether to take criminal action. Who pays for your losses is a separate civil claim, decided on the evidence. See what happens if the other driver says it was your fault.
Had an accident that wasn’t your fault?
We’ll explain your options, from repairs and a replacement vehicle to an injury claim through the solicitors at NJS Law. There’s no obligation to go ahead.
This guide provides general information for England and Wales only and is not legal advice. Every claim is different. Back on the Road UK is a trading style of NJS Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8006550).