Failing to Stop or Report an Accident

If as a driver you are involved in an accident and either an injury is caused to another person or damage is caused to another vehicle (or to roadside property such as a fence or wall), you must stop and, if required by someone having reasonable grounds to ask, give your particulars.

If you do not stop, or for any reason do not give your particulars, you must report the accident at a police station as soon as reasonably practicable, or in any case within 24 hours. Your obligation to report an accident applies even if no one else is present at the scene.

If you are prosecuted for either or both of these offences and you are genuinely unaware that an accident has happened, you have a defence. But if you subsequently become aware of the accident within 24 hours you have a duty to report it to the police.

Consult an expert for advice.