Hit and Run Accident UK What To Do

Anyone involved in a road traffic accident is generally required to stop at the scene and exchange details. If this does not happen at the time, the accident must be reported to the police within 24 hours. Victims of hit and run accidents are typically advised to note as much detail as possible including the registration number, vehicle description, time and location, and to check for CCTV coverage nearby. The Motor Insurers' Bureau operates two schemes: the Untraced Drivers' Agreement for cases where the driver cannot be identified, and the Uninsured Drivers' Agreement for cases where the driver is found but uninsured. Claims to the MIB must generally be made within three years of the accident.

Common situations include: a parked car being damaged while the owner was away, a pedestrian or cyclist being hit by a vehicle that did not stop, a driver leaving the scene of a minor collision, witnessing a hit and run and wanting to report it, and a driver who left the scene and now wants to understand their legal position.

Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires the driver of a vehicle to stop after an accident in which injury is caused to any person, damage to another vehicle, or damage to certain property. The driver must provide their name and address, the name and address of the vehicle owner, and the vehicle registration number. If these details are not exchanged at the scene, the accident must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within 24 hours. Failing to stop or report is an offence under Section 170, carrying a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and 5 to 10 penalty points or disqualification. The Motor Insurers' Bureau, established under agreements with the Secretary of State, provides a compensation mechanism for victims of untraced and uninsured drivers.

Victims of hit and run accidents often consider reporting the incident to the police as soon as possible, checking for CCTV footage from nearby premises or dashcam recordings, making a claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau if the driver is not identified, and contacting their own insurer. Drivers who left the scene, whether through panic or not realising an accident had occurred, often consider reporting the matter to the police themselves, as this may be viewed more favourably than being traced later. Some people seek legal advice, particularly for more serious incidents or where injuries have been sustained.

Common mistakes include: not reporting the accident to the police within 24 hours (this is a legal requirement), failing to gather evidence at the scene such as photographs and witness details, not being aware of the Motor Insurers' Bureau and the compensation options available, assuming that if the other driver is not found then nothing can be done, and for drivers who left the scene, not seeking legal advice promptly about self-reporting.