Car Accident - Legal Obligations?

car_driver

Hi, I'm looking for some advice please.

Today, while in a stationary queue of traffic, a car drove into the back of me. It was a very slow impact and, on inspection, has done no damage to my vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle has incurred some superficial damage to the plates and paintwork.

After some discussion we agreed not to go through insurance. In all the haste I got the details of the car but not the driver.

I am happy not to go through insurance and therefore not worried about reporting the accident. However, I am not sure what my legal obligations are. Do I have to inform the police and/or the insurance company?

I'm happy to leave the situation as is except that I don't want to be criticised at a later date for not reporting the incident.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Quentin

You don't need to report to the police if you gave your details to the third party, and there is no personal injury to anyone.

You are supposed to inform your insurer of all incidents that could lead to a claim.

How do you know no damage has been done? Get your car checked over at a bodyshop (in particular see if there could be internal damage to the bumper - some have internal shock absorbers that work once only, meaning that the next time someone bumps you, the bumper won't absorb the shock which will pass on into the car body).

sw67

I would not report it - why would you if no damage is done to your car. I had 2 clueless idiots run into me last year and although i had letters from the insurance company saying they recovered their losses my insurance still went up when i declared it when shopping around at renewal

car_driver

Thanks Quentin. Neither of us provided (or asked for) name or address so we are both at fault from that persepctive. Does that mean I need to involve the police? I don't see any practical need for them to be involved other than it may be my legal obligation to do so.

Thanks for the advice regarding the bodywork too, I will investigate.

car_driver

sw67: That's interesting. I guess that is one of the reasons (or the main reason) I am reluctant to take it any further.

I know I shouldn't judge - and perhaps it makes no odds - but the driver was in an expensive sports car so my gut feeling is that they are insured.

Quentin

No - if no-one asked then no problems!

mrscb

agree with getting car checked over...have you checked the boot..After someone drove into me a few years ago I didnt think there was damage at the time time but later realised the boot was knackered which was a pricy fix apparently.

car_driver

Thanks all for the advice. It seems I am best not to involve the police or insurance company, but I will get the car looked at to be sure.

It may just be my lack of understanding but this seems to be a legal grey area.

Thanks again and happy motoring

Quentin

If you do find some hidden damage, and this does need sorting, then it's the third party insurers you need to get in touch with (not the police - they won't be interested).

ginnersinner

I'm not sure it's a legal grey area at all.

If you read your T&Cs or policy document you'll find you're instructed to inform your insurers of any accident. If no claim is subsequently made, your no-claims bonus is not affected.

If you renew your insurance and don't tell them about the accident, you're defrauding them. Granted, they're unlikely to find out, but they will check, and what if the other driver reported the accident to their insurers - you'd sure as heck be found out then.

With regards the police, if no injury has occurred to any party and both exchanged names and addressees, you don't need to inform them either.

Quentin

ginnersinner wrote: »

With regards the police, if no injury has occurred to any party and both exchanged names and addressees, you don't need to inform them either.

You don't have to exchange names and addresses.

You only have to give details if you are asked for them (by someone directly/indirectly involved in the incident), and then you only have to give the driver's (and owner if driver is not the owner) name and address and the registration number.