Had a car crash today - not sure if to report to police

volc25

Hi,

Had a car crash today where I went into the back of a car that slammed on in front of me.

We all seemed to be ok, my car was recovered, theirs is still roadworthy with only minor damage to the bumper.

Swapped numbers, name and insurance details.

Just wondering if I need to report this to the police too?
Iv put in a claim with my insurance company but it wont really progress till tomorrow since its Sunday.

Never been in a crash before, I dont know if I HAVE to make the police aware even though the road is clear and my car is waiting for collection on my drive.

Thanks.

Retrogamer

Nah, no need.
Sounds like you've done exactly what i would have done in that scenario.

Car_54

No need to report to the police.

For future cases you must also provide (and get) the address, both of the driver and owner. No need for insurance info unless someone is injured, though it's nice to get it.

volc25

Cheers guys, the damage to my car is quite bad though, looking like it could be a write off, brand new polo too i loved the car and im gutted.

Ok I called my insurance they said the same, the police do not need to be involved, I just wasn't sure as I dont want them claiming injury later even though I think they are ok, i mean they were standing talking and walking with no complaints from their side (so far).

But due to that I thought maybe I should report it still but I do want this to be as smooth as possible now.

I have their number so ill call to get an address and give them my address.

bigjl

I always thought you needed to report all accidents to the Police within a set time. Even if damage only.

You don't need Police to attend unless there is an injury (to be honest they probably won't attend even if you called them for damage only)

bigjl

[quote=[Deleted User];71039059]No need to report to the police.

For future cases you must also provide (and get) the address, both of the driver and owner. No need for insurance info unless someone is injured, though it's nice to get it.[/QUOTE]


Who told you the bit about only exchanging Insurance info if somebody is injured?

volc25

Theres some mixed messages out there online.

Which is why I wanted to ask if I should report it or not, I guess since they drove away normally, they cant say they were injured to the extent where I need to involve the police since they also didnt call them at the time.

volc25

bigjl wrote: »

I always thought you needed to report all accidents to the Police within a set time. Even if damage only.

You don't need Police to attend unless there is an injury (to be honest they probably won't attend even if you called them for damage only)

Found this on the ask the police website:

Q425: I have been in a road traffic accident, nobody was injured and we both stopped, do I need to report it to the police?
If both parties stopped at the scene and exchanged names and addresses there is no requirement to report the accident to the police. Road traffic law has been complied with and the police will not take a report.

Quentin

bigjl wrote: »

I always thought you needed to report all accidents to the Police within a set time. Even if damage only.

No need if you exchange details and no injury apparent


If you do need to report then that must be done ASAP and within 24 hours

bigjl

volc25 wrote: »

Theres some mixed messages out there online.

Which is why I wanted to ask if I should report it or not, I guess since they drove away normally, they cant say they were injured to the extent where I need to involve the police since they also didnt call them at the time.

Yes they can say they were injured.

Whiplash injuries don't tend to be symptomatic straight away, the pain and discomfort often becoming evident several hours later, it can often take several days for symptoms to become bothersome.

Expect a personal injury claim in due course, especially if you say your car is damaged badly enough for it to be a write off, especially when you say it is a nearly new Polo.

Report the incident as there is very likely to be a personal injury claim on its way to you in a few weeks.

bigjl

volc25 wrote: »

Found this on the ask the police website:

Q425: I have been in a road traffic accident, nobody was injured and we both stopped, do I need to report it to the police?
If both parties stopped at the scene and exchanged names and addresses there is no requirement to report the accident to the police. Road traffic law has been complied with and the police will not take a report.

That is a little bit disengenious as the Police can't refuse to accept a report. They may not investigate it but they need to accept it.

If that was from a Police website the real motivation may be to reduce Police workload.