Should I report this UK road accident to the police? [closed]

I was involved in an accident (in England, A259) this morning, with four vehicles (v1 to v4, v1 in front and me in v2) involved, in line and hit from behind. I was driving the second vehicle from the front. It happened when we slowed in traffic, and the vehicle in front of me (v1) had stopped or almost stopped. I was almost stationary safely short of him, when my car (vehicle 2) was hit from behind and pushed into v1 in front of me. After an obscenity filled pause I and v1 pulled ahead a little and on to the verge. We established that both our vehicles 1 and 2 had suffered no damage beyond a few superficial scratches.

However the van behind me, vehicle 3, I could see had had its front number plate knocked off. The last vehicle 4 now badly damaged at its front end, had been the source of the accident, having run at speed into the back of v3 and shunted us all forward. I did not look at the damage to v3, it was hidden by the wreckage of v4. Having established everyone ok, I and v1 went on, leaving the drivers of v3 and v4 to sort it out.

Should I have done more, like give them my details or especially should I have informed the police?

driving officials

Best Answer

This isn't really appropriate for this site, but...

You don't need to report it to the police.

You should report it to your insurance company, giving as many of the other parties details as possible.

Why? Because all parties have several years in which to lodge a claim against you - if you report it now, your insurance company can investigate it with the other parties and come to a "no fault" closure on your account, ending the threat of claims and litigation later on.

I have seen insurance cases where there has been no damage at the scene, but one party has lodged a claim two years later for a new radiator or whatever, and because the person being claimed against failed to report the accident to their insurance company at the time it was almost impossible to fight.

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Do you need to report a road traffic accident to the police?

Accidents in which damage occurs to a vehicle or both vehicles do not have to be reported to police immediately if emergency services are not required at the scene. However, they must be reported within 24 hours \u2013 and police usually wish to see insurance details, a driver's licence and MOT certificate.

Do you have to call the police after an accident UK?

You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you do not give your details at the time of the accident. You must also report the accident to your insurance company, even if you're not planning to make a claim.

Should I report a minor car accident to the police?

If another person has been injured, you must produce your certificate of insurance if anyone at the scene has reasonable grounds to request it. The Road Traffic Act says that you must report the accident to a police constable or police station within 24 hours.

Live PD: Cop Calls w/ Jeffersonville, Indiana Police Department | A\u0026E

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