Road Traffic Collision

Being involved in a road traffic collision can be an upsetting experience. Here are some helpful tips about what to do if you are involved in one.

If you have been involved in a road traffic collision you have a number of duties to comply with by law.

• Stop your vehicle and remain at the scene for a reasonable time
• Report the collision within a reasonable time, either to police via 101 or the other party involved if they are present.
• Exchange details with the other party, regardless of where you feel fault lies. The details you MUST exchange are: Name, Address, Vehicle registration number, details of your vehicle owner (if you do not own the vehicle you are driving). It may also be helpful if you carry a copy of your insurance certificate and be able to provide details of your insurer and the policy number you are covered under.

Failing to comply with any one of the above duties may render you liable to prosecution for a number of road traffic offences.

Generally speaking, your insurer will require you to report any collision to them regardless of fault or whether a claim for damage or injury may be sought. We advise you do this at your earliest convenience after the collision. You may wish to take your own photographs of the scene for your insurer. Only do this if it safe to do so. Do not put yourself or any other road user at risk to take a photograph.

Police will attend road traffic collisions where someone is injured or there is a risk to other traffic on the road. Prior to Police arrival, it is advisable that you do not attempt to move your vehicle, this may cause further risk and it prevents Police from obtaining a true picture of the collision. 

At the scene Police will:

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all involved including other traffic wishing to navigate around the collision.
• Record details of involved parties, including passengers, and investigate the cause of the collision. Police will all require sight of your current driving licence and certificate of insurance. If you do not have these documents at the time, Police may issue you with a ‘Requirement to produce’ form, requiring you to produce them within seven days at a police station. Failing to do this with seven days may render you liable to prosecution for failing to produce.
• Take measurements of the scene and, where appropriate, produce a sketch for the Collision Report Form. If appropriate, in serious collisions, specialists will attend the scene to produce detailed maps, photographs and video evidence.
• Conduct a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) of both drivers to ensure alcohol consumption is not a factor in the collision.
• If required, arrange recovery of any vehicle at the owner’s expense. Drivers are free, if it is safe and appropriate to do so, to arrange their own recovery and have their vehicle left off the road to allow traffic to resume normal flow.

The Police, if appropriate, may consider prosecuting one or more parties involved in a road traffic collision for driving offences.

If this happens you may be asked to provide a witness statement or, if under investigation, attend a Police station for an interview. Once the investigation is complete The Public Prosecution Service will decide whether to prosecute the case via the Courts, whether it can be dealt with by other means or whether no further action will be taken.

Police will not comment on blame or liability for the purposes of your insurer or any civil action you may wish to take. Police will complete a Collision Report Form (CRF) which your solicitor can apply for. This will be released once the appropriate fee is received.

If you are involved in a collision it is important that you remain calm and comply with your legal obligations.

If another vehicle leaves the scene, commonly referred to as a ‘Hit and Run’, it is important that you try and obtain the registration number of the vehicle and write it down or type it into your phone as quickly as possible to allow Police to trace the vehicle.

In even the most minor of collisions, shock can affect you hours later. It may be beneficial to be in the company of family or friends after a collision to ensure your wellbeing and if there is any doubt, or you begin to feel unwell please seek medical advice.