Collision Advice

Yes. You must do this as soon as possible and irrespective of whether you wish to make a claim or not.

Don’t worry if you do not possess all the information that may be required. These details will be provided on request approximately 14 days after the collision by calling the “OCMT” in the District Command Unit for the area where the collision occurred.

• Date and time of collision.

• Names and addresses of all parties.

• Details of any witnesses.

Once more, don’t worry if you are unable to supply the insurers with all the information they require. This may be obtained later from the Police after the collision report has been completed. 

No. Police investigators are seeking to try and establish the facts about what has happened. However, if it appears that a driver may have committed an offence, they will be informed that they may be prosecuted. This may be verbally at the time, or in writing at a later date.

The purpose of a prosecution is to find out if someone is guilty of an offence and punish the offender.

Prosecutions are recommended by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) where there is clear evidence of an offence. The PPS is an independent agency responsible for prosecuting cases in court. They will make the decision whether or not to prosecute when they have examined the police report.

The PPS will only proceed if there is enough evidence for a realistic prospect of a conviction. Decisions are made by PPS’s lawyers who consider the law, the evidence and whether it is in the public interest for a prosecution to be brought. The PPS is guided by the Code for Prosecutors. You can get a copy from their website or by contacting them.

Public Prosecution Service: PPS Belfast Region/HQ Sections

• Belfast Chambers, 93 Chichester Street, Belfast, BT1 3JR Telephone: 028 9054 2444 Deaf/Hard of Hearing (SMS): 07795 673 927
• Foyle Chambers,   35 Limavady Rd, Londonderry BT47 6LP Telephone: 028 7134 0648 Deaf/Hard of Hearing (SMS): 07795 675 338

PPS Western and Southern Region

• Omagh Chambers, 2 Townhall Square, High Street, Omagh, BT78 1BL Telephone: 028 8224 4319 Deaf/Hard of Hearing (SMS): 07795 831 188
• Newry Chambers,  1 Downshire Close,  Newry. BT34 1FD Telephone: 028 3083 2500 Deaf/Hard of Hearing (SMS): 07795 810 114

If your collision is likely to result in criminal charges being brought against someone else, you may get help and support from the Victim Support Scheme. They can help you through court procedures and trials.

Victim Support Belfast

Foyle Hub Office

6th Floor, Embassy Building

3 Strand Road BT48 7BH

028 7137 0086

[email protected]

Belfast Office

2nd Floor Albany House

73/74 Great Victoria Street Belfast BT2 7AF

028 9024 3133

[email protected]

If a court action is to be taken, a person may be issued with a summons which outlines the alleged offence and their requirement to attend court to answer the allegations.

In certain circumstances a person may be charged at a police station to appear before the court, but this very much depends on the circumstances surrounding the particular case.

Depending on the charge, cases are heard in a Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court.

Serious charges are heard in the Crown Court.

No, not under normal circumstances.The officer who attended the collision may have completed a written report at the scene and may have provided you with 8 9 contact details.

However, this officer will have been part of an emergency response team who react to 999 calls, 24 hours a day. It is vital that members of this team are kept away from non-emergency administrative tasks wherever possible and all such calls should be referred to the “OCMT” in the District Command Unit where the collision occurred.

Allow at least 14 days from the date of the collision for all information to be gathered.

Yes, an abstract from the Police Collision Report will be made available after the investigation has been completed. This may be obtained by your insurers or your legal representatives.

An administration fee is payable.

Any person involved in a collision may initiate civil proceedings. A decision not to prosecute will not prejudice any civil action you may decide to take.

However, civil claims are the responsibility of the parties involved and their respective insurance companies or legal advisers.

If you are injured but don’t require hospital treatment, you should nevertheless seek medical advice from your GP. You may be entitled to make a claim for loss of wages/overtime/damage to your personal belongings/ prescription costs and compensation for any injury you have received.

Compensation claims for loss or injury are not a matter for the Police. The Police do not support or endorse any company’s products or services.

If you have been involved in a collision with an uninsured motorist, advice is available through the Motor Insurers Bureau.

Publicity stresses the importance of preventing collisions and encourages witnesses to come forward. We always seek to minimise embarrassment and take measures to avoid vulnerable people being identified.