Driver Accidents and Refusal to Supply Details

If you are involved in a car crash or traffic accident of some sort, there are several things that you need to do.

Regardless of whether or not the accident is your fault, if anyone (other than you) is injured, an animal (other than any that you were carrying in your own vehicle) is injured or killed, property belonging to someone else or another vehicle is damaged in some way or any of the surrounding street or road furniture (road signs, bollards) is damaged, then you will need to leave your contact details with anyone who has reasonable grounds to request them.

If no-one requests your details at the scene of the car crash, or for any reason you don't want to supply them (you may feel that the person requesting them is behaving in a threatening manner), then you can go to the nearest police station and report the traffic accident there instead.

Leaving the Scene to Report the Incident at The Station

If you take this course of action and someone reports the incident to the police, you may be apprehended on your way to the station. This could make it difficult to prove that you were not simply fleeing the scene of the accident - something which could land you in court and facing more severe penalties.

To avoid this, leave the scene of the car crash and pull over as soon as is safe to do so. Call the police and tell them that you have been involved in a road accident and that you are coming to your nearest station to give a statement. Then if you are stopped for any reason, it’s clear what your intentions were.

What Do I Do if The Other Driver Refuses to Provide me With Details?

If the other driver(s) involved in a traffic accident refuses to give you their contact details on request, remind them of the points above. Point out the reason that they should give you their details (e.g. because you and your passenger have been injured and explain to them that it is a legal requirement for them to give you the information that you are asking for. after a car crash

Taking Identification Details

If they still refuse to give you the information, make a note of the car registration number, the make and model and any distinguishing features of the car, such as window stickers or scratches or marks on the vehicle. This will allow the police to track them down more easily if they don’t report the incident within 24 hours.

Not Supposed to be Driving?

It's possible that if the driver is not supposed to be driving because they are banned or drunk or could get into trouble for doing so and if this is the case then they might not want to give you details because they will later say that someone else - maybe a passenger - was driving the vehicle.

To stop this happening, make sure you make a note of the physical appearance of the driver - approximate age/sex/height/weight, anything that might help the police later. Do they appear drunk or not 'with it?', have they said anything to you that indicates that they shouldn't be driving the vehicle? Also take notes on any passengers if you can.

Witness Statements

If you can find any bystanders who saw what happened and are happy to give details so that they can be called as witnesses later on, take their mobile numbers, names and addresses. If possible, ask for a business card if possible as they are more likely to have real telephone numbers and contact details!

Caught on Camera?

In the days of Big Brother, so much of what we do is caught on film at some time or another, so see if there are cameras that can help you. If there are cameras make a note of their location so that you can find out who owns them. The police and the council should be able to help you with this.

Recording Details

Anyone involved in an accident may well be in shock – including you, even if you feel OK. So do try and note down any information you get on paper, as you might not remember anything at all later on. If you haven't got a pen, see if your mobile phone has a record function use that and take information as if you were doing so into a dictaphone. If your phone has a camera, take photos if it is safe to do so.

Know When to Back Off

Above all else, never put yourself in danger. The most important thing to remember in this situation is your own personal safety and if someone doesn't want to give you their details, there might be a very good reason - something that they'll be willing to protect at all costs. If someone refuses to give you their details, judge the situation and if you don't want to push it any further then get as much information as you can without upsetting the other drivers, and putting yourself at risk.