What To Do if Someone Hit and Runs Your Car?

(**Information accurate as of May 2025**)

If your car was involved in a collision and the other driver fled the scene without exchanging details, what should you do?

It is a stressful situation and you may feel mixed emotions. After all, the situation might not be your fault, yet you are left to shoulder the costs. Even minor parked car damage can reduce your car's value and bodyshop repairs can run into hundreds of pounds to rectify even minor scrapes and dents.

Presuming that there have been no injuries, your priority is likely to be on the financial hit of putting the damage right - but hold fire...

Is it illegal to leave the scene of an accident in the UK?

Most people are unaware that causing damage knowingly and leaving the scene is a criminal offence, which could land the offender in prison for six months.

Why do hit-and-runs happen?

While it is a defence to leave if you were unaware that you had caused damage, or injury, many people do not hang around, because they are guilty of other offences. These might include not holding valid motor insurance, or being over the drink-drive limit. Other reasons include hoping that they would get away with it.

What to do in a hit-and-run incident?

Assessing if your car is safe after a hit-and-run accident

Your immediate priority must be your safety and that of other road users. Consider how you will get to your next destination and ask yourself, is your car safe to drive?

Very often, you do not need to be a qualified technician to assess the damage. Knocks to a bumper, for instance, tend rarely to be dangerous, unless the panel is likely to become detached, or is exposing sharp edges.

Anything hanging from the car, such as a broken wing mirror, will not just risk causing further damage during driving but it may also fall off and injure somebody. Remember that you are responsible legally for ensuring that the car you drive is roadworthy. Therefore, driving the car away with a broken lamp, for example, could result in you being prosecuted.

More serious damage could puncture, or tear, a tyre. It may also bend a suspension component. Should you be unsure, call a break-down provider and have the car transported either back home, or to a garage/bodyshop, who can make an accurate assessment and provide a quotation.

What evidence should you collect?

Before leaving the scene, check if anyone witnessed the incident taking place and enquire if they are prepared to provide details. Useful evidence includes:

1. Time and location of the incident

2. The third-party vehicle's registration number

3. Make/model and any distinguishing features

4. Description of the driver and whether, or not, a seat belt was being worn

5. If there was any damage to the third-party vehicle

6. Whether, or not, they noticed any note left behind by the third party admitting to the damage, because it might have blown away

7. Any photographs, or videos - but keep these to yourself and do not post them online, because it could prejudice any investigation.

Witnesses tend to be sympathetic and are willing to provide their contact details but do not presume that they are obligated. To be genuine, witnesses must be independent - they must not have any connection to you, or be involved in the incident.

Before leaving, check for the presence and location of any CCTV cameras and, if possible, establish who is responsible for it. You may find this information at the entrance of car parks, for instance. Some remote car park operatives are prepared to look for footage that can be used as evidence for the insurance company later. Yet, do not presume that you are entitled to this information.

How should you report a hit-and-run accident?

You should call the police within 24 hours, if there were any personal injuries, or if you suspect that the other person has committed a driving offence, or has left the scene without exchanging details.

You can do so by dialling '101'. As this is not an emergency, dialling '999' is inappropriate. Failing that, you can report the incident at a nearby police station. Alternatively, you can fill out the Single Online Home reporting service, such as here: https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/a-road-traffic-incident/ Again, all of this must be done within 24 hours. According to the Metropolitan police, it is unlikely that you will be contacted again, unless more information is required, or you are requested to attend court. You will be issued with a police reference for insurance purposes.

How should you inform your insurance company?

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, within 24 hours preferably. You might not wish to do this, in case it will raise your premium. This is very unlikely to be the case, unless you make an insurance claim. Therefore, you may wish to inform your broker about the non-fault collision but say you do not wish to make a claim, as yet.

How can I contact the third party?

Having fulfilled your legal obligations, you can focus on repairing the damage and establishing whether, or not, you wish to recover your losses. Seek your insurance company's advice but consider that you could lose your no-claims bonus and endure

higher future premiums, if you decide to make a claim. Even though the damage is not your fault, claiming on your policy might be classed as if you were to blame. The alternatives are to pay for the damage separately, or not bother.

Your alternative is to contact the driver to inform them about the incident and invite them to repair your car. If you have a vehicle registration number, you can request the car's registered keeper details from the DVSA but you must have a 'reasonable cause' to do so. More information about this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-people-information-from-our-vehicle-record.

Page seven of the downloadable document shows that being a private individual asking for details of a vehicle keeper following an incident is a reasonable cause. It also highlights information that the DVLA needs from you. Notably, the police reference number, an independent quotation to repair the damage and a cheque covering the processing fee should all be included. Once you have this information, fill out form V888 carefully.

Should your request be successful, contact a legal representative to ensure that any potential civil claim is a success and that you avoid any potential accusations from the third party.

Finally, you should always be reasonable and not try to put yourself in a better situation than before the collision occurred. You should not be out of pocket, either. Therefore, keep all receipts. Furthermore, if the third party admits liability and wishes to claim on its insurance, there are instances when this could raise your future premiums for three years, or more. Therefore, enquire with your insurer about these future increases and investigate whether you can add this sum to your claim.

What not to do in a hit-and-run incident?

Do not panic. Look around, find witnesses, take notes and photographs

Do not leave the scene without making enquiries, otherwise you could be accused of fleeing the scene.

Do not risk your safety and attempt to chase the other driver

Do not forget to take notes

Do not pause for long to report the incident, especially if the third party is not present.

FAQs

Will police investigate a minor hit and run in the UK?

As leaving the scene of an accident is an offence, the police will take an interest but, where there is only minor vehicular damage and no injuries, it is unlikely that you will be kept informed about the investigation.

How long do I have to report a hit-and-run?

24 hours

Will I lose my no-claims if someone hits my parked car?

This depends on the arrangement with your insurance company and whether, or not, you make a claim. Some insurance companies require you to report any incident, regardless of whether, or not, you intend to make a claim, or if it was your fault.

What happens if you get done for hit and run?

It depends on the circumstance. Penalty points and a fine can result from minor incidents, through to a custodian sentence for more serious cases.

Who do I call for a hit-and-run on my car?

In serious cases, call 999. If there is minor damage, dial 101 and ask to speak to your local police force. Alternatively, you can report incidents online: https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/a-road-traffic-incident

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