What to do if you’re involved in a hit and run

There are legal measures in place to punish those drivers who break the law, including fines, points on a driving licence, driving bans and imprisonment.

This guide looks at one of those criminal offences – a ‘hit and run’. Here is everything that a driver needs to know.

A hit and run is a criminal act that occurs when someone is involved in a traffic collision and does not stop afterwards to provide their details and/or report the incident to the police.

It is a legal requirement to stop when you've been involved in a crash or collision where injury or damage has occurred. If it is not safe to stop at the scene of the incident then you must find a place nearby where it is safe to pull over.

You must also report the crash or collision to the police if someone has been injured or if you are unable to exchange details at the scene. You should also report the incident to the police if you think a driving offence has occurred.

You do not need to report an accident to the police if no offence has occurred, if you've already exchanged details with anyone else involved and no one has been hurt.

There are several reasons why a hit and run may happen – and all of them should be reported to the police and your insurance company.

Hit and runs happen because a driver could be intoxicated, uninsured, involved in a crime, banned from driving, or they could even not have a licence.

Other reasons could be that they panicked or lack the financial security to pay for any damage caused by a hit and run.

If you have been involved in a hit and run, make sure that you contact the police as soon as it is safe to do so by calling 999.

Tell the operator you’ve been hit by a vehicle that has refused to stop and provide all of your details (vehicle, number plate, insurance information, home address, and any information you have of the event).

Once the police arrive on the scene, provide a report, and cooperate with them. They will inform you once they have all the information they need and will provide you with a crime number. 

They may call you after the event to give you an update on their investigation or request more details. 

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For failing to stop at the scene of an accident and/or report it to the police, a person can receive a maximum sentence of six months in prison, a £5,000 fine, and an indefinite driving ban.

However, if a driver has caused a serious incident because of the hit and run – then there are more severe punishments.

For example, death by dangerous driving carries a sentence of 14 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Drink and drug driving can also be involved in many hit and run cases. This also comes with a 14-year prison sentence and an unlimited fine.

For offences that result in death that occurred after June 28th 2022, the maximum sentence was increased to life in prison.

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If you have been struck by a moving car, here are the steps you need to take. This also applies if your vehicle has been hit by another moving car:

1. Move to a place of safety
2. Check for injuries and contact the emergency services if required
3. Call the police and report the incident if necessary
4. Contact your insurance company
5. Exchange information with the other driver(s)

When you exchange details, make sure that you get their full name, address, number plate, contact information, insurance details. If you have called the police, ask the other person(s) to stay at the scene until the police arrive.

Under no circumstance should you agree to not report the incident.

If there are other witnesses, ask them to report what they saw to the police. This is a crucial step in getting the correct information to the police.

Also, if you can document the scene and any damage to yourself or the vehicles, ensure you do so in a safe manner. This can also include any nearby signs or road conditions that could have impacted the collision.

Of course, if you’re still unsure on what to do following the event, seek legal advice.

If you’re looking to make a claim on your insurance after a hit and run – these are the steps you’ll need to take.

For drivers with comprehensive car insurance, you can make a claim. However, this may impact your no claims discount, as well as paying any excess.

However, if the hit and run isn’t recorded, then you may have to pay the full amount for any repairs. You must report any incident to police within 24 hours.

To make a claim, you’ll need the police crime number for the incident, details of the other vehicle(s) involved, any other documentation on the event (including images and eyewitness reports), the location, time, date of the event, and your personal details.

Different insurance companies may offer ways to protect your no claims discount – and ask for other information relating to the hit and run.

If the vehicle you’re driving isn’t yours, then you’ll need to provide details of the registered keeper, owner of the vehicle and the person who pays for the insurance cover.

Even if you are not looking to claim, you must inform the accident to your insurer. 

If you’re involved in a hit and run with an uninsured driver, and wish to be compensated, then there are several steps you’ll need to take.

First of all, inform the police that you’ve been hit by an uninsured driver. Also, you’ll need to inform your insurance company.

You’ll need to contact the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) if you’ve been injured, or if your car has been damaged as a result of a hit and run.

You can contact them on 01908 830001.