Car crash accident and motorcycle accident – the role of the police

Car crash accidents are a major source of compensation claims in the UK and can often involve the police or other emergency services. If you are involved in a car crash accident or motorcycle accident, as the driver of a vehicle you MUST STOP and give your name, address and the vehicle registration number, and the name and address of the vehicle owner (if it is not you) to anyone who needs it.

In addition, following a car crash accident or motor cycle accident you should:

The role of the police following a car crash accident or motorcycle accident
The extent to which the police will become involved will largely be determined by the nature and seriousness of the car crash accident or motorcycle accident. It may not be necessary for an official record to be made.

The primary role of the police is:

Will there be a police report following the car crash accident?
An official report is likely to be made following a car crash accident in the following circumstances:

In all other circumstances the police will usually take no further action.

How can I obtain the details of the other people involved?
Normally these are available without charge from the county's Collision Enquiry Unit who are responsible for all administration following a car crash accident.

Parties have up to 7 days to present their driving documents to the police, so please allow at least 10 days from the date of the car crash accident before contacting them.

There are circumstances when this information can not be given out due to The Data Protection Act.

Details of the witnesses to the car crash accident can not be disclosed. Once the case has been finalised a full copy of the report can be obtained for a fee. This can be arranged by your insurance company or solicitor.

What documents will the police require?
Following a car crash accident or motorcycle accident, the police will need to see your driving license, certificate of insurance and MOT certificate. If you were unable to produce these documents at the scene of the accident, you have up to 7 days to do so at the police station of your choice. Failure to do so could result in prosecution. You will be given a form which specifies the documents you are required to present.

Do I have to give my insurance details to anyone?
As a driver you must give your insurance details to anyone who has been injured or who wishes to make a claim against you, even though you may feel you are not to blame for the car crash accident.

Likewise, you may ask for another person's car insurance details if you have been injured in the car crash accident or if you wish to make a claim against them. Failure to provide insurance details in these circumstances may constitute an offence, which should be reported to the police.

The policy number and the address of driver’s insurance company is all that is generally required. These details are contained on your insurance certificate.

The police will only record car insurance details where a person has been injured or killed in a car crash accident.

If my vehicle is damaged, who is responsible for moving it?
Because of the potential danger to other road users the police normally require all vehicles involved in car crash accidents on or near a road to be removed. If your vehicle is on or near the road and causing an obstruction to other road users the police will usually require your vehicle to be removed by a recovery operator. The cost of removal and any subsequent storage charges is the responsibility of the owner and/or driver. In other cases you will be able to make your own arrangements.

NB. If you are a member of a motoring organisation they can arrange for your vehicle to be removed following a car crash accident. However, you will be charged (often premium rates) for this service. Recovery operators called out by the Police can only charge statutory rates. Do not pay any more than you have to for this service.

Will I have to make a written statement?
You may be asked to make a statement, but in cases being considered for prosecution you will usually be sent a proforma statement to fill in. Provision of a written statement or proforma does not necessarily mean you will have to appear as a witness in criminal proceedings. The police will give you further written notification about this should it be necessary.

What will the police do after the car crash accident?
If the accident is recorded, the police will always tell they propose to take any further action. Depending on the circumstances, the result may not be known for several months.

Can I contact the police officer who attended the accident?
All responsibility for administration following a car crash accident is passed to a Collision Enquiry Unit. The police officer who attended your accident will be part of an emergency response team and it is important that they are available to respond to 999 calls at all times.

All queries should therefore be addressed to The Collision Enquiry Unit in the first instance.

Parties involved have up to 7 days to present their driving documents to the police, so please allow at least 10 days from the date of the collision, to ensure all the information has been gathered.

Will anyone be prosecuted?
The police will only investigate further those car crash accidents involving fatalities or serious injuries and those which involve an element of aggressive behaviour, impatient driving, or the misuse of speed. They do not apportion blame or investigate car crash accidents on behalf of insurance companies.

Any incident where a prosecution is decided upon will be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service who will consider whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute and whether or not it is in the public interest to do so.

How we can help - Our service is cost-free and without-risk
If you have been involved in a car crash accident or motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, don't worry about the cost and stress of pursuing a compensation claim. We will take care of everything for you.

We can get you back on the road in a free replacement vehicle* straight away, organise repairs to your vehicle and if you or your passengers are injured we can help you make a personal injury claim.

Call us now and we can organise all or some of the following:

Our service is totally cost-free as all vehicle hire costs, repair costs and/or personal injury solicitor’s fees will be recovered from the person who caused the car crash accident or motorcycle accident. We can also help you recover other losses such as your insurance excess (if you decide to claim on your own policy for the damage to your vehicle), loss of earnings, taxi fares, phone bills or any other costs you have incurred as a result of the accident. Our service won't cost you a penny. If your compensation claim is successful all costs are recovered from the other party. If you lose your case and are unsuccessful in claiming accident compensation, then all costs are written off. More about our no win, no fee service…

Call us now for free, friendly advice on making a claim for car crash accident compensation on
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