You lose control of your car and damage a garden wall. No one is around. What must you do?

Related Information

According to the law, a road traffic collision must be reported if it involves a mechanically-propelled vehicle on a road or other public area that results in:

- damage or injury to anyone other than the vehicle's driver.

- injury or damage to an animal, excluding those animals carried by the vehicle itself (an animal is classed as a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, goat or dog)

- damage to a vehicle, excluding the vehicle that caused the collision

- damage to property that is built on, attached to, growing in, or otherwise forms part of the land where the road resides

If you're involved in a road traffic collision, you should:

- Stop at the scene as soon as it is safe to do so

- Turn off your engine

- Turn on your hazard lights

- Inspect yourself and any passengers for any injuries

- Name, address, and vehicle registration number should be exchanged with all parties involved. If asked, offer information about your insurance. While you're still on the scene of the collision, dial 101 to contact the police if you're having problems acquiring these information from anyone involved or if they've already left without providing them.

How to report your collision?

You can report a collision online or at a police station as soon as possible within 24 hours of the collision. There is no need for you to bring any documents; all information is available online. In every situation, don't forget to notify your insurance provider as soon as you can about the collision.