Road traffic collision
Road policing officers at the scene of a collision
Leicestershire Constabulary aims to reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
At the scene of a collision the role of the police is to:
- Save lives, protect people and prevent further incidents;
- Ensure that any injured people are treated;
- Allow traffic to flow freely as soon as possible;
- Arrange recovery of vehicles where appropriate;
- Investigate the collision to determine the cause and whether offences have been committed.
What should I do if I am involved in a collision?
To comply with the law it is necessary that:
- the driver of any vehicle involved stops;
- Personal details such as name, address, contact number, registration number and insurance details are exchanged.
Insurance information must be given to anyone who may want to make a claim. If not, the collision must be reported to the police in person as soon as possible within 24 hours.
Producing your driving documents
If a collision report has been submitted, we will record the driving documents of all of the drivers/riders involved. We will initially attempt to obtain these details using the DVLA and the national Insurance and MOT databases.
However if these details are not available, you may either be issued with a form at the scene, or a notice may be sent to you in the post. You will need to produce the specified documents at the police station you have nominated or at any convenient station if the notice was posted to you, within seven days.
Will I have to make a written statement?
A written statement may be taken at the scene of the accident but usually a collision statement form will be sent to your address for you to fill and return.
Completing the form does not automatically mean that someone will be prosecuted or require you to attend court. You will be contacted again with more details if it is necessary.
Do the police prosecute in every case?
There will be no prosecution if the evidence does not offer a realistic prospect of a conviction, or if it is not in the public interest. In some cases, Leicestershire Constabulary offers a Driver Improvement Scheme which is a refresher course to educate drivers. Insurance claims and liability are not affected if a driver participates in the Improvement Scheme.
For more information see the Force's road traffic collision policy.
Will I be informed of any police enquiry?
Leicestershire Constabulary aims to keep people informed of any enquiries, providing the officer at the scene of the collision has made a written report.
The Collision Support Unit will contact you upon receipt and initial review of the report. They can also be contacted to provide an update of the report and details such as third party insurance. The Helpline is open from 10am - 4pm, Monday to Friday on 101 ext. 4666.
Do I have to inform my insurance company of the collision?
If your insurance company are not informed of any accidents involving your vehicle, you may invalidate your insurance cover. Check your policy details for more information. You will need to check with your insurance company first before arranging for any repairs to be carried out as they may need to send a representative to inspect the damage.
Will my vehicle be removed?
The police will usually require a vehicle to be removed due to the danger it can cause to other traffic. If the car is not suitable to be driven safely, it will need to be recovered by a garage at the driver's cost. It is driver's responsibility to remove the car although the police can assist if required.
If the car is left by the road, it may be removed by the police using an appointed recovery agent and taken to a secure compound. The driver will be liable for the cost of this. All such garages are approved by the force and have secure premises to store vehicles and contents.
To find out the location of a recovered vehicle please contact the Vehicle Recovery Officer on 101 ext. 2034/2134. You will need the vehicle registration number and date of recovery.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
If the other driver has no insurance or cannot be traced, you may be able to make a claim to the Motor Insurer's Bureau who operates a special scheme to protect people in this situation. They can be contacted on 01908 830001 or write to:
The Motor Insurer's Bureau
6-12 Linford Wood House
Capital Drive
Linford Wood
Milton Keynes
MK14 6XT
If the collision involves a stolen vehicle, you may have the right to claim against the owner's insurance. The police will provide these details wherever possible or you can contact your insurer who can pursue the claim on your behalf.
You may find our leaflet - Here to Help – Road Traffic Collisions - helpful.
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