Accidents

Primary Content Source: Andrew Sweetman



If you have been involved in an accident and are intending to make or defend a related claim, please see the relevant ‘tort’ pages of this website, which cover personal injury and negligence.  Please note that you must have suffered a loss, such as physical harm or lost wages, in order for a claim to be successful.  It is worth checking your household insurance or any other relevant insurance you might have, as the terms may include legal cover which can be used in the event of an accident.

 If you are involved in an accident which has resulted in injury to someone other than the driver, an injury to a dog or farmyard-type animal (set out below) not in the vehicle or attached trailer, or damage to property, you are required to stop.  If someone involved in the accident asks you, you are also required to provide your name and address, the vehicle’s licence plate number, and if you are not the owner, the owner’s name and address as well.  If your details are not given to anyone at the scene (for example because there was no one there), you must report the incident to the police as soon as practicable and in any case no later than 24 hours after the accident.  Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

 A farmyard-type animal for which you must stop is a horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig, or goat.