Reporting an accident to the police...
Discussion
Hi folks,
As you may have read in the GG thread my wife had an accident this afternoon. No injuries, just a dent in the side/rear panel of her car after a transit decided it wanted to be in her lane.
We're reporting it to the police as a precaution/formality, but have a couple of questions that perhaps the resident BiB could answer?
She was given a huge form (207 RTC/A self reporting scheme) which looks like overkill - all she wanted to do was submit a simple signed statement to cover herself! Presumably this form is the only way to do it... Does it all need filling in given that there are no criminal charges to be brought or injuries?
I understand that it needs to be reported within 24 hours - does this mean the form has to be with them by then or was her ringing / popping in and collecting the form enough (although she didn't give her name). She is snowed under with work at the moment and we only just got in so filling in a long form and writing a statement for tomorrow morning is a bit of a tall order...
The other thing is that it requests MOT certs / insurance certs / etc. to be brought in - half the documents are in storage at the moment and there is certainly no time to obtain them by tomorrow morning - presumably they have to be seen by the desk sergeant? Is there any requirement for them given that it's just to report it?
As you may have read in the GG thread my wife had an accident this afternoon. No injuries, just a dent in the side/rear panel of her car after a transit decided it wanted to be in her lane.
We're reporting it to the police as a precaution/formality, but have a couple of questions that perhaps the resident BiB could answer?
She was given a huge form (207 RTC/A self reporting scheme) which looks like overkill - all she wanted to do was submit a simple signed statement to cover herself! Presumably this form is the only way to do it... Does it all need filling in given that there are no criminal charges to be brought or injuries?
I understand that it needs to be reported within 24 hours - does this mean the form has to be with them by then or was her ringing / popping in and collecting the form enough (although she didn't give her name). She is snowed under with work at the moment and we only just got in so filling in a long form and writing a statement for tomorrow morning is a bit of a tall order...
The other thing is that it requests MOT certs / insurance certs / etc. to be brought in - half the documents are in storage at the moment and there is certainly no time to obtain them by tomorrow morning - presumably they have to be seen by the desk sergeant? Is there any requirement for them given that it's just to report it?
NiceCupOfTea said:
Hi folks,
As you may have read in the GG thread my wife had an accident this afternoon. No injuries, just a dent in the side/rear panel of her car after a transit decided it wanted to be in her lane.
We're reporting it to the police as a precaution/formality, but have a couple of questions that perhaps the resident BiB could answer?
She was given a huge form (207 RTC/A self reporting scheme) which looks like overkill - all she wanted to do was submit a simple signed statement to cover herself! Presumably this form is the only way to do it... Does it all need filling in given that there are no criminal charges to be brought or injuries?
I understand that it needs to be reported within 24 hours - does this mean the form has to be with them by then or was her ringing / popping in and collecting the form enough (although she didn't give her name). She is snowed under with work at the moment and we only just got in so filling in a long form and writing a statement for tomorrow morning is a bit of a tall order...
The other thing is that it requests MOT certs / insurance certs / etc. to be brought in - half the documents are in storage at the moment and there is certainly no time to obtain them by tomorrow morning - presumably they have to be seen by the desk sergeant? Is there any requirement for them given that it's just to report it?
As you may have read in the GG thread my wife had an accident this afternoon. No injuries, just a dent in the side/rear panel of her car after a transit decided it wanted to be in her lane.
We're reporting it to the police as a precaution/formality, but have a couple of questions that perhaps the resident BiB could answer?
She was given a huge form (207 RTC/A self reporting scheme) which looks like overkill - all she wanted to do was submit a simple signed statement to cover herself! Presumably this form is the only way to do it... Does it all need filling in given that there are no criminal charges to be brought or injuries?
I understand that it needs to be reported within 24 hours - does this mean the form has to be with them by then or was her ringing / popping in and collecting the form enough (although she didn't give her name). She is snowed under with work at the moment and we only just got in so filling in a long form and writing a statement for tomorrow morning is a bit of a tall order...
The other thing is that it requests MOT certs / insurance certs / etc. to be brought in - half the documents are in storage at the moment and there is certainly no time to obtain them by tomorrow morning - presumably they have to be seen by the desk sergeant? Is there any requirement for them given that it's just to report it?
Sorry to hear about this. Glad no injuries.
Ok I have covered this recently. There is no requirement for you to report this to the police as there are no injuries. Its a non reportable road accident. I wouldn't take a report from you because there is no point. Thats not supposed to sound harsh by the way.
If you stopped and exchanged details with the other party at the time then you have fulfilled your obligations under the road traffic act.
Its now in the hands of the insurance coy. You report it to them asap by phone and then in writing using there as you correctly said overkill form.
insurance coy have no idea about RT law so they ask for the name of cop dealing. its a generic form which highlights how totally inept they are at their own job. (Oh I hate insurance coy my friend because the commit legalised fraud) not only that but the halfwitts they employ try to tell you all about the law. Ask them what training they have had> SOD ALL they are trained to extort money from you. (rant over)
Once you have reported it to the insurance coy (listen to this bit) THEY DO ALL THE CHASING AROUND. You are a client of theirs not the other way around. Keep on top of them and damn well make sure they do everything to your COMPLETE satisfaction.
I know you said you will report this to bib as a precaution/formality but if the bib is switched on he will not take your report because there is simply no need at this stage.
I hope this is of help and you get a speedy settlement.
Kind regards GB
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! 
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! NiceCupOfTea said:
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse!
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! Ah point taken. As you will become aware I am up in Gods country which is an important factor I should remember when trying to help out with Englandshire matters. The law in England in a bit different so this form you are talking about I thought was from the fraudsters (sorry insurance coy) I suggest sending an SOS to VanHosen. He seems to by the guy with the finger on the pulse for the finer points of English stuff.
gently bentley said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse!
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! Ah point taken. As you will become aware I am up in Gods country which is an important factor I should remember when trying to help out with Englandshire matters. The law in England in a bit different so this form you are talking about I thought was from the fraudsters (sorry insurance coy) I suggest sending an SOS to VanHosen. He seems to by the guy with the finger on the pulse for the finer points of English stuff.
Tsk, Tsk Gently, GOC is Yorkshire not "Skirtland"
telecat said:
gently bentley said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse!
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! Ah point taken. As you will become aware I am up in Gods country which is an important factor I should remember when trying to help out with Englandshire matters. The law in England in a bit different so this form you are talking about I thought was from the fraudsters (sorry insurance coy) I suggest sending an SOS to VanHosen. He seems to by the guy with the finger on the pulse for the finer points of English stuff.
Tsk, Tsk Gently, GOC is Yorkshire not "Skirtland"
Give it a few years and it will get annexed to us. The invasion is at planning stage.
The form itself (on having another look) doesn't seem too bad - however, there's a couple of pages of stuff needing completing by the desk sergeant - it's going to take a while and means going to storage to get the docs.
This just ain't going to happen by tomorrow 10.45am
What happens if I take it in over the weekend?
This just ain't going to happen by tomorrow 10.45am
What happens if I take it in over the weekend?NiceCupOfTea said:
The form itself (on having another look) doesn't seem too bad - however, there's a couple of pages of stuff needing completing by the desk sergeant - it's going to take a while and means going to storage to get the docs.
This just ain't going to happen by tomorrow 10.45am What happens if I take it in over the weekend?
This just ain't going to happen by tomorrow 10.45am
What happens if I take it in over the weekend?As I said this type of thing is not something we get involved in. However, phone the office and ask. Let them know your concerns. GET A NAME AND NOTE IT. I'm sure it will work out. Make sure you keep those fraudsters at the insurance coy in the loop. I phone them and if its not a free phone number I get them to call me back. If they refuse I ask who I am speaking to, their identity number (they all have them) and the call ref number which is recorded. I then send them a certified copy of my phone bill and claim back me stamp, phone call and admin for writting the letter. They do it to you so sod them. Ive had a good few pay outs.
gently bentley said:
telecat said:
gently bentley said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse!
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! Ah point taken. As you will become aware I am up in Gods country which is an important factor I should remember when trying to help out with Englandshire matters. The law in England in a bit different so this form you are talking about I thought was from the fraudsters (sorry insurance coy) I suggest sending an SOS to VanHosen. He seems to by the guy with the finger on the pulse for the finer points of English stuff.
Tsk, Tsk Gently, GOC is Yorkshire not "Skirtland"
Give it a few years and it will get annexed to us. The invasion is at planning stage.
It's OK We're only down 50,000 on you and most of the Army!!
gently bentley said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
GB - that's great, thanks.
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse!
Just a minor bit of confusion - the form was from the police station. The idea was to get it reported in case started telling stories
Do you not think this is worth doing then? Is telling insco enough? I'm not talking legal obligations, rather covering ones own arse! Ah point taken. As you will become aware I am up in Gods country which is an important factor I should remember when trying to help out with Englandshire matters. The law in England in a bit different so this form you are talking about I thought was from the fraudsters (sorry insurance coy) I suggest sending an SOS to VanHosen. He seems to by the guy with the finger on the pulse for the finer points of English stuff.
The RTA 1988 defines your obligations in law with regards to reporting.
Outside of that there are certain circumstances in which Police will report collisions beyond that basic scope. But not all collisions would need to be reported.
What used to happen with collisions that didn't fall within Police reporting guidelines, but where a party was insistant that they wanted to report it, Police would make a pocket book entry. Of course this never went anywhere but it made them happy.
The reporting as soon as practicable & in any case within 24hrs only applies to your obligations under RTA 1988.
In recent years though the self reporting forms have emerged. My experience with these is that when you attended to report & were handed the form, it would be date stamped & timed by the person handing it you, to give a date/time that you attended & fulfilled your obligations time wise under the RTA 1988. You could then fill in the report & produce your documents later, returning when you had completed the form within a reasonable time frame.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Aha! It is date stamped. But does that mean it still needs to be returned tomorrow 
I have no idea what my obligations are under the 1988 RTA act - does every tiny accident legally have to be reported? And what happens if it isn't returned in 24 hours?
I have no idea what my obligations are under the 1988 RTA act - does every tiny accident legally have to be reported? And what happens if it isn't returned in 24 hours?Was anyone injured ?
Did you stop & exchange vehicle driver/owner details ?
What Sec 170 RTA 1988 says is.
170 RTA 1988 said:
170(1) If, owing to the presence of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place an accident occurs whereby-
(a) personal injury is caused to a person other than the driver of that mechanically propelled vehicle, OR
(b) damage is caused-
(i) to a vehicle other than that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, OR
(ii) to an animal other than an animal in or on that mechanically propelled vehicle or a trailer drawn by that mechanically propelled vehicle, OR
(iii) to any other property constructed on, fixed to, growing in or otherwise forming part of the land on which the road or place in question is situated or land adjacent to such land.
170(2) The driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle must stop and, if required to do so by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and also the name and address of the owner and the identification marks of the vehicle.
170(3) If for any reason the driver of the mechanically propelled vehicle does not give his name and address under subsection (2) above, he must report the accident.
170(4) A person who fails to comply with the above requirements is guilty of an offence.
170(5) If, in a case where this section applies by virtue of subsection (1)(a) (personal injury), the driver of a motor vehicle does not at the time of the accident produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of this Act-
(a) to a constable , or
(b) to some person who, having reasonable grounds for so doing, has required him to produce it,
the driver must report the accident and produce such a certificate or other evidence.
170(6) To comply with a duty under this section to report an accident or to produce such a certificate of insurance or security, or other evidence, as is mentioned in section 165(2)(a) of this Act, the driver-
(a) must do so at a police station or to a constable, and
(b) must do so as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any case, within twenty-four hours of the occurrence of the accident.
170(7) A person who fails to comply with a duty under subsection (5) above is guilty of an offence.
If you have complied with that, you have complied with the law & don't have to report it.
If you had to report it under that, you have to report as soon as reasonably practicable & in any case with 24hrs.
I would argue that you reported it the moment you attended & were given the form to fill in as far as the RTA 1988 is concerned.
As long as you submit the form within a reasonable time after that there should be no problem.
Edited by vonhosen on Friday 1st December 00:51
in Scotland we grant an extentiomn and try to assist in any way we can. We will also come round to your house and collect it and also offer to deal with the insurance coy for you. We will also give you a patrol car and permit you to use the blues and horns. petrol is provided free of charge.
if we find out you're English we fit you up and get you the jail long time.
: - >
if we find out you're English we fit you up and get you the jail long time.
: - >
vonhosen said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Aha! It is date stamped. But does that mean it still needs to be returned tomorrow I have no idea what my obligations are under the 1988 RTA act - does every tiny accident legally have to be reported? And what happens if it isn't returned in 24 hours?
I have no idea what my obligations are under the 1988 RTA act - does every tiny accident legally have to be reported? And what happens if it isn't returned in 24 hours?Was anyone injured ?
Did you stop & exchange vehicle driver/owner details ?
No injuries, my wife and other party exchanged details (his works van, didn't know what insurance company so just have his name, details off the van and his reg)
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff