Someone hit my parked car and drove off. What can I do?

What the Law Says

The Road Traffic Act 1988 sets out strict duties for drivers involved in accidents — including those involving parked vehicles. Even if no one is injured, the law treats damage to another vehicle as a reportable road traffic accident.

If a driver is involved in an accident that causes damage to a vehicle (including a parked one), they must stop at the scene, provide their name and address, and give the vehicle owner’s name and address if asked — or report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

Failing to comply with these duties is a criminal offence. It applies regardless of whether the driver believes the damage is minor or whether they think no one saw them.

The law does not require the driver to know the other vehicle was occupied — damage to a stationary car alone triggers the duty to stop and report.

Statutory Text

Where a person is driving a motor vehicle on a road or other public place and the vehicle is involved in an accident in which damage is caused to any property (including another vehicle)… he shall stop and, if required to do so by anyone having reasonable grounds for so requiring, give his name and address and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle… and, if required to do so by a constable, produce his insurance certificate.

— Road Traffic Act 1988, s. 170 — Duty to stop etc. after accident

What to Do

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