Failing To Stop After An Accident
In the case that the vehicle you were driving causes damage to a person, a vehicle, an animal or property, you are required by law to sop and provide the following details: your name, your address, the identity mark of the vehicle and the name and address of the owner of the vehicle (if different from your own).
Failure to stop or provide the aforemetioned details can result in 5-10 penalty points, disqualification from driving, a fine of up to £5,000 or up to 6 months imprisonment.
Although it sounds severe, imprisonment is a genine punishment for this crime and the chances of you being imprisoned increase with the severity of the accident. You are also more likely to be imprisoned if you both fail to stop and fail to report the accident; this is especially the case if the court believes you failed to stop in order to avoid a breath test. However, it is worth baring in mind that you are only required to stop and give your details is somebody is something is damaged in the accident.
If you can convince the court you were unaware of the accident, you may be able to avoid punishment.
