LEGAL Q&A

This information is provided by Stephen Hattersley of WildWood Legal, a firm of solicitors specialising in claims for injured scooterists. Stephen, a qualified solicitor for 25 years, has been riding scooters for over 30 years, and has acted for injured riders across the UK. He knows the tricks and pitfalls that insurers use and pulls no punches in his dealings with them. He rides to work every day and understands the challenges you face out there.

Q: What’s the law in relation to stopping after an accident? Do you still have to stop if nobody is injured? Do you need to report it to the Police if you have stopped?

A: This is a sore point for us. Our lovely WildWood Legal scooter was knocked over outside our office a couple of weeks ago by someone who just drove off. Fortunately, a passer-by got his numberplate!

The law states that if you’re driving a vehicle involved in an accident and there is an injury to someone or damage to another vehicle, certain animals or property, you must stop and give your details (and the vehicle owner’s details, if different) to anyone who reasonably

asks for them. If it’s not possible to stop (and there was a good reason for this), you must then report the accident in person to a police station/officer within 24 hours.

If someone has been injured, you must provide your insurance certificate at the scene. If you don’t have this with you, you must report the accident to the Police even if you have stopped at the scene.

If in doubt, stop, and if you can’t, then report it. Failure typically results in five-six penalty points.

If you need advice on a scooter-related legal question, email stephen@wildwoodlegal.co.uk The best Q&A will be published in Scootering magazine in confidence.