What to Do If Someone Hits Your Car in Northern Ireland
If someone hits your car in Northern Ireland, stay calm, get somewhere safe, exchange details, take photos, and protect your position straight away.
If the other driver leaves the scene or will not provide their details, report it to police as soon as possible. You can also call Bump. We can talk you through what to do next and, where appropriate, manage the whole process for you.
What do I do right now?
Right away, focus on the basics:
- Stop safely and put your hazard lights on.
- Check for injuries and call 999 if anyone is seriously hurt or there is danger on the road.
- Exchange details with the other driver. Get their name, address, registration and contact number.
- Take photos of the damage, both vehicles, number plates and the road layout.
- Get witness details if anyone saw what happened.
- Call Bump before you get pulled into dealing with everything yourself.
If the damage looks minor, still take photos. Small bumps often turn into larger repair bills once the vehicle is checked properly.
Do I need to call police?
Sometimes yes. If the other driver leaves the scene, refuses to give details, or the situation needs to be formally reported, contact police as soon as possible and at the very least within 24 hours.
If there is a serious injury or danger, call 999. For non-emergency reporting, use 101.
Do I need to tell my Insurer?
You can contact your Insurer if you want to, but you do not have to handle everything alone. That’s why we recommend that you call Bump first, we can calmly talk you through your options.
If you have already contacted your Insurer, we can still help.
That means your options are simple when someone hits your car:
- Call Bump first, and let us guide you through the next steps at no cost to you
- Contact your insurer yourself and go it alone
- OR do both, with Bump managing the process on your behalf where appropriate
Northern Ireland guidance suggests all road traffic collisions must be reported to your insurer, even if you are not intending to make a claim. Just remember to advise them you are notifying them for information purposes only.
What to do if someone hits your car and drives off?
Do not assume there is nothing you can do!
If the other driver drives off:
- Note the registration if you can
- Note the make, model, colour and direction of travel
- Take photos
- Look for witnesses or nearby CCTV
- Report it quickly
- Call Bump for advice on your next steps
PSNI has a dedicated page for damage-only hit-and-run collisions, and compensation may still be available in uninsured or hit-and-run cases.
Can Bump sort this for me?
If someone hits you car in Northern Ireland, give us a call and we can advise you of the next steps.
If someone hit my parked car, what should I do?
Treat it the same way:
- Take photos straight away
- Look for CCTV on shops, buildings etc
- Ask nearby people if they saw anything
- Report it if the driver cannot be identified
- Call Bump if you want help understanding the next step
FAQs
Do I need to report the accident if the other driver gave me their details?
Not always to police, but you should still protect yourself with photos, good notes and prompt action. If you are unsure, get advice quickly.
Do I have to tell my insurer even if it was not my fault?
Yes. Northern Ireland guidance says the accident should be reported to your insurer even if you are not planning to make a claim.
Can I call Bump Accident Management before I call my Insurer?
Yes. You can call Bump first and the team will advise on the next steps. There is no cost to you.
What if the other driver has no insurance?
You may still have options. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) makes sure that compensation is available to the innocent victims of uninsured drivers or hit and run (untraced) drivers.