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Failing to Stop after an Accident

Being accused of failure to stop after an accident can have significant consequences, including the issuance of prison sentences in the most serious cases. You may also be concerned about the impact on your personal and professional reputation.

 

If you are being accused of failure to stop, it is important to contact a specialist driving offences solicitor at the earliest opportunity. Instructing a solicitor early on in the process can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case.

It is important to note that there are two separate offences related to failing to stop in the UK – the more severe offence of failing to stop after an accident, and failing to stop for police, which is an offence under S163 of the Road Traffic Act. For more information about the second offence, please see failing to stop for police.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our expert driving offence solicitors have over 45 years of experience in supporting individuals accused of a wide range of offences, including failure to stop after an accident.

Our extensive experience enables us to provide specialist representation for driving offences, and can help you build the strongest possible defence for failing to stop after an accident.

We always aim to clear our clients of any convictions. However, where this is not possible, we have a strong track record of mitigating potential penalties, including prison time. Depending on the circumstances, this could include securing a police caution or community resolution order.  

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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  • 100s Years Combined Experience
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Recent Cases

There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.

Read more cases

How can we help?

Common questions

We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.

How quickly do you respond?

We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.

Can you get cases dropped?

Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.

We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you. 

Have you won any awards?

OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED - 

"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".

Do you offer free consultations?

Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about  –

  • Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
  • Public and private funding benefits.
  • Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
  • An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
  • Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
  • The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
  • Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
  • Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
  • Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
  • If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
  • This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
  • Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.

Consultations do not apply to the following cases –

  • If we do not intend to take the case on.
  • Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
  • In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
  • Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
  • The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
  • The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
  • In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
  • If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
  • If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance. 
  • If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
  • If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
  • To businesses.
  • Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
  • Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
  • Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
  • Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
  • Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
  • If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
  • If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.

Our highly experienced driving offence solicitors provide:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England and Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

Speak to our driving offence solicitors in London, Manchester and Birmingham today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options when defending a failure to stop charge, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding failure to stop, please call our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.

Why choose our driving offence solicitors?

For over 45 years, our driving offence solicitors have provided expert legal advice on a wide range of cases, including failure to stop.

A hit and run penalty can carry serious consequences, with the most severe cases potentially resulting in prison sentences. That’s why it is essential to seek specialist legal advice tailored to your situation at the earliest opportunity.

Our team includes dedicated police station representatives who are available 24/7 to support you if you are arrested for suspected driving offences. We are highly experienced in challenging the types of evidence often relied upon by the prosecution, identifying weaknesses, and building the strongest defence possible.

Over the years, we have developed strong working relationships with some of the UK’s leading criminal defence barristers. If your case proceeds to trial, we will provide exceptional legal advice and representation.

Our expertise in criminal cases, including driving offences, is recognised through our Law Society accreditation for Criminal Litigation, and our commitment to excellence is reflected in our Lexcel accreditation for consistently high standards of legal practice.

Our expertise with leaving the scene of an accident

Representation at police stations

Anything you say or do during questioning at a police station can be used as evidence against you in court, which is why it is essential that you instruct specialist solicitors who can advise you on your rights and guide you through the process. 

Our team of expert police station solicitors and representatives have many years of experience assisting our clients at the police station and can provide quick and effective advice and representation to protect your interests.

Pre-charge bail and released under investigation

If you have been released on pre-charge bail or are under investigation, it is important to seek expert advice on your situation and how this will affect the way your case is handled.

Being released from police custody does not prevent you from being charged further down the line, and it is important to prepare for this. While on pre-charge bail, you will also likely be subject to several bail conditions. Common conditions include restrictions on your movement or being required to visit the police station at designated times. Our specialist solicitors can assess your case and offer personal support on navigating bail and police investigations to ensure you are in the best possible position.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail and released under investigation, please use the links provided below:

Having charges dropped

If you are facing charges, it may be possible to have them dropped altogether before a case proceeds to court. Achieving this will often only be possible with the support of our expert team. Our driving offence solicitors will assess the specifics of your case and address any potential weaknesses to secure the best possible outcome.

We have a strong track record of having charges dropped in cases that are weak or should not be prosecuted.

Legal representation and defence

If you are facing a criminal trial for failing to stop after an accident, we understand this is likely to be a worrying time for you. We will provide practical and empathetic support throughout the process to address any concerns you have, whilst thoroughly preparing the strongest possible defence.

Whether you are facing serious charges in a Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, our team will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the best possible representation at every stage of the proceedings.

Our driving offences team will prepare a strong defence for your case and obtain reports from experts where necessary. We have many years of experience putting together successful defences for our clients.

We have developed strong relationships with many of the country’s leading criminal defence barristers, which means, if your case goes to trial, you can be confident that you will receive the highest standard of legal advice and representation.

You can be rest assured that we will be transparent about the status of your case and where it would be beneficial to make an early guilty plea to secure a reduced sentence.

Fees and funding

We are committed to being transparent and straightforward about your options regarding fees and funding.

Legal Aid may be available in certain situations, depending on the severity of the case and whether it qualifies for public funding.

For more information on how we manage fees, including Legal Aid and private fees, please refer to the links below:

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to failure to stop, including:

Related cases

Common questions about failure to stop

Can I defend myself if I wasn’t aware of the accident?

One of the most common defences for failure to stop is that the driver was not aware an accident had occurred.

If damage or injury has been caused to the other driver and/or their property, the burden will fall on the defendant to prove that, on balance, they had no knowledge that there had been an accident.

Whether or not this is possible will likely depend on the severity of the damage/injury involved.

The greater the impact and the extent of the damage caused, the less viable this defence becomes. It is increasingly challenging to argue that the driver may have been unaware that an accident occurred, necessitating the need to work with our specialist solicitors when facing a charge.

How can I prepare for my case if I am charged for failure to stop?

The best way to prepare for your case if you have been charged with driving away from an accident is to instruct a specialist defence solicitor.

Our lawyers are experts in driving offences and have covered a wide range of cases, including those involving allegations of failing to stop.

We can help you prepare for your case, advise you on whether you have a strong defence, and give you the best chance of a fair outcome in court.

What is the sentence for leaving the scene of an accident?

You should always report a collision, regardless of who was at fault.

If you do not stop at the scene or report the incident, you could be committing an offence and be charged. 

The penalties for leaving the scene of an accident:

  • A fine
  • Up to six months in prison
  • Penalty points on your licence
  • You may be disqualified from driving.

How many points do you get for leaving the scene of an accident?

If you leave the scene of an accident, you could receive five to 10 penalty points on your licence, or be disqualified from driving.

What is the maximum fine for failing to stop after an accident?

Failure to stop after an accident carries an unlimited fine. The fine you receive will depend on the level of culpability and the harm caused.

Contact our driving offence solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview, have been accused of failure to stop, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of driving offence solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for failure to stop

Please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our driving offence lawyers for immediate advice and representation.

For urgent representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the assistance you need.

How can we help?