I was, unknowingly, a passenger in a car without insurance that then had an accident the police took all my details. Why? Do I face getting a fine or points on my licence?
2007-03-10 23:29:43 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
I was, unknowingly, a passenger in a car without insurance that then had an accident the police took all my details. Why? Do I face getting a fine or points on my licence?
Edit: I am in the U.K.
2007-03-10 23:32:17 · update #1
I was, unknowingly, a passenger in a car without insurance that then had an accident the police took all my details. Why? Do I face getting a fine or points on my licence?
Edit: I am in the U.K. So basically I'm not going to have to report anything to my insurance company? The details they took was my D.O.B., Name and house number. Didn't even ask for I.D. which I was suprised at.
2007-03-10 23:54:31 · update #2
Thank you all for your help. No there was nothing illegal on, in or about the car (thank goodness) so basically I didn't have a clue as this person is usually very responsible. Heres hoping nothing comes of this for me, as for the other person they deserve all they get, I struggle each month trying to pay for my car insurance and people like this dont bother.
2007-03-11 05:57:26 · update #3
EDIT: Uncle Money, I never said the car was stolen. It is owned by the person who was driving.
2007-03-11 05:59:48 · update #4
*EDIT: Uncle Monty*
2007-03-11 06:00:28 · update #5
No, dont worry.
2007-03-10 23:36:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You cannot be prosecuted for the drivers offence unless you assisted in the deception in any way. In which case you would have aided and abetted the offence. You are lucky that you had no injury as without the insurance you would have found it difficult to make a claim on your friend. The police took all your details as you are a witness to the accident and can testify as to the way in which the driver was handling the car etc. I always ask any person that I agree to be a passenger with if they are insured. This may sound extreme but over the years I have had the answer NO on a number of occasions. There were various excuses but as a passenger I would be exposed as you were to possible injury with no hope of compensation.
2007-03-10 23:39:45 · answer #2 · answered by ANF 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The onus is on them to prove to the CPS / PF that you knew the car wasn't insured when you got into it. This in itself is pretty difficult to prove if you plead ignorance. It's not your responsibility as a passenger to make sure the driver has insurance..you automatically assume that the car is insured if it's on the road.
If the driver is your friend...maybe he would vouch for you that you were unaware of the situation.
They have to take the details of anyone involved as you are potentially a witness to the accident...whether the car had insurance or not.
Basically...unless the car was stolen or filled with illegal or stolen goods..you should be ok.
2007-03-11 03:24:19 · answer #3 · answered by audrey_o 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you're female! We all know how women like to drive from the passenger seat!
They took all your information because of the accident for insurance purposes. They also ran a warrant background to see who's looking for you!
PS: They can't charge you regardless of whether or not you knew the driver was driving without insurance! It's not your job to police other drivers! The previous author hasn't a clue! The only time would be in the event of a "stolen" vehicle and you were a passenger or if they found drugs and/or paraphernalia!
2007-03-11 01:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if the car was stolen your an accessory after the fact. as for your license it wont be touched but you may be depending on the crime. just plead ignorance and the mercy of the court. if it was a mate giving you a lift, well hes not much of a mate giving you a lift without knowingly having insurance. the cops took all your details because you were at the scene of a crime. i once reprted an affray on the phone to the cops, by the time they double checked my details the affray turned into attempted murder. its standard procedure dont worry too much about it.
2007-03-11 03:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order for the police to prosecute you they would have to be 100% sure that you travelled in the veichle knowing it had no insurance. It is not for you to prove your innocence, it is the job of the police to prove your guilt. The case will be against the driver as it is an offence to drive a motor veichle with out insurance. However if you wish to make any claim for injury ect, you will have to claim against the driver. Dont worry they cant touch you if you were unaware of the driver having no insurance.
2007-03-10 23:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you didn't know I cant see why you would get in trouble. And I dont see how even if you did. It not like when someone drinks and drives. If you are a passenger in a car and the driver is pi$$ed you can get done then.
2007-03-10 23:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by Psycho Chicken! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you wont get points in the UK. The police might want you to give evidence/ make a statement as a witness to the accident.
2007-03-10 23:38:18 · answer #8 · answered by esmerelda v 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing to worry about in those circumstances. It's just a reflex action, to get the details of anyone around. Conceivably you might be called as a witness if it comes to that, but I doubt it,
2007-03-11 07:25:56 · answer #9 · answered by champer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can only prosicute you for aiding and abeting if they can prove you knowingly got in to the car knowing the driver was uninsured but if you had no knowledge they would have taken your details incase you need to give evidence
2007-03-10 23:46:23 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In California, they take your info just in case they can pop you for someting else. If you have a warrant, if you weren't wearing a seatbelt, etc. You will be used as a witness against your friend in case some stuff goes down...it can be a precautionary measure.
2007-03-10 23:35:46 · answer #11 · answered by Liann B 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋