Being involved in a road accident is stressful enough. It can be even more frustrating when the other vehicle or driver is unknown - for example, if your parked car is damaged and the responsible driver leaves the scene, or if a vehicle hits you and drives away.
Fortunately, the UAE has established procedures for reporting accidents, including unknown or hit-and-run incidents. Knowing what to do can help you obtain an official accident report, deal with your insurer and understand what information you need to provide.
What Is an Unknown Accident?
An unknown accident generally refers to an incident where the vehicle or person responsible cannot be identified.
Common examples include:
- Your parked car is damaged while you are away.
- Another vehicle hits your car and leaves without providing details.
- You return to your vehicle and discover unexplained accident damage.
- A driver causes an accident and leaves before you can record their registration number.
- Your vehicle is damaged in a car park, and there are no witnesses or identifiable details.
These incidents can sometimes be treated as hit-and-run accidents, depending on the circumstances.
What Should You Do After Discovering the Damage?
If you discover that your vehicle has been damaged, avoid immediately moving or repairing the vehicle if the circumstances allow.
First:
1. Photograph the Damage
Take clear photographs of:
- All damaged areas
- The surrounding vehicle
- The location where the incident occurred
- Any debris or vehicle parts left behind
- Paint transfer or marks from another vehicle
- Nearby CCTV cameras, if visible
It is useful to take both close-up photographs and wider images showing the location.
2. Check for CCTV or Witnesses
Look around the area for cameras. These could be located at:
- Shopping centres
- Residential buildings
- Hotels
- Office buildings
- Car parks
- Petrol stations
- Private properties
If someone witnessed the incident, ask whether they can provide relevant information to the authorities.
Don't attempt to obtain or confront the suspected driver yourself. Provide any available information to the police.
3. Report the Accident to the Police
For an unknown or hit-and-run accident, you should report the incident to the police authority in the emirate where the accident occurred.
The UAE has different police authorities and accident-reporting procedures depending on the emirate.
In Dubai, accident reports can be handled through Dubai Police's accident-reporting services, including the Dubai Police app and other official channels.
For emergencies or situations involving injuries or immediate danger, use the appropriate emergency service.
For a non-emergency accident where the other driver is unknown, follow the relevant police authority's procedure for reporting an accident.
What Information Will You Need?
When making the report, provide as much information as possible.
This may include:
- Your Emirates ID
- Driving licence details
- Vehicle registration details
- Vehicle location
- Date and approximate time the damage occurred
- Where the vehicle was parked or where the accident happened
- Photographs of the damage
- Description of the suspected vehicle, if known
- Vehicle registration number, even if only partially known
- Witness information
- CCTV information
- Any other evidence available
If you don't know exactly when the accident happened, give the authorities the best possible time window.
For example, if you parked your car at 8:00pm and discovered the damage at 10:00pm, explain that the incident likely occurred during that period.
What If You Don't Know Who Caused the Accident?
Don't try to identify the driver yourself or make an unsupported accusation.
Instead, tell the police exactly what you know.
For example:
"My vehicle was parked here between 6pm and 9pm. When I returned, I found damage to the rear bumper. I did not see the accident and do not know which vehicle caused it."
The police can determine what information is available and whether further investigation is appropriate.
If CCTV footage exists, the authorities may be able to use it to identify the vehicle.
Can You Report an Accident If You Don't Know When It Happened?
Yes, you should still report the damage if you discover it after the fact.
Give the authorities the most accurate information possible regarding when you last saw the vehicle undamaged and when you discovered the damage.
This is particularly important for vehicles that are parked for several hours or overnight.
What About a Hit-and-Run Accident?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver involved in an accident leaves the scene without properly stopping and providing the required information.
If you are involved in a hit-and-run:
- Move to a safe location if necessary.
- Check whether anyone is injured.
- Record the other vehicle's registration number if you can do so safely.
- Note the vehicle's make, model and colour.
- Record the direction in which it travelled.
- Take photographs or video where safe and appropriate.
- Identify potential witnesses.
- Report the incident to the police.
Do not chase the other vehicle. Your safety is more important than obtaining additional information.
What Happens After You Make the Report?
The police may record the incident and issue an official accident report, depending on the circumstances and applicable procedure.
The report can be important when dealing with your insurance company because insurers commonly require official documentation for accident-related claims.
Keep copies of:
- The accident report
- Photographs
- Police reference numbers
- Insurance correspondence
- Repair estimates
- Any CCTV or witness information you have
Can You Claim Insurance for an Unknown Accident?
Whether your insurance covers damage caused by an unknown vehicle depends on your insurance policy and the circumstances of the incident.
Comprehensive motor insurance generally provides broader protection than third-party insurance, but coverage, exclusions, excesses and claim requirements vary between policies.
Before authorising repairs, contact your insurer and ask:
- Is this type of damage covered?
- Is an official police report required?
- What excess applies?
- Do I need an insurer-approved repairer?
- What documents are required?
- Should the vehicle be inspected before repairs begin?
Avoid assuming that comprehensive insurance automatically means every type of damage will be covered without conditions.
What If the Accident Happened in a Car Park?
Car parks can make unknown accidents particularly difficult to investigate because vehicles are frequently moving in and out of the area.
If you discover damage in a car park:
- Photograph the vehicle where you found it.
- Note the exact parking location.
- Record when you arrived and left.
- Look for CCTV cameras.
- Notify the car park, building or property management.
- Ask whether relevant footage can be preserved.
- Report the incident to the police.
Some CCTV systems automatically overwrite older footage, so acting promptly can be important.
Don't Repair the Vehicle Before Checking the Requirements
One of the biggest mistakes after an unknown accident is immediately arranging repairs.
Before repairing the damage, check with the relevant police authority and your insurer about their requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, you may need an official accident report or vehicle inspection before repairs can proceed.
What If Someone Damages Your Car and Leaves a Note?
If another driver damages your vehicle but leaves their contact or insurance details, you should still document the damage and follow the appropriate accident-reporting and insurance procedure.
Don't rely solely on a handwritten note.
Record:
- The vehicle registration
- Driver details
- Contact details
- Insurance information
- Photographs of both vehicles and the damage
An official accident report can provide useful documentation for the insurance claim.
Important UAE Accident Reporting Tips
A few simple habits can make dealing with an unknown accident much easier:
Keep your vehicle documents accessible. Make sure you can quickly access your registration, insurance and driving licence information.
Take photographs before moving the vehicle, where it is safe and practical.
Record the location accurately. A building name, car park level, parking bay or nearby landmark can help establish where the incident occurred.
Don't confront another driver. If you identify a suspected vehicle, provide the information to the authorities rather than attempting to resolve the situation yourself.
Report the incident promptly. Delaying a report can make it more difficult to establish when and where the damage occurred.
Contact your insurer early. Your policy may have specific requirements concerning accident reports, inspections and repairs.
Key Takeaways
Discovering unexplained damage to your car can be frustrating, but the best approach is to document everything, report the incident through the appropriate UAE police authority and contact your insurer before arranging repairs.
Whether it's a minor scrape in a supermarket car park or a more serious hit-and-run, having photographs, accurate information and an official report can make the process of dealing with the damage considerably easier.
For the latest procedures and reporting options, always check the official police authority for the emirate where the accident occurred, as services and processes can differ across the UAE.
