There was a bang, but you can't see any damage to your vehicle? Or the other party in the accident says "There's nothing there" and drives on? With modern plastic bumpers in particular, you often can't see anything after a slight bump, but there is hidden bodywork damage underneath. Sometimes you don't even know exactly whether an accident has occurred or not. In our guide, we explain whether it is even possible to hit and run without damage and what you as the injured party must be aware of.
- Hit and run is punishable under Section 142 of the German Criminal Code.
- Even if they cannot recognise any damage, it may still be hidden damage.
- If you are involved in a road accident without recognisable damage, treat it as an accident with damage as a precaution.
- faire-Regulierung.de is there for you free of charge and absolutely risk-free to help you with your questions.
What exactly is a hit and run? And is it a criminal offence?
Hit and run, also known colloquially as hit and run, is a criminal offence. If the other party involved in an accident leaves the scene of the accident without reporting it, they are guilty of the offence of hit and run under Section 142 of the German Criminal Code. The prerequisite for this is that he was involved in the accident and you or the police were unable to establish his personal details. In principle, hit and run is a punishable offence. Depending on the circumstances, fugitives may face a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years. They may also be banned from driving or have their driving licence revoked.
Important: If there is no damage, there can be no hit-and-run. But be careful! Not all damage is immediately visible from the outside. However, if the person who caused the damage leaves the scene of the accident, a hit-and-run can still be established afterwards. The prerequisite for this is that he did not enable his personal details to be established. This also applies if the person who caused the accident was unaware of it at the time of the hit-and-run.
It is strongly advised to inform the injured party or the police in person. Good to know: A note on the windscreen of the injured party is not sufficient to enable the exchange of personal details. It is not possible to ensure that the injured party actually receives this note.
Is there such a thing as a hit-and-run without damage?
A damage-free accident is a contradiction in terms. An accident only exists if personal injury or property damage has occurred. A hit and run requires that an accident has occurred. However, an accident always results in personal injury or property damage. Conclusion: No accident without damage and no hit-and-run without an accident.
Caution! If you cannot see any damage to your or the opposing vehicle with the naked eye, this does not mean that there is no damage.
A hit-and-run without immediately visible damage is still possible! Even a small, barely visible scratch can be quite expensive. We advise you to take the safe route - assume an accident first. This is the only way to avoid criminal prosecution.
What is not a hit and run?
- Leave the scene of the accident to report the damage immediately to the nearest police station
- Leaving the scene of the accident to get help for injured persons
- Continue driving if it can be proven that no damage has occurred
- Driving on after a wildlife accident is not a hit-and-run because there is no injured party. Of course, injured animals must not be left to fend for themselves.
You must report the wildlife accident to the police immediately! - Continuing to drive when the accident has not been noticed is not a hit and run, as this requires a certain degree of intent. But be careful! Whether the incident was really not noticed will be checked in an expert report.
What should an injured party do in the event of an accident without damage?
If an accident is suspected, the same regulations apply as in the case of a real accident.
It is particularly important that you exchange contact details with the person responsible for the accident. Write down the following details:
- Name and address of the driver
- Name and address of the vehicle owner
- The other party's licence plate number
Be sure to take photos of your and the other car and the surrounding area and make a note of how the possible accident occurred. Also inform the police to have the incident recorded. Then have your vehicle inspected by an expert. If you as the injured party have any claims or questions, contact our team of experts at faire-Regulierung.de and we will settle your claim absolutely free of charge and reliably.
The right steps for fair claims settlement
Are you worried about damage to your vehicle or do you have concealed damage? Or did the person who caused the damage commit a hit-and-run without causing any damage? Then it's best to report it quickly to faire-Regulierung.de. The secure procedure at a glance:
- You get into a traffic accident through no fault of your own and want to claim compensation.
- You report the accident to us risk-free and free of charge by telephone on 0800 30 111 60 or even faster online.
- Our competent team will examine your case immediately and explain how to proceed.
- The claims settlement is initiated and you no longer have to bother with paperwork.
The licensed specialists from the faire-Regulierung network take care of the tasks involved and deal with your claims for compensation, absolutely competently and without risk to you.
