- A driver involved in an accident that causes injury or damage must stop and give their particulars if asked.
- Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours or by the next working day, whether or not you intend to claim.
- Accidents involving injury with hospital treatment or several days of medical leave, a death, a pedestrian or cyclist, a government or foreign vehicle, or a hit-and-run must be reported to the police.
- Photos, dashcam footage and witness details are often the best evidence of what happened.
At the scene
If you are involved in an accident that causes injury or damage, you must stop. Check whether anyone is hurt and call 995 for an ambulance or 999 for the police if needed.
Exchange particulars with the other driver: name, identity card number, phone number, vehicle number and insurer. If the owner of a damaged vehicle or property can't be found, you are expected to report the accident at a police station as soon as you reasonably can, and within 24 hours.
Collect evidence while you can
Evidence disappears quickly after an accident. If you are able to, record:
- photos of the scene and where each vehicle came to rest
- the damage to every vehicle, from several angles
- any visible injuries
- road markings, traffic lights and signs nearby
- the names and phone numbers of witnesses
Save any dashcam footage on the same day. Many cameras record in a loop and will overwrite it.
Avoid admitting fault, at the scene or in messages afterwards. Who was to blame is often less clear than it seems in the moment.
Report to your insurer
Under the motor insurance framework in Singapore, you are expected to report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours or by the next working day. This applies even if no one is hurt, no damage is visible, or you have agreed to settle privately. Reports are usually made at an authorised reporting centre or approved workshop, where your vehicle is inspected and a statement is taken.
A late report can give your insurer grounds to refuse a claim and may affect your No Claim Discount.
When the police need to know
A police report is needed if the accident involves:
- a death
- someone taken to hospital by ambulance, or given three or more days of medical leave
- a pedestrian or cyclist
- a government vehicle or government property
- a foreign-registered vehicle
- a hit-and-run
Police reports can be made online with Singpass or at any police station. Some lawyers suggest making one after any accident, as a record.
Be careful with private settlements
Agreeing to settle with the other driver on the spot can seem simpler, but if the other side later changes their mind or makes a claim against you, an insurer who was never told about the accident may refuse to cover you. A formal report protects you.
See a doctor and keep records
Get medical attention promptly, even for injuries that seem minor at first, and keep every medical certificate, report, bill and receipt. These records are the backbone of an injury claim.
This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
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