Do I need to report this to the Police?

[mrs_overall]

I was out earlier and as I was driving I saw an elderly lady walking unsteadily on the pavement. As I drew level with her I slowed right down as I had a feeling she was going to step into the road. She DID step off the pavement and my wing mirror just clipped her elbow. I stopped to see if she was OK. She was very drunk and became abusive. I offered her a lift and she swung her handbag at me before lurching off to a nearby pub.
A taxi driver witnessed it all and he advised me to report it to the Police as a road traffic accident.
Do I have to report it?

[weeal]

Oh Mrs O what a fright you must have got, you acted quickly in stopping for her too

It wouldnt do any harm for the police to have a note of this just in case she ends up reporting a bruised elbow and trying to nobble you for it

[Bewlay Bros]

No.

You only have to report injury (other than tto he driver) and damage accidents (other than to the drivers vehicle)

You stopped, which is the right and lawful thing to do to ascertain if injury was caused. It clearly wasn't.

[Lil O'lady]

Yes. Unfortunately no matter what, you are deemed 'in the wrong' if your car hits a person. I had a similar experience with a drunk many years ago, he stumbled off the pavement into the side of my car as I was passing.
Report it and get the name of the officer you report it to, and the incident number assigned to it, and keep these pieces of info safe.
The danger is your lady gets home, when next sober has a sore elbow as well as a thick head, and her and her family smell some compensation. If you have not reported the incident you are leaving the scene of an accident etc.
This is what my drunk did.

[Drisgirl]

I agree with weeal -I would report it just in case she goes into the pub and starts complaing about a 'hit and run' I would cover my ass there.

Similar thing happened a month ago with me -bloke -absolutely blooterd fell off the pavement -commando roll into the middle of the road -driver had to swerve to avoid him and I had to swerve to avoid the car -ended up on the pavement.Could have been disastrous.Its just your immediate reflex action.

The crux is that the first driver got him up and was helping him up the road -he went into the neasest pub and his son came steaming out and said' 'did you just run my old man over?'.I advised the driver to report it and gave him my name and address for a witness -nothing came of it but just goes to show you.

[Bewlay Bros]

To reiterate, you HAVE DONE THE LAWFUL thing.

There is no offence of "leaving the scene of an accident" only Failing to stop.

If you feel the need to report it, then technically you have already broken the law.

It states AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, not practicable or convienient. Therefore, bad, bad you.

The choice is yours. But the legal requirement has been adhered to to in my book.

[mrs_overall]

Thanks for your answers.
It really shook me up and being clobbered by her handbag didn't help.
I know for a fact she didn't get my number and I doubt she knows what make of car I drive.
I think I will nip down to the Police station just to cover my back. Luckily I've got the taxi driver as a witness and he was very kind and assured me it wasn't my fault although I still feel bad about it.
Thanks again. xx

[Bewlay Bros]

Mrs O.

Make sure you take your Insurance, MOT and driving licence for their report.

[Drisgirl]

If you know the pub she went into -get her done for a public disorder.

You just cant be walking about in that state and expect everyone else to 'babytsit you.She wasnt in control of herself and using my example of what happened to me -I could have- because of that half-wit -ran innocent pedestrians down.

BB -I try not to get into the legalities on here as we in Scotland have a radically different system-as you will know -from England.