What to Do If Your Car Is Involved in a Hit-and-Run Accident in Dubai?

What would you do if your car was struck by another vehicle, only for the driver to speed away? Or, in a moment of panic, what steps should you take if you were involved in an accident and left the scene? While Dubai—renowned for safe highways—hit-and-run accidents, though less common, can still occur. Whether a UAE resident or visitor, you should know what to do if your car is involved in a hit-and-run case in Dubai. Here's everything you need to know about hit-and-run accidents Dubai.

Let’s dive in.

Hit and Run has two sides to it fundamentally. It can mean, your car was involved in a hit and run accident as a victim or as a perpetrator. We’ll discuss both scenarios and actions you must take depending on the situations.

If You're Hit: What to Do as a Hit-and-Run Victim

This is the first scenario. Here you are the victim of the hit and run accident. You will be hit by another vehicle. It could stem from anyone’s mistake—yours or theirs—but you’re left with the damage as the other driver flees.

Immediate Steps for Hit-and-Run Victims

If someone hits your car and doesn’t stop at the scene, your instinct to get his/her vehicle (plate) number must kick in. If you manage to do so, you are halfway there to getting compensation. However, during such a shocking moment, you might not be able to compose yourself and take note of the vehicle details.

Fortunately, Dubai’s traffic management system is very advanced. In most cases, the perpetrator will be apprehended. You can rely on Dubai Police. However, you cannot disregard the chances of a successful escape as well. This can happen in remote areas and sparsely populated zones, with minimal surveillance cameras.

In either of the scenarios (above), you must inform Dubai Police immediately. Provide them with the factual details to the best of your knowledge. The police are highly likely to track down the perpetrator quickly. Once found, the police will charge the guilty as per the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 (elaborated in later section). Your compensation and justice is guaranteed.

If, by chance, the other party escapes without a trace, you won’t receive compensation unless you have comprehensive insurance. Only if you have comprehensive insurance, can you breathe a sigh of relief. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) Coverage and Personal Accident Benefit (PAB) combined can also function as comprehensive coverage.

If You Hit Someone and Fled: Legal Obligations in Dubai

When you hit a vehicle, animal, or pedestrian and flee the scene, you become the perpetrator. As soon as you run away, you legally and ethically commit a crime in Dubai. There are serious, legal consequences of fleeing (discussed later). You should never leave the scene regardless of how serious the situation is.

Taking Responsibility: What You MUST Do After an Accident (Do NOT Flee)

In any accident, park your vehicle to the side of the road (if possible). Ask the other driver (if vehicle) to do the same. First, check for injuries and call an ambulance (998) if any one requires medical assistance. Saving lives is more important than legal matters.

Don’t aggravate the situation, arguing or fighting. Instead, opt for a legal way of resolving the issue—call 999 immediately. Wait for the authorities to arrive at the scene. Don’t forget to secure the area with hazardous lights (and traffic cones, if available).

Explain everything clearly to the police. Don’t try to hide details or provide false information. It will backfire, costing you greater penalties. Let the authorities take control of the situation and make a report as they see fit. Dubai police is unbiased, and they will make the report under the UAE traffic regulation and guidelines. You will pay for your wrongdoings as per the report.

As you’ve cooperated with the investigation and taken responsibility, you face minimal charges. Fortunately, the RTA-mandatory Third-Party Liability Insurance (TPL) covers other party’s vehicle damages, plus their injuries or even death. You save yourself from unimaginable consequences by not fleeing the scene.

Unfortunately, TPL doesn’t cover your vehicle damage and injuries. You need to pay for the damages out of your pocket. Whether it’s a rental car or your personal car, the same applies. Therefore, it is important that you get yourself some additional insurance policies that safeguard you against such unfortunate events. Personal Accident Insurance, Collision Damage Waiver, etc., are some rated insurance policies for cars in Dubai.

Fleeing a Hit-and-Run in Dubai: Risks and Consequences

As human beings, we lack judgement and situational awareness sometimes, leading us to greater problems. This can happen when you get into an accident—as a result, you run and commit a crime. However, this isn’t the end for you. You can still remedy the situation. The ideal thing to do is report yourself to the nearest Dubai Police station.

The longer you delay, the more harsh the penalties come your way. Turn yourself in. Explain everything in detail without any fabrication. Explain why you fled and what prompted you to turn yourself in. However, this doesn’t let you off the hook. You will undergo the same trial and possibly serve the same sentencing. The leniency can come your way at the court for self-reporting rather than being apprehended. For instance, deportation is a high possibility for residents who are involved in hit and run cases.

Dubai Hit and Run Laws: Understanding the Penalties

Compared to the legal liabilities and  penalties for fleeing accident Dubai, the above costs are nothing. The actual trouble begins if the third party gets seriously injured or dies. You become a felon in both the cases, if not, the case will be considered a misdemeanor. Either way, hit and run is a serious traffic violation as well as a criminal case.

As per the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024, effective from March 29, 2025, following are the penalties for hit-and-run cases in UAE:

1. Injury Cases: Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or up to AED 100,000 fine.
2. Fatality Cases: Minimum 1 year imprisonment and/or AED 100,000 fine, with potential for harsher sentencing based on circumstances.
3. Fleeing from the police (after accident; injury or not): Up to 1 year imprisonment and/or up to AED 100,000 fine.
4. Vehicle Impoundment: Local emirate laws (Dubai Decree No. 30 of 2023) may impose additional fees (up to AED 50,000) to release an impounded vehicle.
5. Black Points: Up to 16 black points.
6. Deportation (residents): Not clearly mentioned, but possible if imprisonment higher than 6 months and fines more than 10,000 dirhams.

The severity of penalties depend on the final verdict of the court. The authorities provide the evidence and judicial bodies give out sentencing. Penalties are severe for hit-and-run cases, reflecting their seriousness under UAE law. If you don’t run, your life won’t be that difficult.

Conclusion

Whether you’re the victim or the perpetrator in a hit-and-run, resist the urge to flee.  Stay calm, cooperate with authorities, and face the situation responsibly. This will completely change the penalty landscape compared to the harsh liabilities of hit and run cases—up to two years in prison and AED 100,000 fines. Insurance will cover most expenses if you stay, but it’s useless if you run. The sad reality is, you can’t even run away—your apprehension is imminent. Drive safely, stay vigilant, respect the law, and remember: responsible actions can save you from harsh consequences in Dubai. Have you ever dealt with a hit-and-run? Let us know below!