Traffic Accidents Without Injuries: Legal Consequences and Documentation Procedures

Traffic accidents without injuries constitute a significant portion of accidents on Ukrainian roads. In such cases, only vehicles and property are damaged, but this does not mean the absence of legal consequences for the at-fault party. Understanding administrative liability, documentation procedures, and the possibility of settlement without calling the police are key aspects every driver should know.

Administrative Liability for Accidents Without Injuries

When no one is physically injured in an accident and only vehicles, property, or road infrastructure are damaged, liability arises under Article 124 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. This article establishes punishment for traffic violations that resulted in damage to vehicles, cargo, roads, streets, railway crossings, road structures, or other property.

Article 124 provides for two types of penalties: a fine of 850 hryvnias (50 non-taxable minimum incomes) or license suspension from six months to one year. It is important to understand that even the absence of injured parties does not exempt the driver from liability for creating a potentially dangerous situation on the road.

In practice, courts most often choose a fine, but license suspension may be applied for repeat accidents, serious traffic violations (running a red light, crossing double lines), as well as for novice drivers or in cases where the court has questions regarding the offending driver’s qualifications.

European Accident Report: Processing Accidents Without Police

The European accident report is a simplified procedure for documenting minor traffic accidents without the need to call the police. Drivers can independently record the circumstances of the accident and receive compensation from the insurance company, saving time and stress.

A European accident report can only be completed under certain conditions:

• no one is injured or killed;
• no more than two vehicles are damaged;
• no damage caused to third parties;
• all accident participants have valid compulsory civil liability insurance (MTPL) policies;
• there are no disputes between drivers regarding the circumstances of the incident;
• all drivers are sober;
• the amount of damage does not exceed established limits.

Since 2025, the insurance compensation limit for European accident reports has significantly increased: for new contracts — 250 thousand hryvnias, for old contracts — 160 thousand hryvnias. This allows most minor accidents to be settled without involving the police.

Since the first quarter of 2026, a digital service for completing European accident reports has been launched in Ukraine through the “Diia” app. Drivers can record an accident without calling the police and without paperwork: create an accident notification, add photos, select a diagram, location, date and time, obtain the other participant’s consent, and sign the statement through “Diia.Signature”. The app automatically loads data from registers, minimizing the risk of errors.

When a European Accident Report Is Not Possible

Despite the convenience of the European accident report, there are situations when calling the police is mandatory even in the absence of injuries:

• one of the drivers does not have a valid MTPL policy;
• there are disputes between drivers regarding the circumstances of the accident or fault;
• one of the drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• third-party property is damaged (parked car, road signs, fences, etc.);
• more than two vehicles were involved in the accident;
• the amount of damage exceeds established limits.

In such cases, it is necessary to call the police (phone 112), turn on hazard lights, set up a warning triangle, and document all circumstances of the event with photo and video.

Insurance Compensation for Accidents Without Injuries

The presence of an MTPL policy for the at-fault party allows the injured party to receive insurance compensation without going to court. The injured party may contact the at-fault party’s insurance company directly with a claim for compensation for damaged property.

If the European accident report is completed correctly and within established limits, the insurance company is obligated to review the claim and make payment within the established timeframe (usually three days). It is important to register the insurance claim by calling the insurance company directly at the accident scene.

If the at-fault party does not have a valid MTPL policy, the insurance company has terminated membership in MTSBU, or has been liquidated, the injured party may contact MTSBU directly for compensation. However, MTSBU payments usually do not cover all actual expenses, so the injured party has the right to demand the remainder directly from the at-fault party through court proceedings.

Common Mistakes When Processing Accidents Without Injuries

In practice, drivers often make mistakes that complicate subsequent receipt of insurance compensation or proof of innocence:

• verbal agreement without documentation — the most common mistake, when drivers agree “as people,” without calling the police or completing a European accident report, and then one of them changes their position;
• insufficient documentation of accident circumstances — absence of photos of damage, accident scene, vehicle positions, which later complicates proving the amount of damage and event circumstances;
• errors when completing the European accident report — incorrectly indicated participant data, license plates, accident diagram, which may become grounds for insurance company refusal to pay;
• failure to contact insurance company within established deadlines — missing deadlines for notifying about an insurance event may lead to loss of right to compensation;
• signing a European accident report when there are disputes — if drivers disagree on accident circumstances, a European accident report cannot be completed; police must be called.

Practical Advice for Drivers

To avoid problems when processing accidents without injuries, follow simple rules:

At the Accident Scene:

• stop in a safe place, turn on hazard lights, and set up a warning triangle;
• make sure all accident participants are uninjured and sober;
• document accident circumstances: take photos and videos of damage, vehicle positions, skid marks, road signs, markings;
• exchange contact information with the other driver, MTPL policy numbers, and driver’s license information;
• assess the possibility of completing a European accident report — verify all necessary conditions are met.

When Completing a European Accident Report:

• fill out all sections clearly and legibly;
• correctly draw the accident diagram indicating vehicle positions, road signs, markings;
• verify that both drivers have signed the document and there are no discrepancies in explanations;
• if using the digital service in “Diia,” ensure all data is uploaded correctly.

After Documentation:

• immediately call your insurance company and register the insurance claim;
• submit the European accident report along with photos and other documents to the insurance company within the established timeframe;
• keep copies of all documents and photos for yourself.

Court Practice and Appeal

Cases regarding accidents under Article 124 of the Code of Administrative Offenses are reviewed by courts, and decisions may be appealed within 10 days from the date of issuance. In practice, lawyers successfully appeal decisions on license suspension, proving that the circumstances do not require the strictest penalty, and appellate courts replace license suspension with a fine.

It is important to understand that an accident case under Article 124 is not only a fine of 850 hryvnias, but also the foundation for damage compensation claims. Therefore, proper documentation at the accident scene and qualified legal assistance can significantly affect the outcome of the case.

Conclusion

Accidents without injuries remain a serious offense entailing administrative liability. Knowledge of European accident report rules, understanding of rights and obligations, and use of digital tools such as the “Diia” app allow drivers to quickly settle accident consequences without unnecessary time and stress. At the same time, it is important to comply with all procedural requirements and timely contact the insurance company to receive compensation.

If you have questions or problems related to processing accidents without injuries, receiving insurance compensation, or appealing a court decision under Article 124, the specialists at JSC “Law Firm “WINNER”” will provide detailed consultation, help properly complete all documents, and accompany the process at all stages — from negotiations with the insurance company to court representation.

Author: Maksym Lykhovyd, lawyer at JSC “Law Firm “WINNER””.