Car Accident in Qatar: What the Law Requires You to Do (and the Penalty for Leaving the Scene)

After a crash, the first minutes matter. This guide covers what the English text of the Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007, amended by Law No. 5 of 2010) on Al Meezan says about duties after an accident. We read it in October 2026. It does not cover the Penal Code rules on injury and death, compensation, or the reporting steps on Metrash or at a police station, which we could not confirm. It is general information, not legal advice.

If someone is injured (Article 66)

Article 66 says that if a vehicle causes an accident on the road that injures one or more people, the motorist may give the necessary help to the injured and immediately inform the police of the accident. The motorist should not move the vehicle from the scene unless the police give permission or it is necessary in order to help the injured.

The English text uses the word "may" for helping the injured and an obligation for informing the police. Do not read "may" as optional where someone is hurt. Call for help and do not leave.

If no one is hurt

If the accident caused no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, Article 66 says they shall be moved to the nearest service station on the road, and the traffic police shall be informed immediately. A motorist involved in an accident must give the police their name and address, and the name and address of the vehicle's owner, if asked.

Do not leave the scene (Article 57)

Article 57 lists escaping or attempting to escape from the scene of an accident, or refusing to stop when ordered by Ministry of Interior police, among the prohibited acts. Article 94 sets the penalty for this offence as either imprisonment of one month to three years or a fine of QR 10,000 to QR 50,000, without prejudice to any severer penalty in another law. Article 98 says the penalty is at least doubled for recurrence within a year. If someone was injured or killed, the Penal Code may add more, which we did not read.

What else the law lists after serious driving

• **Impounding (Article 88):** driving recklessly or negligently so as to risk life, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving an unsafe vehicle are reasons to impound for up to 90 days. See our guide to impounded vehicles.
• **Suspension (Article 100):** a court may suspend the driving licence or vehicle licence for one to six months for causing accidental death or injury through violation of traffic rules, or for driving a vehicle in an unsafe condition.
• **Owner duties (Articles 67 and 102):** the owner must name the driver to the police, and the owner is responsible for violations unless someone else's driving is proven with documents. If you lend your car, expect to be asked who drove. See unpaid traffic fines.

Insurance (Articles 8 and 104)

Article 8 lists a valid insurance policy covering third-party risk as a condition of licensing a vehicle. Article 104 says insurance companies operating in Qatar may not refuse to insure third parties in motor accidents. The law does not describe how to make a claim. Our guide to car insurance in Qatar covers the basics, and you should call your insurer from the scene or as soon as possible.

Evidence

Article 103 says police records of offences are valid evidence unless proven otherwise. That makes it worth getting the police report and checking it for errors. Take photos of the scene, the plates, the damage and the road, and write down witness names. Our guide to how to file a police report in Qatar covers the general complaint route.

A simple checklist

1. Stop. Never leave the scene.

2. If anyone is hurt, call for help and inform the police at once. Do not move the car unless police allow it or you must to help.

3. If nobody is hurt and the cars can move, go to the nearest service station on the road and inform the traffic police.

4. Give your name, address and the owner's details when asked.

5. Photograph everything. Do not argue about fault at the scene.

6. Call your insurer and keep every document. Keep your licence and registration with you. Article 37 says to carry your driving licence and show it when asked.

What we could not verify

• The current reporting channel for accidents (the law says to inform the police, but not how), and whether a report is needed for an insurance claim.
• How fault is decided and how compensation, including blood money, works. These are outside the Traffic Law articles we read.
• The Penal Code penalties for injury and death on the road.
• The Executive Regulation and any ministerial decisions on accident procedure.